Poor Ganga

HOW LONG????

2011-09-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

HOW LONG will this nation count its numerous dead in Srinagar, New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Malegaon, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Dantewada, Varanasi, Guwahati?

HOW LONG will this nation mourn a life wasted, dreams unfilled, families destroyed forever, the wail of widows and mothers, the cry of children, the agony of the maimed, the wounded and the silence of the shocked fathers?

HOW LONG will this nation fail to accept the challenge of these terror organisations, who not only attack us, but challenge the very fundamentals of our democracy, our secular spirit, our way of living? The visuals of our dead, injured and the weeping, being made good propaganda materials for their websites.

HOW LONG will we keep wearing blinkers provided by our leaders? Blinkers which inform us of a ‘zero tolerance policy towards terrorism’, which inform us ‘that the govt will catch and punish the culprits’. The only thing which comes out as a zero is our safety and our confidence. A safety which the government is constitutionally obliged to provide its citizens, but has utterly failed to provide.

HOW LONG will we hear spokespersons like Renuka Chowdhary, say condescendingly , “The P.M went to the hospital straight from the Airport after his arrival from Bangladesh. What else do you expect him to do?” Maa’m, if the P.M had done his job even half as well as he was required to, there would have been no blast, no loss of lives and therefore no need to go to the hospital. Please Maa’m, spare us the favour! We do not need V.I.P’s who are permitted entry into the hospitals as if they are on a walk in the park, whereas the relatives of the dead and injured run from pillar to post to find their injured and the dead. Please!!!!

HOW LONG will we accept an absolute lack of political will to fight these terrorists, for the sake of vote banks? You cannot fight terrorism when you move around with Osama lookalikes during elections and call for providing bin-Laden an ‘Islamic burial’ and refer to him with deepest respect.

HOW LONG will we keep on hearing homilies about the ‘nation standing as one to fight terror, when on the other hand the politicians themselves have no will? Nation standing as one in ‘sorrow’, ‘grief’, ‘anger’ and ofcourse ‘helplessness’. One does not win wars with these feelings, does one?

HOW LONG will be hear the ‘condemnation of the dastardly attack’, when the future of this nation is being condemned by an enemy, who though not faceless and nameless, is never ever meted out the justice due to him? In case the lengthy and circuitous legal procedure arrives at a decision, hearts begin to bleed for people like Afzal Guru, with their ‘friends’, the ‘intellectuals’ boasting that he would not have received the punishment if he had a ‘good lawyer’. Ostensibly, a ‘good lawyer’ can turn the law and the ends of justice on its head.

HOW LONG will we play politics over the hanging of Afzal Guru, Bhullar and the assassins of Rajiv Gandhi? Will we ever send out a message that any terror activity in this country is a one way ticket to hell?

HOW LONG will we fail to read the intentions of the government which comes out through Wikileaks, the ‘not serious’ approach to extradite Headley, expounded by the National Security Advisor?

HOW LONG will we deceive ourselves with the fact that although Islam might be a peaceful and egalitarian religion, a vast number of its adherents are violent in not only thought but also their actions? They sincerely prescribe to the concept of ‘dar-ul-harb’ and ‘dar ul islam’. They have firm faith in the might of the sword against anybody who is an ‘infidel’.

HOW LONG will we fail to acknowledge the ‘enemy within’? The enemy which is not more than a few thousand fanatics and hoodlums, fed on copious amount of vituperative religious discourses, fed on endless ‘stories’ of harassment of exploitation of their kinsmen, encouraged by the vote bank politics emanating out of the political parties, is determined to bring the nation to its knees.

HOW LONG will we permit the 'intellectuals' who espouse the cases of these terrorists, attend conference held to support their case, for no apparent reason other than publicity? Somehow, they never ever mourn the dead in these attacks or empathise with the families of the victims? Why this dual policy even on 'bleeding hearts'?

HOW LONG will we refuse the accept that the declared Pakistani policy of ‘bleeding India through a thousand cuts’ is still in the active mode, and is only flourishing because of this soft state and confused approach of the various government in power?

HOW LONG will we permit our government to ‘discuss issues apart from terrorism’ with Pakistan, while we continue to bleed? Where has all the pledges take after 26/11 evaporated? Who authorized the political leadership to tread over the dead bodies of the dead of 26/11 to start their bilateral discussions and negotiations?

HOW LONG will this new stand of Pakistan being equally affected by terrorism and therefore an equal sufferer be carried on? We cannot be the burden carriers of the sins of the CIA or the ISI, can we?

HOW LONG will this absurdity of Samjhauta express blast being the handiwork of Hindu fanatics be propagated? A government which gives authenticated documents about the involvement of the LeT in the Samjahuta blast, retracts, and gives the moral equivalence to a Country which is not only a perpetrator of terrorism in India, but is the biggest exporter of this ‘art’,worldwide.

HOW LONG will the Batla House encounter be called a fake encounter? The demoralization of the Delhi police started after this diabolical lie, and is now complete. Battles are not won by demoralized soldiers. All the gains of the intelligence agencies, went down the drain after the hullabaloo over this ‘fake’ encounter, which also gave rise to a pilgrimage to Sanjarpur (village of the killed and the arrested) by political parties, who although had no time for the family of the killed Inspector, but oodles of it for the criminals.

HOW LONG will we refuse to see the diabolical conspiracy launched by a prominent leader of blaming everybody except the real culprits of the crime? This individual is spreading canards, demoralizing and confusing the entire security and the intelligence machinery of the real intentions of the government, because he is ‘MASTER’S VOICE’. Do we really need to name him? But this dangerous game involves innocent human lives…Alas!

HOW LONG will millions be spent on ‘security’ and then an MV Pavit weighing thousands of tonnes slip through undetected, docking itself unchallenged on the beaches of Mumbai? Nobody and nobody gets punished for this act of dereliction of duty. The next Kasab might enter the country on a ship, avoiding the hardships of a dinghy.

HOW LONG will an Army protect the country, when its own chief fights a battle for his ‘correct date of birth’?

HOW LONG will we fail to realize that if you want to avoid war, you have to prepare for war, if you want freedom and peace, you have to be prepared to fight for it?

HOW LONG will the Common Man be treated as a ‘Stupid Common Man’, to be remembered only at the time of election and forgotten after that. The Stupid Common Man, who, is so busy with eking out his livelihood and taking care of the future of his children, that he fails to see his present being ruined by the ‘leaders’ and their lackeys, the bureaucrats, who living in high security zones are completely oblivious of his aspirations, his pains, his exasperation, his helplessness, his anger.

How long…..how long….

Remember, there might not be a next time for us!

“History is not a blind goddess,

Neither does it excuse blindness in others.”

THE CLASS

2011-07-09T04:42:00.000-07:00

The commotion in the class was unbearable. The discussion on the Newton’s third law of motion had turned volatile, with students being broadly being divided into two groups and each group putting forth its opinion. The teacher had permitted the discussion to continue since she believed in free exchange of ideas, and rarely intervened in such discussions, unless and until it threatened to go out of hand.

From the corner of her eye she saw Raul sitting glum faced. As per his previous performances in the class, he never ever uttered a word in the class. Nobody in the class had ever heard his voice on any academic issue. The teacher, inexplicably turned towards Raul and said, “Yes, Raul, you want to say something?”

Raul looked flummoxed on this indiscretion from the teacher. He smiled sheepishly, “No maa’m, I am fine.”

The teacher was puzzled, for she had not enquired about his well being, but had wanted him to join in the discussion. For how was he to learn if he did not participate in any discussion. But Raul would have none of it. This had been the trend ever since Raul was admitted into the college. He would never open his mouth, except to eat Lasagna and Pizzas in the college canteen. Italian food was Raul’s weakness. The only time Raul had participated in anything when he had excitedly jumped up from amongst the audience in a quiz contest to name the Italian Prime Minister. Everybody thought that he had some spiritual attachment towards Italy.

But Raul was no ordinary student. His mother, Sonja was the Managing Director of the Trust which owned the college. Actually, the college, The Youngistan College was not owned by anybody, but there were a group of influential group of people in the city who said that the college was owned by their Trust, and they behaved accordingly. The Principal of the college, Dr. Mindless had been hand picked by Sonja to become the Principal of the college. Initially the Trust wanted Sonja to become the Principal of the college, but because she had never taken any responsibility in her life, she declined. Sonja had created a dictum of her own which she narrated to Raul before sending him to sleep, “No responsibility, no accountability, only power, makes Raul a strong boy.” She also firmly believed in her dictum.

Dr. Mindless, lived true to his name. He would only take directions from Sonja, and implement them come what may. He had been a ‘perfect choice’, Sonja would think occasionally. He would never ever ask Raul to submit his assignments. Not that the teacher would ask for it from Raul, anyway. Raul was the 'crown prince' of the college.

Raul would therefore sit in the class glum faced, surrounded by his friends. Oh Yes, friends he had in plenty. Not because of any exceptional friendly quality, but because he was Raul, the son of Sonja, who had the support of the Trust. These friends would surround him day and night, and praise him to the skies. “Raul is so good looking”, “Raul is so intelligent”, “Raul is this college’s only hope”, they would say. Hope for what? Nobody could answer that.

Raul would smile at them indulgently on hearing this. He would also smile when Sonja would come in the class and sit infront of him, facing the teacher. Her grim look would make the teachers shiver. But Raul would keep smiling all the time his mother sat in the class.Uncannily, she would also always remain silent.

But there was a group of students which opposed the activities of the Trust and therefore inter alia, Sonja and Raul. “Why don’t you ask Raul to provide a mechanical example of Newton’s third law of motion of every action having an equal and opposite reaction” one of them said that day. He was joined in by some others. Raul started sweating on hearing this clamour and looked towards Sonja, who raised her eyebrow towards the teacher. “Class over” the teacher said, as if she had received the cue. “We meet tomorrow, the same time” she said. But these students would have none of it, “let him first answer the question”, they shouted.

“What is going on?” Dr. Mindless had entered the class, “is this a Parliament or what?” he queried.

The rowdy students would have none of it, “Don’t try to again save Raul, sir” they said, “let him answer the question.”

“Class dismissed!” Dr. Mindless would have none of it. He also looked at the teacher in disapproval for not being able to control this uncomfortable situation. How could anybody ask Raul to speak in the class?

Relieved, Raul walked away with his friends. The friends, in reality, were aware of the inadequacies of Raul, but kept him in good humour to placate the Trust and therefore earn freebies for themselves. After all, it pays to be in the good books of powers that be.

Raul had this uncanny ability of talking once he got out of class. Once he gotten into a train to travel some distance. This was the first time he had traveled in a train. “What an experience” he said after getting down alongwith his friends. “What did you find unique about this experience”, one of his friends enquired after getting down. The rest of the friends literally jumped on the enquirer for having the temerity to ask this question. For them, if Raul said ‘unique’, ‘unique’ it had to be.

“No, no”, Raul said condescendingly, “let him ask” he went on, “I will tell you. The unique experience was getting onto and getting down the train.”

The friends were perplexed at this answer. But being used to praising Raul, they went on, “Wow, what an answer” one of them said, “this is the greatness of this boy” another said. The enquirer did not have the nerve to ask another question as to the uniqueness of this, for millions of people followed this practice on a daily basis.

Not that the group of students opposed to Raul were any mugs either. They were an intelligent lot and quite vociferous too. But they were a disunited lot. They spoke in too many voices and were at times enticed by the Trust with goodies. Raul could therefore continue with his silence in class and his words of wisdom outside.

“There is so much to learn from the farmer” once Raul said on a visit to the rural side, “you cannot learn all this in the class.”

The friends accompanying him wore that puzzled look again, for Raul had kept silent during a class debate on the “WAYS SCIENCE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO ANOTHER GREEN REVOLUTION”. But being used to sycophancy they only nodded in approval.

But the enquirer had still not learnt his lesson, “What do you learn from the farmer boss?” The friends were again stunned. “Does he always have to ask these questions?” they thought, “now we will get to hear another nonsensical answer.”

“So much, my friend” Raul replied, “look at the way they build their bare huts, how they survive on so few amenities, how he simply borrows from money lenders at exorbitant rate, all without flinching. That is not all, there is no power for days at stretch, yet he manages to irrigate the fields.”

“But what about improvement in agriculture? How can that be improved?” The enquirer’s curiosity could not be quenched. “What improvement?” Now it was Raul’s turn to be puzzled, “don’t you see the green fields and vast lands?” he clarified.

“But that will always be there in the fields,” the enquirer said, “but how do improve agricultural output?”

“ Improve what? I talked of learning outside the classes” Raul replied “not teaching, my dear friend. That is for the teachers and Principals like Dr. Mindless to do. For us, we have to care about the Trust and see that the Teachers stay in line. In the meanwhile my learning outside the class will continue”

“So shall we expect you to start speaking in class so that teachers stay in line or new ideas are formulated?”The enquirer thought that finally Raul might start speaking in class.

“Tch…Tch..speak in class, why do it, when you can stay silent and top in the class”, was Raul’s reply.

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO STAY SILENT AND LET PEOPLE THINK, RATHER THAN OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE A FOOL.

BABA SE KAUN DARTA HAI

2011-06-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

"Baba se kaun darta hai?” thus spake Digvijay Singh, aka Diggy Raja, on the proposed Satyagraha of Baba Ramdev in order to pressurize the government to bring in stringent laws against black money and other allied issues. The fearless Diggy Raja did not stop at this, and further went on to say “Baba is a businessman and not a sanyasi.” This is what I like about Diggy Raja, as he knows things which nobody else does. For example, did anybody apart from Diggy Raja or the author of the book know about the fact that the attack in Mumbai on 26/11 was carried out by the RSS people in collaboration with the Israelis. Well, Diggy Raja thought so, as he released the book, 26/11: “RSS Ki Saazish”. Did anybody know that Hemant Karkare was not killed by Kasab and his cohorts but by RSS goons? Well, again, Diggy Raja was apparently intimated beforehand by Karkare on such a plot hours before his death. That nobody has corroborated either of the two issues and that David Coleman Headley is spilling the beans faster than a leaking ship does not deter Diggy Raja. He goes on nevertheless.

The fact that Diggy Raja speaks only on a nod given by the powers that be in this country is perhaps the worst kept secret in the country. And those powers that be, are definitely not the P.M or his cabinet is also no secret. The shooting off the mouth about not fearing the protest by Baba Ramdev indicates that the government is at a loss about the method to be adopted to counter this movement which is threatening to snowball into a major embarrassment for them. The fact that the Baba was met at the Airport by a minister as senior as Pranab Mukherjee suffices for the fact that the government is nervous. Pranab da definitely did not go to the airport to discuss Pranayam techniques, did he Diggy Raja?

The nervousness is genuine, since what should have been the mandate of the successive governments has been hijacked initially by the Civil society led by Anna Hazare and then by Baba Ramdev. It is quite evident that the government for whatever its apologists in the English media and ‘stars’ like Shahrukh Khan might say, is more scared of Ramdev than at any point in the past. Ramdev with his sometimes acerbic and caustic methodology has caught the attention of millions in this country. The millions who are now desperate for the government in particular and the politicians in general to do ‘something’. For years, these common people or the aam aadmi have born the brunt of politicians and bureaucrats filling up their coffers at the expense of the common man. For years the common man has witnessed people like Lalu Yadav, Madhu Koda, Raja, Kalmadi and their ilk rise from obscurity and become obscenely rich overnight. The common man is sick of assets increasing 300% in a period of five years for people like Mayawati whereas they are unable to increase their asset by Rs. 300/ during the same period.

The nervousness can be judged from the fact that stories are being circulated about Ramdev buying an island, owning assets worth thousands of crores, his blunt views on homosexuality and what not! The response of the common man to all this shenanigans is, and should be, ‘hang the culprit’ whosoever it may be ! And frankly, what difference does anybody’s views on homosexuality for that matter have on him expressing his opinion about corruption, per se. The same methodology was applied on the Bhushans, albeit in a different manner for their participation the Jan Lok Pal bill.

‘Eminent’ media personalities have openly ridiculed the protests, reaching to the extent of calling the entire experience as ‘primitive’. Exactly, my dear friends! It has to be primitive because it hits the ‘modern’ people exactly where it should. For 63 years after Independence the money has been carried away from these shores and parked in accounts in places like Liechenstein. Bermuda, Antilles apart from the Banks of Switzerland. I bet most of the ‘modern’ people will not be able to locate Liechenstein. Bermuda, Antilles in an atlas. The best part is that the ‘modern’ people stood by silently when the money was being looted away, not a word was raised in protest. If the Supreme Court had not intervened aggressively, Hasan Ali would have been living his king size life quite openly. Although with the quality of investigation of the agencies in the country, it would not be too much of a surprise to see him come out unscathed. Do we need to see any further than Laloo Yadav to believe in that.

What is more ‘bizarre’ and ‘surreal’ than the masses amassed at the Ram Lila grounds, is the uncanny resemblance to the age of the British Raj for which the grand old man of the then enslaved India, Dadabhai Naoroji, in his famous Drain theory very aptly likened the British rule as a ‘sponge which sucked money from India shore and then released it in the Thames’. Nearly 130 years have passed since Naoroji alongwith R.C.Dutt propounded the Drain theory, but have things changed apart from the fact the sponge is now not the British Raj, but our own Raj. Is this why our freedom fighters gave up their home, hearth and lives for? To change the hands looting the common man, a brother looting his own brother.

The government says that laws cannot be brought within a day! Excuse me! A day! 63 years have passed since independence, which have resulted in 110 amendments to the constitution, and you need the threat of an indefinite fast to talk of laws in this regard! It is an admitted fact that an economy parallel to the Indian economy, if not more is run through black money. I wonder what the response of the government would have been if an aam aadmi with no following would have asked for a law against black money. I will tell you, he would have slapped with charges of attempt to suicide, his house land records would have been proved to be fake, his children would have ‘caught cheating’ in exams….If you don’t believe me, just turn around and have a look.

The support Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev are getting is symptomatic of the frustration of the aam aadmi. For a price, you can get from police verification to 2G spectrum. Without it, well……

Honesty and forthrightness have become a dangerous possession to have in these times. Amar Singh was let loose on the members of the civil society, who for all practical purposes have been taken for a ride. Drafting a law has nuances, we are told. We must get opinion of all state governments and political parties, we are told. It has to be approved by the parliament we are told. At the very same time, the NAC is drafting a bill on Prevention of Targeted Communal Violence. Interested in wanting to know who is drafting the bill? Teesta Setalvad, who was reprimanded by the SIT probing Gujarat riots for instigating people to make false and exaggerated claims on the riots. But do you hear any voice about the extra constitutional rights of the NAC to draft the bill or opinion of the state governments. No, because the reasons are too obvious.

The aam aadmi is now sick of this double standards. Attack Ramdev for his the Patanjali trust, but remain mum on the Rajiv Gandhi foundation. Keep Karim Morani in your corner and smirk on questions about your links to him with a derisive “that’s the Morani corner”, without replying to the questions (Shahrukh Khan at a press conference). The mass gathering of support for both Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev is the manifestation of the disgust the people feel for the ‘system’ which has been misused and abused to such an extent that people now see no hope. The earlier the ‘system’ and its ‘representatives’ read the lining on the wall, the better it is for the country. The country can no longer tolerate a poverty line of Rs. 20 per day, for urban and Rs. 11 per day, for rural areas. Can the chairman of the planning commission live on an amount of Rs. 25 for a single days in any urban area of his choice? The country cannot have the Chief Advisor to the Finance Ministry propagate his theories of legitimizing ‘bribes’.

The patience of the people is running out fast, Baba or no Baba. My advice to Diggy Raja would be, “ Baba is daro ya na daro, aam aadmi se zaroor daro.”

MONKEY BUSINESS

2011-04-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

The jungle of Youngistan was an area of tranquillity amongst the various jungles in the world. Ruled by the Lion, the food chain was in order, with each getting what it required, as per the law of nature. Though nothing was in excess, but the idea of contentment which was inherited by the animals from their predecessors ensured that no animal hankered for that ‘extra’, which had become the bane of other forests. Life passed on peacefully.

Peaceful and content, though Youngistan might have been, the jungles all around were changing. Most of the Jungles were now becoming Jungles of Concrete instead of Jungles of trees. The animals who were propagating issues of environment were cutting trees on the sly and then resorting to compelling the meek and timid jungles to save trees, so that they could get more trees to cut.

But away from all the hullabaloo, Youngistan was at peace with itself. Complying with the law of the jungle, the king Lion did partake his food by devouring his share of the animals, but nobody complained. For not only was the Lion wise and sagacious , but his enormous strength ensured that his subjects never felt threatened by any other animal from the surrounding jungles of concrete. Any attempt to encroach on the territory and inhabitants of Youngistan was sternly dealt by the Lion.

With the passage of time, some monkeys of Youngistan, who had been captured by the Circus people of one of the Jungle of Concrete but had now become useless with the introduction of events like the ‘laughter challenge’ were left back in Youngistan. These monkeys, who had travelled around other jungles with their performance of dancing and jumping up and down the trampoline, now felt like an outcaste in the languid atmosphere of Youngistan. With the King Lion around, they dare not try any ‘monkey business’ with the other animals of Youngistan, for they shivered at the thought of punishment which would be meted out by the Lion, in case they got caught, which knowing the Lion, they would. On the contrary, in the Jungle of Concrete, with its law enforcing body of Central Bureau of Idiots, nobody would ever get caught.

“Why can we not have the Central Bureau of Idiots” would crib Kapi the monkey, who being the perfect imitator, had watched innumerable episodes of Adalat and picked up the mannerisms of a lawyer. He was referred to as Kapi the Vakil by his Band of Monkeys. The band also consisted of Mamo, who did not have a mind of his own and simply followed the dikats of Soni the monkey who did not originally belong to Youngistan, but had met them subsequently at the Circus. Since she was not accepted by her own jungle folks who were now ruled by Silvio the King Of Monkey business, she had come to Youngistan. Since Mamo did not have a mind of his own, and Kapi had seen that such animals were called as Economists in the Jungle of Concrete, he was referred to as Mamo the Economist. Mamo felt thrilled whenever he was called so.

But the star in this band was neither, Kapi, nor Soni or Mamo, but Baba the monkey. Baba who was the son of Soni was strikingly good looking for a monkey. Amongst the band which was haggard and tired after spending a life time in the circus, Baba’s looks was a talking point. He was referred to by other names based on products in the Jungle of Concrete, Yuvraj, Amul were some of the titles he had earned.

But Kapi could crib about the CBI only in private, for he was scared to death of the Lion. Kapi, incidentally, had befriended a rat like animal on his way back to Youngistan and named it B’char, after his fondness for the pickle. B’char was smaller than the rat and very timid in nature. But Kapi was very fond of him.

The monkeys were however very uncomfortable after their return. Though they had been welcomed back after their arrival by other animals, the presence of the Lion would not let them sleep in peace. The tricks learnt in the Jungle of Concrete could be displayed in his presence at their peril. As providence would have it, Kapi came across Raja the jackal. Raja was a disgruntled jackal, who had been punished by the King after one of his misadventures in the past. Raja took his name seriously, “Arre what King” he would say,” he is an usurper”, he would go on, “I am the real Raja”. He had a motley group of friends in Manti the skunk, Power the fat mouse and Karu the Racoon, all carrying resentment against the Lion.

The band of monkeys now had friends.

One day, Kapi had a brainwave.

“This is dictatorship” he would say, “In the jungles of concrete, which has tall buildings, shopping malls, multiplexes and the laughter challenge, this would not do” he would go on. Kapi would then take out photographs of the Jungle of concrete and show it to the animals who would inquisitively gather around. Some animals would be impressed by what they saw, “how do we get this” they would ask. “simple” karu would say, “ get what the Jungle of Concrete has.”

“What?” the impressed animals would say.

“Elect your leader” Power would add.

“But we already have a leader” the animals would say, “the Lion”.

“Arre, what leader?” Raja would now join in, “look what he brought you,” Only trees and talks of happiness. Now take a look at the real happiness,” the photographs would be again circulated.

B’char would quitely witness this sitting in the lap of Kapi. Mamo would only look at Soni for guidance, who in turn would look at Baba radiantly.

“Yes, we can” now reverberated around Youngistan, “enough of contentment”.

The Lion did nothing, for he loved his subjects. Moreover he had seen enough of life to desperately hanker for kingship. Although one roar from him would have ensured that “Yes we can” converted to “No, we can’t”, but he did not roar. The demand was conceded to.

Now everyone in the band of monkeys wanted Baba to become their leader. But Soni would have none of it. “What if the Lion decides to come back” she thought, “Baba might be in trouble.”

“Mamo will be our leader,” she exclaimed. The rest had no choice, “Yea, so be it” they screeched, for they did not want this opportunity to go.

Mamo did not know what to say. Actually, he had know idea as to what was going on. Well, that he had no idea about anything, except look towards Soni could not be revealed before everyone.

The first few months went of peacefully. The Lion stayed in the background, content with what he had, which apart from his dietary requirements was not much. Laughter Challenge was introduced, and everybody was happy.

Unnoticed, B’char started gaining weight.

But Youngistan was very happy. They would roll over with laughter after watching Laughter challenge.

However, Vicky the Cockatoos started detecting something fishy. Vicky had a habit of eavesdropping into conversation amongst animals and then not keeping that secret to himself. He literally leaked secrets, and had therefore earned the nickname, “Vickleaks’.

Now Vicky overheard the conversation Raja, Power and Karu were having with the animals of Jungle of Concrete. He also noticed that any animal passing by B’char would start losing weight whereas B’char was growing by the day. The birds and animals passing by B’char would externally appear to be alright but would internally loose all flesh leaving only the skeleton behind.

Vikyleaks now put two and two together and started screaming ,”Look at B’char, look at B’char,” it sounded desperate, as other animals gathered around, “it is becoming fat, while the rest of the animals are growing weak.”

Vicky leaks also shared the conversations it had overheard amongst Raja, Karu, Kapi and the animals of Jungle of Concrete.

Youngistan now became agitated. As it is, they had become bored with the Laughter Challenge and now this. They marched towards the tree, which was home to Mamo. “We demand an answer” they told Mamo.

They could now see B’char growing menacing by the second. B’char now looked like a beast. A dinosaur would have looked like a pygmy in front of B’char. It was sucking life out of animals, in front of the rest.

“You must do something” they pleaded before Mamo.

Mamo looked at Soni, who looked radiantly at Baba, oblivious of the events.

“Say something” the animals would say, “ the Lion would always look after us and listen to us” they said.

The reference of the Lion brought a frown on the face of Soni. Seeing this, Mamo turned towards the protesting animals, “I deny the veracity, authenticity or the very existence of the conversations reported by Vickleaks” he said.

“Fine, deny it, but what about the menacing size assumed by B’char” the animals retorted, “an animal which could be barely seen by the naked eye, now reaches the sky,” they were angry.

“The growth of B’char is a figment of your imagination” Mamo said confidently, “ he is such an innocuous animal.”

“Do something about B’char. It is alive and growing,” the animals were by now pleading, “The Lion would have done something.”

The reference of Lion again brought Soni and consequently Mamo into action. He started to swing from tree to tree in front of B’char, without doing anything.

“What is this?” the animals demnded.

“Action, my dear friends” Kapi the lawyer spoke out, “after all you do expect a monkey to fight like a Lion, do you?” Kapi had his usual smirk on his face, “please applaud your leader for taking action”.

Soni, started to clap, without even bothering to look towards the swinging Mamo. She looked radiantly at Baba, who sat like his usual doll self, without uttering a word. .

The dove, the peaceful dove, had by now had enough. “If this is the action you propose to take” he said, “I will sit down on this branch and fast myself to death”.

The band of monkeys felt nothing……initially.

The Lion, who was a witness to everything, sat reclusively, without any reaction. But his eyes betrayed his emotions. Some animals swore that they saw a spark in those stone cold eyes.

By now, the animals started gathering around the tree where the dove was on a fast unto death. First they came like narrow streams, which suddenly started gathering momentum.

B’char was least affected by this. It had grown even bigger since the agitation started. Mamo was swinging from tree to tree, “I am taking action.”

Finally, Kapi had another brainwave, “okay, if you want more action” he said , “we will form a team of animals who eat less, and let them come up with a proposal to bring back B’char back to size. Since the team will have animals who eat less, we can refer to the team as Kameaty”.

The animals were very happy, “hail, the dove” they said , “now B’char will be brought back to size.” They cantered back to their Laughter Challenge.

B’char was by now reaching the heavens. Even the Gods were getting restless, as anybody would be if they had somebody staring into their living rooms.

The dove was very restless. Vickyleaks was still shouting at the top of his voice, shouting about the monkey business going on. The band of monkeys had gone back to their work.

The Lion is watching……………

Will it remember its strength and attack????????/

Answers, anybody?

The Choice

2011-04-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

“नानी तेरी मोरनी को मोर ले गए, बाकी जो बचा था काले चोर ले गए”.

Wrote Raja Mehdi Ali for the film Masoom in 1962. He further went on,

“उन चोरों की खूब खबर ली मोटे थानेदार ने, मोरों को भी खूब नचाया जंगल की सरकार ने "

The song sung by Baby Ranu Mukherji and set to music by the legendary Hemant Kumar, symbolised the simple and at yet the naïve times in freshly independent India.

Indira Gandhi subsequently launched her nationalisation and licence quota raj regime. Manmohan Singh followed it up with his liberalisation policies, first as Finance Minister and subsequently in his avatar as Prime Minister.

The thaanedars now found it expedient to join the chors and the Mores (peacocks)…well their dance became item numbers only.

The transparency international which every year brings out an integrity index indicates the fall in the integrity and probity of us Indians, as we keep on slithering down years after year, leading to a real danger of slipping out of the list altogether.

But are we Indians really concerned ???

The UPA I and its sequel, which ostensibly came to power on the premise of ‘कांग्रेस का हाथ आम आदमी के साथ’ slowly but steadily transformed into thousand headed monster of corruption which began to devour the very aam aadmi who had presumbaly brought it to power.As if the CWG scam, the 2 G scam, the S-band spectrum scam, the Adarsh society scam,the CVC shame, the never ending Hasan Ali Khan saga, the Radia tapes and stuff were not enough, the Wikileaks cables confirmed the worst fears people had about the pretensions of democracy in this country. The fact that money power had been unabashedly used to win the vote of confidence in the previous Lok sabha was confirmed by the U.S diplomatic cables.

And the response from a government led by a man whom his self appointed media managers proclaim as a ‘man of impeccable honesty and integrity’, has been so typical of seeking the technicalities of the incident happening in the previous Lok Sabha or simply denying any such incident or challenging the opposition on an election fought and won, ignoring the fact that he has never fought any election as an individual candidate.

The response of the government to the momentous occasion of Anna Hazare going on an ‘fast unto death’ also shows the unwillingness of the political class and the bureaucray to learn from its mistakes and make a new begining, at least at this stage. The mistakes which now make India amongst the most, if not the most corrupt country in the world, where everything which is unlawful can be done provided you are able to make the correct bid and where every law abiding and law implementing person leaves his home scared as to whether he will come back to his family that day. If you do not believe this, perhaps the case of Dr.B.P.Singh, a CMO, in the U.P.Govt. muredered a few days back or of a Manjunath the young IOC officer, might serve as a reminder.

The Prime Minister, who had all the time in the world to sit in leisure and the watch the India Pakistan world cup quarter final in Mohali, a few days back (incidentally the Indo Pak negotiations have again started without any pre condition), has no time for Anna Hazare and passes of the responsibility of the main demand of the adoption of the Jan Lok Pal bill,to the EGOM on corruption.

A unique facet of modern day governance in India is to create committtees for every issue under the sun, from one on corruption, to the right toilet paper for the ministers and perhaps the Parliamentarians, to who should be the next coach of the indian Cricket team.

The concept of committee has been very aptly summed up by the following quote:

"A committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing, but who, as a group, can meet and decide that nothing can be done." -Fred Allen

The concept of Parliament and cabinet has been given the short shrift, perhaps because the leader himself has entered the Parliament on a false declaration of being a resident of a state which he has hardly been to in an individual capacity.

It is interesting to note the composition of the EGOM on corruption which included lumonaries as Veerapa Moily, Kapil Sibal, and last but not the least Sharad Pawar. Kapil Sibal has earned millions defending the indefensible and made the famous comparison of the CAG estimate of loss under 2G spectrum sale as a ‘notional loss’. Today, the CBI which behaves more of a pet poodle rather than a police dog has filed a charge sheet in the same case, but Sibal continues anyway. Sharad Pawar, who has since resigned from the EGOM, must perhaps be the biggest land owner in Maharashtra through legal and benami means, and has his fingers in every pie, except his duty as agriculture minister and was perhaps the last person with credentials to serve on such a committee or on other thoughts, perhaps the perfect credentials.

The government which appears to be under pressure because of growing public frustration has now resorted to typical bureaucratic double talk of acceding to the demand of Anna Hazare to the formation of a committee of Civil activists and ministers to draft a Lok Pal bill by consensus. The double talk is exposed by a dead giveaway that it will not be formally constituted but will meet informally under the chairmanship of who else, but the eternal fire fighter Pranab Mukherjee, whose contribution in the “ONLY VIMAL” brand is all too well known.

It is clear as day light that the left to themselves the politicians will never bring in any anti corruption mechanism. The denigration of the office of the CVC and the CBI bears no reiteration. The hand of the politicians and the bureaucrats will have to be forced. Rest assured that the fight will be drawn out and tedious. The Egypt or the Tunisian model will not work out for us, since the country is hopelessly divided along religious, linguistic and caste fault lines. The very candle lighters and socialites who today sings paeans in praise of Anna Hazare were the ones who thronged the streets of Mumbai, post 26/11 vowing to eliminate the politicians, and within months voting the same people to power who had brought upon them this calamity.

The government will have to be arm twisted into pursuing the money launderers with billions or perhaps trillions stashed away abroad. If the ill gotten wealth of despots and dictators lying in tax havens can be frozen on the request of the concerned country, what stops the government of India from using its economic and strategic muscle to enforce this ‘freeze’, more so in light of the fact that one Mr Q has already emptied his account, and hopefully made payment to the right persons.

This battle will require introspection by each and every citizen about the nature of the country which we wish to leave for our children, as it is not about us but for forthcoming generations. The choice is stark, either we go the way of the Japanese who withstood the calamity of enormous proportions with equanimity, which stems from their inherent honesty or the way of Somalia where even the drought relief is looted and sold in open market. The choice is entirely ours.

In the meanwhile, let a million Anna Hazares bloom.

GANDHIANS WITH GUN!

2010-05-29T03:17:00.000-07:00

Summer vacations are the time when the Bengali traveller lets his hair down. Summers might rank as the second most favoured period for the Bengalis after the Durga Puja or the ‘Pujo’ as they prefer to call it. Trains, ‘special’ or otherwise are choc a bloc. Added with the tenacity a ticket checker pulls in people inside the trains, the position inside the Kurla bound Howrah- Kurla, Gyaneshwari express can be imagined as it left Howrah for its onward journey.

On board the train alongwith the sea of humanity were seven year twins Shirin and Sharmin, wearing identical coloured frocks, enroute to Mumbai accompanied by their parents. It was the first trip the twins had in their short lives. Short indeed it was going to be, for the twins had no inkling that the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ had laid a trap enroute. As is their ilk, the Central and the State government have no clue as to what the methodology of the sabotage was, and what emerges from the media reports that the train was either hit by a landmine explosion or by an even cruder method of removing the fish plates. As the train got derailed, it was hit by a goods train travelling on a parallel track in the opposite direction.

The result- At least 100 people including women and children had been decimated by the “Gandhians with Gun’. Shirin and Sharmin, who were fast asleep when the ‘Gandhian with Gun’ intervened in their lives, died in sleep, in each others arms.

The railway minister says that the casualty figure could have been less if the goods train had not hit the derailed train. She further went on to blame the state government as ‘law and order’ was ‘state subject’. We can equally be certain that the state government will in equal measure blame the railway minister for this tragedy and the blame game will go on.

But does it make any difference to Shirin and Sharmin?????

The signs had been ominous since the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ started gaining ascendance in neighbouring Nepal. The government of the day (UPA-I) supported the Govt. of Nepal with military advise and supply of arms in order to ensure that the ‘Gandhian with Gun’ did not entrench themselves in India’s backyard and thereby start giving colour to their picture of the ‘Red Corridor’ through India’s tribal hinterland into Nepal and henceforth into the dream of the ‘Gandhian with Gun,’ China. But the distant cousins of the ‘Gandhians with Gun’, otherwise known as the Communists raised such a hue and cry that the support to a friendly government was stopped.

The result- The Nepalese version of the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ triumphed over a rudderless monarchy. That the distant cousins are being targeted by these ‘neo Gandhians’ is well, nature’s revenge, shall we say!

The Prime minister has called the Maoists as the ‘greatest threat to India’s internal security’. But the lady who matters evidently favours a ‘soft approach’ and the ‘King in waiting’ says nothing, absolutely nothing, about what his P.M calls the greatest threat. In a situation like this do we for a moment doubt the Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s cry of a ‘limited mandate.’ When the government pulls in different directions, what hope did Shrin and Sharmin have of surviving this assault. The railways have now apparently halted night operations in Naxal prone areas, for the time being. What next? Perhaps paying ‘goonda tax’ to the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ to permit plying of trains in ‘their areas’.

That the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ never had peace on their agenda is evident from the manner in which they have repeatedly attacked anything to do with the Indian establishment, stretching from Schools (especially girls), roads, police personnel, industries.

One thing is very clear, prominent personalities with an eye on the Nobel Peace prize might refer to them as Gandhians or justify their aggression in 32 page article in prominent magazines, or prefer a ‘softer approach’ but these people are criminals, nothing less, nothing more. Romanticizing their mores might make good copy, but ask the people at the end of these neo Gandhian ways of protest, and the answer will be very clear.

The overt and covert support of these so called civil rights activists acts as oxygen to these criminals in their effort to dislodge the Indian state. So Dr. Binayak Sen, a paediatrician by training and profession visits a jailed Naxal leader, ostensibly to check up on his ‘cardiac problems’, Ms Arundhati Roy receives an invitation to visit the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ to visit their abode in Dantewada, after which the ‘writer’ refers to the Home Minister as ‘CEO of the War’ and the drive against the naxals is addressed in even more beautiful prose and even solid reason, sample one appearing in THE OUTLOOK :

“Over the past five years or so, the governments of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal have signed hundreds of MoUs with corporate houses, worth several billion dollars, all of them secret, for steel plants, sponge-iron factories, power plants, aluminium refineries, dams and mines. In order for the MoUs to translate into real money, tribal people must be moved.

Therefore, this war.”

With fellow citizens like this did the people aboard the Gyaneshwari express or the CRPF company in Dantewada have any hope? Does this nation for whatever its ills, have any hope with people like this? Does anyone recall any condemnation from these and others of their ilk for this mindless violence being perpetrated by these propagators of hate.

However it would be foolish to blame the so called civil rights activists for all that is going wrong in these operations. The fact that these criminal leaders are simply exploiting a raw nerve in the tribal people of these regions and their antipathy to the skewed process of the ‘so called development’ in these regions, cannot be for a moment denied. That the Indian state has failed miserably to provide succour even to the urban areas is no mystery. With even the urban areas in such dilapidation, the plight of the tribal areas can well be imagined. The Maoists leaders have simply encashed the resentment of these people.

But the fact also remains that this war is not being fought by these poor exploited tribals but by their proxies, aka these criminals. Even in the wildest imagination and for whatever our pseudo intellectuals might propagate, the tribals have neither the knowhow nor the resources to plant IED’s on the roadsides or rail tracks or ambush the para military personnel in a professionally trained manner with sophisticated arms and ammunitions.

Obviously there is a lot to it than meets the eye. Therefore it becomes all the more imperative that this menace being spread by the ‘Gandhians with Gun’ is met head on. The government cannot abdicate its responsibility for the sake of pleasing individuals and their quest to attain immortality. The Prime Minister has to, for once, assert his authority rather than looking in askance towards, well, we all know who!

It has been made amply clear by these Maoists that they want to attain a position where they can bargain from a position of strength. It remains a core strategy of guerrilla warfare, “Negotiate from strength”. The step of forcing the government to halt night operations of trains is a small but significant step in that direction. We can safely presume that the level of violence will be gradually increased by the Maoists, till the government calls for a ceasefire and negotiation. As sure as hell, this period of ceasefire will further lull the government and its moribund bureaucracy into complacency, and will be utilised by the Maoists to gather strength, revive its cadre base (after all, they become equal to the mighty state as negotiating partners, which leads to more disgruntled element drifting towards it). Negotiations are called off once the purpose of the guerrilla has been achieved and strength recovered, and we get back to the war zone.

The government has to believe in the saying, “Fight a guerrilla, like a guerrilla,” if we wish to succeed. For the initial phase force has to be met with force, not that it is not being done now, but the force has to plan its action, co-ordinate its movements and last but not the least have a uniform policy. The Nobel peace prize aspirants can come later when the Maoists are forced to negotiate rather than the other way round. In a situation like this collateral damage is an unfortunate fact, but isn’t that being sustained right now? Have look at the images of the mangled remains of the Gyaneshwari express and the body of Sharmin being lifted out of it, in case of any doubt.

The effort to start development projects (ostensibly, for that apparently is the motivation of the Maoists) will not make any headway at this stage and the state lends itself to discredit by yielding to force. Not that the Maoists leaders really care for development anyway! Blowing up schools, damaging the already dilapidated roads, maiming innocent people is no way to development, is it? This farce of lack of development as a reason for these senseless acts needs to be exposed for what it really is…….A FARCE!!!

Development can only be considered and implemented in periods of peace and not war. The fact that successive governments failed to provide this since independence remains a flaw which however cannot be rectified by this mayhem and loss of innocent lives.

The state has to stand up for the right of its citizens which includes the tribals who are being led on a merry go round by these criminals. The message that any grievance can only be addressed through peace has to go down loud and clear. The government has to emphasise that whatever Mao might have said and people like Kobad Ghandy believed, “Power cannot be allowed to flow through the barrel of the gun.” This should apply to all, stretching from the games being played by Issak Muivah in Nagaland, Syed Geelani in Kashmir, the Maoists in nearly 1/4th of the country, people like Raj Thackrey or the Khap Panchayats in Haryana.

The Rule of law has to prevail, if the country or Bharat that is India is to survive.

And Ms. Arundhati Roy, Gandhi would not have been Gandhi if he had picked up the Gun. Or perhaps she was referring to Kobad Ghandy!!!

Perhaps one day, we will come across a 03 lines article by Ms. Roy telling the heart rending story of Shirin and Sharmin. But then again it does not make goody copy!

INTERLOCUTOR!

2010-03-04T00:36:00.000-08:00

Dawn was about to break on the 22nd of February. S.M.Krishna, the minister for external affairs was in bed, apparently dreaming about the chic suit he would be wearing in the programmes scheduled for the day and sprout homilies about ‘diplomacy’ and ‘co-operation between India and Pakistan’. The Indo Pak ‘talks’ which had been stalled for about 14 months after the ghastly Mumbai 26/11 attacks, inspite of the efforts of the Prime Minister at Sharm-el Sheikh, were scheduled for the 25th of February in New Delhi. The ‘discussions’ over the weekend were scheduled between Ms. Nirupama Rao, the foreign secretary of India and Salman Bashir, her Pakistani counterpart.

At about the same time, the minister of state for external affairs, Shashi ‘the twiiter’ Tharoor must also have been in bed. His dreams, which are turning into nightmares for the Government and an embarrassment for the nation, usually relate to his bizarre comments on his twitter account. The Indian foreign policy which started from the highly moralistic Pandit Nehru to his aggressive and confident daughter Indira to the policy which somewhat bent towards ‘realpolitik’ under the guidance of Narsimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is now being run on an adhoc basis on twitter accounts. Every entry is subsequently denied and apologised for.

But ‘diplomacy’ and twiiter would have been far removed from the mind of Captain Devinder Singh Jass of the 1st Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army, who at the same point of time had surrounded a house in the Sopore dist. in J&K, alongwith his team of crack commandoes. As per their information Pakistani terrorists had taken shelter in that particular house. But, as news reports suggest, it was a classic case of double cross or misinformation, depending on what you believe! The militants were well positioned in a number of surrounding houses, and opened fire. In the resulting chaos, Capt. Jass was taken captive by the terrorists and murdered by brutally slitting his throat. The ensuing battle lasted for three days and the body of Capt. Jass could not be retrieved for nearly twenty four hours. The intensity of the battle can now very well be imagined. Two other commandoes of the 1st parachute regiment also lost their lives in the battle.

Two days later in New Delhi while the ashes of Sopore were still smouldering, one could hear the same soporific, ‘we conveyed our views on terrorism’ ‘talks went on as expected’ line. This after the Pakistani foreign secretary categorically asserted that “Kashmir remains the core issue”, and further referred to the dossiers on the Mumbai attack as “literature”.

Remember that Hafiz Saeed still roams free, spewing venom on India, unhindered and uninterrupted! Apparently, the Pakistani government treats the dossiers as not even ‘literature’, but ‘pulp fiction’. Read it, and throw it.

The signs had as usual, been ominous for the days preceding the 25th February ‘talks’. “We did not kneel before India, it is they who have come to us for talks”, thundered Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi , The Pakistani foreign minister at a public rally. Given the fact that after the London conference about Afghanistan, where incidentally India was not even invited, the Pakistanis can sniff the evident change (once again) in the U.S. policy about the region. The Pakistanis have leveraged the home bred terrorist to good advantage (again, once again). The Americans under Obama, who are desperate to get out of Afghanistan have literally given the Pakistanis the green signal to provide them a face saver and help them in getting out with their dignity still intact. That whether the same will happen is another issue.

The Pakistani belligerence which had gone quiet after the international condemnation after 26/11 has to be understood in the context of the American dilemma. With the Americans off their back, we can expect the Pakistanis to focus full time on India and its unfinished agenda of partition and the revenge for the creation of Bangladesh.

But how long will the Indian foreign policy look in askance towards other nations? When the whole world is looking to serve its interests we are still groping in the dark. The foreign policy is being conducted in a manner which is akin to the story of the blind men being asked to explain an elephant by feeling it. Everybody who is a somebody, has his own way of conducting the foreign policy.

But the question which desperately needs an answer: For how long???

For how long will bravehearts like Devinder Singh Jass sacrifice their lives for something which is not even clearly defined. Incidentally Captain Jass was three months from completing an MBA when he was selected for the India Army. He had already received an offer from the U.S. accountancy firm Deloitte.

He however decided to serve the nation, rather than serve himself. Shortage of motivation anybody?

But why??

This question needs a definitive answer from the powers that be in this country. Why should parents send their wards as lambs for slaughter, when the ministers and bureaucrats (the unholy nexus) change national policy at the drop of a hat. Shashi Tharoor has already expressed his opinion about Saudi Arabia being a “valuable interlocutor” between India and Pakistan.

INTERLOCUTOR!!! Excuse me!!

Since when do we need an interlocutor to intercede on our behalf and request our friends from killing our citizens in Pune, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad……………..(do we really need this list?). Since when do we need an interlocutor to plead to a roguish nation the need to desist from harassing us? Will Mr. Tharoor seek an interlocutor if some rogue misbehaved with his family! Perhaps he might, but let us for a moment also look at the antecedents of the proposed ‘interlocutor’.

Saudi Arabia remains as the biggest sponsor of Wahabi terrorism which has spread its tentacles worldwide. As any Intelligence officer would vouch for, Saudi petro dollars are the biggest source of funding for the web of madrasas in this country. The link between the madrasas and the resentment in the Muslim community needs no elaboration.

Some interlocutor!

And let us not be befooled by this twitter humbug being an individual expression. From all accounts it appears that it is being used as a sounding board for policies which emanate from the top. Shashi Tharoor getting away unscathed after each ignominy indicates as much only.

The mentality of the Pakistani ruling clique, whether it be the so called democratic forces or the real rulers, the army, can be partially understood from the statement which Mohd. Ali Jinnah gave at the call of the Direct Action Day in 1946, when he infamously uttered, “we have forged a pistol and we intend to use it.”

Needlss to say that the pistol is still being used, because nobody in this country had the guts to stand up and snatch the pistol and use it against its owner. This applies equally for today as it applied for then. Ahimsa as a creed is not cowardice. It is time we understand this. The families of people like Devinder Singh Jass or the innocent students on that fateful evening at the German Bakery in Pune have to be assured that the country will not sell out on the sacrifices of their loved ones.

The government of Pakistan needs to be firmly informed that no discussion of any kind is possible unless and until the tap of this mindless violence is turned off. The Americans might covertly make a hue and cry over this, but it is high time we define our policies and cast them in stone. Governments might come and go, but policies affecting national interest cannot be vacillated upon. The price of indecisiveness and subservience before the Americans is too high.

Otherwise please do not cry over a shortfall off officers in the Army…….

PEHCHAN KAUN !

2010-02-02T23:56:00.000-08:00

“What’s in a name,” said William Shakespeare, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

However such sentiments are nothing new for us Indians. Thousands of years ago, the Vedas talked of all paths leading to God. It seems that even the great bard was a follower of the Vedic ideas, or how else would he express the same sentiments albeit in a different manner. But let us not talk of the Vedas and the saints or our legacy and tradition, for I do not wish to be categorized and therefore for being ‘communal’.

Without digressing from the sentiments expressed by Shakespeare, it has been established that we Indians care two hoots for any name. Look around yourself, a Suresh would go through all his life being referred to as ‘Ramesh’ by his Boss, without so much as flinching. The boss is always right, you see. However we carry these sentiments of calling a Rose a Mushroom to other realms of life also. For us life is such a Que Sera Sera that we ride in dilapidated buses which pass off as public transport, two people are reserved the same seat on a train journey and both manage with the same felicity without a murmur of protest. Both ‘adjust’ on the same seat with each sleeping with his feet touching the head of the other, we even manage with smelly socks at such times.

Protest! No Sir, that is reserved for times when Saurav Ganguli is dropped from the Indian team (we miss those times since Ganguli retired) or when the Marathi Manoos like the Dinosaur, faces extinction and definitely not when a Cabinet Minister’s claim for thousands of crores of profit through his fodder management theory is rubbished by his successor (Nano bhagao Bengal bachao fame). That on both occasions the Prime Minister remained the same economist, who is a firm believer in the laws of probability where your moto remains ‘Probably Madam wants me to speak or probably she wants me to remain mum’. With a theory like this, you cannot fail! Accountability!!! What’s that??

Therefore it is absolutely disgusting to witness the grumblings from a minority about the Tricolour not being unfurled at the Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the 26th of January this year.
Big deal!! I tell you what is difference between the Tricolour being or not being unfurled at Lal Chowk ! As it is, it was taken down within a couple of hours after being unfurled at the Lal Chowk during the last Republic day, ostensibly because a large crowd approached the area in protest.

What difference does it make anyway, Baba? Flag or no flag!!

Let’s not grumble about the effect of symbols on national life. As it is, we are used to leading a symbolic life. Have a doubt? Look around, what passes of as the holy Ganges, is nothing but a flowing mass of sewerage, dead bodies, chemical waste. The water has turned septic at places. But that something called faith, keeps us going, doesn’t, it? You still have people using the holy water on auspicious occasions. So you call it the Ganges or septic water, what difference does it make?So why this hullabaloo about the tricolour!

I hate this minority who whimper that the tricolour was being unfurled by the security forces for the past 17 years, and this decision to give the ceremony a go by is an insult to the nation and the freedom fighters who gave up their home and hearth for the sake of the nation.

Oh come now, didn’t the great Arundhati Roy (my salutations to her) describe the national flag as something best suited to be used a shroud. What brilliance, isn’t it?? So what are we cribbing about? We should be happy that somebody had the wisdom of consigning the shroud to the best place possible……..(let’s skip the elaboration, your guess is as good as mine). In case of any doubt, please contact the Goddess of the Final word.

But the sentimental fools still don’t take the hint. The freedom fighter laid down their lives for the flag they say, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and common folk have done the same after freedom, they carry on. Fools!! you still don’t take the hint, do you? Laying down their lives and shrouds!! Don’t get the connection!

Some worthy remarked that since the area of Lal Chowk had been taken over by the J& K police the ceremony was deliberately skipped, as previously the area was under the control of the Central para-military forces . Now you can take your Tricolour alongwith you, as you vacate this place, somebody must have said. That the same somebody had never even as much raised a whimper when their land has been infiltrated by mercenaries from Pakistan Afghanistan, Chechnya and other such exotic lands and their people looted and raped, is obviously a trivial.

I was moved to hear some great politician (my General awareness is so limited that I could not identify the gentleman or was it lady in with a Kashmiri scarf over her head?) say that the act of raising the tricolour was “an act of needless provocation” to the people of the city and that it was good that it was given a go by.

BARVO! BRAVO!

Let us all give this person a standing ovation for stating the truth. Such a needless provocation it was, year after year, for 17 long and horrible years. Watching it go up and flutter for one day in a year. Oh, the pain! The insensitivity! Acts of such and similar ‘needless provocations’ are a part of our mores it seems.

Remember the ‘needless provocations’ indulged in by the Kashmiri Pandits on the hapless people of the state and their ‘foreign guests’ which continued since centuries till those glorious nights in 1990, when the brave ‘secular’ muezzins from the mosques, supported by equally ‘secular’ politicians and bureaucrats in New Delhi let loose the chivalrous call for the Kashmiri Pandits to pack up and leave the state in one hour and leave their women folk behind. For centuries these people had lived in their homes and indulged in ‘needless provocation’ by just being there. Shameless people!! Rightfully were they driven away in perhaps one the biggest exodus in human history. And even more rightfully the government of the day looked away. After all nobody supports the ‘provocateurs’, do they?

The best part is that some ‘secular’ politician (glory be to them) some day is sure to pick up the ‘needless provocation’ bit and say that the brave Kasab had been ‘needlessly provoked’ by the Mumbaikars into visiting the city with his ‘friends’. Even Afzal Guru had been ‘needlessly provoked’ by the hungama being created in the Parliament.

I love this stuff, we can go on and on about ‘needless provocation’! But let us leave it at that, and let the readers (if there are any) come up with more ‘needless provocation’ stories.

But the award for The William Shakespeare “What’s in a name” award, goes to………………….
No, not the Lal Chowk warriors or the bravehearts in New Delhi who did not raise as much as a squeak over the issue, but……

The ministry of Women and Child Development, who in their advertisement for the Girl Child day placed a photograph of the former Vice Chief of the Pakistan Air Force, Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad alongwith the photographs of the Lady with a sphinx like silence, the Prime Minister (yes they are separate people, whatever your smirks might say). The other personalities blessed with honour in the Advertisement were Kapil Dev, Virender Sehwag, Amzad Ali Khan.

I fully agree with the Minister for the department, Krishna Tirtah, who defended the mistake with a spiritual ‘we should look into the spirit of the Ad’. Attaboy, or Attagirl, Madame Tirath, what’s in a name or a photograph after all. We could have placed the Great Kasab alongside a snap of Yuvraj Gandhi, Musharaff alongside Mahatma Gandhi. What’s in a name or photograph, after all? Aren’t Obama and Osama only a word apart.

But as usual, the fuss over this ‘spirit’ is remarkable. Heads are being called for, by the same useless people who shout over Google China showing Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, or fret over the web site of the Commonwealth Games Federation showing parts of Kashmir and Punjab as Pakistani territory.

I ask you guys, don’t these ‘mistake pointers’ have nothing better to do? I mean how can you call printing a Pakistani officer’s photograph in a Govt. ad as being a mistake? Imagine a minister or a bureaucrat finalizing the entire lay out of the ad. Who then will care for the strategic positioning of their individual photograph as near as possible to the Lady who matters. As it is, the Prime Minister is spoiling the entire layout by being sandwiched between them! Now having to care for the entire layout!!

What a waste of time!!

Imagine how hard some bureaucrat must have worked in locating a photograph in a Uniform for being placed in the Ad, and now this ruckus. Only a person who has helped his/her kid with homework will sympathise with this poor man. You work so hard in locating a suitably decked officer and these ungrateful wretches crucify you! What difference does it make anyway? How many countrymen will be able to identify their Air Force Chief anyway? He is no Rahul Mahajan or Rakhi Sawant, is he? Anyway KBC stopped a long time ago and we are not updating our knowledge for free, are we?

So let us all give a standing ovation to the inheritors of the great bards saying, “What’s in a name?”

And will somebody please tone down the volume of that song, “Woh Tiranga Umra Bhar Lehrayega”

MANORANJAN KA BAAP IV

2010-01-21T03:30:00.000-08:00

MANORANJAN KA BAAP is back!!!

No sir, I am not talking about my writing, which is also back temporaily, but about the launch of IPL season III.. Hope you guys remember the punchline from the first edition and the original Manoranjan ka Baap.

Like any traditional Indian wedding, the bride’s father (the franchisee owners in this case) have had a hard look at the prospective grooms available in the market(the players) and like the real traditional wedding brought grooms from the market place (the auctions in the instant case) according to the depth of their pockets.

Uncanny resemblance isn’t it?

Like any traditional wedding also, the bride’s father is now showcasing his buy, while the jealous father’s (the one’s left behind) can only look on with envy.

But for a moment Yaad unhe bhi kar lo, jo bazaar mein bik na paaye.

Wonder whether Lata Mangeshkar will sing this for us.

Anyway!

Let us all unitedly cast our mind on those unfortunate Pakistani grooms..oops.. players who appeared all decked up as prospective you know what but found no suitors.

Imagine!! 11 Prospective grooms, with excellent pedigree, and no buyers! Have the bride’s parents gone blind or what??

What to say of Pakistan, even the intellects in this country have gone berserk, the peaceniks have started abusing and threaten to stone anything which moves (which is hardly anything in this country anyway), Kashmir is threatening to secede and Kuldip Nayar has started out on his walk towards the Wagah border with candles in his hand. The newspapers are running out of sheets, the news anchors, especially the intelligent English speaking ones have developed sore throats from trying to outshout anyone who dares to outshout them.

But guess who the only happy soul is!!!

Guess??

I will not proceed any further with this stupid guess part. How will people guess the idiocy only I am capable of thinking. Not even the three idiots!

Sharad Pawar, the agriculture minister and the astrologer in house in the cabinet, has been given respite by the media friends who being too busy with the auction business are not roasting him alive by the ‘food price rise’ business. Finally people are thinking about other pressing issues apart from food and eating. As it is, we Indians think only about eating most of the time. Last heard he was seen praying in Marathi at the Siddhi Vinayak temple (No, we will not press any further on this). I have great respect for the MNS and the Shiv Sena. AAmchi Deva, if you please, and if it makes any sense.

But the most offended have been the parents of the turned down grooms aka the Pakistani players. The interior minister of Pakistan, Rahman Malik was indignation personified when he said that, ‘this showed that India was not serious about talks,’ ‘India should say sorry’, ‘Now they will send a plane to take our players.’

Talks!! Sorry!! Atta boy, Mr. Rahman… Bravo, Bravo!

Some worthy went a step further and opined, ‘India will face the consequences’. ‘Treachery’ , ‘Traeson’ are some of the lighter words that have been used.

I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed by our ‘friends’ from across the border. After all what better way to start the ‘talks’ between the two countries than play Cricket. You see that is why they call it ‘MANORANJAN KA BAAP’. What Sharm-el- Shaikh could not do, IPL would have done. After all it has been a time tested strategy between us to talk through Cricket. We started in 1978 when India went to Pakistan to play cricket, 2003-04 was another ice breaker. That we are still at the staring point on the real issues is completely besides the point.

Now I will let you guys on to a few historical and contemporary secrets, subject to the condition that you guys don’t share it with others. You see what I am going to divulge is from the confidential records of the Intelligence agencies. They are so confidential that even the Intel guys do not know about their existence.

Hold your breath guys, here goes.

Do you guys know why India was partitioned in 1947??

Please do not pay any heed to this nonsense of a political rivalry between Jinnah and Nehru and the underlying fundamental religious differences, or British treachery. Hogwash, I tell you!!!

Anybody who cares about History just needs to travel back to the days of Bodyline when Sir Donald Bradman was sought to be neutralised as a run machine. Now take a careful look at the progenitor of the theory of Bodyline—the one and the only Douglas Jardine. Now what I suggest that we take out any old photograph of Mohd. Ali Jinnah (in case of requirement, contact Jaswant Singh, that is all he has nowadays, you might get a discount).

Now compare the looks, the suits, the gait, the personality………Yessirrr, Jinnah and Jardine were twins separted at birth. The fact like Karna in the Mahabharat was known to Jinnah only, Jardine died blissfully in ignorance. Now let us get back to the main story, cut in brief. Jinnah with the knowledge of his brother having made it big in the field of Cricket, wanted a revenge in the game Jardine played best. Therefore in order to start the fight, he needed to become the captain of the Indian Cricket team.

But history has a strange way of imposing itself. Pandit Nehru, like the politicians of the day, manipulated the selection committee like a puppet. No way would he let Jinaah overtake his favourite player to the captaincy of the country (We will not name the palyer, for we do not no his name anyway).

Jinnah pleaed, cajoled, threatened to retire, even went to the Mahatma for his interference. But the Mahatma, true to his style ‘saw only darkness, wanted the truth to prevail’. Jinnah wanted to know the truth, the way to eliminate the darkness. But the Mahatma, true to his style again, would not tell. So the truth remained untold, darkness persisted. Jinnah had a sneaking feeling that even the Mahatma did not know the truth or the way out. But then who could say so??

So finally Jinnah made up his mind, truth, darkness, celibacy….whatever, if he could not captain India, he would do the next best thing! Create his own country!!!! He thought that once you have your own country, who can stop you from being the captain!

So now you know, the Pakistan day resolution, the call for the Direct Action day, the massive butchery where millions were massacred on both sides, and the real reasons behind the creation of Pakistan. Jinnah only forgot one thing in the whole scheme-----His advancing age.

But he pledged that day, that he will get his revenge from these Indians. Pakistanis will get their due in Indian Cricket. They will not ask for it, but grab it.

The records of the intelligence agencies categorically indicate Ajmal Amir Kasab, the poor innocent guy, who was caught in Mumbai on that fateful night, was no terrorist who along with his team members was alleged to have gunned down around 200 people, as he has been pleading all along, but an aspiring cricketer who wished to be a part of the Manoranjan ka Baap. But the Indian agencies in connivance with the IPL framed them in this massive deceit. The poor fellow has been crying hoarse (and getting fat in the comforts of the prison) that he did not fire at people but infact had been framed, he further has asserted in court that the firing in Mumbai in those fateful days was carried out by Indians. Interestingly Kasab’s team was made up of 10 players only. Jinnah remains the non playing captain of all such teams. And you know the reasons behing this Indian chicanery.

No sir, not because these guys were out here to destroy India as a part of a long drawn process, but ostensibly because the Indians would go to any extent to deprive the Pakistanis to play Cricket in India.

Does this claim in light of the events at the auction and the ‘great betrayal’ of the Pakistani players, not ring true?

The truth has to come out some day. The truth that whatever we might feel about the ‘alleged’ Pakistani sponsored and instigated terrorism which has resulted in two major and two minor wars, resulted in thousands of people being killed, maimed or made homeless is not because of some pathological hatred between the two nations or the overt statement and subsequent policy of ‘bleeding India through a thousand cuts’, but because of the fact that Pakistani players are being denied their share of the pie in Indian money.

Shame on us, for as a nation we are not able to see the truth that there is no terrorism, no mayhem and the fact that Indian Fathers must choose on Pakistani grooms for their daughters or else ‘talks will not take place’ or we ‘will face the consequences’. And anybody who talks about Indian artists not being allowed to perform in Pakistan or about the Indian youth dying a needless death while facing these cricketers from Pakistan in the valleys and mountains of Kashmir, the sand dunes of Rajasthan or even the streets of the urban India will get a bloodied nose from the peaceniks in India.

Let us all solemnly unite behind the call to force these franchisees to take Pakistani players on board, pay them the highest amount of money, let them relax in the Bahamas (playing might result in injuries and further threats of No talks) while the rest of the guys of the team slog it out. After all anything for talks and safety from ‘consequences’.

Hasn't that been the Indian Tradition?

They do not call it the Manoranjan Ka Baap for nothing, do they?

THE SHAME AT SHARM-EL-SHEIKH

2009-07-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

“Foreign policy,” they say in strategic parlance, “is the art of fighting a war without the firing of bullets.” If this be the case, then India has finally succumbed in the face of Pakistani aggression by the rather pathetic surrender of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the NAM summit at Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt. Pakistan for all practical purposes has been given the green signal to continue with its policy “of thousand cuts.”

Hardly had the embers from the Mumbai 26/11 attack died down, when the P.M. in his meeting with Pak P.M Gilani agreed that “Action on terrorism should not be linked to the composite dialogue process and these should not be bracketed.” As if this was not enough, the P.M went a step further and agreed to the notion “that Pakistan has some information on threats in Baluchistan and other areas.”

Therefore my dear friends, in other words, the victim now becomes the accused. Thanks to the ingenuity of the P.M and his team, the biggest casualty of terrorism in the world, stands accused of fomenting unrest in a country which for all practical purposes, is the cradle of terrorism world wide.

The spin doctors of the P.M, who by now must be really tired up of covering up for his gaffes are making their best efforts once again for this misdemeanour. Shiv Shankar Menon, the outgoing Foreign Secretary, has called it a case of ‘poor drafting’.

Come again!!!!

Poor drafting, you say, Mr.Menon! A nation and everything it stands up for is sold off by poor drafters, you say!

Kindly notice the deceit in the fact that news reports now suggest that these two issues were included in the agreement at the insistence of the P.M himself.

Poor drafting, indeed!

Even by the low standards of bureaucrats in India, this is a new low. To think of it, we have still not reached the abyss. It is only in India, where people hardly give a damn for the nation can the P.M and his team of nincompoops get away with an act which ranks at par with treachery.

Treachery!! Harsh word, but justified in the context of things. The P.M seems to be suffering from a chronic case of deciding foreign policy on his own whims and fancies, rather than arriving at a consensus amongst his colleagues in the cabinet atleast, if not in the Parliament. Last month in Russia, he decided impromptu to meet the Pak President Zardari and spoke about the ‘limited mandate’.

The query the nation had for the P.M as to who authorised the limited mandate had still not been answered, when the nation received this shocking news of ‘delinking of terrorism with the dialogue process’.

In effect, the P.M of a nation which has been ravaged by Islamic terrorism for the past 20 years, which has lost thousands of brave soldiers in the face of this brutal form of state policy, a nation which has seen thousands of children orphaned, brother distrusting brother, goes to the country which is progenitor of this policy of ‘thousand cuts’, and says ‘that you are free to spread this cancer even further, kill, rape and maim people, but we will continue the dialogue process irrespective of the facts.’

BRAVO!!!!

Dialogue about what?

Will it be a dialogue to bring back the Kashmiri Brahmins who have been uprooted from their home and hearth, who live the life of a refugee in their own country? Will it be a dialogue to bring back the dead from the frozen heights of Kargil or the moist corridors of the Taj in Mumbai? Will it be a dialogue to hand over Dawood and his cohorts or the great Hafeez Saeed or Maulana Massod Azhar?

Or on the other hand will it be a dialogue to exchange cultural troupes, permit Pakistani artistes to perform in India (not vice versa), open the route between Srinagar and Muzaffrabad, permit Pervez Musharaf to speak vituperatively about India while standing on Indian soil or grant of the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan????

Your guess is as good as mine!

Perhaps somebody should have told late Sandeep Unnikrishnan about this dialogue process when he entered the Taj on that fateful night, or the late Vikram Batra when he inched closer to the enemy before he got hit in Kargil. The train commuters in Mumbai who have stopped taking the locals or are maimed permanently post the bomb blasts should also be invited for this ‘dialogue process.’

That the dialogues since 1947 have not led us anywhere seems to be a trivial to the whole story.

The statements emanating from Egypt are a continuation of a pattern which was set by the P.M a couple of years back, when he proclaimed ‘Pakistan to be a victim of terrorism as much as India.’ The fact that nearly all the terrorists were home-bred in Pakistan was conveniently ignored in the statement. Then came the ‘limited mandate’ stuff in Russia, without as much indicating the authority sanctioning this ‘limited mandate’.

Mumbai 26/11 was an extension of Kargil 1999, with same level of deceit, ruthlessness and same intent to demoralise a nation. General Musharaf, in a recent interview has owned up to Kargil and claimed it to be a victory since it exposed ‘Indian weakness’, and furthermore claims that ‘Kargil forced India to discuss Kashmir’, thereby implying that perhaps Mumbai forced India to accede to its ‘guilt’ in Baluchistan.

Perhaps somebody should have reminded the P.M that since the ascension of I.K.Gujral as P.M in the mid 1990’s, who was similar in his soft approach to Pakistan, RAW was forced to wind up its operations in Pakistan. So much so that in an act of ‘goodwill’ even the identities of the local operatives were leaked out to the ISI. That most of the operatives were either bumped off by the Pak authorities or are languishing in jails without any charges, remains an unfortunate part of the story. History of intelligence agencies is replete with double crosses to protect and propagate one’s interests, but this mass betrayal of one’s interests in order to propagate some woolly eyed principles remains a stand out case. Therefore, even if they wished to, (as they should indeed have) Indians could not foment any trouble in Pakistan, given their lack of local operatives. But given the propensity of the Indian bureaucrat to feather one’s own nest at the cost of the nation, it is not surprising that they perhaps have not read up on their own history.

Whatever the contention of the spin doctors (including most of the newspaper editorials) about the shrewdness and sagacity of the P.M, the fact remains that he has scored an own goal, if one can borrow from sporting parlance. The unfortunate part is that unlike in the sporting field, the repercussions of this ‘own goal’ are catastrophic.

The statement about Baluchistan has ensured that India from being a victim of terrorism has been converted into a propagator of terrorism.

India has let a glorious opportunity to corner an errant neighbour slip out off its hand. Rather than questioning the Pak authorities on the farcical let off of Hafeez Saeed in the Pak courts (apparently the state government of Punjab in Pakistan is fighting the case and not the federal govt), pressurising the government to hand over the fugitives, we have let them off the hook.

At a time when the country is witnessing the tenth year of the bitter victory in Kargil, and on an occasion when the government is apathetic towards its brave sons, the least the nation deserved was a reaffirmation that the sacrifices will not go in vain. The least the leaders could have done was to assure the country that India will not revive any contact with Pakistan till the terror camps are closed down and the wanted fugitives handed over to face justice in this country.

What we received was a self defeating approach towards national matters with no clarity and with different heads looking in different direction, which is worsened by the attempts to defend a mistake of monstrous magnitude whose damage only history will reveal.

The nation deserves an explanation

RULER OF THE AIRCRAFT

2009-06-18T02:49:00.000-07:00

Old Habits, they say, Die Hard.

The veracity of the old adage was again proved by the Prime Minister, when the journalists on board the special prime ministerial aircraft enroute to Russia to attend the SCO summit were shocked to see a meeting scheduled between the Prime Minister and Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Yekaterinberg, Russia.

Shocked because no mention of this tete-a-tete was made in the country prior to this press release on board the special aircraft.

The Prime Minister has ostensibly mastered this art of ‘Aircraft being Sovereign territory,’ fit to make announcements, which might have adverse political repercussions in the country. Remember the image of a combative Prime Minister when he took on the Comrades over the Nuclear Energy deal from the safe confines of his aircraft, enroute to Tokyo, only last year. So much so for political propriety and ethics. The fact that the institution of Parliament is dead and buried couldn’t have been emphasised any further. There was a time when major policy decisions were not taken without the approval or knowledge of the representatives of the people. But the fact that the Government is headed by a person who is not elected by the people, but selected by a family tells a story in itself.

So with the P.M’s aircraft and its relationship with Indian sovereignty, it would be advisable to close down the Parliament lock stock and barrel. It would save the Indian exchequer a lot off money. As it is the worthies do everything but formulate policy and combined with important decisions being taken by a family, and announced on aircrafts, who needs the parliament anyway!

Anyway the matter gets still interesting. After the usual introductions, and before the media personnel could be shooed away, the Prime Minster, quite uncharacteristically informed President Zardari, that he had come with a limited mandate of telling him to stop allowing terrorism against India to emanate from Pakistani territory. An embarrassed President Zardari had to literally plead to allow the Press personnel to leave before the conversation could begin. Point made, the media personnel were asked to leave before the talks could begin.

As expected, Pakistan has lodged a protest against this approach, calling it ‘unacceptable’.

Wonder who had authorised the P.M with this limited mandate? Not the people, we are sure, who have still not recovered from the ghastly images of 26/11. Will somebody ask the P.M to please clarify on this ‘mandate’ and more so on who authorised this meeting. Would this meeting have still been scheduled if 26/11 had claimed (God Forbid) the life of some V.I.P, and why was this meeting kept a secret from the people of this country?

Perhaps he might do it the next time he boards his aircraft for the next meeting with the Pakistanis which we are told is scheduled in mid July. I wonder what the response of the P.M will be around that time because rest assured that no efforts will be made to stop ‘emanation of terrorism’ from across the border. Pakistan will never change its policy of ‘bleeding India through a thousand cuts’.

Also rest assured that the so called leaders of the country will never stand up for the people of this country. For if that had been the intention, the P.M would have never resorted to deceit while meeting President Zardari. The message is loud and clear, ‘Let the Karkares, Amtes, Onkules and numerous others die, we will do what we please.’

Anyway, the result of the closed door meeting, which was the first taking place after the Mumbai 26/11 attack- The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries to begin ‘talks’ regarding steps to combat terrorism, further, these talks should not be construed as resumption of confidence building measures which have been suspended post 26/11.

Pray tell us, then what are they supposed to mean?

The role of American arm twisting is evident from the response of State department spokesman Ian Kelly, “A resumption of such high-level engagement in the aftermath of the November Mumbai attacks is encouraging. We have said before that India and Pakistan need to continue their dialogue to find joint solutions against terrorism and to promote regional stability."

Perhaps one day we will be strong enough to ‘encourage the Americans to forget 9/11 and initiate dialogue with theBin- Ladens and the Zawahiris!

The American policy subsequent to the elevation of Barack Obama as President has been quite clear, albeit it is not as clear to the mandarins in New Delhi. The Americans have outsourced the war in Afghanistan to the Pakistani army and is willing to go the whole hog in order to please the Generals. This is corroborated by the evidence adduced from the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and co-operation enhancement act 2009,(PEACE), which enhances the civilian aid to Pakistan to thrice its original figure. The U.S. senate has recently passed the Act after dropping all references to eliminating terrorism and nuclear non proliferation.

If this is not enough, sample the statement of US under secretary of state for political affairs, William Burns, who chose Delhi as the venue for a categorical message designed to please the Generals, when he said, "Any resolution of Kashmir has to take into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people".

Wonder whether the displaced Kashmiri Pandits are included in the ambit of the Kashmiri people.

Even given the chicanery of the Americans and their art of ‘Self First’concept, this is a new one.

The American game is out in the open. Only if the ‘Family’ and the ‘Rulers of the Aircraft’ had the eye to see it. The Americans cannot afford to let the body bags from Afghanistan keep coming as it has the potential of building up adverse public pressure in their country. The democracy in the U.S works at a different level than the Democracy in India you see! Therefore the war against the jihadis is outsourced to mother of all jihadis, the Pakistanis. The fact that jihad as a policy of state is an offspring of union between the U.S and the Pakistanis, to counter the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1980, ensures that the Pakistanis demand their share of the pie.

The share of the pie is uninhibited U.S military Aid, increased civilian Aid which naturally flows into the pocket of the Generals and the constant pressure on India through the façade of the K issue.

India on its part, plays the role of the poodle to perfection. A poodle who will bark a lot, but will never ever bite. So the P.M will berate President Zardari for public consumption but will immediately make up in another manner. Rest assured that the Confidence Building Measures will be initiated sooner than later, the Cricket team (whoever amongst them can walk after IPL) will tour Pakistan, Pakistani singers will come to India and talk of ‘tahjeeb’ and common culture, and we will be pals again.

Till another Mumbai happens.

The lack of a uniform national foreign policy free from external influence is hurting the country badly. But who cares? We keep on blowing hot and cold, but nothing more.

So Hafeez Saeed, chief of Jamaat-ud-dawah walks freely from a sham of a custody, apparently because the Pakistani government did not build up a strong case against him, with India protesting in a whimper. Notice the change from the time India demanded the extradition of Hafeez Saeed, post 26/11 to the time when his release raises no hackles in our country. A man with an avowed mission to finish off India and Indians, roams freely, while we announce a meeting with the President of Pakistan through an act of deceit, while flying around 30,000 feet in the air.

The opposition in the country is no less to blame for this. With all the infighting they hardly have the time to think of the nation. Or perhaps they realise that the issue of national interest or terrorism is not a vote catcher, as exhibited in this election, so they might start concentrating in spending a night in a poor man’s hut. Apparently, the ills in the poor man’s life vanishes after the great one spends a night in his cottage with his foreign friends. Since the great one has succeeded in the election, perhaps every leader worth his starched kurta will follow suit. That the poor remain as good or as bad after this act of benevolence is a trivial off course.

Let the Hafeez Saeeds of the world roam free!

Who bothers??

CHALLENGES

2009-05-23T02:45:00.000-07:00

May 21st, 2009 was a day of contradictory events for the country and its polity. On a day when the Gandhi family (there is only one Gandhi family in the country after the results of the recent elections) paid its homage to the late Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary, the Congress party took a pledge to counter terrorism, the Naxals killed 16 policemen in Congress ruled Maharashtra and in the U.S. a key Congressional committee approved a law tripling U.S. non-military aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion annually.

The events of the day indicate some of the challenges being faced by the government and should be used as a barometer for the performance of the government after it is sworn in, after the swearing for grab of plum ministerial posts is over. A news report has suggested that there are hardly any takers for the social sector ministries, for instance none of our ‘public servants’ and ‘dedicated for the social upliftment’ leaders would like to become the rural development or agriculture minister, given an option. But then that is another story! Let us stay focused at some of the challenges which require immediate attention.

The Pakistan Enduring assistance and Co-operation Enhancement act 2009, ironically referred to as the (PEACE) Act, enhances the U.S. non military aid to Pakistan to $ 1.5 billion per year which is a three fold increase over the previous aid, comes within less than a year of the Indo-US Nuclear energy Deal for which the venerable Manmohan Singh staked his political career, the Communists walked out of the Govt. and M.P’s displayed wads of currency notes in the Parliament, notes which ostensibly were paid as bribes to bail out the Govt. Those were the days when the establishment went to town about the ‘special’ Indo-U.S relationship.

So what has changed within a year that the Obama administration agreed to a change in the original proposal, which linked aid to Pakistan on it not letting its territory to be used for launching terror attacks against India and that it would also not support any group that indulged in terrorist activities against India. The modified act now talks about stopping cross border attacks into neighbouring countries, only, and the India specific references have been dropped.

Semantics has a strong role to play in international relations, my dear friends!

Although both the proposal would appear to mean the same thing, but in reality the U.S has again made it amply clear that it would not let its interest be superseded by any ‘special relationship’, as the P.M called Indo-U.S relations at the time of the Indo-U.S nuclear deal. For them, U.S interests come before anything.

Terrorism which confronts India like the veritable Demon has to be tackled alone and tackled fast. Although the Indian establishment is acting smug and as is its wont, patting itself on the back with no major terror strikes after 26/11, it is time we realized that it is in no way related to any proactive Indian policy, but the simple fact that the ‘hand which rocked the cradle’ i.e. the ISI, has been twisted by the ‘hand that fed the baby’ i.e. the U.S.A, for the simple reason that the Obama administration was concentrating on its new Af-Pak policy, and Pakistani military establishment needed to act like a good baby. But now with the policy back to its old surge in Afghanistan phase, which is not much different from the much reviled George Bush’s policy in Iraq, and with the pressure off the Pakistani back , we can safely expect the ISI to resort to its policy of ‘bleeding India through a thousand cuts’. Afterall, they have blackmailed the Americans into looking the other way.

But is the Indian system any more ready than it was on 26/11?

Look around and we can see that the guard has already been dropped. Even private security in hotels and malls which had reached paranoid levels immediately after 26/11 has slackened, the Government was not interested in protecting its citizens anyway. Furthermore, with the message that the voter is not concerned with the issue of terrorism and is much more concerned about voting for his/her own caste, why should the politician bother!

Poor Shivraj Patil must be ruing his luck! He could have still been the Home Minister, if……..

The hippies who came out with candles after 26/11, did not take the pain to vote. Only Shivraj Patil and VilasRao lost their jobs!!

The trial of Kasab is an indicator of the deficiency in Indian laws while confronting a state of War. Kasab had to be booked under 11 different acts of the IPC, ostensibly because he could not be kept behind bars for the sufficient period of time under any one act of the IPC.

So much so for fighting terror.

The way Kasab and his lawyer are taking the court for a ride is a reminder of the fact that we as a nation are indeed a ‘soft state’. Someday the lawyer wants to have a look at the MV Kuber( the boat which brought the terrorists to Mumbai), someday Kasab becomes a juvenile and therefore the request to try him under the juvenile act. Kasab then desires to have a look at the daily newspapers. And all this after he individually committed WAR on the country, which was well documented.

Since the repeal of POTA,which apparently was anti-minority (why and how? Well don’t ask!). The country does not have a proper anti terror law, and we are making do with IPC or the NSA. This after the fact that we are the second most terror hit country after probably Iraq. We come back to the argument of the apologists that POTA did not prevent terror attacks, with the logic that no law on the face of the earth prevents crime, but then it does deter some from venturing into this profession. Furthermore, with a firm law in place we are saved from the mockery of a terrorist who was caught in action from feigning ignorance and his lawyer taking advantage of the loopholes which normal law possesses.

And please do not forget nor let the government forget that Afzal Guru still awaits his punishment.

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.

The challenges thrown up by the Naxals in various parts of the country also portend a very serious threat for the unity and integrity of the country. The attack in Maharashtra on the 21st of May, which killed 16 policemen including 4 female police personnel, can only be taken lightly at our own peril. But then the Indian establishment’s attitude of ‘chalta hai’ has serious repercussions. The mindless attacks by the naxals on the days of polling in the recent elections has thrown up a challenge which needs to be countered on an immediate basis. The audacity of these attacks can be judged from the fact that perhaps for the first time the BSF personnel were targeted, while earlier it was the hapless Police which remained the targets.

The Naxals have grown into a threat whose importance is in no way less than the friends from across the border, because they are utilising the anger against the inequitable Indian economic system which lets wealth and prosperity remain in the hands of the select few, while the rest wallow in poverty and lack of fair opportunity. The anger in the tribal and rural India against an urban and elitist India is being exploited to the hilt, with the Christian missionaries playing their part in fanning the fire. The foreign policy bungling in Nepal which has further exacerbated the situation with India letting the Maoists take control without as much as a whimper needs to reversed. We simply cannot permit an hostile ideology to rule in our backyard, can we?

National interests should supersede any hollow moral or ethical questions. Realpolitik has no scope for platitudes or homilies, which are best suited to text-books, class rooms and inane TV discussions.

But it is high time the government stops treating the naxal threat as a law and order problem only. The indifference of the Indian state towards the agricultural sector is also one of the problems which lies at the root of this sudden growth in the cadre of the naxals. After the Ist Green revolution in the late 60’s no government of the day has really cared to look beyond the cities. Agriculture in India is still dependent on the Monsoon as it was hundreds of years ago, agricultural growth has stagnated, no new technology has been implemented for decades now, the rural poor are neck deep in debt and migrating in hordes towards the cities, which with its problems of infrastructure treats them like dirt. Schemes like the Kisan Credit card and the NREGA, though well intentioned are still way short of the requirement. Last but not the least, the farce played out by the Finance Minister in the 2008 budget, with his so called loan waiver has acted as the straw that broke the camel’s back. Although the spin doctors of the Fin. Min.still potray the loan waiver as a gift from God, the fact remains that it was targeted for the agriculturists in the constituency of the Agriculture Minister only.

Vidarbha continues to burn, both literally and figuratively, Telanganga, Rayalseema are no better. The worst news comes from Punjab, the so called agriculture heaven, where only the large land owners flourish, by resorting to commercial farming. The divide between the urban and the rural and more so between the rural poor and the rural rich, is only increasing the cadre strength of the Naxals, as the resentment is spilling out onto the streets.

But does New Delhi really care????

Perhaps the real challenge for this government at this moment lies in the fact as to whether we will finally have a P.M who will stand up and be counted and not let his ministers like Veerapa Moily state publicly that “Mrs. Sonia Gandhi will decide on the allocation of the portfolios”.

Will this country see the so called young man stand up and take responsibility rather than stay in the background and enjoy power without responsibility. Let us judge people by their actions rather than their lineage, shall we?

"You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

SHELTER

2009-04-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

भेद हमार लेन सथ आवा . राखिय बाँधी मोहि अस भावा.
सखा निति तुम नीकी विचारी . मम पन सरनागत भयहारी.
(सुन्दरकाण्ड: राम चरितमानस) (तुलसीदास)
(It appears that this fool has come to take our secrets, therefore he should be bound down. Then (Lord Ram said) : What you have said is good policy, but I have taken a pledge to remove the fears of the person who comes to take shelter.)

The above was the conversation between Lord Ram and Sugreeva when Demon King Ravana's brother, Vibhishana had sought refuge with Ram after being driven away from the palace by his elder brother. Sugreeva was apprehensive of the intentions of Vibhishana, apprehensions which were allayed by Ram, who had taken a pledge to give shelter to anybody who approached him in distress. The conversation proceeds, as Ram comforts his councillors,

सरनागत कहूं जे तजहि निज अनहित अनुमानी,
ते नर पावर पापमय तीनही बिलोकत हानि.
(Those who desert the persons seeking refuge by considering their own loss, are mean and low people and it is a sin to even look at them.)

The practice of giving refuge to the distressed and the needy is therefore engrained in the Indian psyche, and was particularly strong in the Rajputs of Rajasthan who dared to face the displeasure of the Mughal emperors by giving shelter to defeated Kings who were sought for by the mighty emperors.

Guru Tegh Bahadur approached Emperor Aurangajeb on behalf of the Kashmiri Brahmins, with the request to stop their religious persecution. The result: He was cut into two through a saw. But not for a moment did he back down.

Now cut to 2009, and the news report that the Government of India had extended the visa of Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin but had refused her permission to stay on in the country, and further advised her to come back after the 31st of May, i.e. after the general elections.

This my friends, is present day India....Refuge, shelter, mercy can take a walk, since it is election time, and apparently the minority votes might be difficult to obtain if a helpless and defenceless lady is given shelter in the country.

But expecting anything else would have a folly in view of the fact that only about a year ago, the government produced an affidavit in Court in the Sethusamudram issue wherein Ram was depicted as a 'mythological figure'. Therefore the teachings are also supposed to be part of folklore only.

Indian culture and values be damned.

Now let us delve into the heinous crimes committed by Taslima Nasrin due to which the Govt. Of India is refusing to protect her.

After the demolition of the disputed structure of the Babri Masjid in 1992, Bangladesh was rocked by an anti Hindu pogrom which was characterised by rape of Hindu womenfolk and destruction and plunder of Hindu places of worship. The government of Narsimha Rao, as if to atone for their 'mistake' did not as much raise a whimper. Furthermore no vote bank was involved in speaking up for these hapless people, so why bother?

Taslima in her novel, 'Lajja', published in 1993 wrote elaborately about this wanton acts of destruction heaped on the Hindus and was immediately ostracised by the fundamentalist mullahs in Bangladesh. The Islamists called her novel 'blasphemous' and passed the 'death sentence' on her. Nobody cared or bothered to point out the blasphemous portion in the novel which was a simple fictional narration of the acts of violence in 1993. Fearing for her life, she sought refuge in India in 1994.

Taslima, subsequent to her refuge in India was based in Kolkata, which she referred to as 'her home away from home'. She subsequently published her autobiographical novels, of which 'DWIKHONDITO' again caught the imagination of the Islamist fundamentalists. The novel which purportedly cites the anti-women stance of the Islamists based on their interpretation of the Holy Quran was circulated as 'blasphemy' . Again no reasons were forthcoming. But then these fundamentalists are not prone to reason are they?

However the dramatic turnaround was not the position of the Bangladeshi mullahs, who were atleast categorical in their stand from the very begining, but the response of the 'Secular' dispensation in India which stood by silently as Syed Noorur Rehaman Barkati, the Imam of Kolkata's Tipu Sultan Mosque, admitted offering money to anyone who "blackened" Taslima's face.

In March 2007, the "All India Ittehad Millat Council" of Bareilly U.P. offered 500,000 Rs. for her beheading Taslim. The group's president, Tauqir Raza Khan, said the only way the bounty would be lifted was if Nasreen "apologises, burns her books and leaves."

Taslima was attacked at the Hyderabad Press Club by a crowd of 100 people which included three MLA's of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party. The attack which was captured on camera by theTV cameraman present there was barbaric. She was physically assaulted and even flower pots were aimed at her. Fortunately, Taslima survived.Akbaruddin Owaisi, also an MLA and MIM floor leader in the Assembly, justified the attacks by saying, "We are not bothered about our MLA status. We are Muslims first. And it's our responsibility to test those who have said anything against Islam in whichever way possible." All this while the police stood by and watched.

The 'liberals' in the country who cry foul of the slightest misdemeanour against people of the minority community, and nowadays initiate the 'pink chaddi' programme, maintained their eerie silence. Obviously the refuge seeker in the present day scenario must have a suitable voting power, which unfortunately for Taslima, she did not have. On the other hand lakhs of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have that power due to the connivance of the powers that be in India and therefore they are welcome.

'Secularism' and 'liberalism' in the country comes with the condition of that elusive voting rights. Good if you have it by hook or crook. Too bad if you don't.

Incidentally the plea of Taslima Nasrin for Indian citizenship is hanging fire for years, whereas if you have the right credentials, like the ones crossing over illegally, you can have it instantly. Does the name HUJI ring any bells???Obviously with easy citizenship rights, this terrorist organisation is more Indian than Bagladeshi, officially at least!

But the incidence which takes the cake was to come in November 2007, when the city of Kolkata, the so called city of intellectuals and liberals, burnt in broad day light. The occasion was a protest called by a fringe minority organisation to protest against the writings of Taslima. The protest however turned violent. The severity can be judged from the fact that the Army had to be called in to restore normalcy in the city. The flag bearers of 'secularism' remained silent. 'Secularism' was a stick with which to brow beat opponents, not your own vote bank.

But this was not the end of Taslima's travails.

Inspite of Taslima agreeing to remove three pages of her novel 'Dwikhondito' in order to soothen frayed nerves, the fundamentalists had smelt blood and intensified their pressure on the government. Finally, Taslima was literally forced to relocate to Jaipur and finally to New Delhi, where she was kept in a safe house in the NSG quarters.

Imagine, the NSG quarters for 'three pages'.

The response of the 'Bookers' prize winners, the Magasaysay award winners, the film actresses specializing in 'Secular' movies and issues, and all and sundry movie song writers.....................SILENCE.

Taslima Nasrin has been on the move ever since. Knowing fully well that she risks elimination the moment she sets foot in Bagladesh (Naysayers may refer to the recent BDR mutiny), she has been pleading to the Govt. of India for shelter and Indian citizenship. India which prides itself on its culture of giving shelter to the needy has turned its back on a single, defenceless lady. Apparently now the issue has been postponed for the new govt. to take a call on.

If the govt. grants her citizenship, you can side with the Islamists, if it does not, you side with the moderates, and if you come to power...well that's a tricky one.

Or is it??? You can prevaricate, as usual!!!

Talking of Secularism and elections, the revered Tauqir Raza Khan of the "All India Ittehad Millat Council" of Bareilly U.P, remember him?? If you don't, read the portion about beheading Taslima, has recently endorsed the 'Secular' credentials of the ruling party at the party HQ in Lucknow. He further enlightened that his 'Secular' council will fight the next Vidhan Sabha elections in U.P, in alliance with the 'Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world' party. Tauqir Raza Khan has another feather in his distinguished cap, for he had once called for George Bush to be beheaded, for his support of the Danish cartoonist on the grounds of freedom of expression.

If the party which claims itself to be the mother and saviour of 'Secularism' has fallen back on the support of such dangerous people, the signs are ominous for the country.

Elections come and elections go, but the country and its institutions remain.

Today, we as Indians feel a certain bit of smugness when we witness the anarchy being played out in Pakistan. But we must also be aware of the fact that it was incidences like Taslima's and people like Tauqir and Abdul Naseer Madani, capitulation before whom has brought Pakistan to this mess.

Abdul Naseer Madani, the founder of the Islamic Sewak Sangh was the main accused in the Coimbatore blast in 1998, in the rally of L.K.Advani, which claimed the lives of 60 people.Madani who was incarcerated in prison subsequent to the attack was being wooed incessantly by both the Left and the Centre in Kerala.

The Kerala assembly on March 16, 2006 passed a unanimous resolution seeking the release Abdul Nasser Madani, on “humanitarian” grounds.

Never before in the annals of Indian History had such an absurd and patently anti-national resolution been passed. Subsequent to his release, which remained a formality in view of the political support, Madani is back to his usual self, and all the parties are running for his 'support'.

'Support' at what cost? One may ask!! But who will ask?

The failure to curb such atrocious and blatant acts of anti national activity combined with the harsh action of imposing the National Security Act on Varun Gandhi for his alleged hate speech, gives credence to the theory of 'minority pampering'. What Varun said or did not say (as claimed by him) could have been easily dealt by the existing provisions of law in the country. But by invoking the provision of an act, disproportionate to his alleged act raises the conspiracy theories, resulting in further allegations and counter allegations.

Punish the culprit, for heavens sake! But please do not let bigger culprits get away for the sake of votes! You cannot have a Ram Bilas Paswan moving around with an Osama bin Laden lookalike, seeking votes (last Vidhan Sabha elections in Bihar), Tauqir Raza Khan extolling the virtues of 'Secularism', Akbaruddin Owaisi getting elected, the legality of Batla house encounter questioned incessantly, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid issuing Fatwas in favour of 'X' or 'Y' party and Varun Gandhi in jail under NSA. The same yardsticks need to be applied.

And anyway please do not let people like Mukhtar Ansari, Shahabuddin, Atiq Ahmed, Arun Gawli and people of their ilk or their proxies contest. The story of freedom of this country has been written in the blood of thousands of people who forsaked their home and hearth for the nation.

The country cannot be subjugated by criminals, terrorists and people who fail to stand up.

As Harivansh Rai Bachchan once wrote,

में हूँ उनके साथ सदा जो सीधी रखते अपनी रीढ़.
(I am with those who have a straight spine).

N.B: My apologies for any translation and typing mistake in Awadhi and Hindi.

KAHAANI G-G KI

2009-03-27T04:05:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, the forests of 'Secularland' were ruled over by the shrewd White tribe who had entered the forest ostensibly to deal in animal droppings and forest produce, but had slowly played the local tribals, who were not united anyway, against each other and had finally taken over Secularland.

The 'White' tribals exploited the resources of 'Secularland' to their own advantage for a very long period of time. Finally the tribals of 'Secularland' became exasperated of the 'White' tribe as these people would not even let the locals eat fresh fruit, which was meant to be transported to the 'White forest' for commercial utilisation. The local tribals were not permitted to keep weapons to protect themselves from the wild animals inhabiting the forest, let alone keep weapons for hunting. Finally some of the intelligent local tribals who had slowly graduated to know the system of the 'White' tribals by learning their strange language, began to revolt against the oppressive system of the 'Whites'.

One such local tribal leader was PanditG who had even travelled to the far-off 'White' forest to learn their customs and was now more off a 'White' than the 'Whites' themselves. PanditG was extremely popular amongst the people of 'Secularland' who looked at him in awe, for finally one of them had become one of the 'Whites'.

But not for nothing were the 'Whites' known as master tacticians. Sensing that they would not be able to keep their hold over 'Secularland' for long, they ensured that the fruits of the forest were inequitably distributed amongst the locals. Not only were the fruits inequitably distributed, but the 'Whites' ensured that it was also visible to the people to increase their insecurity. It was as if the 'Whites' were seeking vengeance for the resistance to their rule, “if we don’t get to eat the fruits, we will see to it that even you don’t get it,” seemed to be their objective.

The locals were so desperate to ensure the departure of the 'Whites' that they even agreed to partition off their forest into ‘Secularland’ and ‘Jihadiland’ without even bothering to give its implications any thought. Since this story is restricted to PanditG and his family, we will talk about the great 'Jihadiland' some other time.

The question of the leader of ‘Secularland’ was decided upon not by the local tribals, as was the wont, and decided upon procedure for electing leaders in 'Secularland', but bySantJi, who was so revered by the people that none could say ‘nay’ to his directions. SantJi subtly ensured that the people’s choice themselves proposed the name of PanditG as their leader. This system continues to date in 'Secularland' where leaders nominated by ‘voice of conscience’ continue to rule the roost.

PanditG however was not a bad ‘nomination’ as a leader. He tried his best to revive the failing forests of ‘Secularland’ with his ideas. His advisors devised the ‘Five year plans’ for the economics of the forest. That nobody, not even its inventors understood the ‘Five Year Plans’ was nothing but a trivial aside. But the biggest contribution of PanditG was the introduction of his daughter BetiG to the public life of 'Secularland'. Friends and foes alike thought as BetiG as a ‘Goongi Gudiya’(Dumb Doll) and were very happy to see her as a successor to PanditG when he passed away. Since the ‘voice of conscience’ prevailed over the ‘voice of the people’, the succession was preordained.

Some ‘goongi gudiya’ BetiG turned out to be. Her autocratic and authoritarian disposition soon ensured that the entire tribals of 'Secularland' was prohibited from speaking, soon after her coronation. The old foggies who were smirking at her lack of ability to speak and looked at her as a puppet, soon realized that safety lay in keeping silent before her. The signboard ‘SPEAKING IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH’ was put up on important trees in the forest.

BetiG had two sons, BadeG and ChoteG, who were subsequently married to BadiG and ChotiG. BadiG belonged to the clan of the Whites whereas ChotiG who had grown up among the animals was the leader of the animals. A female Tarzan, if you please. As per convention of 'Secularland', BadiG and ChotiG were constantly at each others throats. BetiG had an affinity for BadiG and usually sided with her, but could go no further because of the fear of ChoteG, who had built up a nasty reputation for himself as the male Tarzan. No Jane was safe with ChoteG or Tazan around. But what to say of Jane’s, nobody, not even BetiG was safe with ChoteG around.

ChoteG had also picked up the mannerisms of Tarzan in swinging from tree to tree, while hanging on to a vine. One day, the inevitable happened! The vine snapped! ChoteG was no more.

Sensing an opportunity, BadiG cuddled upto BetiG and in no time ensued that ChotiG was thrown out off the tree house of BetiG. As customary, ChotiG swore vengeance. BadiG also cajoled BetiG to anoint BadeG as her successor. BadeG, who was far removed from the politics of 'Secularland', was a reluctant entrant initially. But seeing the fruits of 'Secularland', soon fell to the saying, ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely’.

BetiG also believed in the idiom of ‘divide and rule’ which was the initial policy of the 'Whites'. Obviously, she had learnt her lessons well. In one of the outer regions of ‘Secularland’ which was inhabitated by SardarJi’s who were hostile to her, she encouraged the growth of another group of wild people in order to subdue her opponents. Since the story of Frankenstein had not been written by then, and BetiG had not time for local legends like Bhasmasura, the Junglees were let loose.

The result: Does it need to be told?????

BadeG: “While a big tree like this falls, the earth is bound to shake!”

Shake Secularland did. For days SardarJi’s were slaughtered in the forest, while BadeG stood by ………silently!

This tree falling and earth shaking plea later on became the war cry of all tribal leaders, out to settle scores with their opponents. 'Secularland' has not stopped shaking ever since.

BadeG however became the unopposed leader of 'Secularland'. A man of forward looking ideas, he tried to take the forest forward. But like bad habits reappearing at the wrong time, another White Trader, Kya Karoon Chi (name changed to protect identity) appeared out of the blue. The rest well….. the buying of flame throwers…..the pact with another group of Junglees in a neighbouring forest……..

The History of the demise of BetiG, was unfortunately repeated.

History is a strange subject, as it has a habit of repeating itself the moment you forget it. Apparently, BadeG had a poor memory.

Now the war was out in the open.

BadiG who hardly ever spoke and was a proponent of the theory of ‘you let people think you are a fool by staying silent, rather than open your mouth and confirm it’, slowly gained ground. In true Machiavellian style, she was preparing the ground for the takeover of the throne by her son YuvraajG, by anointing a true follower to warm the throne for YuvraajG. The opponents were fighting amongst themselves, anyway. The only threat came from within the followers which had been negated by the succession by the Sidha Sadha Ji, who stayed within his limits while ruling over 'Secularland'.

The first thing YuvraajG started in preparation for the coronation was to walk with his hands clasped together behind his ‘back’ in the manner the 'White' royalty did. Reading History or economics was for the asses of the forest, you see!

BadiG’s daughter RajkumariG who always walked with her hand on YuvrajG’ s shoulder was initially thought as natural successor of BadeG , but had been sidelined by BadiG due to reaons nobody could fathom, was married to a person who was apparently a trader by profession, but nobody knew what he traded in to maintain his high profile life. BadiG’s son-in-law, ‘Nobody knows what he does for a livinG’ was also exempted from the compulsory security frisking while entering or leaving the forest, something which was compulsory even for the ‘Senapatis’ of 'Secularland'. So much so for equality, but then being a G has its perks, does’nt it?

Meanwhile, ChotiG, who had been sidelined after she was thrown off the tree house, was also making her comeback by collecting the animals and fighting for their rights, rights which even the people in 'Secularland' did not have. ChotiG was the predecessor of J.K.Rowling in the manner she scared children , ‘you will loose your eyesight if you drink Cow’s milk’, ‘rhinos are injected with death inducing medicine to obtain……’. Even the animals were scared off her stories.

ChubbyG, the son of ChotiG started off as a poet (nobody understood his poetry, but the people were Junglees, anyway) and then true to family tradition, entered politics. Nobody could ask of his qualifications for becoming a politician, but then being a G was ample qualification anyway.

The two G’s Badi and Choti were still constantly at each other’s throats. ChotiG was confirmed that she could never become the QueenG , which had been appropriated by BadiG, but she could anyway make life uncomfortable for her.

But then it happened.

ChubbyG who apparently had inherited the Tarzan instincts, suddenly started talking about cutting people’s hands and something more.

The chance had been lost…..

YuvraajG went to town about family traditions and upbringing, conveniently forgetting about ‘the earth shaking’ and the ‘mindless slaughter’. RaajkumariG spoke of ‘getting ChubbyG to read religious scriptures’. Not many were sure as to whether she had read it herself, but then in 'Secularland', you could not raise questions to the G family.

You could not ask why the inalienable right to rule? You could not ask about the strife, the poverty, the rivers getting extinct? Nor about the exodus of the meritorious from the forest in search of a fair opportunity. You could not ask about YuvraajG getting admission in a high profile Gurukul, not because of his academics but because he was purportedly an ace archer, an activity nobody had ever seen him perform, before or after the admission.

All you could do was to sit back and watch the unending saga, the unending soap opera KAHANI G G KI. 'Secularland' be damned!!

Even Ekta Kapoor had to take a break.

JAI HO- THE PREQUEL

2009-02-28T03:40:00.000-08:00

Following the astonishing success of the movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ at the Oscars, Danny Boyle has decided to make a sequel to the movie, which however should be referred to as a prequel to the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ since it narrates the story of how the slum in Mumbai, which incidentally is the star of the movie, came into existence.

Since the post has been able to obtain the story of the proposed movie, by means we would not like to disclose, we would like to share it with the readers of the post. This way we get saved from watching the movie once it gets released and therefore do not contribute to making Danny Boyle a Millionaire at the expense of a poor India.

Clever! Isn’t it?

The story starts in the year 1757, and the battle of Plassey between nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and the forces of the East India Company led by Robert Clive.

The British win, as they have applied the time tested formula against the Indians- the formula of stoking the greed of an opponent of the King, who back stabs the king at the crucial moment. Do the name of King Ambhi, Jaichand, Mir Jaffar ring a bell?

What follows is an open plunder of the resources of Bengal.

Robert Clive, who came to India in 1744, at the age of 18, as a ‘writer’ in the East India Company, went back to England in 1760, with a fortune of at least £300,000 and the quit-rent of £27,000 a year. He infact gave his commanding officer in his formative years a stipend of £500 a year for the rest of his life.

Remember we are talking about 1760 A.D!!

Before we begin to wonder what a ‘writer’ was supposed to mean, let me clarify that a ‘writer’ was how a clerk was designated in the East India Company. And no friends, we will not be raising the issue of the contrast of his pay and the disproportionate wealth, since we are narrating the story of a movie and not a documentary.

Anyway life was proceeding smoothly for the English rulers till the battle of Buxar in 1764. Not that it did not proceed smoothly after Buxar, but a war is a war, after all!

The English, glory be to them, won again.

Before 1764, zamindars in Bengal, Bihar & Orissa had been functionaries who merely held the right to collect revenue on behalf of the Mughal emperor and his representative or diwan in Bengal, who in turn would supervise their activity closely and ensure that they were neither lax nor overly stringent.

However, the East India Company, on being awarded the diwani or overlordship of Bengal by the empire following the Battle of Buxar in 1764, found itself short of trained administrators, especially those familiar with local custom and law. As a result, landholders found themselves unsupervised or reporting to officials; consequently the extraction of revenue proceeded unchecked without any regard for future income or local welfare.

The result was that the rulers became detached with the ruled and the intermediaries fattened their bank balance at the expense of the ruler and the ruled. In order to make up for the loss of revenue, the British or the East India Company introduced the Permanent settlement act.

The Permanent settlement act envisaged that the land tax was fixed for perpetuity, irrespective of the vagaries of nature, on which the Indian agriculture was based. So come Rain, famine or high hell, the land holder and the zamindar had to pay the fixed tax. By ensuring that lands were held in perpetuity and with a fixed tax burden, they became a very desirable commodity.

The payment of a fixed tax inspite of the yield from the fields resulted in many zamindars immediately falling into arrears.You could not collect taxes when the flood had washed away everything, could you?

The Company's policy of auction of any zamindari lands deemed to be in arrears created a market for land which previously did not exist. Many of the new purchasers of this land were Indian officials within the East India Company's government. These bureaucrats were ideally placed to purchase lands which they knew to be underassessed, and therefore profitable. In addition their position as officials gave them opportunity to quickly acquire the wealth necessary to purchase land through bribery and corruption. They could also manipulate the system to bring to sale land that they specifically wanted.

Therefore, the Indian farmer who till then produced enough to feed the country and his family, since land was religion and not a commodity, started looking towards avenues other than agriculture. Even the zamindars who had been attached with their lands, started their drift towards other sources of income.

In short, the agricultural land had now become a commodity.

The seed of the Indian slum had been laid.

Slowly but steadily the East India Company spread its tentacles all over the country. Farmers in Bengal were forced to sow Indigo, which although commercially viable for the British industry had no value for the Indian farmer. Untold misery was unleashed on the poor farmer, who was made to work under bondage and forced labour. The cultivation of Indigo ensured that the land was now unfit for any other cultivation.

The farmer who was the backbone of the Indian economy was now under enormous debt. People were looking towards the cities, since at least there could work as menial labors as there was nobody who could recognize them. The question of status and family pride could not be ignored in a status conscious socierty as India.

The coming of industrialization ensured that India from a producer economy, got converted into a supplier economy. Indian cotton fabric, which was renowned for its texture and handwork was surpassed by British machine made goods, which were mass produced and therefore extremely cheap. The British further did not provide a level playing field as unjust duties were introduced on Indian textile articles entering Britain while the British machine made goods were exempted from any duty in India.

The term 'unfair trade practices' was unknown in those days.

The sun was setting for the Indian cotton Industry.

The slums were filling up.

Danny Boyle gets lots of slum shots at this stage. Lots of poor, undernourished children and malnutrition parents.

The Indian economy was reducing the slums in London, and the slums in Mumbai …….well!!!

Dadabhai Naoroji, the great freedom fighter who made the first economic treastise on this drain of Indian money, summed it up presciently, “the English were like the sponge who sucked up the Ganges and let it off on the Thames.”

Wonder whether Danny Boyle knows about Dadabhai Naoroji? But anyway, since this not a documentary, why bother!

Then came the two World wars.

India which never had an option was dragged into a war which was fought far away from its lands and being fought for Imperial purposes. But subservient people don’t have a voice do they?

Men and material were drained away for the purpose of fighting this war. Good that nobody has made a study on the material drain in these two wars, otherwise we might have to traverse the path of documentary.

Kashmir was left as a last act of vengeance by the deceit (or intelligence, depends on your choice, movie or documentary) of the British. An act which keeps two neighbours at the throat of each other and diverts resources which could have stopped further slums from prospering.

Finally the story comes to its climax.

The interplay of greedy politicians, indifferent citizens, insensitive bureaucracy, ensures in the climax of the report of the United Nations World Food Programme in 2009, which states that 230 million people in India are undernourished, malnutrition accounts for nearly 50% of child deaths in India.

The report places India at the 94th place in the Global Hunger Index amongst 119 countries. It further informs that 43% of children (under 5 years) in the country are underweight. The figure is much higher than the global average of 25% and even higher than the sub-Saharan figure of 28%. More than 70% of the children (under 5 years) suffer from anemia.

Imagine the close up shots of under nourished children, their face emaciated, eyes sunk in holes and the standing ovations at the Kodak theatre and the number of Oscars.

The best part for this movie will obviously be the acclaim it receives from the media and the movie stars who starve for six months to get a ‘zero figure’. Unlucky people, these stars I tell you. Imagine starving for six months to get a 'zero figure' whereas a vast majority attains it as a matter of routine(facts above, in case of disbelief)

Slum dog India sells, and sells hot.

And no, we will not tell anybody that Danny Boyle is as British as the East India Company or Robert Clive, since this is not the story of a documentary film where you discuss the origin of a problem, but the story of a commercial film where you simply sell what is being demanded by the audience. Here the story of a sex worker is sold as a voyeuristic thriller.

JAI HO

2009-02-14T01:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to A.R.Rahman for being nominated to the Oscars after winning numerous international awards for his song JAI HO, from the movie Slum dog Millionaire. That Rahman has innumerable previous songs which are far superior in comparison but did not receive international recognition is besides the point.

JAI HO, Pramod Muthalik and his brave Sri Ram Sene who with their act of chivalry in Mangalore have brought glory to the nation and its culture. This epitomizes everything they claim to represent. They have atleast exposed the farce of women getting respect in this country, where thousands of women face lewd remarks and gestures, sexual harassment, once they leave their home or even at their home. Muthalik’s claim to forcibly marry off couples caught together on the Valentine’s day has ensured that the 14th of February has surpassed the Republic day and the Independence day in terms of preventive security measures. Atleast we can expect to remain safe from terrorist attacks , bomb explosions and stuff on that day, with unprecedented security measures in place. This bunch of goons has also exposed the farce which goes on in the name of governance in this country. Remember MNS and Raj Thackrey! If our government cannot tackle these louts, how do we expect them to save us? JAI HO…….

JAI HO, to the Pink Chaddi campaign, which has been started by some netizens, as they call themselves, to oppose the Sri Ram Sene and its plans to disrupt the great Valentine’s day celebrations. The campaign which apparently is drawing huge response from the netizens, especially the females(how do you know? Well beats me!) calls for the females (or males) to buy pink chaddis at dirt cheap prices and send them to the Sri Ram Sene office and flood the pubs on the Valentine’s day. The idea ostensibly is to spread love. My sources tell me that what of Sri Ram Sene louts, all the great love seeking louts (also known as eve teasers) in the country are out on the streets today, asking the school-college going girls and the office going women or even the women buying vegetables, for the pink….you know what! Great idea netizens, this chaddi bit, especially as it is done from the safety and anonymity of the internet. Let those who go out, face the music. This will definitely go a long way in the emancipation of women in this country. And please do not bother about female foeticide, bride burning, child marriage, high female dropout level in the schools, rapes, harassment at the workplace. Let us ask this harassed lot to spread the pink chaddi campaign whenever some criminal assaults them or take him to a pub and voila the problems will vanish. What an Idea Sirji! as an ad line goes. JAI HO…….

JAI HO, the card companies and some music companies who along with people like Muthalik and the Pink chaddi campaigners have ensured that a non descript event like the Valentine’s day has become a day surpassing the Independence day or the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in importance. Business like politics, makes for strange partners. At times it appears that we Indians were bereft of love before the arrival of St. Valentine’s day, looking at the manner it is promoted. That the divorce rates have been rising dramatically with the advent of such festivals of love is a trivial for which no social scientist need bother. JAI HO……..

JAI HO, Renuka Chowdhury, the minister for Women and Child development for nearly getting the Karnataka govt. dismissed after the Mangalore incident. That the state govt. belonged to an opposition party is … well… besides the point. What of the fact that only a couple of months ago two girls were burnt in an acid attack in Gulbarga in her home state of Andhra Pradesh, by a jilted lover. One of them later passed away. But then A.P is ruled by her party. So the mute button on madam minister. We cannot blame her for politicizing such issues as they are taking place all over the country without any punishment being meted out to the culprits. Her agenda is to pressurise the opposition govts. and not to improve the safety of the women. That is the job of the Home Minister, you see! And no suggestions asking her to concentrate on any programme to ensure that female dropouts in school are brought down, female child is not killed in the womb itself. Well she is a minister and does not have the time for such unglamourous stuff! No publicity, you see!! JAI HO……..

JAI HO, the women ‘activists’ in the country for the manner in which they take up female issues in the country and talk of the moral brigade (especially the saffron kind), but never ….never talk about Asiya Andrabi and her organization the Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of the nation) in Jammu and Kashmir, which calls for implementation of strict sharia laws, compulsory wearing of the veil(burqa), support polygamy, prohibit women from visiting beauty parlours because God has created everybody as he wanted them to be, throw acids on anybody defying their edicts. Sample one of Andrabi’s famous assertions- “I would be more than glad to share my house with other wives of Qasim (her husband)”.

Andrabi is even more categorical on national issues, sample another one of her sayings, “I don't believe in Kashmiriyat, I don't believe in nationalism. I believe there are two nations - Muslims and non-Muslims.”

A.K. Hangal summed it up nicely in the movie Sholay, “Yeh itna sannata kyon hai bhai” (Why this silence?) But then Hangal did not know Andrabi, did he? The women activists press their mute button whenever somebody mentions Andrabi, but then getting burnt by acid is also extremely painful. JAI HO……...

JAI HO, Police Commissioner of Hyderabad, who even after Ramalinga Raju of Satyam infamy, owned up to the massive fraud to the tune of Rs.7000/- crores, at a press conference, refused to move in and arrest him for three days after the admission of guilt, ostensibly because “nobody had lodged a complaint against him.” That a few days after his arrest, the public prosecutor prayed before the court to extend Raju’s custody because “he was making vital documents disappear even after his arrest, and therefore it would be detrimental to let him out on the bail”, tells the whole story. JAI HO………..

JAI HO, to the rulers of the day for ensuring that Navin Chawla will become the next election commissioner of the country after the superannuation of N.Gopalaswami. Whatever the technical merits or otherwise of the recommendation of the CEC, N.Gopalaswami under section 324 (5) of the Constitution and the legal interpretation of the word ‘Recommendation’ in the said section of the constitution, qudos should go to the law minister H.R.Bharadwaj for calling the present CEC ‘petty’ and further letting the cat out of the bag by stating that Gopalaswami had ‘spoilt his retirement’. This my friend remains the eternal truth, that a bureaucrat if per chance raises his voice against the system ‘spoils his retirement’ meaning thereby he cannot become a Rajya Sabha M.P, an ambassador or even a governor after his retirement. Look at M.S.Gill the ex CEC who did not spoil his retirement and has been blessed by being appointed the sports minister in the present disposition.

Please also sample the fact that no effort has been made to obtain a presidential reference on the constitutional legality of the recommendation of the CEC from the Supreme Court. The presidential reference is one of the powers of the president by which an opinion can be obtained from the Supreme Court in case of an issue of constitutional propriety.

Let us also doff our caps at the track record of the person who will be our next CEC and thereby conduct the next general election---

Navin Chawla was secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi during the period of emergency (1975-77), and famously remarked, “Let them roast under the asbestos sheets”, when the Supdt. of the Tihar jail objected to the overcrowding of the Tihar jail with political prisoners against all norms of jails. The Shah Commission, which inquired into the excesses during the Emergency, indicted Mr Chawla for having been 'authoritarian and callous' and for gross misuse of power "in cynical disregard of the welfare of citizens". Further, it declared that he was "unfit to hold any public office which demands an attitude of fair play and consideration for others".

The story does not end at this, the Election Commissioner and his wife Rupika ran the Jaipur-based Lala Chaman Lal Education Trust which had secured MPLADS funds from Congress MPs — A.A. Khan, R.P. Goenka, Ambika Soni, Dr Karan Singh and Mr A.R. Kidwai. He accepted funds for private trusts. The trust was allotted six acres of land by the Congress government in Rajasthan when Mr Ashok Gehlot was the Chief Minister in his previous terms. Need we say more, except that Indian democracy is in safe and impartial hands, JAI HO……….

JAI HO, to our law enforcing agencies, for the manner in which they permit lumpen elements like Pramod Muthalik, Raj Thackrey and their ilk run amok and for the manner in which they harass the innocent, defenceless people under any pretext, while at the same time acting servile before the criminals. When they cannot stop Muthalik how do we expect them to face Ajmal Aamir Kasab? But the inside story is that they want the common people to be self sufficient and defend themselves rather than look in askance towards others. JAI HO……..

JAI HO, to Danny Boyle and the Slum dog Millionaire for showing that Indian poverty sells massively in the West and that we Indians go ga ga over anything accepted by the firangs. Not one western movie maker encapsulates anything which is positive in India. For them we remain the land of snake charmers and the magical fakirs, and we remain too happy to oblige. It is fascinating to watch these movie makers rake in billions by selling our poverty and penury. After all, apparently, there are no homeless and naked in New York or London, no beggars, no criminals. Maybe Anil Kapoor will make a fictional movie on the poverty and crime in the ghettos of New York, after he stops counting his billions and the grin on his face while marketing all that is naked about India, subsides. JAI HO……….

And last but not the least, JAI HO, to the common people in this nation, who remain indifferent to our rivers being polluted, our water bodies disappearing by the magicians also known as the real estate developers, our forest vanishing, the corruption which like a demon has engulfed all facets of our lives, the religious fundamentalism, the neglect of primary education, healthcare and the connivance of our leaders and the bureaucrats in making this happen. But the news channels talk of the threat from outside, don’t they???? And we switch off our TV sets and go off to sleep completely oblivious to everything around us, completely immune to the misery, the pain, the lawlessness,the exploitation. JAI HO…………

JAI HO…………

MAYA KI MAYA

2009-01-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

AN OPEN LETTER TO MAYAWATI

Respected Behenji,

Namaskar,

Please allow me to introduce myself to you. I am ardent follower of yours and therefore read with great satisfaction the news that M 50 machine guns have been procured for your security personnel in order to protect you. It is a great achievement, for these machine guns are only in the arsenal of the Special Protection Group which protects the President, P.M , ex P.M’s , families of P.M’s and Robert Vadra. I have been getting sleepless nights ever since I heard that only 350 security personnel apart from 100 odd NSG commandos have been assigned to protect your kindself. Only 350 plus the NSG commandos!!! Imagine!! I am sure there was a larger conspiracy behind allotment of this meagre staff for your protection. These NSG commandos! Useless people I tell you! How are they supposed to protect you when they take 60 hours to kill the people who attacked Mumbai?

This nasty UPA govt. refused to provide you SPG cover since they would have to amend the law for providing SPG to you. Arre baba do they realize what they were doing? It was yesterday only that an MBA student was gangraped by 10 people in Noida district of your state. Do they even realize how unsafe it is for women nowadays especially in U.P? Imagine the girl being abducted at 5.00 in the evening, 100 metres away from a plush mall in the most important dist. of your state which you want to project as an alternative to Bangaluru. To top it all she was not alone but accompanied by a male friend.

Good your bodyguards have the M 50’s with them.

These girls nowadays, I tell you, imagine going out at 5.00 in the evening and that too with a male friend! Don’t they have any shame left? What is this America or what? Their parents should be hanged from the nearest pole . Don’t they teach their daughters any sanskars? It appears that these girls are so busy roaming around with their boyfriends that they do not even have the time to read the newspapers and know that it is not safe for males in U.P to go out after sunset, what to say of females. Please get one of your brilliant IPS officers to state that the girl was of loose character and was now crying foul because of monetary reasons and her father was also of a loose character, and arrest him . I still vividly remember that brilliant IG of yours,Gurdarshan Singh who after the Arushi Talwar case proclaimed her being caught in a ‘compromising position’ with her servant and her father himself not being of ‘good character’ and murdering both the girl and the servant. Brilliant wasn’t it? But those CBI fellows sold out and could not produce an iota of evidence regarding all this. Finally all the people are out of jail and the case is now nearly buried. But hats off to the way you supported the great IG of yours. Instead of sacking him as these Women activists demanded you merely transferred him. I am sure he must be somewhere in the state protecting the Aam Aadmi and the Aam Aurats of the state. Your support for such sincere officers gives the people confidence. My request is to get some similar officer to investigate the instant rape case in Noida also. These ‘loose character’ people cannot be allowed to besmirch your fair name. Let these Women activists shout as much as they can about a female Chief Minister repeatedly failing to protect females in the state. Please show these Lipstick-powder ladies that nobody is safe in the state and even you need M 50 machine guns to protect you.

I am sure it was that canny Amar Singh who ensured the SPG cover was not provided to you. I still remember the guest house incident in 1995 when these Samajwadi Party people tried to physically eliminate you inside the state guest house in the state capital, Lucknow. Good that you have one of the prime accused of the guest house incident , Anand Shukla ‘Anna’ in your party now. After all you have moved from Bahujan Hitaya ( benefit of the majority ) to the Sarvajan Hitaya (benefit of all), so why leave any accused outside your party? This way we reduce our potential adversaries, don’t we? This is man management at its best. My salutations!

Speaking of man management, please convey my regards to Shekhar Tiwari, that bold MLA of your party who thrashed that PWD Engineer, Manoj Gupta to death in his own house in Auraiya near Kanpur because he refused to pay Rs. 50 lakhs as donation towards your birthday celebrations. My regards to the policemen also, who refused to take Manoj Gupta’s call and come to his rescue, letting the brave Tiwari ji thrash him for two hours till he passed away.

Imagine that Engineer refusing to pay 50 lakhs for your birthday bash. Who the hell did he think he was? If this malaise of refusing to pay for your party and your birthday increased it would result in utter lawlessness. Today your birthday, tomorrow election funds, arre is desh mein koi kanoon hai ki nahi?( Is there any law in this country) What if the common people refuse to pay up for the rangadari tax, the goonda tax? Good that Mananiya (Hon’ble) Shekhar Tiwariji laid down the law immediately. My request is that please tell me the amount I have to contribute towards your birthday party. Please do not send the Hon’ble to my house.

The contribution of the collection of Hon’bles under you will definitely be remembered by History. The state could have its own hall of fame for these Mananiyas. I mean how many could say what the Minister of state for Animal Husbandary in your govt. Mananiya (Hon’ble) Avadh Pal Singh, said in a press conference yesterday. Addressing the media he said, “ If D.P Yadav is a mafia because a few criminal cases have been registered against him , then Mahatma Gandhi was the first mafia in the country and so were Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawarhal Lal Nehru.”

What brilliant exposition of History, isn’t it? How many of these Historians could arrive at this conclusion ? Arre, what has D.P.Yadav done besides being a strongman in Western U.P apart from being an accused for illicit liquor manufacturing which once killed 350 people in Haryana and murder accused in all and sundry cases? His son Vikas Yadav has only been sentenced for life in the Nitish Katara murder case and has also only been sentenced for four years rigourous imprisonment in the Jessica Lal case( another one of those loose character females). Mind you, only life sentence and not hanging! And besides when you are a strongman these weak people die when you only slap them, you only grab property from the common people. The problem with these common men is that they always remain weak and then cry like a baby when some strong men take away their home and hearth. Now what can strong men do when you remain weak? They cannot be blamed for making you weak.

The achievements by your good and kind self are unmatched in this country. History bears testimony to the fact that nobody before you had thought of erecting their statue in their lifetime, a job which you did with such élan last year. Small people and their small thoughts, raising such hue and cry over such a trivial issue as statues being raised, Ambedkar parks costing 100 crores when there is utter lawlessness, high unemployment, massive electricity crisis in the state, I mean is stuff like employment, education, electricity more important than Ambedkar parks ? Will they ever think big?

I felt proud to be your follower when I saw your name at the 59th number in the Forbes list of powerful women in the world. Let the critics smirk at this but can they point out anybody who has grown so powerful and influential in three years. Yes mam, three years!! I mean the truth can be gauged from the declarations you made in an affidavit before the Election Commission in 2004 Lok Sabha elections and the 2007 Vidhan Sabha elections.

In 2004, according to the affidavit you owned:
Cash- Rs.1.5 lakhs
Bank Deposits- Rs. 9.78 Crores
Jewellery- Rs. 30.94 Lakhs
Property- Rs. 1.25 Crores.

In 2007 the same assets rose to:
Cash- Rs. 50.27 Lakhs
Bank Deposits- Rs. 12.88 Crores
Jewellery- Rs. 50.87 Lakhs
Property- Rs. 36.84 Crores

If this does not symbolize power then what does? And the best part is that during this period you were neither a C.M in Uttar Pradesh nor a part of the ruling disposition at the Centre. I completely agree that it is the love of the people who have made this ‘Gift’ to you which has resulted in the growth in assets. What of the fact that the people whom you claim to represent find it difficult to make two ends meet! Now I know the reason for their poor state! They ‘Gift’ whatever they earn to your coffers. It is only people like that Engineer Manoj Gupta who start whining while making ‘Gifts’. Well why bother since the Mananiya Shekhar Tiwari ji has taken care of him. Greedy people, always wanting everything for themselves!

I feel disgusted when these party poopers say that the it would be better if you had your cabinet meetings in jails, since that is where most of your ministers are. These rascals, I tell you! Since they cannot be strong men they ridicule others. Borrowing from your minister Shri Avadh Pal Singh, I would like to tell them that before 1947 most of the Congress leaders were in Jail only, but nobody makes such cheap remarks about them. Only your predecessor Mananiya Mulayam Singhji comes anywhere close to your achievements in this regard, since the same strong men keep moving from one party to another. No loyalty, I tell you! But the way you have elaborated the Sarvajan Hitaya (benefit of all) your name will be written in golden words in the History of India. Everybody gets his share of the pie. Good fun, isn't it?

I am confident you will come out of the disproportionate assets case, the Taj scam and all other such false cases which have been foisted on you by your opponents, unscathed. Has any politician before you ever been convicted? It is those nasty opponents who want to spoil your fair name.

There is this friend of mine who says, What of Uttar Pradesh and good governance? My answer to him is that Well What of it? I want to give him one tight slap but am scared since he is stronger than me and your police only protects the strong men . Kindly send one of your ministers to teach him etiquettes provided he survives that meeting.

Mam’ I have taken the liberty of slightly altering the slogan of your party, JAI BHARAT, JAI BHIM.

Considering the effort put in by you in furthering the cause of Sarvajan Hitaya, I now call it,

JAI MAYA KI MAYA.

Regards,

Neither a Bahujan or a Sarvajan, but an Aam Jan (common man).

INDIA AT WAR III- CALL THE BLUFF

2008-12-30T03:42:00.000-08:00

IF OUR HOUSE BE ON FIRE, WITHOUT ENQUIRING WHETHER IT WAS FIRED FROM WITHIN OR WITHOUT, WE MUST TRY TO EXTINGUISH IT.-----THOMAS JEFFERSON

It is more than a month since the terrorists declared war on India. Not that the acts pre 26/11 were not acts of war, but compared to the audacious frontal assault on 26/11, those events can be called mere sorties to judge our defences and reactions. The recce's on India have been carried out for more than 20 years now, through targeted assassinations, explosions, introduction of fake currency into the system, use of the stock markets to launder money and stuff. Our adversaries are now convinced of our muddled approach to an epidemic which is worse than the plague for it affects the mind and the strength to resist.

The events post 26/11 would have reinforced this belief of the terrorists. The defence minister rules out 'War as an option', the foreign minister says that 'All options are on the table', the Prime Minister says something which only he can decipher. The foreign minister is now apparently convincing the 'friends' of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China and America to pressurise Pakistan to take action against the perpetrators of this ghastly attack. The Pakistanis are much more focused on their line of defence, which is basically offence. Someday it is 'provide us the evidence', someday 'We will strike back within minutes', to ' we will act in our interest, not on somebody's bidding'.

Great show guys! You really have to hand out to these politicians. Let Thomas Jefferson say what he wants to , we will first enquire as to whether the fire started from our neighbour's house or our own. Then we will judge whether the origin of this fire has its genesis in our own house immaterial of the fact that this raging fire is repeatedly being fanned by our neighbour. This fire has been slowly turning our house into ashes for twenty years but we are so confused about its perpetrators The best part is that rather than confronting this scourge of fire ourselves, we rush to the Mafiosi of the locality, requesting them to ask our neighbour to desist from sending this fire into our house. The whole farce could be called a comedy circus provided the implications weren't as serious.

The show of resolve immediately in the aftermath of 26/11 was impressive. The anger in the common people against the inability of the politicians to provide leadership and security manifested itself in a huge spontaneous gathering in Mumbai, perhaps the largest non political gathering in the country post independence. The politicians closed ranks and countered with a special session of the Parliament to let off a lot of hot air. The 'P.M in waiting' wanted 'every loss of Indian life to be avenged', the 'P.M in hoping' talked of the Kauravas and the Pandavas uniting to fight a common enemy'.

For once, the political class exhibited unity for a day. But as is their wont, they lapsed into the mode of political kite flying soon thereafter. A.R. Antulay is not the loose canon he was made out to be after his 'investigation into Hemant Karkare's death' remark. Old habits die hard, as they say. For all practical purposes, it was a calculated attempt by the ruling dispensation to judge the mood of the people and to confirm its 'SECULAR' credentials. A.R.Antulay is too wily and experienced a politician to shoot off his mouth without a green signal from the very top. The 'conspiracy theory' statement has met with more than an enthusiastic response from the Urdu press. The response gauged, Antulay has retreated back into his shell, apparently convinced of the veracity of the encounter after a rather dull and drab statement from the Home Minister which conveyed nothing which was not in the public domain. That Antulay's irresponsible statement was a well calculated strategy can be judged from the fact that he would have been sacked from the Union cabinet for indirectly casting aspersions on the statement of the P.M who had declared Pakistan to be responsible for this carnage in his televised address to the nation post 26/11, if Antulay had been shooting off his mouth at his own sweet will. Furthermore if he had any evidences to prove his theory the same should have been brought to the public's notice rather than simple circulation of his theories. Please note that Antulay continues to be an integral part of the Union cabinet without so much as a rap on the knuckles.

The fact that this irresponsibility has been utilised by Pakistan to buttress their case before the International community and that it was an affront to the people who laid down their lives in those 60 hours of carnage is nobody's case really! What is the life of people like Karkare, Kamte, Unnikrishnan before the upcoming parliamentary elections and the lure of the the so called minority vote bank. Perhaps the 'P.M in waiting' would like to respond. We have been brought to this abyss by these very acts revolving around this perversion of 'secularism' and its direct linkages with the vote bank.

Pakistan which was bullied into supporting America's war on terror post 9/11 by the famous ' we will bomb you into stone ages' advice from Richard Armitage , is back to its old ways after the initial show of support for India's pain. Apparently Azmal Amir Kasab never existed in the Pakistani records. That those records cover only 30% of the Pakistani population is nobody's case really. The war hysteria being generated across the Wagah border is symptomatic of the mess Pakistan is in. The army which was extremely unpopular after the Lal Masjid face off and was facing desertions because of its operations in the FATA and Waziristan provinces is now shifting the attention of the populace towards the eternal enemy, India. The Pakistani army loves a good war as much as the Indian bureaucracy loves a good drought. Both are extremely beneficial for the economics of the house, you see! Studies have revealed that the Pakistani army is the biggest corporate player in the Pakistani economy. Apparently most of the business in Pakistan is owned by the Army personnel, both serving and retired.

Pakistan is looking for a way to wriggle out of the mess on its North Western frontier province. They have obtained billions of dollars of aid from the U.S on the plea of being a key ally in the American war against terror. But this has made them extremely unpopular in the country. How do you fight your own baby, the Taliban? Pakistan is now using the spectre of a war on its eastern border against India to pull out troops from the border with Afghanistan. This according to the Pakistani army has the double benefit of the populace forgetting the chaos on the North western front. Nothing like the hard core jingoism, you see! Get those adrenaline juices flowing guys, We are at War with India! But another benefit which is being calibrated into account is the paranoia which has set in amongst the American policy makers. They feel that they are at a crucial stage in the war in Afghanistan and any troop pull out by Pakistan may land the Americans in a spot of bother vis a vis Afghanistan. The Americans will do anything to keep the Pakistanis on their side, for they are fighting their own war and not India's.

By a strange paradox, Pakistan will have both the Talibanis and the U.S on its side if their chicanery succeeds. Politics makes for strange bedfellows, doesn't it?

The most worrying signs are emanating from Washington and Moscow. Barack Obama has already shown his willingness to appoint a special designate, possibly Bill Clinton to mediate between the permanently squabbling India and Pakistan over the issue of Kashmir, so as to paraphrase the American thinking. Pakistan with its present rhetoric of an impending war is sure to confirm the American doubts of Kashmir being a flashpoint which has all the potential of conflagrating a war. This has dangerous portends for India for when combined with the sell out over the nuclear deal, it has the potential to make Indian foreign policy completely subservient to the American vision for the world. India cannot let this idea of an official designate for Kashmir progress any further. But the way we permitted FBI officials to interrogate Azmal Kasab in the hope of obtaining American support for the apprehension of the perpetrators of 26/11 knowing fully well that the perpetrators of this attack are not living in some huts and wild territory, 'stateless' as Zardari calls them, but in the Army H.Q in Rawalpindi, the chances of us fighting our own war and standing up for ourselves appears bleak indeed.

The failure of the Indian foreign policy in putting all it eggs in one basket has resulted in its traditional ally Russia drifting away. The call from Moscow for India and Pakistan to desist from building up tension on its borders is ominous from an Indian standpoint. Note the missing support for Indian restraint and valid attempts for self defence. This is Putin's hint to the mandarins in New Delhi, 'getting too cosy with the Yankees, eh' !!

Indian policymakers have too realize that the war on terror has to be fought by our own selves . 'There are no permanent friends or foes in politics, only permanent interests', they say.

We have to get rid of this approach of looking in askance towards others in solving our problems. Recently released archives from U.S show that Nehru inspite of his feel good policy of non alignment ,desperately sought support from U.S during the Sino-Indian conflict of 1962 and received some grudging support from it. This indicates the wooly eyed approach towards foreign policy.

Matters of foreign policy require hard core professional approach towards national interest and not the please all approach we are prone to take. Sample the condemnation of the Israeli assault on the Hamas in the Gaza territory. The Hamas is as ruthless a terrorist organisation as the Lashkar or the Jaish. I fail to understand how we can call for a ban on the Jamat ud dawah on the one hand and praise Hamas for its resistance. Double standards while confronting terror will lead us nowhere. On the other hand the Israeli support for India in its fight against terror has been unequivocal, while our affinity with the Palestinians for the sake of Arab support for us in our conflict with Pakistan defies logic. On innumerable occasions the Organisation of Islamic countries (OIC) which is dominated by Saudi Arabia has passed uncomfortable resolutions on the issue of Kashmir.We have to shrug this pseudo moralistic approach and move forward. To borrow from George Bush, we have to make it very clear to the world that in this war on terror 'they are either with us or against us'. But for that we need to eradicate our own double standards. A terrorist is a terrorist, period! We cannot have a Lashkar bad boy and a Hamas fighter for freedom and justice.

The country has to realize that this war has to fought on our own. If Pakistan can threaten U.S with its strategy of withdrawing troops from the border with Afghanistan in order to defend itself against an imaginary Indian attack, why can we not clearly tell the Americans to compel the Pakistanis to hand over people like Dawood, Hafiz Saeed to us, dismantle the 'stateless' terror network or else we will not rule out the option of war , for we cannot be expected to bleed indefinitely in order to assist in America's war in Afghanistan. It is time we called Pakistan's bluff. As of now Pakistan is very successfully setting the agenda and we simply follow it.

Apart from the foreign policy, the internal policy has to be set in order. The govt. has promised of the National Investigation Agency, the Maritime Security adviser and stuff. Sounds good doesn't it, apart from the fact that the issue of Maritime security adviser was one of the recommendations of the review committee under the chairmanship of noted defence analyst K.Subhramanyam which was set up to enquire into the lapses which led to the Kargil war, and make recommendations. That was in 1999. Today the govt. when 2009 is about to begin gets back into the rewind mode and dusts the file. Will somebody ask them that if the idea was not good enough for 10 years, what led to this sudden enthusiasm for it? Rest assured some worthy from the navy will be appointed to the post if at all the idea moves forward and there will be a mad scramble for getting appointed for the post and the most pliant of persons will get the chequered flag. The National Investigation agency might already be not worth the paper it is printed on.

The confidence building measures between India and Pakistan were built on the premise of Pakistan not permitting its territory to be utilized for anti India activity. Post Mumbai and the purported mountains of evidence against Pakistan, why have the CBM's not been called off ? How long will we allow ourselves to be bled to death? As rightly observed by the sports minister, ' our team cannot play cricket with them when they send another team to kill and maim our people'.

An informed citizenry is the biggest requirement for the flourishing of democracy. The strength lies within. The pressure needs to be kept on the politicians to take action or else be prepared to face the next assault from the 'stateless actors' from across the border. The national interest has to supersede any other interest, our war has to be fought be us and us alone, at all places, under all conditions. Surrender is not an option.

Please sample the ideology being prescribed to by our 'stateless actors'-

"You do not make treaties with evildoers or try to adjust your conduct to make them like you. You do not try to see the world from the evildoer's point of view. You do not try to appease them, or persuade them, or reason with them. You try on the contrary, to outwit them, to vanquish them, to kill them. You behave with them in the same manner that you would deal with a fatal epidemic--you try to wipe it out."- Al Qaida's fantasy ideology.

Is there a message in this ideology for all of us?

INDIA AT WAR II-DARE TO WIN

2008-12-17T02:06:00.000-08:00

“ FACE THE TERRIBLE, FACE IT BOLDLY. THE HARDSHIPS OF LIFE FALL BACK WHEN WE CEASE TO FLEE BEFORE THEM ” ---SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

It was around 125 years back in a village in the then undivided Bengal. A young kid was running desperately , being pursued by a dog. As is the wont of young kids, the terrified kid ran straight towards his mother, crying out for help. His mother did not come running for help but instead asked him to turn around and face the dog. The kid turned around and faced the dog. Lo and behold, the dog took to his heels when faced with this resistance. The kid had learnt an important lesson that day. Never in his life did he ever turn his back towards adversity and instead always faced it with a bold heart. Adversity obviously had to be looked in the eye. The name of the kid, Jatin Mukherjee, who grew up to be known as Bagha Jatin. For the uninitiated, Bagha Jatin grew up into a famous revolutionary who took on the might of the British empire. He earned the nickname of Bagha when he killed a tiger bare handed in the jungle where he had taken refuge from the British army. Obviously he had learned his lessons well in his child hood. It was the spirit infused by revolutionaries like Bagha Jatin which laid the foundation for the independence of the country.

Let us now sample an example from the dog chasing the modern day India: “ Today I announce the break up of India, Insha Allah. We will not rest until the whole of India is dissolved into Pakistan,” let us proceed a bit further with this enlightenment for it shows the true face of this vicious adversity, “ We know that the Hindu genetic make up is of the Bania which knows only how to take account of others, rather than giving of itself. However we wish to tell the Hindu Bania that we are that race which does not forget its history, and reiterate it time and again- for example, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Somalia and Kashmir.”---Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Mohd. Saeed in 1999.

And the Indian response to this, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his famous “ Pakistan is as much a victim of terrorism as India” speech in 2006. It gets better with pseudo peaceniks like Mahesh Bhatt calling for the ‘people to people’ contact between the civilian population of India and Pakistan to be allowed to continue, he further goes on to advocate the continuation of the ‘cultural contact’ between the two countries, for apparently a moderate Pakistan is our ‘only hope’. Bravo Mr. Bhatt, but please ask your moderate friends in Pakistan to ensure that singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Jagjit Singh are also allowed to perform in Pakistan or is this ‘ cultural contact’ a one way street only, as rest of the things in India and Pakistan relations.

Things have purportedly heated up post 26/11, with the common people in Mumbai gathering to force the govt. to hear their voice, a special session of the Parliament being convened in order to show the resolve of the Indian people. That platitudes like “ The govt. working towards the creation of a Federal Investigation Agency”, “ India will be victorious in its fight against the barbaric menace of terrorism,” being passed of as action. Fight!! Did you see any fight friends ? Any action gentlemen?

Well why bother since the people in Mumbai and the rest of the country have gone back to earning their bread and butter and the country is slowly getting into the election mode. But please remember that this silence post 26/11 has a eerie sound and is just the calm before the next storm.

The govt. will of course point out to the ‘action’ taken by the U.N.Security Council in proscribing the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and in further proscribing four individuals of the Jamaat-ud- Dawa, including the chief Hafiz Mohd. Saeed who allegedly is under house arrest alongwith the chief of Jaish-e-Mohd, Maulana Masood Azhar. (Rest assured that while the doors of their houses are locked from the front, the back door and the windows are wide open.). Incidentally, the Pakistani High Commissioner to India in an interview to Karan Thapar has denied that Massod Azhar is under house arrest and has further feigned ingnorance about his whereabouts.

Condoleeza Rice has paid a visit and castigated Pakistan, British P.M. Gordon Brown has publicly acknowledged the role of Pakistan in facilitating the Mumbai attack. John McCain, John Kerry have accepted India’s right to self defence. The present govt. can beat its chest for ensuring that the world has accepted India’s position on terror. But has anything changed ? Anything at all !!!

The Lashkar-e-Taiba was banned in 2002 subsequent to the attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001. Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar were put under house arrest, funds belonging to the outfit were apparently frozen.

The result: Lashkar changed its name to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (the name under which it functions now) and continued to flourish . Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar continued to hold public rallies after they were released within a year, spewing anti India venom.

I would wish to invite the attention of the Indian Muslims towards the sayings of Hafiz Saeed and the defacto policy of the govt. of Pakistan. Please do not consider the word Hindu in its literal meaning. For these terrorists anybody residing in India is a Hindu (and rightly so) inspite of the religious affiliations he or she prescribes to. In case of any doubt please refer to the casualty list of any terrorist attack. The names of the victims tell their own story. Anybody who was not a Hindu in thought and action left in 1947.

The govt. of Pakistan has refused to ban the Jamaat in spite of the UNSC resolution and refused to hand over any person of Pakistani origin to the Indian authorities for investigation. With regards to persons of Indian origin, remember Dawood Ibrahim, well apparently he was never in Pakistan anyway! The residence in the upmarket Clifton area of Karachi indicated by Indian Intelligence authorities belongs to Superman of course!! That Dawood’s daughter was married in a lavish ceremony to cricketer Javed Miandad’s son, in Karachi, is a trivial indeed.

That the same country handed over the murder accused in the Daniel Pearl case, Ahmed Omar Saeed Shaikh, within 3 months to the U.S authorities shows that the Bagha Jatin mentality still prevails. You have to take the bull by its horn.

The sudden interest shown by the U.S and British authorities in the Mumbai case and its aftermath is because of two reasons.

Firstly the lives of a few U.S and British nationals have been lost in the attack and these countries value the lives of their citizens more than we with our concept of atman being eternal, do. But the fact also remains that this is not the first time foreign lives have been lost in terror attacks in India.

Which brings us to the more important second point. The NATO forces led by U.S.A are under tremendous pressure in Afghanistan. The flawed policy of targetting Sadddam Hussain and his country had ensured the thinning out of U.S forces in Afghanistan. This monumental folly has given a fresh lease of life to the dreaded Taliban who are on the comeback trail in Afghanistan. It is an open secret that the ISI under the patronage of the govt. of Pakistan provides shelter to the Talibanis in the Waziristan and FATA provinces of Pakistan. The temperature of this area has been rising in the past few months. Aerial attacks through unmanned drones, commando incursions by U.S forces into Pak territory and incessant U.S diplomatic pressure has bogged down the Pakistani army into an unwilling war with the Talibanis. There have been desertions of thousands of Pakistani army personnel in the past few months as they are not willing to fight against their ‘brothers’.

The NATO forces are using the port of Karachi to land their vehicles and weapons and then progressing to Afghanistan through Peshawar. Shockingly, hundreds of armoured vehicles belonging to the NATO forces have been burnt in their Peshawar storage houses in the past week. The message being conveyed by the ISI is loud and clear. ‘if you do not help us out, this is just a sample, we will make life hell for you in Afghanistan’. The Pakistani army has already issued statements to the effect of moving its forces stationed at the Afghan border towards its border with India post 26/11.

Now you understand the sudden U.S concern for India? These guys will let the rhetoric play out and in fact aid and abet it. But on the other hand they will not let you get down to business.

The war In Afghanistan is much more important for the U.S rather than India’s terror agenda. But can we really blame the Americans for their self interest? Wish we could be as clear headed in our focus towards our interests.

The former U.S Secy. Of State Madeleine Albright has referred to Pakistan as an ‘International Migraine’. But unfortunately it is our head which is aching from this migraine and its undeclared policy of ‘bleeding India through a thousand cuts’.

The existence of Pakistan as a sovereign nation is a truth which needs to be accepted and therefore declaring War will not be a solution to this menace which in reality is the unfinished agenda of the partition. India might attain some benefit strategically but remember four wars (including Kargil) have not resulted in anything beneficial, since the politicians lost at the negotiation table what the soldier earned at the battle field. Besides the Americans will never allow that to happen for their own strategic and national interest. War can only be the last resolve in any situation and should not be taken recourse to without utilizing the alternatives, which we unfortunately with our woolly eyed approach towards matters of national importance have never tried out.

‘Stateless actors’, Asif Ali Zardari calls them, knowing fully well that these stateless actors are not faceless or patronless. The irresponsibility of the Indian politicians can only be matched with their counterparts on the other side of the Wagah border. ‘Stateless’ indeed President Zardari! That is why your government does not permit interrogation of the accused held in the Mumbai attack case as requested for by British P.M. Gordon Brown in Islamabad. Stateless indeed ! For that is why your govt. refuses to freeze accounts of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa inspite of U.N.S.C resolutions. Stateless indeed! For that is why you start releasing the prominent members of the Jamaat even before arresting them.

But can India afford to be part of this shenanigan any longer in the hope of the U.S or any other western power helping us out, or the Pakistani rulers having a change of heart?

‘God helps those who help themselves’ is a saying which couldn’t be any truer in international relations. Israel is a case in point. Surrounded by hostile neighbours from its birth, the nation has taken on them all and not only survived but flourished. When we talk of Israel, the immediate thought which springs to mind is its Army and Secret services, but according to my estimate the advancement made by Israel in the field of Science and Technology (Drip water irrigation, is a small example) and its tremendous record in Democracy is no less significant. Mind you Israel is the only place in the middle east with a truly democratic system of governance.

We therefore keep getting back to the fact of looking fear in the eye and not backing out of a confrontation.

“Brave, bold men and women, these are what we want. What we want is vigor in the blood, strength in the nerves, iron muscles and nerves of steel, not softening namby-pamby ideas. Avoid all these.”-Swami Vivekananda.

But where are the brave, bold men required to face this situation ?

D. Raja of the Communist Party of India has already suggested to take this matter of the Mumbai attack with evidences to the United Nations Security Council, ostensibly in order to pressurize Pakistan to take appropriate action. Do we remember the experience when we last took a bilateral matter to U.N.S.C? The Indian army was on the verge of driving away the Pakistani intruders in Kashmir in 1948 when Pandit Nehru on the devious advice of Lord Mountabatten referred the issue to the U.N and halted the Indian army in its tracks. It would not be out of place to infer that the terror attacks in India are in part an outcome of that monumental error.

How long will it take to realize and accept the fact that Pakistan is one of the pawns in the chess being played out by the Chinese in their bid to attain international hegemony, duly supported by Saudi petro dollars. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is pumping in billions of dollars in this international market of terrorism being run through the aegis of Pakistan in order to distract the fundamentalists from the issue of control of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. The Chinese will ensure that the matter is internationalized if taken to U.N.S.C by referring to the problem of Kashmir. The consequences need no elaboration. What further needs no elaboration is the close relationship between the CPI and the Chinese authorities. Any guesses on whom the instructions are coming from for people like D. Raja?

Pakistan has once again refused to handover Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed as demanded by Indian authorities. Dawood…..well Dawood was never in Pakistan, so say the Pakistanis. The Indian govt. has faced this predicament before and its cluelessness is again being exposed the moment Pakistanis refuse the handover.

But frankly were we really expecting the Pakistani govt. to arrest these people and let India take over? It is also in our benefit that we have not been granted custody of these criminals for what with our inappropriate laws and the approaching elections would have ensured lawyers rushing in to take up their cases and certain bleeding hearts in the political arena to organize human chains and rallies in their support. We certainly do not need more Afzal Guru’s, do we?

Machiavelli in his treatise, ‘The Prince’ said that the end justified the means. Chanakya’s ‘Arthashastra’ is a predecessor of Machiavelli many times over, what with elaborate study on espionage, political assassinations etc. in order to propagate Raj Dharma. But in our suicidal interpretation of Secularism for political gains and its consequential abhorrence to anything belonging to India’s past, we have all but abandoned veritable goldmines of knowledge like the Arthashastra.

Although this post cannot claim to have the intelligence to interpret these great works, but in my humble assessment, if Chanakya would have alive today, people like Dawood and Hafiz Saeed would have been assassinated in their safe houses by paid assassins who might have been the people guarding them.

Find it fantasy stuff? If you care to study Chanakya and flip through the ascent of Chandra Gupta Maurya and his subsequent gain of strength and then compare it with the sayings of the ‘Arthashastra’ the fantasy would come alive before you. But our ‘Secularism’ blinds ourselves to our own heritage.

This option is better than the ‘surgical strikes’ suggested by a section of the media isn’t it? Why dirty your hands when you can hire people to do the dirty job for you? We can repeat the policy of bleeding through a thousand cuts over its inventor.

Fact remains that once a terrorist is able to get out of his house for his mission it becomes very difficult to stop him, howsoever efficient the security or intelligence agencies might be. The only place to stop him is inside his home only, Get him before he gets you.

But do we really have the will to do so? Will our intelligence agencies for once be made free from their espionage about inconvenient political opponents, and permitted to do their primary duties? Will our bureaucrats for once give up their lust for corruption and take responsibility for their actions rather than hiding behind the politicians? Politicians come and go, but the bureaucracy like Amrit is immortal, unaffected, unaccountable. The Mumbai incident is a an example in this, while The C.M and Dy. C.M were forced to resign, the D.G.P of Maharashtra police and the Commissioner of Mumbai Police continue inspite of this massive failure in their duty.

Questions are many, answers limited. Mumbai has been saved for the time being, India is still unsafe. As we said in the last post, the battle might have been won, but the war goes on.

WHO DARES WINS. LET US DARE, WE SHALL WIN----Motto of the British SAS commandos.

CHAK DE INDIA

INDIA AT WAR

2008-11-28T04:53:00.001-08:00

WAR: Quarrel usually between nations conducted by force, state of open hostility and suspension of ordinary international law prevalent during such quarrel, attacks or series of attacks by armed forces; fighting as profession.

Writing contemporary history is one of the most hazardous academic professions, for chronicling events and analysing them is a tricky subject because of the inherent bias which creeps into writings. Furthermore, the turn of events and new evidences can make you look like a fool. But these are extraordinary times and since extraordinary situations call for extraordinary reactions, the common man has to speak out and stand up for his nation, values, culture and most importantly for the future generations, I offer my head for the chopping block. I do not wish my children to grow up under the shadow of guns and grenades instead giggles and gardens. Let the child know about Gandhi before he learns about Genghis Khan.

India is at war. The war is not between nations or religions but between an idelogy which professes pluralism and secularism against one which professe mindless violence, killing of innocents and vandalising. India is above religion, here Sufis existed with saints, here Tulsi, Nanak coexisted with Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.

" Yeh ek nirlajja hamla hai" (This is a shameless attack), So spake the minister of state for Home affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal in his reaction to the attack in Mumbai on 11/26 and continuing till the time of writing, as if to assert something which the common individual did not know. 'Niralaajata' (shamelessness) Mr. Minister!! Being the minister of state for Home and thereby responsible for the safety and security of the citizens, and with your shameless record of non performance on this front, you have the gall to call these terrorists shameless. Let me remind you sir, that you are a public servant and earn your salary from the taxes a common man like me and lakhs of others pay. At least the intentions of these terrorists are clear (and have been clear for decades), they want a decimation of this nation, its culture and in general everything it stand for and embodies. The 'shame' should be on you and your government for the ineptitude and callousness it has shown.

The country is in a state of shock and awe and all you can say is that the terrorists are shameless! What were you expecting Honourable Sir? Jalebis and Rossogollas??

The Prime Minister goes a step further and warns "neighbouring countries who support terrorists of consequences", without daring to name the countries and informing them of the consequences. When a country needed a man to stand up and say that the 'nation was at war, and we will win the war come what may", all we got was a timid Prime Minister evidently reading from a tele prompter and mouthing platitudes like “We will take a number of measures to strengthen the hands of our police and intelligence authorities. We will curb the flow of funds to suspect organisations. We will restrict the entry of suspects into the country. We will go after these individuals and organisations and make sure that every perpetrator, organiser and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people,”

Kindly note the preponderance of the word "WILL'. Excuse me , Mr. P.M are we to assume that your government has been waiting for a carnage like this to happen and now you WILL do this and do that. Were the mindless loss of life for the past innumerable years not enough for the govt. to act as you now say you WILL? Who my respected sir, is responsible for the loss of life, destruction of numerous families, loss of property and most of all projecting India that is Bharat, as a soft target for anybody looking for a passage to jannat(heaven, for that is what these jihadis are brainwashed into believing) . Why can this country not ensure a quick getaway to Dozakh (hell) for these terrorists ?? Why can we not accept that Saudi Arabia with its oil money, more than Pakistan, is sponsoring these terrorists and their fundamentalist interpretation of Wahabism, in order to keep their focus away from the issue of control over the holy sites of Mecca and Medina ?

The P.M is also again mouthing ideas like a Federal Intelligence Agency and stuff. It would have been a good joke if lives were not involved. The govt. mouths the same ideas which it knows it is not going to implement, everytime the terrorists create mayhem and a few days later goes back to sleep. Nero was a King of Kings compared to the worthies we have. Atleast he played flute while Rome burnt, whereas our P.M looks in askance for permission to play flute from we all know who! Come on Sir, at least stand up against this menace . The country is behind you whole heartedly, provided you stand up and be counted.

The seriousness with which the govt. has faced terrorism can be judged from the fact that Terrorism was not even on the agenda when the National Integration Council met a couple of months back. This was subsequent to the horror of Ahemdabad and New Delhi. The meeting was ostensibly called to 'discuss' the internal strife between two groups of tribes in Orissa. Apparently the Vatican was displeased with the events in Orissa and therefore the meeting of NIC. The issue of Terrorism was added subsequent to loud protests from the C.M's of the other hue. Is this how we are supposed to face terror?

The entire city of Mumbai in particular and the country in general are being held to ransom by an unknown number of fidayeens, with the common people looking on in horror. The streets throughout the country are quiter than usual without anybody knowing where the next attack is going to come from.It is as if doomsday or Apocalypse has arrived. This is India's 9/11. This is a frontal assault on everything the nation stands for. India is scared, India where Swami Vivekanand said, " Have No Fear, Fear is death, Fear is Sin, Fear is Hell, Fear is Unrighteousness, Fear is Wrong Life." But let us face it, we are scared. Sample the reaction of the cine star Amitabh Bachchan who expressed his fear in his blog, "Last night, as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep," Imagine if a man who lives under high security feels like this .........

That the entire machinery was caught offguard can be gauged from the approach of the ATS from the video shots of the late Hemant Karkare and his team. The brave officer is seen to approach the battle ground with his entire team following him as if they are confronting poor farmers sitting on a dharna, rather than a trained bunch of motivated fighters who have undergone commando training. The result is that some of the bravest of the officers have lost their lives whereas a bit of planning would have helped them fight a larger battle for the sake of the nation. Regardless of the brave fight put up, the ATS does have some explanation to do regarding the manner in which these terrorist sneaked in and have created mayhem. And please do not accept the theory of targetting foreigners, western interests and entering the city through small boats. The simple fact is that India has been attacked, once again.

These people would have been in the city for months together making reconissance of the taregetted places. An attack of this magnitude is beyond the capacity of people merely entering the city with rucksacks and letting go. Do not be surprised if these guys were staying in the same plush hotels as guests beforehand, who were merely joined in by attackers from the front gate. The method in which these guys are holding out rubbishes the simple story being played out. Can we have some truth after the crisis is over?

Or is it!!!!

The methodology of hostage taking is the pinnacle of terrorist achievements for besides from using them as human shields, these unfortunate hostages can be used as bargaining chips for deriving maximum leverage (remember Kandahar) and last but not the least, it gets them unlimited media coverage. Media is like the lifeline for any terrorist group in order to propagate their message and instil fear among the populace.

FEAR... we keep coming back to the operative word in any act of terror. Saturated coverage (watch BBC if you do not believe this) by the media of the free world ensures you publicity which no Al Qaida site would do in a life time.

With the risk of being labelled a conspiracy theorist, I perceive this act as a mere dress rehersal for something BIG. Remember the hostage taking in Jammu a few months back and now this. It appears that the terrorists are graduating to a higher level with each experience. I would appeal to our security agencies and the intelligence guys to include this input while analysing the incidence after it is done and over with. Please remember Beslan in Russia where Chechen terrorists took around 400 school students as hostage. The very thought is terrifying, but this in-your-face terrorism has to be confronted.....and defeated.

The nation has reposed faith in its politicians time and again and have been rewarded with this. The politician-bureaucrat- criminal nexus needs to be broken in order to confront this evil. Have we ever given thought to the fact that these terrorists are using the conduits of local criminals who might be sitting abroad but have their kingdoms intact ( does the name of Dawood ring a bell) , to ferry in their arms, ammunition and personnel. These networks ensure safe houses, local intelligence, local personnel for these terrorists. It is an open secret that these criminals are used by politicians to launder their dirty money, win elections in bargain of safety of their illegal business. The bureaucrats as the legendary Shikhandi provide cover to this dirty nexus in exchange of plum 'postings', 'transfer of the irritants (Read the limited honest officers), easy money and stuff. It appears that the nation and its citizens is the least of their concerns. This unholy triumvirate has to be broken, and broken fast.

India has been at the receiving end of these terror attacks for decades now and it is an amazing fact that this country has no special anti terror law . The govt. is pleased as a punch when it states that the existing laws like the National Security Act is enough to confront this scourge . The POTA was scrapped because it was ostensibly against a particular religion. The argument was that even the existence of POTA did not prevent the Akshardham or the Parliament attack. The argument leads one to draw an analogy and ask questions like Dowry deaths inspite of an equally ‘draconian’ anti dowry act (Sec. 498 of IPC), and murders inspite of section 302. Do we mean to say that these laws should be scrapped because of events to the contrary. As to the argument of POTA being used against a particular community based on the statistical evidence of the number of people arrested under it, will please any politician point out the identity of the persons committing these terror acts ? I once again assert my previous statements that terrorism has no religion, so please…please treat a terrorist like a terrorist, not a Hindu or Muslim or Sikh terrorist. Laws do not prevent crime but they ensure punishment for a crime thereby deterring future wannabes. Law is one of the arms to fight a terrorist and let us not fight this modern day asura with one of our arms chopped off. Besides let the judiciary decide on the applicability of the law in each and every case. No law is above judicial scrutiny, is it ?

One of the essential arms in fighting this terror i.e. the Police needs immediate reform. All of us saw the visuals of the brave guys of the ATS enter the battle zone with their outdated bullet proof vests while confronted with an enemy who is trained like an army commando and much more motivated. The ATS or any such force needs special equipments along with special training. The SWAT in the U.S.A is a special police force which tackles such exigencies. I wonder whether the ATS guys are trained on a regular basis judging by their work in the past one month, wherein they had been dragged unnecessarily into a political event. The investigation should be the part of a specialized team and the operations part should be left to the other experts. You cannot have officers like Hemant Karkare ,Vijay Salaskar and Asohk Amte both investigating as well as executing cases. Unfortunately we will not be having them anymore, but will we learn from our mistakes ? We better do, for these brave, nay very brave officers looked like Abhimanyu getting into the Chakravyuha without knowing how to get out of it.

The reform has also to come from within the police officers who have to stand up and be counted . For too long they have played along with the politicians for petty gains but the chickens have come home to roost. Senior police officers are ssen more in high profile parties rather than on their rounds. In small cities and towns the situation is far worse for the senior police officer is like the Mai baap for the place. They will bow before the local politician who generally is a ruffian/criminal, but will thrash a poor man on the street mercilessly. The police officers need to look within.

Mumbai has been brought on its knees. Our soldiers are fighting a very brave battle but the damage has been done. The purpose has been served for the masters as well as the perpetrators. The shrill propaganda of these youngsters having eliminated three of the top anti terror officers as well as holding on against the Army, the MARCOS and the NSG will earn them more recruits. Not for them the reason that the forces are proceeding cautiously in order to minimise collateral damage. They do not prescribe to the Indian ideology of each life being important . They proscribe to the ideology of mindless violence and such propaganda is like a boon from the God.

My thoughts are with the people held hostage and the brave sons fighting to save them. My prayers are with them. May God give them courage.

But this nation will be doing a great disservice to the dead police officers and the common men and women who fell prey to these beasts, if we remain in the shock and awe in which we are right now in. The people have to get up and like Arjuna take the pledge after the death of Abhimanyu to avenge the death of these brave people. The govt. has to be forced to confront this demon. Remember the NATION IS AT WAR. The sooner we understand it, the better.

Like Swami Vivekananda said: “ The goal may be distant, but awake, arise and stop not till the goal is reached.”

Let this message go down to the terrorists that this nation of Ashoka, Samudra Gupta, Akbar, Shivaji, Rana Pratap, Guru Gobind Singh, Bhagat Singh, Jhansi ki Rani will not be cowed down. We will fight for our culture, our spirit, our History and for everything that is INDIA.

Borrowing from Winston Churchill in the face of the advancing German war machinery before the battle of Britain :

“ We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Amen….

VANDE MATARAM

P.S : My condolences to the families of the brave officers who laid down their lives for the cause of the nation and to those killed in this act of mindless violence.

THE GREAT NORTH INDIAN MARRIAGE

2008-11-22T03:17:00.000-08:00

Marriage is perhaps the only industry in India which never faces the threat of recession. Therefore while the BSE index and the Nifty go for a toss, while the Airlines refuse to lower the fares inspite of a massive fall in ATF prices and find no passengers, while the prices of essential items skyrocket inspite of fall in inflation figures (govt. ones of course), the Marriage season is in full bloom in India. If you look around, you will see all Hotels booked out, all caterers engaged, all rental vehicles booked in advance, musical bands booked out months in advance, massive crowds in Saree showrooms.......RECESSION !! What's that ?

Since tis the marriage season I would like to get caught in this fever and bring before you a description of a marriage ceremony and its attendant baggages. Any reader looking for some constructive ideas please desist from proceeding further. Not that the blog usually contains any constructive ideas, but let's not digress any further.

The time is 8:00 P.M in any North Indian city. It is well past the 7:00 P.M deadline indicated in the invitation card for the starting of the Baarat as it is called, but the groom is still roaming around getting ready for the Baarat. Nobody in the family is bothered about the delay since the accepted norm for the baarat to proceed in the country is at least two hours behind schedule for you do not want the bride's family to notice that the groom is too anxious to get married. Marriage after all is an extension of the game of Chess. Mind games you see, never let the opponent realize your anxiety, for then you loose the upper hand. Besides you also do not want the bride's family to be caught unawares, for the mandap for the ceremony is still half ready, the stage for the reception ceremony has fallen short of flowers and most importantly the bride is still in the beauty parlour, getting ready with layers of make up. Obviously, she needs to 'look beautiful' doesn't she ? When you live in India you follow Indian Standard Time, don't you ? Not for us the firang business of respecting time.

The only guys who are restless are the musical band guys for it is a very auspicious day for marriages and this lot has three appointments for the night. The astrologers in India ensure that certain days are declared most auspicious for marriages and getting married on this particular day apparently brings unlimited prosperity to the new couple. This is an added protection after getting the Horoscopes of the couple matched. That a majority of the marriages nowadays end up on the divorce table, is nobody's case, but since this is not a post on social issues, let us proceed. This 'auspicious' day has a particularly auspicious effect on the Pandits performing the ceremonies for they can charge exorbitant amount for the services, the same goes for the aligned sectors, musical bands, marriage houses, caterers, hotels, railways. In economics they call it the Domino effect. The musical band guys are anyway placated with assurance of extra payment and they are content.

Finally by 8:45 P.M the groom is ready and the marriage procession starts its journey towards the marriage house which is located around 1 km away. Since I am not invited to the high profile marriage parties which are held in swanky upmarket hotels I can only describe a marriage which take place in 'marriage houses' which is nothing else but a house with a lawn to hold a certain amount of people .

The procession is now on its way.

The musical band now strikes a beat with the tune "AAJ MERE YAAR KI SHAADI HAI", which is the immortal tune for all marriages. The song which was picturised on Shatrughan Sinha around 3 decades ago still remains the no. 1 spot for marriages and no North Indian marriage can be complete without it. But the purpose for which it is being played i.e the great North Indian marriage dance, fails to pick up. The friends and relatives of the groom are simply loafing around the procession. The groom apprehends disaster, "Will my marriage procession be like a funeral procession?" He mutters to himself. " Why have these idiots come ? Just to eat!" he is irritated to the hilt and calls one of his friends to his side, "Saalon khali khaane aaye ho kya? Yaad nahin tumhari shaadi mein main kitna naacha tha?" ( Have you people come to eat only? Don't you remember how much I danced in your marriages?) It appears that the groom was the resident Helen for marriages.

The friends column now begins to stir . Everybody is trying to drag the other to the dance floor it seems. But the response is not the most enthusiastic. Now the parents of the groom also start worrying about this lack of enthusiasm and start exhorting the relatives for some action of the Prabhudeva type. But the procession is most lethargic although it has occupied the major portion of the road and a traffic jam is slowly building up. In North India the govt. has by a secret order willed the entire road to marriage processions on these marriage days. These are the only days when even the cattle on the roads give up their inalienable right to roam around.

A massive traffic snarl is slowly building up behind this procession. The commuters caught in the jam start remembering the 'Maa-Behens' (mothers and sisters, another North Indian speciality) of the Baaratis. Since it is an auspicious day for marriages most of the commuters are themselves proceeding for some marriage or the other. They will themselves be blocking some road or the other very soon and will be at the receiving end of these abuses, but as long as you are the aggrieved party make the most of it.

One of the friends or cousin of the groom who is scared to death of the dancing ritual and is simply walking along with the baarat now takes over traffic management, thereby indicating his utility to this procession. This fellow makes sure that the groom and his parents notice this good samaritan act and for this purpose he manages the traffic from very near to the groom's car, all the while assuring the groom not to worry about anything. Not that the groom is worried about anything else besides the 'dancing' ritual, but even then this friend shows off his worth. That he himself becomes the target of the abuses thrown by the stranded commuters while managing the traffic is of a lesser concern to him than 'dancing'. Intermittently, he also proceeds towards the front of the baarat pretending to keep the baaratis and the musicians in a queue, so that everybody else also notices his contribution towards the well being of the baarat.

Meanwhile the fire cracker guys have started their job in earnest. Crackers, fluorescent lights are being lighted in the middle of the road. The people crossing the street take evasive actions, motorists stop to avoid the explosion and throw some more curses but what is a marriage procession without these fire crackers, guidelines of the govt. regarding noise pollution, hospitals , the sick, the elderly, be damned. After all "AAJ MERE YAAR KI SHAADI HAI".

The head of the family, usually the elder brother of the groom's father or some other elder walks proudly in front of the baarat, a shawl neatly folded and kept on his shoulder. In these days of nuclear and sub nuclear families, his importance is only nominal like the President of India, which is shown by his walking all alone, but even then he does not want to miss out on marriage food and some nominal ritual respect. Furthermore this marriage will give him an opportunity to crticise the arrangements on both ends, once he gets back home. It will be good fodder for months.

Suddenly the musical band hits jackpot with the immortal song from the movie UPKAAR, " JAHAN CHAUDI CHHATI VEERON KI" (Needs no translation). It is as if the entire brigade of friends and cousins have stepped onto a bed of nails, so vigorous is the dance movements. The marriage dance is completely different to any civilised form of dance anywhere in the world . The dancers put on a show as if there is no tomorrow, hands are flung about, some simply jump up and down, some take out their handkerchiefs and convert it into a beena of a snake charmer. Not to be left behind, some pretend to be snakes and imitate steps from Sridevi's movie Nagina . Some boisterous baaratis have by now clambered onto the shoulders of other fellow baaratis as if there is a wrestling match underway. The groom has now got a grin on his face and looks like a smug cat, the parents are also grinning from ear to ear.

The female baaratis have now been exhorted into action. But their dance steps are more routine and less vigorous for obvious reasons. Their dance ritual their forming a circle and lifting their hands together while moving around an imaginary circle. It is more of a refined "RING- A - RING-A-ROSES", but hey anything goes!! Some of the more healthy ones (Healthy as in highly overweight) join in by simply clapping their hands in encouragement. They are the female counterparts of our friend who is still managing the traffic and pretending to be overworked.

The Party has just started.

The traffic has by now come to a grinding halt, since these dance rituals ensure that a snail could outsprint this procession. But this is how it is supposed to be, isn't it? There is an ambulance with its sirens blaring, some fool had to fall ill today only. But like true sanskari Indian baaratis, the baarat refuses to give way. Maybe they are doing this guy a favour, for he will face hell at the hands of the doctor and his diagnosis and its accompanying paraphernalia which is modern medical science, so why not go to hell straightaway and save yourself the bother?

The baarat after nearly two hours of struggle nears the venue of the marriage. The bride is in the meanwhile getting herself recorded from various angles by the video photographer. It is mostly the profile of her in her bridal finery. This shot is mostly seen in the marriage C.D's in the form of 4 images of the bride juxtaposed around each other with stars all around and the song "EK LADKI KO DEKHA TO AISA LAGA". The great late R.D.Burman must be cursing himself for creating this song.

Anyway, the baaratis then spot the family of the bride waiting to receive them and all hell breaks loose. It is as if they have stepped onto a live electric wire after taking a bath. The dancing motions ( if you can call them that) increase in their ferocity and the movement of the baarat stops completely. It appears that their lives will end the moment they stop dancing, even Hema Malini was not dancing so desperately when Viroo was chained before Gabbar Singh. But this is the final frontier, so make it count.

The movement of the baarat has come to a complete halt.

Inspite of repeated requests of both the brides and the grooms father, the friends and cousins refuse to move forward and carry on with their aerobic exercises, oops... dancing. Every dancer seems to be pushing the other one around, so vigorous is the throwing up off hands. The musical band is playing all the songs in its repertoire for now money is being thrown around by various assortments of uncles of the groom. A baarat is a place where people who haggle for two ruppes with a rickshawaalah throw hundreds of rupees in the air without a care in the world.

Finally the dancers get physically exhausted and troop into the marriage hall to let the real proceedings begin. The marriage is now running around four hours behind schedule, but for us Indians who talk of a heritage of thousands of years and believe in Yugas which consist of millions of years, it is like one Nano drop in the ocean.

The groom is now sitting atop his 'throne' on the reception dais, surrounded by friends who have by now started ogling at the females present on the brides side. This is the courting time and it is no holds barred, whoever can first strike a conversation immediately leaves his friends behind for now these 'ruffians' (you cannot call them friends in front of females) now only have a nuisance value.

The next step in the marriage is the ceremony of garlanding of each other by the bride and the groom or the 'Jaymaal' as it is called. It is the most macho of ceremony for the groom for he refuses to bow down his head for the garlanding by the bride in an act of one upmanship, duly egged on by his friends. At times the bride has to be physically lifted to garland the groom amidst much clapping. The groom pays for this act for stupidity and buffoonery by bowing his head throughout the remainder of his life before his wife. So much so for macho man.

Now the photography session is formally inagurated on the reception dais . Everyone clambers onto the stage and surround the would-be-couple for a snap and if fortunate enough, for video photography. Not everyone gets his mug recorded by the cameraman, which is reserved for the special few. Anyway the photgraphs have a special pattern , the elderly stand in an Aashirwaad (blessing) giving posture, the friends surround the stage as if they have just won a sporting event, some even raise their fingers in the ubiquitous V sign, why..... well nobody knows, but that is the way it happens.

The carpets used on the ramp to the stage are so worn out from use that they defy the law of friction. People on the way up, especially females with their fashionable high heels cannot get a good grip on the carpet and feel a sliding motion, as if the earth is slipping beneath. But the risk of embarrassment due to falling in front of so many people makes them focus even harder, and they somehow manage to reach the summit. Human minds can do the impossible when under duress, and this definitely is one of them.

The food session is one of the best and most awaited events in the marriage. Most of the people are here for the food only, not necessarily for the sake of food but for criticising it, for the moment they step out of the marriage venue they start cribbing, "Accha nahin tha, is se accha to Sharmaji ke yaahan tha, samay barbad hua," ( Food was better and Sharmaji's place, what a waste of time). That they have hogged like a pig and that they said the same at Sharmaji's marriage, is well.. a matter of detail only. Since we Indians have given up on the communal system of feeding at marriages (not the secular-communal, you fools, but the communal where everyone sits together and food is served by family members) , in the similar manner in which we have given up on the joint family system, a queue immediately forms in front of the food stalls. Food is now served by the employees of the caterer, and the serving of a particular item they give at one go is so small that even an ant might die of starvation after eating it. The person who wishes more of the same looks with pleading eyes towards the server for more of it. The derision with which the second serving is provided makes the person receiving it wish that the earth would open up and swallow him , but the thought that he has brought an expensive gift makes him detremined to carry on.

Espresso coffee is also being served. This coffee is much in demand at the marriage ceremonies, more so because beneath an outer cooler layer of foam it is scathingly hot. Innumerable tongues are scalded which results in lesser consumption of food.

The best or the worst part of this queue system (depends on which side you are on) is that it is impossible to go back for a second helping once you have partaked the first round of food, because you will have to enter the queue from behind the last person, and if for example you want a second helping of the delicious chutney, you will have to cross fifteen stalls in a queue which is moving even slower than the baarat, for a bit of chutney. Most of the people, except the bravehearts do not even try.

But the most anticipated of all delicacies is the Ice cream, which is uniformly White in colour. Which flavour? Which Brand? Don't even ask ! Not even the caterer knows this secret. But everbody wants a bit of it. People from 8-80 make a beeline for it, inspite of the fact that the person serving ice cream will pretend that he is spending for it from his own pocket. The slices which are served are thinner than a finger and any attempt for a second serving will ensure sarcastic looks from the server, looks which rob you of dignity, self esteem .......in short Looks which could Kill. This is the item which is finished of the fastest and late comers who were till now saying, " Line khali ho to chalein" (Let the queue thin out) can only curse their luck. People who never spend a single paisa in eating ice cream rush the fastest to this counter and never complain of the size of the slice or the sarcastic looks of the caterer. People with sore throats and fever, convince their family " Ghar chal ke gargle kar lenge" ( will gargle after reaching home). But ice cream they must have !!

The macho youngsters in the meanwhile have no time for coffee and ice cream for they are busy with their Kingfishers and Vodkas. Vehicles accompanying the baarat are placed conveniently for this rendezvous. These macho guys enter the cars surreptitiously and take a swig of the Amrit (nectar) as they call it, and giggle like school girls. Liqour does strange things to the mind and soul, they say.

Meanwhile, the real event for which everyone has gathered i.e the Marriage has also begun unnoticed. The Pandit is chanting verses which nobody understands. Even the Pandit at times is confused as to whether he is chanting the correct mantra for the occasion or not. But since nobody is concerned he carries on nevertheless, vedic mantras and rituals have basically become a formality for authenticating the marriage, nothing more. Intermittently, someone from the groom's side interjects, "Panditji, jaldi kijiye" (Hurry up). This is the best part about Hindu religion, you can ask Panditji to hurry up. Imagine somebody asking the maulavi or the padre to hurry up. Boring people these Christians and Muslims, I tell you.

The bride and the groom give each other the coy look. The rest of the baaratis are sleeping or are on the verge of sleeping. Since the majority of the baaratis have left there are only around 10-15 people left on each side. Some of them are hanging around because they live far off and going home bedecked in jewellery late at night might not be the best ending after a sumptuous meal. There are these fellows who make a living out of snatching and robbing you see! That most of the jewellery adorning the females has its origins in another kind of loot (under the table kind) is besides the point.

Finally after the the rituals which nobody has paid heed to, the ceremony is over. People are woken up from slumber and it is bidaai time as dawn is breaking. The crowd has thinned out even further as day break ensures even more desertions. The father of the bride is by now haggling with the tentwalaahs.

Bidaai is a ritual which is most poignant, but by now everybody is so tired that it is best done and gotten over with. There are only 3-4 of the grooms blood relations and friends who are still accompanying him whereas the brides side consists of females only. The rest have simply disappeared. The weeping bride is bundled into the vehicle and waved off. The bride weeps for one day and makes the groom pay by making him weep for the entire life or maybe she weeps because she now visualises her bleak future after marriage to this fool.

This my friends is the Great North Indian Marriage. What afterwards?

Well let me borrow from the great philospher Socrates,

"My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife, you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher".

SOME MORE QUESTIONS

2008-11-14T03:05:00.000-08:00

Circa 1946, Mohd. Ali Jinnah was steamrolling his opposition and humanity with his drive for Pakistan. Kashmir was of special interest to Jinnah because of its majority population of Muslims and most importantly its strategic importance. But Jammu and Kashmir which was under the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh was lorded over by another strongman Sheikh Abdullah of the National Conference. Jinnah inspite of his best efforts failed to win over Sheikh Abdullah, and true to his style, launched a vitriolic attack on him, "this man tells me that he is on my side, but when he goes out he calls himself a nationalist. He cannot be trusted." Maybe Jinnah had been pampered by the indulgence of the Congress leaders. But the Sheikh was no Congressman. He retaliated in good measure, "Jinnah is not even a Muslim, he cannot recite a single Kalima from the Quran."

Jinnah faced massive protests wherever he went in Kashmir. In Baramulla,a young National Conference worker Maqbool Sherwani presented Jinnah with a massive garland. The moment Jinnah was about to board his vehicle Sherwani took off the cover of the garland. To Jinnnah's horror the garland was entirely made up of an assortment of footwear. Jinnah immediately left for Rawalpindi.

But evidently Jinnah did not forget this humiliation. For a few months later when the 'tribals' who in reality were the Pakistani army in mufti, launched their incursion, Baramulla faced the brunt. Even the churches were not spared as the missionary sisters were raped and murdered enmasse.What became of the Hindu and Sikh women who had taken shelter there, is a story which was never known.

The Pakistanis after capturing Baramulla were only 30 kms. away from the Srinagar Airport. Maharaja Hari Singh had acceded to India and the Indian forces were on their way. The Srinagar Airport had to be kept free for the Indian forces which had already started landing, but were miniscule compared to the numerical strength of the Pakistanis.

Time was of essence.

Maqbool Sherwani, now pretending to act as an informer promised to show the Pakistanis a shortcut to the Airport.Leading the convoy on his motorcycle he took them on a merry go around and ensured that they lost their way.

The Indian Army took full use of this opportunity and Jammu and Kashmir was saved.

But Maqbool was not.

He was crucified by the infiltrators on an electric pole in Baramulla town by driving nails through his body. He was subsequently brought down in a hail of bullets. Maqbool Sherwani became a martyr for the sake of the nation. Mahatma Gandhi paid tributes to Maqbool Sherwani in his evening prayer meeting.

The Indian Army performed heroic deeds in that campaign, General Thimmaya took his tanks to a height where tanks had not gone before. Hannibal would have been proud. Major Somnath Sharma earned the first Param Vir Chakra in the Indian army during that campaign. That our leaders lost what Maqbool or Major Sharma became martyrs for is besides the point.

What hurts is that were we even educated about the martyrdom of people like Maqbool Sherwani? (I myself read about this supreme sacrifice in an article by a retired army officer, recently.) Or maybe that is what our political elite wanted. For martyrdom has become the preserve of a selected few who rake it for political gains. Elections have been fought over the dead bodies of 'martyrs',with the opponents not even fathoming how to react.That there was a difference between 'martyrdom' and 'political assassination' is well,.... again besides the point.

Today no political leader visits the grave of Maqbool Sherwani is a fact which needs no corroboration. The fact that accusatory fingers were raised at the martyrdom of Inspector M.C. Sharma at the Batla House encounter is an indirect corroborative evidence that this country gives a damn to people who go beyond their call of duty. Even the National Security Advisor M.K.Narayanan has endorsed the authenticity of the encounter but the fact is still not sufficient for some, or so it seems.

The country is today witness to the shameful spectacle to the attempt to denigrate the prestige of the Indian army, subsequent to the arrest of Lt.Col. Purohit by the Anti Terrorist Squad of the Maharashtra Police for his alleged involvement in the Malegaon blast. All and sundry have joined in, albeit subtly. The Indian army, perhaps the only institution which can truly claim to be Secular, which puts duty before self, an institution which is in the vanguard of fighting terrorism, fighting floods, fighting communal riots, fighting the aftermath of earthquake, saving children from their falls into open borewells, has an additional fight at its hand. It has to prove its Secular credentials to the politicians duly abetted by its lackey,in this case the police.

The entire saga started with the arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, whose Motor Cycle was allegedly used to implant bombs in Malegaon resulting in the death of 5 people. The ATS should be commended for its prompt investigation, especially in view of the fact that not much headway has been made by it in the Malegaon blast of 2006 in which 37 people were killed, apart from the arrest of some SIMI activists or the Mumbai blasts of 2006.

The electronic media is having a field day in covering this investigation, 'HINDU TERROR' says one channel in the background of its presentation, which anyway is saturated. The discussion revolves around how Hindus are also becoming terrorists. Now the ATS is also investigating the involvement of Purohit and Sadhvi in the Samjhauta express blast a few years back, the Nanded blast investigation is being reopened. The way things are proceeding do not be surprised to see the WTC attack, the Mumbai blast of 2006 also being credited to these motley bunch of people. One Dayanand Pandey, an apparently self styled guru has been picked up . The credit of being the 'mastermind' is changing every day. The best part of the investigation pertains to the fact that it appears that the entire interrogation is being performed in front of these busybodies from the news channels. Some body in the ATS is leaking worse than the sinking Titanic, for reasons not for us to conjecture upon. Somebody please remind the ATS guys of discrete investigation being in their professional call of duty . Or is there more to the investigation than meets the eye?

Praveen Swami in THE HINDU, has gone a step ahead and done a complete analysis of the genesis of 'Hindu Terrorism', notwithstanding the fact that certain literature which was used during the freedom struggle has been selectively interpreted. These people are not far from branding Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki at par with the goons from Jaish-e-Mohd and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Incidentally, a few weeks ago, our friends from the media were stressing upon the need to delink terrorism from religion and stuff like Islam not sanctioning acts of terrorism. Now words like 'HINDU TERROR' are casually being bandied about. My congratulations to these media guys. But please feel free to use the epithet of 'Muslim Terrorism' next time Muslim Terrorists attack a predominantly Hindu India, in order to follow norms of fairplay and avoid accusations of double standards.

Congratulations again on succeeding in dividing terrorists into Hindu and Muslims. It is the mindless urge like this to increase TRP ratings which provides criminals of all hues ammunition to incite fellow criminals, my dear friends, but do we really care? For years our media friends justified acts of terror as 'revenge for Gujarat riots' or 'revenge for the Babri Masjid demolition' and castigated people like L.K.Advani, Narendra Modi, RSS, more than the terrorists themselves. Drawing on the same analogy of revenge can a Hindu child/youth affected by acts of terrorism not seek revenge from the people he feels to be behind the acts of terror ? Any answers ? An act of terror is an act against humanity irrespective of the logic behind it and so it should have been, but in our yearning for votes, sale of books, acceptability amongst the pseudo liberal media, look at the mess we have gotten into.

One issue is intriguing and maybe the ATS or anyone else will clear the air on this. Apparently the motor cycle of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur was used to place explosives in Malegaon, the discovery of which has led to these arrests. If the same is true then it must act as a disgrace to the tribe of the criminals, since you are not supposed to leave any evidence at the scene of the crime, let alone using explosives on your own motorcycle. How disingenuous!! If an armyman, who also worked for the Military intelligence, was also part of this naivety, then I call upon the govt. to disband the Military Intelligence unit ........our ATS guys do better.

But we as a country do not want questions but only answers, therefore the 'Army is getting communal' , 'Hindu Terror', 'Save Afzal Guru' campaign prevails over logic and reasoning. For example any answers to the fact that any bombing attack needs months of meticulous planning even for trained army personnel, an organisation, training, reconnaissance missions. If the motley, unconnected group of people such as the accused in the Malegaon blast could carry it off, then only God can save us from the Al Qaida and its friends.

Let us not forget the sacrifice made by unsung heroes like Maqbool Sherwani and Major Som Nath Sharma for the unity and integrity of the nation. Our politicians might stop eulogising them but let us pay our respect to these real heroes by not dividing terrorists into Hindu terrorists or Muslim Terrorists and damaging the interest of the nation. A Terrorist is a terrorist and should be dealt by the rule of law. Elections might come and elections might go, but the country and its institutions remain.

The Indian Army remains awake so that we can sleep. Let us not denigrate the brave sons of the soil for the sake of a few votes.

JAI HIND.

JUNGLE BOOK-- VANAR RAJ

2008-10-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

WITH SINCERE APOLOGIES TO RUDYARD KIPLING.

We pick up the story some years later from where Rudyard Kipling left it. Mowgli had come back to the forest, unable to adjust in the maddening world outside the jungle. At least the 'law of the Jungle' prevailed inside the jungle, while outside, well.....

Since humans had ensured that massive encroachment had been undertaken on forest land leading to deforestation,there were only patches of forest land (vanas) available in the country. After the demise of Sher Khan in the struggle with Mowgli, the central authority which kept everybody in check had fallen away leading to a virtual free for all. Finally the monkeys prevailed, and now lorded over all the vanas. Balloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, the faithful companions and guide of Mowgli, had retreated into the background and were leading the life of a recluse. Kaa the snake had been skinned alive by some humans because its skin made good purses for the ladies in Europe (PETA had not been born and Maneka Gandhi was still a model).

The anarchy in the vanas had reached such a stage that the monkeys of one vana were completely opposed to the monkeys of another one, and continued in their diatribe against each other. Each monkey leader claimed to be the real protector of the rights of the animals, but in reality cared two hoots for them. Not a cry was raised in protest when monkeys from the vanas of neighbouring countries raided the vanas of Bharat, and caused indescribable mayhem, for example these 'atanki' vanaras as they were called, set termites on tree branches which would break off at the slightest weight causing loss of life and property. No monkey clan was confident as to whether it could sleep peacefully on the same tree after return from their daily activity of harassing other animals. But no monkey talked about this 'atankawad' ,as they were too busy fighting amongst themselves.

At this very time in the vana of Rashtra Maha (remember we are talking of the sub divisions of Bharat Vanas) lived an upstart monkey by the name of VANAR RAJ. Vanar Raj incidentally belonged to the clan of another ferocious monkey BAL BAL BACH GAYE (Saved by the skin of the teeth), who was famous for his imitation of the voice of the roaring Lion. Well actually the roar was more of a purring of a cat, but as who is to bell a cat, who could dare to say the truth in front of B.B.B.Gaye .But the animals had a good laugh behind his back.

Vanar Raj always had dreams of emulating Bal Bal in scaring animals and causing havoc in the forest, but since primates are the predecessors of human beings, there are certain qualities in common, like filial affection overpowering bhai bhatijawad. So in this case, the claim of Vanar Raj in leading the hordes in causing destruction in Vana Rashtra Maha was superseded by the son of Bal, which led to resentment in the mind (or whatever he had) of Vanar Raj. He shrieked,bit,attacked but to no avail. Bal would not give way.

Seeing the wisdom of Bal in sidelining this upstart who in order to please Bal had started imitating the roar of Lion (the animals would have died of laughing at two cats,instead of one ), the animals gave a sigh of relief and said 'bal bal bach gaye' (saved by the skin of the teeth).

But Vanar Raj bided his time.

In the meanwhile Mowgli had fallen onto bad times. In the vanas of Vihara and Uttam Pradesh where he divided his time, monkeys of equal ferocious nature ruled. These monkeys were even worse than the monkeys of Rashtra Maha as they did nothing for the animals inhabiting these vanas. Vihar Vana was ruled by a very shrewd monkey Balloo bandar and Uttam Pradesh was ruled by a female monkey Khayawati who was legendary for her elephant like memory. Khayawati spent all her time in trying to hunt down her adversaries, the Siamese twin monkeys Motu and Chotu, her populace be damned.

Balloo bandar had become the darling of all the vanas because of his antics, which in reality was a cover up for his failure to perform his duties as the ruler of the vanas. He had even devoured the fodder meant for the horses and cows. But very shrewdly covered it up with his buffoonery. Mowgli loved Balloo for his antics,inspite of Bagheera warning him against falling for this theatrics."A leader should be known for his vision and care for his praja, rather than his jokes" Bagheera would say whenever Mowgli went to see him, " a leader fooling his people with jokes, is a dangerous leader", Bagheera would say drawing on his huge experience coupled with his love for the vanas. Mowgli, who was enamoured by the wit of Balloo the bandar,thought of Bagheera as a cantankerous old animal,whenever he said so. "Maybe he is jealous of Balloo the bandar", Mowgli would say to himself.

Animals in these vanas had been divided into sects based on their colour,teeth and other such outward manifestations. For example a tiger with 10 stripes was categorised as a different sect from the one with 9 stripes, a brown coloured wolf was informed about him being different from a light brown coloured one. These monkeys did not care about deforestation, encroachment and stuff. Neither did they care to appreciate the merit of the brave animals who thought about the betterment of the vanas.

Resultantly, the humans started encroaching into the vanas, and fruits and other products in the food chain started declining rather appreciably in the vanas of Vihara and Uttam Pradesh. The animals per force started to migrate towards the vanas of Rashtra Maha where things were relatively better, in spite of Vanar Raj and his cohorts.

But these migrant animals met with stiff resistance in the Vanas of Rashtra Maha. "You will take away our food", "you will spoil the environment in our vana",was some of the responses they faced. " Our Vana Manoos will be deprived of their due", shrieked Vanar Raj.

Mowgli was respected by the animals (apart from the monkeys, who looked at him as a threat) , and it is to him they turned towards in this hour of threat. " Do not worry,they are our brothers,they will not harm us", Mowgli would console them as well as himself.

Bagheera and Balloo (the bear,not the bandar) begged to differ. "Mowgli, you have the brains as well as the brawns to resist this injustice, if you do not rise now, it will be too late",they would advice.

But Mowgli paid no heed. He was busy enjoying the laughter challenge of Balloo the bandar and the vendetta saga of Khayawati, which was propagated to far corners of the vana through the medium of the speaking parrots,the Cockatoos.

Nature has the strange habit of getting even with people who do not pay attention to their environment, and so it happened to Mowgli. Things which were bad to start with started getting worse. The antics of Balloo the bandar and Khayawati along with the massive helping hand of Chotu and Motu ensured that the food chain was massively disrupted in Vihar and Uttam Pradesh vanas. Even ripe fruits were in scarcity,and whatever was available was devoured by followers of the leaders,leaving the other animals in the lurch.

The news soon reached these Vanas about some ripe fruits which were on offer in Rashtra Maha vana. Mowgli made up his mind about trying to get some ripe fruits on offer along with other timid animals who were however apprehensive of Vanar Raj and his aptly named Vanar Sena.

But hunger does strange things to even the most scared of animals. So the animals made up their mind to try their luck. Bagheera and Balloo the bear came to see off Mowgli and the other animals before they proceeded. There was no sign of Balloo the bandar, who as the Cockatoos informed was busy challenging Vanar Raj to a verbal duel. Mowgli felt the pangs of guilt about his previous inference about Bagheera when he had warned him about Balloo the bandar. He hugged Bagheera and wept openly. But being a human he was still ashamed of accepting his mistake openly.

Bagheera, however understood.

" Go my son and may the almighty be with you", Bagheera said," and remember the simple fact that Bharat vana is one and belongs to all of us, so do not be scared of anybody."

Mowgli and the other animals reached Rashtra Maha vana with trepidation. Expectedly, an extremely hostile reception awaited them.

" Go back you hungry animals", the members of Vanar Sena shrieked,"why don't you eat fruits in your vana rather than take away fruits from our Vana Manoos?" they continued.

The trembling animals of Vihar Vana and Uttam Pradesh vana looked towards Mowgli in askance. After all being human he was expected to face these tricky situations with his intellect and courage.

For the first time in his life Mowgli felt helpless. He had refused to listen to Bagheera when he spoke of the dangers of accepting charlatans as leaders, and now the chickens had come home to roost. Mowgli had made the policy of silence into a virtue and only laughed at Balloo the bandar's antics and discussed Khayawati's revenge. He had never given thought for the betterment of his vana. Now he realized that animals like Balloo the bandar laughed at animals like him rather than with them . But it was too late now. He and his friends were hungry.

Mowgli mustered courage and spoke, " we are hungry and there are no fruits in our vanas,not even ripe ones. And we will not eat all the ripe fruits in your vana, as there is plenty for everybody. For the sake of uniformity, we can have a competition where everybody gets an equal opportunity to eat these ripe fruits. If your animals can eat more ripe fruits,we will not protest and go back"

It sounded like a sane solution. The animals looked in awe towards Mowgli.

The Vanar sena was nonplussed.They had not expected any resistance from these weaklings. They looked towards each other. Bullies really do not know how to react in case of resistance. They are mighty only when not opposed.

" So competition is what you want, eh?" a voice rang out !!

The vanar sena suddenly parted and gave way, VANAR RAJ had arrived.

Surprisingly, Mowgli felt no fear. He had expected Vanar Raj to be a mighty warrior from the description of the Cockatoos, but he seemed like any other monkey.

" Why do you come so afar to eat fruits meant for our vana manoos ?" Vanar Raj's tone was threatening ," why don't you stay in your vanas and eat the fruits available there", Vanar Raj continued.

"Because there is nothing available there, and isn't Rashtra Maha vana part of Bharat vanas, so why this discrimination?" Mowgli countered.

" So why don't you tell your leaders there to make fruits available in your vanas also, but you will not do that, will you? You will simply come to our vanas and eat whatever is available here. I will not let that happen anymore!" Vanar Raj was emphatic in his statement.

Mowgli could sense that Vanar Raj had a point, for monkeys like Balloo, Khayawati, Chotu, Motu and their ilk had simply exploited the resources available in their vanas and done absolutely nothing for their improvement. The fruit crop had simply dwindled without any body giving a damn. But Mowgli also realized that it was no use blaming these selfish individuals for it was humans like him and other mute animals who had given them a free run. nobody had dared to question their actions in time and now .........

But there was no way back, " I know that we have not stood up to our leaders, but fact also remains that you too do not have the interests of the common animal at your heart when you stop us from eating fruits, for all these vanas belong to all of us, and you have no business to stop us from eating fruits available here. What happens if tomorrow we stop animals from your vanas entering our vanas on any filmsy context. I request you to desist from dividing animals. The Bharat vanas are under threat from humans, vanas of neighbouring countries. Let us stay united rather than fight amongst ourselves", Mowgli said.

" How dare you, you impudent human! Now even you have started speaking like a leader. And I cannot have two leaders in the same vana. This vana is for our vana manoos. Be prepared to face the consequences if you don't vacate our vana immediately," Vanar Raj showed all his teeth in anger. His cohorts started shrieking in unison. The atmosphere was very scary.

The animals of Vihar vana and Uttam Pradesh vana were scared. After all no Balloo the bandar or Khayawati would come to save them, neither would they give them fruits if they went back.The choice was between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Mowgli knew that the moment of truth had arrived. Regrettably, he realized that things would have been different, if he had paid heed to the advice of Bagheera and acted accordingly. Monkeys of the sort of Vanar Raj , Balloo, Khayawati etc.cannot be allowed to control the destiny of the vanas, for they have no thing except their own interests to serve.

Then the Vanar Sena attacked. The rest of the animals of Vihar Vana and Uttam Pradesh ran helter skelter. The attack was most severe on Mowgli, for Vanar Raj knew where the real danger emanated from. They tried to tear off the chaddi (loin cloth) of Mowgli for it was the only possession he had. The chaddi covered his modesty, self esteem, self respect. Vanar raj knew that a self respecting individual who had loads of confidence and self esteem was dangerous.

Mowgli fought with all his courage and strength.He was surprised to discover the strength he never realized he had. Maybe a cause gives you the power to fight back. But it was difficult to fight such monsters all alone, for his friends had abandoned him.

But true friend don't abandon you, do they? Just as Mowgli felt that he was going to be overpowered, help arrived in the form of Bagheera and Balloo the bear. United they fought back the attack of the Vanar Sena and retreated gracefully. In the heat of the battle, Mowgli thought that he saw Balloo the bandar, Khayawati, Chotu and Motu arrive on the scene and join hands with Vanar Raj. Mowgli thought that he was hallucinating due to fatigue and consoled himself.......Was he ??????

Mowgli is now recovering his strength and learning the nuances of vanahood under the able guidance of Bagheera and Balloo the bear.

Vanar Raj, Balloo the bandar, Khayawati, Chotu and Motu are getting sleepless nights over the comeback of Mowgli.

A man awake is a man dangerous.

EK APRINDA HAI SHARMINDA, THA WO NANGA ! AJI IS SE TO ANDE KE ANDAR THA WO CHANGA ! SOCH RAHA HAI BAHAR AAKHIR KYON NIKLA HAI!! ARRE CHADDI PAHAN KE PHOOL KHILA HAI .............

Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. However my apologies to sentiments of the monkeys hurt unintentionally.

THE WAIVER

2008-10-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

NEWS REPORT: CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER PRAFFUL PATEL MIFFED AT CABINET COLLEAGUES

Excerpts from an interview given by the civil aviation minister Shri Prafful Patel to a newspaper, "I am very disappointed with some central ministries and state governments for not lowering tax rates and jet fuel prices. Tomorrow if planes stop flying, who will be responsible?"

Cut to a scene in front of the residence of the minister, two days later.

There is a chaotic situation in front of the residence with a group of farmers trying to enter the residence and the entry to the residence of the 'People's Representative' being barred by extremely hostile security personnel, as usual. The news reaches the Head Quarters of a 24 hours news channel and immediately a posse of electronic media personnel reach the residence of the Hon'ble. Sensing that this could provide sufficient material for the news channels to broadcast throughout the day, and furthermore with the Lok Sabha elections around the corner,the support staff of the minister relents and permits the group of farmers to enter the residence. Apparently, facing the group of 50 farmers is easier than managing the negative fallout of the media coverage, or so the staff presume.

However the minister acquiesces to meet only the leader of the group. Eknath, the leader of the group is ushered into the study of the minister. The minister enters the room accompanied by his O.S.D (Officer on special duty) who is an IAS officer, on deputation to work with the minister.

After the initial exchange of pleasantries, the minister who does not appear very pleased at the sight of Eknath, who is wearing a simple shirt and trouser to go along with his down town sandals, asks "Yes Eknath, tell me about the purpose of your visit. But please tell me about yourself before you begin."

" I am the Pradhan of the village Dhulepur in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra, which is in the Vidarbha region of the state", Eknath who looked no more than 30-35 years of age, began speaking.

The O.S.D was startled at the mention of the name of the village and whispered something into the ear of the minister, who looked keenly at Eknath.

"Accha, the same village which was put up for sale by its inhabitants and where farmers organised a protest by offering their kidneys for sale", The minister enquired.

"Yes sir", Eknath replied.

"Strange people, OK tell me, what brings you people to meet me?" the minister was curious.

" Because you are the last remaining hope we have", Ekanth replied.

"Come again! Hope !! My dear friend, I am the Civil aviation minister, not the Agriculture minister. It appears that you have come to the wrong address," the minister sounded pleased for getting free from these villagers so soon.

" No sir, I have come to the right place. It is you who we wanted to meet. And before you feel puzzled, let me tell you that we were impressed by the concern you showed for the well being of the aviation sector. Not many ministers are going to risk a confrontation with their colleagues in the manner you did, through your interview", Eknath clarified.

The minister as is their wont, was pleased at this appreciation, "Yes, yes, I said what I felt. After all Jet Airways had laid off 1900 employees in one day due to losses caused by faulty practices by the govt. towards this fledgling sector. I had to intervene on behalf of these people and get them reinstated. The aviation industry is being bled to death. They have sought for a bailout plan of Rs. 4700 crores and the govt. is dithering over this proposal. The aviation sector is like the new born baby which needs caring and caressing by its mother," the minister was emphatic in his statement.

The OSD as is their wont, nodded in deep appreciation. Eknath felt that he saw tears in the eye of the OSD after the minister finished speaking.

"Baby indeed, Mr. Minister, but what about the elders in the family? I want you to speak about the elders in the family too," Eknath spoke respectfully.

"Elders? What elders?", the minister was confused, "Arre, I was giving an example. You see this is how economists speak. They make you understand economics through lucid examples".

"I know sir, I am a post graduate in Economics from Delhi School of Economics. Incidentally my Ph.D is on 'Rural economics in Independent India', so I know a bit of economics," Eknath was one confident individual.

The O.S.D nearly fell from the chair on hearing Eknath's credentials.

The minister was also mighty impressed.

" So what are you doing there in the village ? " the minister enquired.

" Well, doing my bit for the country!" Eknath was quite clear about his priorities, "anyway sir, as you wanted to know about the elders in the family whom I want you to stand up for, let me tell you that I was referring to the Agriculture sector. I think you would agree that if Civil aviation is the baby then agriculture is the elder in the family. Isn't it your responsibility to protect the elders along with the babies ? Agreed that we should be worried about 1900 employees losing their jobs, but shouldn't we also be worried about more than 1100 farmers committing suicide in the Vidarbha region, this year alone? Aren't lives equally important?"

"But the Finance Minister has provide waivers for the agriculture sector in this years budget. The govt. is equally concerned about the farming sector, my friend. You needn't worry!" the O.S.D put in his bit.

"Needn't worry!!! Sir do you realize that thousands of farmers are taking their own lives not only in Vidarbha, but places like Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of the country", Eknath countered.

" But the Finance minister has provided waivers, hasn't he?", the O.S.D countered.

"The loan waivers offered by the Finance Minister were a sham !" Eknath retaliated.

" Sham! You know what you are talking about, young man?" The minister retorted.

" I do Sir, and I will tell you how", Eknath continued, "the Finance minister sanctioned loan waivers for the farmers who had taken loan from banks and who were having a land holding of more than two hectares ."

" So what else do you want? You want the govt. to write off all the loans taken by farmers irrespective of their assets . Why do farmers only whine and make no efforts to improve their lot?", the O.S.D was being cheeky.

This infuriated Eknath, but years spent in the rural country side had taught him to patient with this govt.machinery. Their indifference and apathy towards the agriculture sector had led it to ruin. After all hadn't the C.M of Maharashtra, Vilas Rao Deshmukh at a public meeting in Vidarbha called the farmers 'lazy', thereby insinuating that they were to themselves to be blamed for their misfortune. So Eknath understood that this 'farmers not working' bit was a bureaucratic mindset. These bureaucrats after their initial 'training' schedule in the villages, which was compulsory, abhorred the sight of the villages.

" Why do people like Naresh Goyal and Vijay Mallya whine and not do something about their business ventures? Why does the govt. sneeze when these individuals catch cold?" Ekanath returned the favour.

The O.S.D was flabbergasted. "How dare you! What do you mean? You mean...." the O.S.D was incoherent. He had not expected this riposte from Eknath.

" I mean what I say. You politicians are so worried about the failure of a 'bad' business model that you are willing to invest 'public money' collected in the form of taxes from the common people to bail out industrialists. Just a few months back you were going gaga over the success of the Civil aviation sector. What happened in the interim, sir? And by the way did these Hon'bles share their profits with the public when they were making money?If not, why should the public money be used to bail them out?" Eknath queried.

"But didn't they provide cheap tickets @Rs500, so that the common people could travel by airways?" the minister was back at his populist best.

"That was simply bad policies sir. And by the way did the common man plead before them for air travel. You as well as I know that these measures were taken to entice a new generation of travellers to air travel, so that people could get hooked up and not mind paying up Rs. 10,000 for the next round of travel. Now when the policy has backfired, the Govt wants to bail them out. Will you now bail out the street corner grocer if he starts doling out freebies to his consumer and then his business collapses? For nearly two decades the theory of 'free businees' without any govt. control was flouted, and unbridled consumerism encouraged. Now suddenly we get back to 'Socialism being best for the country', do we? " Eknath was now flowing like the monsoon river in spate, " the Hon'ble Vijay Mallya has brought a Formula 1 Racing team, took over Deccan Airways, is on the verge of buying an English Football club, got into a spree of buying air crafts and what not, but now needs the common man's money to finance his extravagances. Is this not a joke?"

"But haven't the farmers been provided the loan waivers? Shouldn't you be content?" the minister tried to change track.

" So let me now tell you about the sham which I was earlier referring to. The Finance Minister announced farm loan waivers for farmers with land holdings of more than 2 hectares, whereas an average land holding size in Vidarbha is 3.03 acres or 7.5 hectares. 50% of the farmers own land which is larger than which applies for the waiver. There are Adivasis who own around 10 hectares of land. But the ground reality is that most of the land is unproductive and unirrigated. For those with over two hectares, there is the old deal of 'one-time settlement' of their bank loans. In this case, if they repay 75 per cent of the loan, they will be given a rebate of 25 per cent. Only very large farmers will gain from this. If the farmers could pay 75 per cent of their dues, they wouldn't be committing suicide. Furthermore those farmers who fall within the two-hectare limit, only a small group has access to bank credit. Factually the private money lenders rule the roost and there is no respite for the farmers from these blood suckers" Eknath emphasised.

The O.S.D felt a certain dryness in throat. He prayed that the minister would not ask him to counter this heavy duty stuff, for he had no idea as regards to this. This Eknath nuisance had to be gotten rid off, and gotten rid fast.

But there was no way Eknath could be stopped," And Mr.Minister what I am stating is from the govt. records and can be corroborated from there. The waiver will simply benefit farmers in Western Maharashtra i.e the sugarcane belt which belongs to the agriculture minister. So while Vidarbha and Anatpur burn, you send the fire brigade to fill a swimming pool. ingenious isn't it?"

The minister had by now lost patience with this young man," So you want the govt. to pardon all the bad debt of the agriculture sector,don't you. Farmers will take loan and then not pay back, isn't it? And we suppose we close down all other industries?" the minister now resorted to sarcasm.

" Sir how long will you people keep on playing industry against agriculture? Can both of them not be partners in progress? The development of any economy cannot be predicated on any one sector. Both swim or sink together. Let me remind you that the development of the country has its genesis in the First Green revolution. The rural sector gradually developed and subsequently the industry and the manufacturing sector reaped its benefits some time later on. You cannot sell anything if the consumer does not have the power to buy it. Isn't it? And let me remind you that the nationalised banks 'write off'' bad debts to the tune of thousands of crores every year. And incidentally most of this debt is owned by industrialists who are pretty awesome names and a regular on the political circuit. Do I need to remind you that bad debt to the tune of 60 crores was written of for a Ketan Parikh company, sometime in 2004. But when it comes to farmers it becomes 'bad debt'!!"

Eknath could not be stopped. The common man was fighting back," Sir the govt. provides around Rs. 50 worth subsidy on an LPG cylinder and acts as if it is doing the consumers a favour, but then on the other hand you people call for reduction of taxes on ATF without a care in the world. Why are corporate interests flouted as public interests? Yesterday I heard the owner of a travel company on TV referring to the fact that if the airlines stop functioning some body's sick mother will not be able to be taken for treatment of Cancer to the TATA memorial Hospital in Mumbai."

"He was right , wasn't he?" the O.S.D retorted.

"Mr. OSD, if you wish you could accompany me to any primary health centre in the country and locate one doctor who is on duty for more than two days in a week, for a few hours at the most. Do you even know or think of this fact . And how many people in this country can afford air travel, even if for the sake of argument, however flawed, that tickets will be available at Rs. 500 with govt assistance. Get real Sir!" Eknath spoke.

The minister and his lackey were by now exasperated, so what do you want?" the minister said.

" Nothing, now my suspicion is confirmed When you people never felt any pain when we villagers offered our villages or kidenys for sale to highlight our grievances, what can you do anyway? You people cannot or are not willing to do anything for the common masses of the country who toil away honestly, at whatever they do. Expecting you people to show concern and act accordingly, is like asking an Eskimo to sell air conditioners. The only hope is for the people to stand up for themselves. Looking in askance towards the govt.will not suffice. But that will also take some doing since they have been alienated from each other in the name of caste, religion, industry, farmer,rural, urban. But people like me will keep working till that happens and happen it definitely will !!" Eknath was patience personified.

Just then the OSD's cellphone rang, " Ji Mallya sahab, yes we are on the way. I know your personal aircraft is waiting for us. So sorry to keep you waiting. You see, there has been a needless delay......"

Ekanth by then was on his way back, Sprite as ever, head held high.

NIRBAL KI LADAI BALWAN SE, YE KAHANI HAI DIYE KI AUR TOOFAN KI (This is a fight between the weak and the mighty, this is a story of the lamp and the storm)

Disclaimer: This discussion never took place and is a work of fiction . But then again, this discussion is taking place in the hearts of millions of Indians or so I feel.

Note: The post is inspired by the tremendous work of Shri P.Sainath of the newspaper THE HINDU, who is fighting a lonely battle (amongst the media) for the agricultural sector. My salutations.

SECULARISM --INDIAN VERSION

2008-10-04T03:54:00.000-07:00

SECULARISM: The belief that consideration of the present well being of Mankind should take precedence over religious considerations in civil affairs or public education. (source : Webster's dictionary)

THE BACKGROUND

The Constitution of India was passed by the Constituent Assembly on November, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950. It declared The Union of India to be a sovereign, democratic, republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty; the words "socialist" and "secular" were added to the definition in 1976 by the 42nd constitutional amendment, during the emergency imposed by Smt. Indira Gandhi.

The premise with which we start this discussion leads us to believe that India adopted Secularism as a matter of state policy subsequent to the year 1976, when it was incorporated as a part of our Constitution. The fact that the founding fathers of the Constitution did not find it necessary to introduce this belief as a matter of state policy speaks volumes with regards to the fact of the concept of Secularism being part of the Indian psyche and engrained in our thoughts, and therefore needing no further assertion.

History is witness to the fact that theocracy was never a part of the policy/affairs of the Indian state from times immemorial. Although religion played a very important role in the lives of the citizens, it was kept away from the affairs of the state. The state per se remained completely Secular. Religion remained restricted to the temples and other places designated for it, the Purohit remained separate from the Mantri. India never fought Crusades for the sake of propagating religion.

In fact, the only period of time when the state propagated a particular religion as a matter of state policy was when Ashoka endorsed Buddhism. Ashoka after his experience during the Kalinga war used his army for the propagation of the edicts of Buddhism. One of the major reasons for the decline and fall of the Mauryan empire could be attributed to this intertwining of religion and the state.

In India although the stress was laid on the concept of Dharma, this dharma pertained to duties rather than religion. A king was supposed to adhere to his Rajya dharma, i.e his duties and obligations towards his people and not religion.

THE IMPLEMENTATION

1989 remains a watershed year for the 'Secularism' we witness today. An elderly Muslim lady, Shah Bano sought alimony from her husband. The case had been in the courts for years. In 1989, the Supreme court applying section 125 of the Criminal procedure code, granted her alimony. All hell then broke loose, since there was no common law for personal matters, the Hindu personal act applied for Hindus and the Muslim personal law for the Muslims. Even today, the country does not have a common codified civil law.

The erstwhile Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi initially made a spirited defence of the Court's ruling. Arif Mohd. Khan, a minister in the ruling govt. made an impassionate appeal in the Parliament in support of the Court's decision. But this spirit soon evaporated and life was back to square one. The P.M backed out in the face of resistance from the fundamentalists. That he was under fire politically, because of the Bofors issue did not help matters. The govt. brought in an amendment to annul the court's ruling. Shah Bano was not the only looser in this charade. The fundamentalists had smelt blood. The message that votes matter much more than policy was affirmed.

Secularism could wait, Elections could not !!

Bending down before fundamentalists is a double edged sword, for you cannot be seen to be pandering to one community only, since it is not one community alone which makes the hard walk to the voting booth.

The late Rajiv Gandhi started his election campaign later that year from Ayodhya with a call to usher in 'Ram Rajya', the very idea of which was anathema to his grandfather, Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first P.M of India.

The politics of fatwa made its appearance in force for the first time during the elections in 1989, when V.P Singh obtained the blessings of the Shahi Imam. Fatwas have been integral part of secular Indian polity ever since.

With the passage of time, the word Secularism has lost its meaning completely.

The govt. of India (whichever govt. it may be) pays Haj subsidy to Muslim pilgrims going on their annual Haj pilgrimage, pays subsidy to minority educational institutions whereas the law prohibits any govt. grant to institutions imparting religious education. So a school teaching Hindu scriptures does not get any grant from the govt. whereas a madarasa, teaching we all know what, gets grants from govt., ostensibly on it being a minority educational institution. The policy of Reservation does not apply to minority educational institutions.

Whatever the intention behind introducing Secularism as a part of our constitution, today it has become the last refuge of the politicians, who fall back upon the cliche of 'Secularism' while hiding their misdeeds. Therefore, the Sacchar commission can make recommendations regarding giving reservations to Muslims in govt. jobs, posting Muslim teachers in colleges in Muslim dominated areas. The pretext being that this will ensure greater representation to the minority community in govt. services and bring them into the mainstream.

The moment the idea of dividing people on the basis of religion, by providing jobs based on their religion is challenged, the person is branded as 'Communal' and treated as an outcast. No politician worth his salt is willing to answer the query regarding the necessity of reservations on the basis of religion more than 60 years of Independence. Why has no effort been made to provide quality education by the govt. schools free of cost or at subsidised rates? Quality education to all citizens irrespective of their religion would have negated the very need to reserve post for a Hindu or a Muslim. It might sound simplistic, but education open doors for progress, not Secularism as practiced by the politicians.But then again, an educated citizenry might see through this farce being played out in the name of secularism and stuff, so why educate?

The same logic of equal representation was played out during the Morley Minto reforms of 1909. The British through this reform introduced the concept of separate communal representation in the Legislative assemblies. Therefore a Muslim candidate was to be elected by Muslim voters only. The Congress opposed this move to divide people on the basis of religion, but after the Lucknow pact of 1916, acceded to this idea. The genesis of the division of the country in 1947 can be traced to this pact. But then we don't remember our History very well do we??

Even the war on terror is being seen through the prism of the so called Secularism. Therefore the Shahi Imam can come to Saraymir in Azamgarh to express his solidarity with the family of Bashir, who was arrested for the terror attacks in various parts of the nation. The Shahi Imam can then brazenly claim that Inspector M.C.Sharma who was killed in the Jamia Nagar encounter was killed by the police themselves, in order to frame the Muslims. As far as conspiracy theories go, this statement is at par with the findings of the U.C.Banerjee commission which arrived at the conclusion that the train at Godhra was burnt from the inside by the kar sevaks themselves. But any one opposing the statement of the Shahi Imam or questioning the U.C. Banerjee commission about the reason why hundreds of people surrounded the train while it burnt and not helping the burning passengers is bound to be labelled 'Communal'.

Explosions in various parts of the country have become so routine that any single day which passes of peacefully is treated as an aberration and people are apprehensive about the next day bringing something even more grave. The security agencies who as it is are undermanned, demoralised and lack clear directives, are being made to conform to the Indian standards of 'Secularism'. The National Human Rights Commission has questioned the encounter at Jamia Nagar and openly accuse the police of targeting a 'particular community'. The same people never empathise with the victims of terrorism or the Kashmiri Pandits forcibly driven away from their homes.

The proposition of targeting a particular community would have been laughable, if it was not so dangerous. My request to these Hon'bles is to look around and 'get real'. Even the progenitor of terrorism, Pakistan is feeling the heat from this Frankenstein, and so are countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt. But nowhere does this shrill cry of targeting ' a particular community' while fighting terrorism raised.Bombs do not differentiate while killing innocents, be it the mosque in Hyderabad and Malegaon, or the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi, or the Akshardham temple in Gujarat.

At times it appears that the bombs practice more Secularism since it does not differentiate between a Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, whereas our institutions differentiate everything into religious categories.

THE CONSEQUENCES

The Secularism being practiced in the country has resulted in dividing everything into a Hindu-Muslim issue. The vacillation by the Govt. in tackling terrorism for the sake of a vote bank has resulted in a situation wherein every Muslim is being treated as a suspect, because the common people have no faith in the determination of the political parties. A feeling has gained ground that the politicians will deal everything with their plea of 'secularism'.

It is an extremely unfortunate situation because as all Hindus cannot be categorised as nationalists, so all the Muslims cannot be categorised as terrorists. It is extremely unfair for a complete class of people to be treated as something which they definitely are not. Or maybe this is what our politicians desire. Labelling Muslims as terrorist will only consolidate the feeling of alienation and increase the ghettoisation, resulting in more votes in their favour. This marriage of convenience between Democracy and Secularism bodes ill for the future of our nation.

This hype over secularism diverts the attention of the common people from the issues at hand. Horrible roads, pathetic condition of electricity throughout the country,non existent primary health care and govt. schooling, an obsolete drainage system which results in rain water stagnating for days. The civic amneties in the country are the pits,and more so in the Muslim dominated areas. Has any custodian of Secularism ever bothered to look into this?

The idea evidently is to confuse the people over this debate and hide the inadequacy and corruption in the system. Why let people think over issues which directly affect them, clean water,health care, roads, education and stuff. Let them remain enmeshed in something which removes their focus from the issues at hand, seems to be the motto.

The other fall out of this flawed practice of Secularism has been the suppression of the moderate Muslim voices, who have retreated into the background, while the extremists take centre stage. Shah Bano was the starting point and the govt. action ( or inaction) yielded complete space to these fundamentalists. The question as to why the extremist voices are said to represent Secularism, begs an answer. The moderates are convinced that the govt. will side with the extremists when push comes to shove, so why compromise one's life and honour? An informal discussion with the editor of a leading Hyderabad Urdu daily, Siyasat Times, revealed that he had faced threats to his life while opening a call centre training centre for Muslim girls, in order to uplift their stature, not from the Hindu fundamentalists but from local Muslim fundamentalists. So much so for secularism, Indian style.

The act of the Jamia Milia University Vice Chancellor Mushirul Hasan, in deciding to fight the legal battle for the students arrested for their complicity in the terror attacks in the country is a link in the same perverted chain of 'secularism'. Agreed that everyone is innocent till proven guilty, it is still not understood that how a centrally funded University can take the onus of fighting a legal battle on behalf of these students. The money being provided to these Universities is Public Money, isn't it? We do not pay our taxes for them to be utilised in this ungainly manner, do we? Even the statement of the Vice Chancellor that they will be utilising money generated from their own resources, cuts no ice. Students getting admitted into the University are paying a subsidised fees on account of it being a Central University, and the fee is being submitted on account of them obtaining the services of a central University, nothing less and nothing more. What makes this money the private property of Jamia Milia University, Mr.Vice Chancellor? And furthermore, what message is sent to the misguided youth at large? That they are being persecuted by the state and only their fellow religionists will come for their help!

Recently an IPS officer was penalised for pointing out the anomalies of the sixth pay commission unduly in favour of the IAS officers, on the pretext of violating the Conduct rules. I wonder whether the same conduct rules apply for the Vice Chancellor, Jamia Milia University, since he for all practical purposes is a central govt. employee. But our esteemed HRD minister has publicly supported the stand of the Vice Chancellor. So much so for secularism.

The security agencies are demoralised to start of with, and such 'Secular' acts further enhances their insecurity. Why not let the law take its own course,instead of vitiating the already poor atmosphere!! Why does this country not care more for people who give up their lives at the call of their duty? How can people like the Shahi Imam raise questions, which only exacerbate the morale of the security forces, and get away without any legal or constitutional remedy for the officers? How can Ram Bilas Paswan roam around with an Osama bin Laden lookalike seeking Muslim votes, without the law taking its course? Is the minister not aware of the avowed pronouncement of this terrorist rgarding India being enemy no.1 along with U.S.A, Israel and Russia? All for the sake of 'Secularism' of course.

By the way, maybe the Vice Chancellor of the Jamia Milia University would enlighten us with the amount contributed by them for the recent horrible floods in Bihar. Or their 'Secular' hearts bleed only for a certain cause.

These so called 'Secular' acts also gives credence to the assertion of the lumpen elements on the other side of the fence, regarding the govt. taking sides. The only looser in this battle is the common law abiding citizen of the country, who only desires basic amneties, equality before law, equal opportunites irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

A truly secular concept, isn't it, but something which the politicians cannot provide, since it will eradicate the very need for their existence.

THE STORY OF STOLT VALOR

2008-09-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

June 27, 1976, Air France flight139, carrying 248 passengers and twelve crew members, en route from Tel Aviv to Paris took off from Athens sometime in the afternoon. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft was hijacked by two members of the Popular Front of Palestine and two Germans from the German revolutionary Cells. The hijacked plane after refuelling in Beghazi in Libya, finally landed at the Entebbe airport in Uganda.

Uganda at that particular point of time was under the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Idi Amin is considered to be amongst the cruellest despots in modern history. Iterestingly Idi Amin had assumed the title of: "His Excellency, President for life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of all the beasts of the earth and fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in general and Uganda in particular." Do we need to say anything more about this man !

After its landing in Uganda, the hijackers were joined by three more Palestinian hijackers, and the passengers and the crew were conveniently moved out of the plane to the terminal building of the airport, with due connivance of the Ugandan authorities. The demand of the hijackers was the release of 40 Palestinian terrorists in Israeli jails and 13 terrorists held in various countries like Kenya, France, Switzerland and the erstwhile West Germany.

The hijackers then released the non Israeli and the non Jewish passengers, which trimmed down the number of hostages to 83 along with 20 others which included the crew. Negotiations between the Israeli government and the hijackers bore no fruit, and the situation looked grim.

In the early hours of the 4th of July, 1976, four Hercules C 130 aeroplanes circled over the Entebbe airport. The passengers were no ordinary passengers, for they were the elite commandos of the Israeli Defence Force. To their surprise, the commandos found that the runway lights had not been switched off. Undeterred,the planes landed with their hatches already opened. The Ugandan forces which were present in full strength,detected nothing, as out came a Black Mercedes and a Land Rover car, from the aircraft.The cars were exact replicas of the ones used by Idi Amin,in order to befool the Ugandan forces, and before realisation dawned,.......the attack was on. All the terrorists,alongwith 45 Ugandan army personnel were killed. 3 hostages were also killed in the battle. The lone Israeli casualty was Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed by sniper fire. Incidentally, Col. Netanyahu's younger brother Binyamin Netanyahu later became the Prime Minister of Israel. The Israeli forces also destroyed 11 MiG 17 aircrafts which had been parked at Entebbe, in order to counter an Israeli attack. The Israeli forces which had taken a circuitous route to reach Entebbe, so that the Ugandan radars could not detect their approach, went back along with the hostages.

Operation THUNDERBOLT was over.

The statement of the Israelis before the U.N, when Uganda pressed for action against it, shows the determination this country possessed, the Israeli ambassador Chaim Herzog said:

" We come with a simple message to the Council: we are proud of what we have done because we have demonstrated to the world that a small country, in Israel's circumstances, with which the members of this Council are by now all too familiar, the dignity of man, human life and human freedom constitute the highest values. We are proud not only because we have saved the lives of over a hundred innocent people—men, women and children—but because of the significance of our act for the cause of human freedom."

September 15, 2008:

A Hong Kong registered and Panamanian owned cargo vessel MT Stolt Valor en route to Mumbai from the Suez, is hijacked off the coast of Yemen by Somali pirates. The crew on board the ship consist of 18 Indians, 2 Fillipinos, 1 Bangladeshi and one Russian. The ship is anchored in Somali waters till date.

The coast of Yemen has become the hot bed of seafaring pirates, with hijacking becoming big business. Like kidnapping in India, it is basically outsourced to the poor, with the real mafiosi taking over once the hijacking has taken place. Even last month, a ship with some Indian crew on board was hijacked, the crew were later on freed, not without ransom of course. Reportedly the Somalians have developed an expertise in this field with a town on the Somalian coast,boasting of citizenry, all of whom are involved in this art.

For more than 10 days , 18 Indians are in captivity inside their ship. As per information received by family members who established contact through satellite phone,the crew is fast running out of food and the hijackers are turning hostile.

Now sample the response of the Indian establishment towards these unfortunate souls.

The Indian Navy wants permission from the government to enter the Somali waters and rescue these sailors, who are facing an extremely hostile situation, for these pirates are ruthless and have no qualms in killing their hostages. After all they are professionals and cannot stay on if they do not receive ransom, for them it is waste of time, as they need to move on.

The MARCOS (Marine commandos) are itching for action,and the Navy is confident of its capabilities.The Navy Chief has sought permission for action. But the Indian leadership is clueless, as usual... .....

The defence minister A.K.Antony, a minister whose integrity is a rarity in these times, said ;

" The problem is that we have no agreement with Somalia on this. We are trying our best but the ship is at a Somali port and we have no agreement (to tackle the situation). We can act only as per the law,"

Excuse me, Mr. Minister!! What law prevents you from proceeding to save the lives of your citizens. Are these sailors in the lawful custody of the Somali govt? Did Israel wait for an agreement to act?

Sir, we are talking about lives, about families, about human dignity, ........about Indian citizens. Would the same alibi been given, if God forbid, one of the sailors was the kith and kin of a minister or a bureaucrat. Here we give elite security to the son- in- laws and daughter- in- laws of the powers that be, and we need laws to counter an unlawful situation!!

The Indian Navy is touted as a Blue Water navy, which has ambitions to defend the entire route from South East Asia till the Suez Canal . The tradition of the Indian Navy defending its borders and protecting its people in far off lands is nothing new. The Chola kings during the medieval period had a very strong navy, which protected its commercial interests. Once when Indian traders were harassed by Chinese sailors in South East asia,the Chola king despatched his navy to protect his traders there. The Chinese were defeated and stayed silent thereafter. Kanohji Angre, who led the navy of Shivaji,ensured that the Portugese were repulsed every time they approached the Indian ports.

Today the same Navy is being made to wait for orders from the govt.....Orders to save its own people.......UNFORTUNATELY.

Time is running out fast!

Time is of prime essence in cases like this. Remember the day when the hijacked IC 814 landed at the Amritsar airport for refuelling. The crisis management group of the govt. dithered, and the subsequent result needs no story telling.

Cut to the incident when the daughter of Mufti Mohd.Sayeed,the then minister of state for Home, was kidnapped by terrorists in 1989,and the prompt release of five terrorists in bargain. Do we need to brush up on the definition of Hypocrisy.

We Indians have the pretension of being a super power, the swagger of our economic growth (never mind 'honour killings, female foeticide, the fact that more than half the population lives in sub Saharan Africa like conditions) , but in fact we are the biggest pleaders in the World. We plead before our neighbours to stop instigating terrorism in our country, we plead with the terrorists spreading havoc in the country with a 'they are our brothers only' theme,(The latest statement from our designer clothes Home Minister), we mortgage our sovereignty before foreign superpowers for the sake of nuclear fuel, we plead before people spreading communal tension,our policemen plead before the truck drivers for their 'hafta' irrespective of the cargo they are carrying. The common man , well, he pleads for everything, reservation in trains, electricity, better roads, safety of his family,clean drinking water and what not.

In the instant crisis (although our leaders still do not think of it as one) , we look in askance before the U.S. whose navy patrols the Somali waters for the sake of the safety of their ships. Does this approach befits a country which wishes to see itself as a permanent member of the U.N security council? Even the French, who are renowned for their laid back approach towards life (perhaps the only country which strictly imposes its 35 hour per week policy at the work place) sent in their commandos to rescue an elderly French-Polynesian couple from their hijackers in Somali waters, a couple of months ago. A similar group of pirates had hijacked them in their private yatch. Imagine if people can be rescued from a yatch which is much smaller than a ship in area, what stops us?

Perhaps the fact that it is only a group of 18 people, which does not constitute a vote bank is holding our country back. Further, the mainstream media is also not bothered about this 'story' (except a few honourable exceptions), so the pressure to act is even less, not that it would have made any particular difference. The lack of media coverage has also resulted in the fact that a man on the street does not even know about this incident.

The Government is not bothered and has for all practical purposes left 18 Indians to their fate. The fact that the Govt.has also left 1 billion Indians to their fate is of no solace to the families of these sailors. The P.M is busy attending to his dream project aka the nuclear deal, the foreign minister has not uttered a single word regarding this incidence, the defence minister speaks of legalities,......................while 18 sailors and their hopes and families........drift away.

Decades ago, the same Idi Amin drove away thousands of Indians from Uganda without the Indian rulers of the day raising so much as a whimper. The story was nearly repeated in Kenya last year, when Indian owned establishments were ransacked and looted, while the Indian govt. refused to raise its voice in protest or when 13 B.S.F personnel were ambushed by the Bangladesh Defence Rifles personnel, on Indian territory, and paraded like dead animals.

Though it might sound outlandish and offensive, it is astounding to notice the lack of sense of identity we Indians have ,which is worsened by the lack of confidence we have in our abilities. For heavens sake, how long will we keep on looking towards others to save us. Did Raja Raja Chola ask for any help when traders from his kingdom were harassed in South East Asia sometime in 1000 A.D ? Did Shivaji ask Aurangzeb for help in order to protect his coast from the depredations of the Portugese?

If India has to achieve its full potential, the people must be made aware of the oneness of the nation, the sense of sharing a common heritage, the feeling that we as Indians may have a difference of opinion on various issues, we may differ on our religious and political affiliations , but India remains one , and no one, absolutely no one can be permitted to harm the nation and its people and get away with it, be it the terrorists, be it the pirates, be it the foreign countries inimical to us, or our very own people who care for nothing else but themselves and lining their pockets.

The price of an Indian citizen has to be made prohibitively expensive.

The country has to get behind the sailors. Pardon me for borrowing from the Home Minister although in a different context, while I call them 'our brothers', have to be brought home and brought home safely. We cannot fail them and the nation.

The nation cannot remain silent for eternity .

NEW DELHI 9/13

2008-09-17T02:50:00.000-07:00

The time is 6.10 P.M on the 13th of September,2008, on a hot and sultry evening in the capital, New Delhi.

One of the news channel receives an e mail,from an unidentified source.The mail is in the form of a power point presentation ,courtesy the Indian Mujahideen.The various presentations apart from abusing the Indian system of life,Indian religion and the Indian people includes certain separate presentations,viz ,' YOUR DIRTY BLOOD',which shows a person dying from a blast,with blood oozing from his body,'YOUR BLOOD BATH',the visuals accompanying the slogan needs no explanation,'YOUR FUTURE',shows a small child lying on a hospital bed with bandages all over his body,'YOUR TERMINATION' has a dead body covered in a shroud ,with a relative weeping nearby,'YOUR LEADERS' is accompanied by language which cannot be reproduced for public consumption.The catch phrase is that explosions are about to be set off in the city.

Implicitly,it is a 'catch us if you can',challenge.

Before anybody can realize the magnitude of the message, multiple explosions rock the city.

The explosion is accompanied by a deafening sound.Human parts fly off in all directions,vehicles are thrown up in the air and catch fire.For a few moments following the blast,life comes to a standstill,both literally and figuratively.Debris all over,a thick pall of smoke and dust hangs in the environment.People in the vicinity who have miraculously escaped death are too stunned to react.The scene in front of their eyes does not make it any easier,as they see dead bodies, which can hardly be called bodies following the disfigurement,injured with grievous injuries on their person, crying children.The scene is not for the weak hearted.

The law enforcer,the policeman,who was busy collecting his dues from the unauthorised hawkers,illegally parked vehicles and traffic rules violators,runs away from the scene to inform his superior.He does not want to waste time in helping the injured and securing the area for forensic details or even in calling up for fire brigade and ambulance.Besides he does not want to spoil his uniform while helping the individuals,who are bleeding like a stream.His uniform allowance is a pittance,and he is no Home Minister that he can change his clothes three times in three hours.He is a mere constable and knows fully well which side of his bread is buttered.So off he goes to inform his superior,who in turn has to intimate his boss.The constable remembers the firing he got from his superior, when he informed the control room only, without informing his superior directly, and went out to help an individual who had met with a serious accident.The bosses wanted the news,immediately,before the darned news channels got it.

The first to rush in assistance are the Common people,the neighbouring shop keepers,the bystanders, the people passing by.Without a care in the world for their own safety,they rush in,after their initial fear is overcome.They lift the injured, extricate people trapped under the debris,stop passing autos,cars,whatever in order to rush the injured to hospitals.Some lend their mobile phones to the injured,so that the concerned families are informed. Nobody cares whether the injured is a Hindu,Muslim or for that matter an atheist.The priority is to save the injured.The politicians can come in later on.

The policeman has in the meanwhile come back.The scene before him is heart rending."What the heck",he mutters to himself, and joins in helping the injured.He curses himself and his greed,for becoming so oblivious to the suffering.The entire area surrounding the blast site,pitches in, Guys in suits and ties,roll their sleeves and join in,the rag pickers are not behind.

Within minutes of the blast and even before the police reinforcements can arrive, the News Channels guys arrive.There is an old saying in Hindi,"JAHAN NA PAHOOCHE RAVI, WAHAN PAHOOCHE KAVI" (the poets reach places where even sun cannot reach).These fellows from the electronic media are the modern day poets.

The blast site now becomes the site for the channel wars. All the channels want to take vantage points, no camera angle can be left unexplored.This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Excitedly,they speak into the cameras with the blast scene in the background.Vigorously shaking their hands and rolling their eyes, they explain the nuances of the scene to the anchors sitting in the comforts of the H.Q. Not a hand is raised in support of the injured or the people helping them out.They cannot let go of this story,you see! Let the govt. help the people! After all, what if XX channel takes advantage of their helping out the injured and gets an extra byte. "According to our information,@#%# organisation is behind the blast", some say, others go on,"Our sources in the intelligence dept...".The Mahabharat of news channels is being played out,"As you see,this man is in a pretty bad shape,imagine his family must be waiting for ....It appears that a senior police official has arrived on the scene,let us hear what he has to say." Let the family wait!

The senior sahib from the Indian Police Service (designation does not matter, they are all the same),had received the message from the SHO,and has reached the spot, muttering all the while.After all he had taken Mrs. for shopping .There is this guy on Connaught place whom sahib had helped in an accident case and saved him from a prison term.The shopkeeper is indebted to sahib, and gives a very good discount on all antique items(We all know what discount means,don't we?) . Sahib and memsahib were supposed to have dinner at the posh club afterwards.It was the same club which charges Rs. 10-15 lakhs for membership,but for sahib it was for free. This cursed blast had spoilt everything, and sahib was afraid that his Golf schedule for Sunday was also ruined."@##$%% ",he swore, "why set off explosions on a Saturday,when you can target more people on a working day".But anyway he arrived,looking all grim and mouthing obscenities to his subordinates, for 'their lapse' and making pious statements before the TV channels."The Police Commissioner must be on the way", he thought and set about looking busy.

Suddenly the mobile phone of one the TV reporters rang.It was an IB (Intelligence Bureau) guy,who used to give the reporter the 'Sources in Intelligence' bit.He wanted to know the extent of damage caused by the blast at the site,"Arre yaar,kisi ne jimmedari li kya?(Has anybody owned up?) ,he enquired from the reporter.He had been deputed to follow up on a political opponent of the Govt., by his boss,when his primary duty was 'Counter Intelligence'.Now he had to submit an immediate report regarding the blast and the people behind it .This was routine for the IB guy,who had been in similar situation before.That is why he supplied information to the media guys, who helped him out in times like this.

Life had stopped for some , but for others it was another day in office.

The injured were being rushed to hospitals.the doctors were on an overdrive,since they had to battle the injuries as well as lack of facilities.There were ultra modern private hospitals opening up. Hospitals which got subsidised land,were permitted to import latest equipments by waiving off Customs duty,ostensibly on the grounds of treating a certain amount of poor people free of cost.That nobody had seen the poor receiving treatment in these hospitals,is well, a trivial issue.Not surprisingly,the injured are as a matter of routine never taken to these Private Hospitals. After all it appears that the rich and the VVIP's cannot be disturbed.The common people who bring the injured to the hospitals,as well as others who hear the news, line up to donate blood for the injured.The Muslims do not ask whether it is the blood of the Hindus which is being injected,neither do the Hindus. Come to think of it,in a situation like this it is always the common man who comes forward to donate blood,the blood of our 'leaders' and bureaucrats is too precious to waste like this,it seems.

The hospitals are by now overcrowded, with the relatives,friends,wellwishers of the injured and the dead.thronging the premises.There is hardly any room to stand, but our friends, the TV reporters, have a job to do.They are standing on the steps,the lobby,any goddamn place which can show their presence in the hospital and give them 'exclusive visuals'.Some try to venture inside the ward,for a 'better view' and 'first hand report',but the staff shoo them away.

Suddenly there is a flutter amongst the senior police officials and other bureaucrats,and the place is abuzz .Carloads of security personnel start arriving, all armed to the teeth. A special ambulance arrives at the sight. The bomb disposal squad arrives at the hospital and begins to scour the hospital.The patients and their attendants do not know what is going on.People are apprehensive of another attack,this time in the Hospital. You certainly do not expect anything better from these "freedom fighters', an attack at the hospital gives them good publicity as well as easy victims.

Sirens blaring,beacon lights flashing,a fleet of around 20 cars enters the Hospital compound.The secret is let out.It is the Home Minister,who has taken time out of his busy schedule and decided to pay the injured a visit. He is surrounded by scores of security personnel, the moment he steps out of his car.These elite security personnel were raised to fight the terror related acts like sabotage,hijacking,and stuff.Now they do what most of the govt. servants are supposed to do,i.e.protect the "public servants", the public can wait.

The Home Minister has changed his suit,three in a matter of few hours,but that is an extremely cynical way of looking at it.The minister after all is a representative of the people (what of it that he lost the Lok Sabha elections),and he cares for the sentiments of the people.Haven't we seen the death scenes in numerous movies and serials where everybody wears white.Now when this poor man does so, everybody sniggers.Why this double standard? If the poor fellow came dressed in a cream coloured suit, we would go ballistic about his 'insensitivity'.

The Home Minister mouths platitudes about 'fighting terror', 'not bowing down before terror', 'need for a federal intelligence agency', 'appreciating the resilience of the people'.

We are indeed fortunate to have ministers like this,and these esteemed Hon'bles (notice the ads where the ministers are addressed like this) are our best best bet to fight terror.There is one thing common amongst the terrorists and the Hon'bles. One is consistent in its tactics of creating chaos through explosions etc., and the other in mouthing the same things after each such act, robotically. Some body has to blink, and rest assured that it is not going to be our Hon'bles.

But the ungrateful,cynical people we are, nobody listens to the H.M. Not even the TV reporters are interested, but then they have nothing better to do for the moment, so what the heck!

In the meanwhile, in order to protect the "people's representative", the main entrance to the hospital is barred , and people have to use the side entrance.Distraught families and relatives, people bringing medicines for the injured have to enter through the side entrance, while the minister and his entourage occupy the main entrance.The ungrateful common people want the use of the main entrance at this critical juncture. Always thinking about themselves,aren't they?

The minister of state for Home goes a step further, and says that "security cannot be provided to one billion people". Bravo sir! Way to go! After providing security to the 'people's representative',where is the need to provide security to the 'people' themselves. Let them fend for themselves. If they want security from terrorists, let them eliminate the terrorists themselves. Welcome to the age of Self reliance.

By now the 'experts' on security affairs have been brought out of their hibernation, by the TV channels, alongwith all and sundry politicians. Notice the fact that not a single person who rushed to the spot,carried the injured and donated blood , is ever interviewed.

Most of these 'security experts' who spout their wisdom on various channels are retired police officials.That these worthies were no better than their present day counterparts is , well, nobody's concern. No anchor questions the credentials of these dead woods and their contribution towards the evolution of a safe society and respect for the rule of law.These worthies go on and on about the methods to counter terrorists and their psychology, policing and intelligence. Suddenly, Intelligence or the lack of it has become the favourite flogging horse.

Recent media reports suggest that three of the perpetrators of this ghastly act were under the scanner in the days preceding the blast. The three had met the prime accused Subhan Quereshi, in the Azamgarh dist. of Uttar Pradesh. Information in this regard had been divulged by the two persons arrested by the Gujarat and Rajasthan police in the recent past. Reportedly, the U.P police refused to give the green signal for their arrests because they were afraid of disturbing the 'communally surcharged' atmosphere of Azamgarh.Then these fellows disappeared, and Delhi happened.

Bravo again sirs. Please do not be surprised to see the D.G of U.P police talking about policing and taking on the terrorrists on T.V channels, post retirement.A memoirs on leading the biggest police force in the country, encounters may already be on the anvil.

Which brings us back to the point of 'intelligence failure'. My question is that whether we have the political and executive will to act on these intelligence reports. Intelligence is not worth the paper it is printed on, if not acted upon. If the will was in place, maybe , just maybe, a few lives would have been saved. But then what does a small man like me know!

Meanwhile, the politicians are having a field day on the T.V channels.Everyone is accusing the other one about just about everything.The anchor is having a tough time controlling the panellists, but news trickles in about TRP's , and the anchor lets it be.

The great 'people's representative', the one who roamed around with an Osama bin Laden lookalike for the sake of votes, and is a cabinet minister now, is not to be seen on any channel.But rest asssured, the fellow will be back in a few days,mouthing homilies, and no one, absolutely no one, will question this act of treason and sedition.

It is getting around mid night.The doctor's in the hospitals are getting fatigued, after all they have been working tirelessly for the past 6-7 hours. In India , we do not requisition the services of the doctor's serving in the Private hospitals, the one's who earn a fat pay package,after studying in Govt. subsidised colleges. They are back home, comfortably enconsed in their beds.

But the family members of the injured have no such comforts.Heated arguments break out between the doctors and the attendants of the patients.Nobody but the circumstances is to be blamed.

The govt has announced compensation package for the family of the dead, dying or injured. One agitated relative remarks sarcastically,"I will pay their family double the amount from my own pocket,if something like this happens to these 'leaders'. Can they bring back my ..." The rest are too fatigued and worried, to even react.

The police, the national security guards and other forensic experts are all over the blast site, searching for that all elusive clue,that just might help them in nailing the culprit, provided the govt. has the will.

It is a going to be a very long night.

Our friend, the IPS sahib,is digruntled. His Sunday is ruined. If his subordinates are working like mad , he cannot go back home.The media guys might roast him alive, if he makes an appearance at the Golf club.

The discussions on the TV channels are coming to an end.Now the field reporters have to replace the 'experts'. The show must go on.

After a hard day's work, somebody in a nearby hotel,switches off the TV set. It has been a long day. The person has a sinister smile on his face. He texts a message to somebody,"Pathake ki aawaz suni kya?"(Did you hear the cracker?). Subhan Quereshi , the prime suspect,hits the bed for the night.

The noise in the hospital is of inconsolable wailing.Another martyr for the sake of the society and life that is India, is no more.India which gives space to all faith,assimilates various religions in its local traditions, an India which lets everybody profess his faith and live in peace, can only hear the wailing for its dead,while the enemies go to sleep peacefully..........UNFORTUNATELY.

The next morning, the newspapers present contrasting death toll. Some say '20 dead', others '25 dead', some talk of the resilient people of Delhi and their "Muhtod Jawab"(fitting reply) to the terrorists . People all over the country set out for their daily routine. The topic of discussion remains the blast and stuff.

6-7 years old Chander Prakash,also sets out with his mother Laxmi.The kid is wearing a green shorts and black T shirt, and looks adorable. In front of the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in New Delhi, he watches 10-15 policemen while away their time . Chander Prakash watches them in rapt attention, with his fingers twirled around the back of his head. It is going to be long day for him,......... for he has come to receive the dead body of his father who was killed in the blast yesterday.

For Chander, life has changed forever.

Disclaimer: The details are fictitious,the incident well........!
Chander Prakash is a real life boy , who lost his father in the blast.(Photograph in The Hindu, New Delhi edition,the 15th of September,2008).

My condolences to the families of the deceased.May God give them strength to bear their loss.

JAAGO BHARAT JAAGO

EKLA CHALO (WALK ALONE)

2008-09-11T04:24:00.000-07:00

The scene is set in a room in the headquarters of the Trinamool Congress, in Kolkata. Present are the leaders of the Trinamool Congress, Ms. Mamta Banerjee, other associates and a young man in his early 20's Tapan Mukherjee. Tapan is a student of the prestigious Presidency college of Kolkata, and is hugely influenced by Marxism and the creation of an egaliatarian society. His natural inclination towards Marxism is caught in a perpetual conflict with the growth of the 'Free Market Society' and the enormous opportunities it presents for the youth.

31 years of Communist rule in West Bengal with the resultant trappings of power have resulted in the ideology driven youth like Tapan shifting away from the Communist rule, although the yearning for an egalitarian society still remains strong. Communism in West Bengal, Tapan feels, is a deadly concoction of abhorrence of Democracy inherent in a Communist state, along with the spice of the unbridled greed of a capitalistic system. A Fatal combination.

With the dust of ideology clogging his eyes, Tapan and scores of youth like him, found in Mamta an ally who could take on the brute force of the Communist with the simplicity and integrity of a man like the Mahatma. The lady showed no trappings of power, and although whimsical, retained the ideology of Guru Rabindra Nath Tagore's ,"EKLA CHALO" (Walk alone).At times Mamta seemed more Marxist in her thought than perhaps Karl Marx himself. She was victimised, attacked, assassination attempts made against her, but she ploughed along. ALONE.........

Tapan worshipped her.

Then Singur happened!!

Here was a project which was the brainchild of perhaps India's most respected businessman Ratan Tata, and belonged to the most trusted brand the TATA's. The announcement of the Rs.One Lakh car, the NANO had set the business world ablaze. No Indian product had gained so much world wide publicity before its launch. The nondescript area of Singur came into prominence. Tapan was excited.

When you are 20-21, things like opportunity, employment, development, do carry a special buzz, Marxism notwithstanding.

But Singur changed everything..........

The meeting today had been convened by Mamta Banerjee in the aftermath of her 'success' at Singur. The Govt. of Buddhadeb Bhattachrya had yielded to her demands of compensating the farmers whose lands had been acquisitioned by the govt. for the NANO project. Apparently, as per the deal brokered by the Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi , the govt. of West Bengal had acceded to granting 400 acres of land to the aggrieved farmers, inside the project area. This after TATA had stopped work in the project area and shut down the factory due to the 'hostile' and 'intimidating' environment created due to Mamta Banerjee's dharna and protests.

Although insignificant in the party hierarchy, Tapan was able to wriggle his way into the meeting room. The mood was festive, with even Didi (Mamta Banerjee) sporting her Mona Lisa smile. Mona Lisa because just as in Da Vinci's painting, you could not make out whether Didi was smiling or scowling. But a smile it indeed was today.

Slogans like,"Ladai, ladai, ladai chai, ladai kore bachte chai" (We want a fight, we want to survive by fighting) rent the air. Slogans which meant the world to Tapan till some time back, sounded irritating today. Holi or the festival of colours had come early for the supporters of Didi, as colours were being thrown about in the air. But firecrackers were bursting inside Tapan’s head.

Close associates of Didi surrounded her, congratulating her all the while.

One of them spoke out,"Ae baar baam front shesh"(This time the left front is finished).

The other one laughed aloud, "Let us say TATA to TATA".

Everybody joined in the laughter show. Didi kept on her smile. Her resistance to exaggeration had endeared her to idealistic youth like Tapan.

Another one of the sycophants (What would politics be without them?) joined in, "Didi, your name will be etched in History, as having finished of the Communists from their last bastions."

The chamchas (sycophants) were having a field day, "Ki bhaab chilo, oi TATA , gaari chalabe?"(What did that TATA fellow think, he will drive his car?)

Tapan could not take it any more. But being an inherently sincere guy and in awe of the leader, he spoke meekly, "Didi, kintoo eta ki, bangaler jonye bhalo holo?"(But is it good for Bengal?).

Heads turned towards him, "Tumi ke bhai?" (Who are you brother?) Didi enquired.

At this moment, Tapan felt that the cat had got his tongue. His reply was not audible to anybody except himself.

Irritated at the limelight shifting from themselves, the sycophants started to roll their sleeves. Tapan remembered how these fellows had run at the sight of the Communist cadres and had not faced the assault of the Police. That was the responsibility of foot soldiers like him. He could still feel the baton assault of the Police on his back.

But this was their territory, and he was a mere encroacher. A trespasser, who needed to be prosecuted.

Fortunately,Didi intervened, "Oke bolte dao,suni ki bole!"(Let him speak, I want to hear what he has to say).

Tapan felt relieved. His reverence for Didi grew. After all how many political leaders of the day allowed any body to speak.

Emboldened at the turn of events, he found his confidence coming back .He introduced himself.

Didi seemed impressed. You do not get Intermediate and college toppers as your party workers everyday. This young man could have easily left the state or even the country for greener pastures. Didi remembered the case of one of her sycophants, who had got his son admitted to a foreign University .The son had then got a cushy job and had settled down there. That guy did not have even half the credentials of Tapan.

The slogan,"Ladai ladai,ladai chai,ladai kore bachte chai", continued outside.

Tapan was at fight with himself. How could he ask what he wanted to! But he continued, nevertheless!!

Praying to the Gods he worshipped, he mustered enough courage to ask, "Eta ki thik holo?" (Did the right thing happen?)

Didi could understand his predicament, but wanted him to continue. "Ki thik hoyni?"(What has not gone right?), she enquired.

"Ei Singur jinish ta!"(This Singur incident), Tapan said. He was amazed at his confidence. Maybe he belonged to this place, after all.

The sycophant intervened, "Everything has gone perfectly. Didi has pushed the Communists into a corner. When did the Communists last retreat into a corner? We are sure to cause a lot of damage to the Communists in the next election. We will win at least 20 seats in the Lok Sabha election, which is a phenomenal increase from the present one seat. Celebrate! for come the next Vidhan Sabha election and we will sweep into power. Didi will be the next Chief Minister. If I may so, Didi is bigger than Mikhail Gorbachev, who finished Communism in Russia."

Sycophants around the world have an inherent genetic disposition towards hyperbole. Add to that a proclivity towards theatrics, and there you have it, a perfect composition.

Didi maintained her perfect statuesque facial expression.

Tapan was quick to react, "Good that the party will win 20 seats, better still that Didi becomes the C.M. But my question is that, are the happenings in Singur good for Bengal?"

The sycophant had run out of ammunition pretty quickly. He already had delivered the statement about 20 seats, et al, countless number of times, before the news reporters and knew it by heart. Besides most of the statement was muffled by his supporters and their war cry of "Ladai, Ladai, Ladai chai, Ladai kore bachte chai". No media person could dare to proceed to further questions after this.

But this was different. No supporters shouting slogans in the room ........and a Question, which every body knew would haunt them.

But not for nothing are sycophants so successful in life. The sycophant changed track, as a chameleon changes its colours.

" You mean to say that Didi does not know what is good for Bengal!", the sycophant raised his voice, trying to browbeat Tapan.

Tapan was perplexed for a moment, but recovered quickly," I did not say that. What I meant to say that we might have scored a few brownie points against the Communists, but I feel that with the incidents in Singur, Bengal has lost out. I mean have we ever given a thought to the reasons as to why Bengal which was the most industrialised state in 1947, at the time of Independence, is amongst the least industrialised states in the country today. Admitted that 30 years of the Communist rule did derail the development of the state, but when efforts are being made to put back the development of the state on rails, are we not acting like these Communists and putting a spanner in the works?". It appeared that the spirit of the nationalists of yore had gotten into Tapan. Nationalists like C.R.Das, Netaji Subhash, Aurobindo; during a time when it was famously said, "What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow." Now it was the other way round.

Tapan could sense the frown on Didi's head, "You mean to say that we sell out the farmers for the sake of industrialisation?" she queried pensively.

"No Didi, I know that the farmers are the back bone of our society, and their rights need to be protected", Tapan continued "but we must realise that a developing economy cannot survive on agriculture only. We need to have a balance between the two. Any skewed approach will result in a lop sided development, besides the TATA group is the most rural friendly business group in the country. The development of Jamshedpur and its surroundings is a case in point."

"But our confrontation was not with the TATA's, but with the West Bengal govt. The deal which has been arrived at only involves the transfer of land back to certain farmers, inside the project area. The project is still functional, my son," Didi tried to reason with Tapan.

The sycophant had in the meanwhile recovered his wits. Trying to impress Didi, he also added his two bit, "Arrey! ektu jomin dile, TATA chotto hoye jabe na."(TATA will not become small by giving a bit of land).

Tapan was amazed at this lack of any insight. The rhetoric was good, but the content hollow. "That land which they are supposed to hand over was to be given to the vendors, to set up ancillary units. And we all know that industries are dependent on ancillaries for supply of various parts, don't we? If the ancillaries go, the entire viability of the project goes. Besides the supply of parts, ancillaries are a very good source of employment since they do not require the input of high skills. Local populace in general is employed. This again has a indirect fall back effect, as prosperity is contained in the area of the project. And this through the Domino effect spreads out to the surrounding areas," Tapan looked and sounded like Amartya Sen revisited.

Tapan was in no mood to hold back, "After decades of gheraos, meaningless bandhs, political violence, somebody had dared to venture into the state. Things were finally beginning to look up. Our state does not comply with the High Court ruling on Bandhs, be it the Communists or any other party. Bandhs are ostensibly called for protection of the rights of the poor man, but pardon me for saying this, who goes to the bed hungry that night? Not us, not the salaried class who gets a paid holiday, but the poor rickshaw wallah, the daily wager who cannot venture out that day! Where are we heading?"

There was a shocked silence in the room. The sycophants did not know how to react, but they could not let this young man go on like this. He was DANGEROUS!!

"This fellow is a turn coat", some body shouted.

"O bam fronter log" (He is a communist), shouted another, trying to open a new front. After all unsubstantiated allegations are the best way to discredit an upright man - as per the policy of the Indian polity.

"I am neither. I believe in an egalitarian society, which I believe can only come through a balanced development of industry and agriculture. After all, agriculture alone can sustain the livelihood of so many people and no more. You need industry, albeit an unbridled commercial development needs to be avoided. We need manufacturing units more than we need malls. Will some body tell me as to why the massive construction of shopping malls in Kolkata is not opposed, but when it comes to factories either the Communists or we are up in arms? Why this hypocrisy, in the name of the people," Tapan was into an overdrive.

"Tor sahos ki kore holo?"(How dare you?), the original sycophant intervened." You mean to say that you are the only one who knows politics and development. All of us are fools!"

"If politics means intrigue, skulduggery, one upsmanship, deceit, I know nothing of it," Tapan countered. "But I want to know, has any one given a thought to the exodus of educated youth from West Bengal. Tell me how many young men find a living in the state. Even the HR Head of Infosys has warned that with the development in Singur, they have put their expansion plans in Kolkata on hold. Rest assured Hyderabad or Pune would surely gain from that. No body wants to put in money when employees are stopped from attending offices on 'bandh days', and a general atmosphere built to the effect that any political party can hold you to ransom, with the Administration standing by as a mute spectator."

"Let them go anywhere they want to, we cannot be held to ransom by anybody!" the sycophant was keen to impress Didi. After all, he was in the running for a ticket to the parliamentary election.

Tapan retorted "the TATA's might wait for some time, but rest assured they must seriously be contemplating a pull out. For after this mayhem, they must be wary of the CITU(Communist trade union). If the opposition party can create this chaos, the opportunity for the ruling disposition is enormous."

"Tui ki TATA'r chamcha?"(Are you a stooge of the TATA's?) Somebody contributed.

"Ami ekta sadharan lok"( I am a common man), Tapan was speaking calmy, but sternly, "I too want job opportunities in the state, so that the youth does not have to go far off in search of job, out of compulsion. I want people from other states to come to West Bengal. Have we ever thought that the development of a state results in people paying taxes to the state, which the state can then plough back into building roads, schools, hospitals etc? In fact it results in better facilities for the poor man we talk about. Even the situation on the agricultural front improves, since more jobs mean less pressure on the land, with people having other sources of employment too. Why do all parties refuse to see this glaring truth ?"

The sycophants had had enough. If this man started speaking in public their career was over, they thought! "Eke tarao, beta ta samrajyawadi, bamfronter lok",(throw him out, he is an imperialist, he is a man from the Left front), the sycophants were getting incoherent and irrational.

Didi was nonplussed. Somewhwere down the line she knew that Tapan was speaking the truth, and nothing but the truth. But as usual, events bypass you, and all you can do is watch with a feeling of what could have been.

The sycophants and their cohorts were on the verge of assaulting Tapan, who stood fearlessly. Suddenly somebody’s cell phone rang, which played the song from the movie “Netaji” by Shyam Benegal:

"JODI TOR DAAK SUNE KEU NAA AASHE, TOBE EKLA CHOLO RE.

TANHA RAHI APNI RAAH CHALTA JAAYEGA, AB TO JO BHI HOGA DEKHA JAAYEGA."
(If nobody pays heed to your call, walk alone).

DISCLAIMER: With sincere apologies to any sentiments hurt unintentionally. This is a work of fiction, but being played out throughout the country in various forms. Let us all search for the Tapan amongst us.

Wish to avail this opportunity to thank my friend Shankar, who has redesigned the blog, to make it more reader friendly.

THE ART OF DAANA

2008-09-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Legend has it, that thousands of years ago , King Shivi, who was known as a King who never turned away anybody empty handed , was conducting a Yagna in order to propitiate the Gods. Suddenly, a frightened pigeon flew into the assembly hall , followed by a vicious eagle. Before anybody could realize it, the pigeon flew into the King's lap and asked for protection from the hungry eagle. The King, true to his self asked the eagle to let the pigeon go unharmed, to which the eagle replied that the pigeon was its food and he could not fore go his food for anything. King Shivi tried to reason with the eagle to the effect that since the pigeon had come under his protection and asked for deliverance, he could not hand over the pigeon to him. The eagle would have nothing of it, and said that it could not remain hungry in order to honour the King's pledge . King Shivi, asked the eagle to have anything it wanted as food apart from the scared pigeon. Finally a deal was worked out to the effect that the King would cut out flesh from its body and would give away his flesh which would be equal to the pigeon's weight. So the pigeon sat at one end of the balance and King Shivi began to cut out parts from his body. To every bodies bewilderment the body parts could not outweigh the pigeon.Finally, King Shivi began to cut off his head, and lo and behold the eagle converted into Lord Indra and the pigeon was also transformed into a God.Apparently the Gods had decided to test the giving power of Lord Shivi,who for all practical purposes ,passed the test with flying colours. The Gods then restored King Shivi to his original form.

Daana or the power to donate,give alms or simply give up one's possessions is considered to be amongst the biggest of virtues in the Indian culture.Even in the Gita, Lord Krishan speaks about the various types of Daana and its merits.

We therefore have the ultimate warrior Karna , who too was famous for his power to give ,he even gave away his armour which left him exposed in the battle of Mahabharata, but he did not back out.

King Ashoka gave away his son and daughter to the Dhamma (Buddhist religion) after he gave up on War, after the battle of Kalinga.Incidentally, Mahendra , the son of King Ashoka is credited with bringing the Buddhist religion to Sri Lanka.This power to give is so strongly ingrained in our system that we consider it quite natural to give rather to receive.This act of giving continued down the centuries,Pakistan was given away after bisecting the country, we gave away parts of Indian territory to China, without so much as batting an eyelid.

Post 1962, Indians became a bit stingy with the Art of giving. Therefore ,in spite of being at what Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said,'an informal war', with Pakistan,we refused to cede Kashmir,in spite of paying a heavy price for it.Apparently 64,000 lives have been lost in being stingy over Kashmir,and the numbers are still rising.Imagine the amount of lives which could have saved, the resources utilised in a better manner ,if only we would have kept practicing the'Art of Daana' .

But there is a ray of hope on the horizon, and all is not lost.Suddenly voices are again being heard in reviving this lost 'Art of Daana'. Glory be to the 'intellectuals' who are now speaking in favour of' 'removing the chains of Indian Imperialism from Kashmir'.The Grand Dame of Indian intellectuals,Arundhati Roy has called for 'an end to Indian military occupation of Kashmir' in a recent article in the magazine 'OUTLOOK'.The same Ms. Roy had earlier given up Indian Citizenship ,post Pokhran in 1998.What of the fact that she still continues to use an India passport and has not been deprived of her Indian citizenship, as per the provisions of the Indian constitution. Well what of it? You guys are only inquisitive about trivials , instead of bowing in reverence before this modern day Daani, or modern day Karna.

Not to be outdone ,other Intellectuals....oops Daanis ,have joined in . S.Swaminathan Ankeleshwar Aiyar ,in his article in The Times of India,has compared 'Indian occupation of Kashmir, with the Imperialism of the British in India'. He too wants India out of Kashmir.Similar feelings have expressed by Veer Sanghvi,in the Hindustan Times.
Let us all hail the 'comeback' of the Indian Daanis.They are on a higher pedestal than King Shivi, since they want to cut off the Head of the nation straightaway , and then maybe proceed towards the other body parts.

One of my friends( not a daani), asked me about the lives lost ,the resources wasted,the strategic importance of Kashmir for the country and of course ,the centuries old Indian way of living in Kashmir.Do we all gift it away?

Please ignore my friends questions! The fool has no idea of the Indian tradition of Daana.Did the ultimate warrior Karna for a moment think before giving away his body armour in Daana. Whatof it ,that he was slain because of this ,in the battlefield.Well if Karna , can do it, so can Veer! And no smirking on the fact that what Karna gave away was his personal possession ,and not the nation's.

So agreed , Kashmir or the head given away. Hail the Art of Daana.

Drawing inspiration from King Shivi and the present day Daanis, I have drawn up a list of possessions we Indians could give away.None of them are our own mind you, for this is the modern day tradition of Daana. We do not give our wealth, knowledge,wisdom,energy,our other worldly possessions and such stuff in Daana, they remain for our use only.

Since we have proceeded from head down wards,the next thing we could gift away is our hand.The North East was never part of us any way ,remember how we call them 'chinkis',and smirk at them .The North East is in a permanent state of boil, since 1947, at least . China has claims over Arunachal Pradesh, remember the 'Finger tip' area controversy , a few months back. Chinese consider Arunachal to be a part of their territory. Sikkim's accession to India has not been accepted by the Chinese wholeheartedly.Frequently , we see maps appearing on the Chinese side , depicting Sikkim as partof China. Our response to this perfidy ,is as usual, silence. Assam is innundated by illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.Yesterday, the B.S.F, Director General ,in a press conference stated that 120,000 Bangladeshis had entered India on valid grounds , and there was no records ofthem going back .Add to this the millions who have entered illegally , and the figures are there in front of you. Ram Bilas Paswan ,has already stated that that Bagladeshis who have entered India till date, and do not want to go back, shouldbe granted Indian Citizenship.

Bravo!! What magnanimity. A round of applause for Ram Bilas Karna....oops Paswan! Wow! Citizenship for illegal people when we cannot handle the load of the legal citizens and their needs. It appearsthat this modern day Shivi will hand over his House to you, if you enter it illegally.Any body wanna try?

Coming back to the North east ,Nagaland was never Indian anyway, as can be seen from longest insurgency in the country. Our leaders hold talks with Naga insurgents in Amerstadam , Paris ....So it is International for all practical purposes.

So the hand or the North East gifted away . We will respect everybodies wishes.

The modern day Shivi then proceeds towards the legs. Tamil Nadu .....well what of it . With Prabhakaran and his dreams of the Tamil Eelam ,do we need to look any further.Priyanka Gandhi or Vadra (whatever) has already forgiven Nalini( her father's assassin) and therefore we have no issuses with LTTE.And please do not rake up the issue of IPKF and the lives lost. Soldiers are meant for dying anyway , aren't they?If Priyanka can forgive Nalini, what is the issue with the families of the army men killed in Sri Lanka.Daana has no place for the selfish.
Karunanidhi, Vaiko,Ramadoss,it appears that their heart bleeds forTamil Eelam anyway .Therefore the Indian occupation of Tamil Nadu must be brought to an end.

Long live King Shivi.

The other hand ,Maharashtra , since the blog is not in Marathi,my apologies to the ferocious cub Raj Thackrey. But since it appears that everybody who is not a Marathi Manoos is not welcome in the state and therefore Indian occupation of Maharashtra must also end.

The naxalites dream of a Red Corridor , starting from Andhra Pradesh , passing through parts of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh,Jharkhand,Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and linking up with a now Red Nepal, and obviously Red China.

As you can visualise,the entire contiguous area looks like the arteries and veins which supply blood inside a human body . Before the modern day Karna, Arundhati Roy ( a Red by the way) ,starts talking about the oppression of the poor, down trodden people of the areas ,and their exploitation under the Indian state, how about letting them set up their sought for corridor. Atleast lives of security personnel and innocent citizens will be saved . Nepal will be too happy to have Dhoni leading thier Cricket team.

Now let us come back to the surviving organ , the Heart(Daanis don't have brains, so says my party pooper friend).

Well the heart is already infected by the virus of casteism and its proponents, and is already worn out .The arteries are clogged with unwanted deposition in the form of the fallout of casteism,poverty,lack of education and last but not the least, leaders like Mulayam and Mayawati.The blood supply to the heart has been reduced to a trickle.If the heart is weak so is the body,so say the Doctors.What follows generally is a coronary disease or in layman's terms,a heart failure.The heart failure in the instant case comes in the form of the SIMI(Student's Islamic Movement of India) and their vision of the Dar-ul-Islam (land of islam ) and Nizam-e-Mustafa(Law of Islam).These religious warriors may wage war in any part of the nation but the bulk of the cadre is drawn from Uttar Pradesh.The only problem with their law is that if implemented, people have their hands amputated,flogging in public,stoning to death,hanging in public, remember the Taliban.Wonder how Afzal Guru will be punished under the Nizam-e-Mustafa!

King Shivi's of the day will definitely not hesitate to take out their heart and gift it to the eagle in order to save the frightened pigeon.Any guesses on the frightened pigeon..............

Well let me save your valuable time, the pigeon is the common man inhabiting the nation .He is scared of everything and just wants to live in peace, no confrontations please!

My advice to the King Shivi'sof the day : Please do not try to cut off your head, in the hope of the eagle transforming into Lord Indra. These time the eagle is for real............

THE GREAT GAME II--AAP KAUN?

2008-08-24T04:06:00.000-07:00

“ AAP KAUN?”, this coming from the sports minister,M.S.Gill must have shocked Pullela Gopichand ,when he accompanied the Badminton prodigy, Saina Nehwal ,for an audience with the sports minister, after the Olympics. For the uninitiated , Pullela Gopichand is only the second Indian after the great Prakash Padukone to win the All England Championship, which is the biggest tournament (even bigger than the Olympics), in the sport of Badminton, in the year 2001.
The affable Gopichand ,who has taken up coaching subsequent to his quitting the game , and is now the national coach, then introduced himself , to which the minister , as is their wont , immediately responded that he had been a keen follower of Gopi’s career . Indeed Mr. Minister, the keenness shows! I would not be surprised if the audience to Saina was given under the impression of Sania Mirza . The minister must have been disappointed .
Anyway , this failure of recognition serves Gopichand right. Just after winning the All England Championship, he was offered a big contract to endorse a Soft Drink MNC. The idealistic guy turned down the offer because he could not propagate the use of Carbonated Drinks , because of their adverse effect on health. Which world does this guy live in !! Look at the cricketers and their endorsements . At times it appears that they do not drink water, but only these carbonated drinks . But at least the sports minister would recognize them instantly. Imagine the headlines if, say , the minister failed to recognize Sachin. “ NATIONAL SHAME” ………….
But at least we must appreciate the Govt . for nominating M.S.Gill, as the sports minister . With all the sports federations in India being headed by politicians , it is appropriate that a former Chief Election Commissioner is made the sports minister . You never know when his experience might be called into play . Sharad Pawar, V.K.Malhotra, Yashwant Sinha, Abhay Singh Chautala, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi , …it is a veritable Who’s Who of Indian politics , who head the various federations . And please do not bother about their sporting qualifications. Let the Chinese bother about such trivial issues, for it is they who have to head the medals tally and such competitive stuff. We Indians are strict followers of the words of the founder of modern day Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin , who said , “ It is competing which matters, not Winning.” We scrupulously adhere to the Baron’s assertion.
Well, the Olympics are over, at least for us Indians , and some of the Indians (ungrateful lot , no respect for elders), have defied the Indian norms and not only competed , but also won medals . Some others, also fought tenaciously and were glorious in defeat . Others well … at least they respect the norms and conventions. Glory be to them.
In the meanwhile , Adam Gilchrist has called for inclusion of 20/20 Cricket , in the Olympics. The same has also been echoed by some other Cricketers. The Indians are not too keen, at least till Ajanta Mendis is playing for Sri Lanka . You don’t want to go to the Olympics and be made to look like fools, do you?
But look at some of the recent inclusions in the Olympics, Trampoline , Baseball , Mountain biking, BMX biking, etc. Evidently, some countries who are assured of medals in these sports , ensured the entry of these sports into the games.
Now let us discuss some sports which although very uncommon would ensure victory for India , for we Indians specialize in them . I personally would prefer Ludo, some of my friends want the inclusion of Chinese Checkers ( I am sure the Chinese would beat us at that ) . One went to the extent of including sleeping at work, for it is his expertise . But we should not be selfish and talk about sports which ensure a Pucca Gold medal for us.
So here goes :
MUSICAL CHAIRS :
No, I am not talking about the game which is played at office get togethers, or school sports day ( now you know why we do not win anything at the Olympics), but the game for chairs we Indians play in our offices , elected offices and stuff . The way we cling onto our chairs is exemplary. We pass the sell by date, but the way we degrade our self for the sake of chair is unmatched. Chamchagiri , is definitely an Indian invention .
Look at the musical chair being played out in the state of Jharkhand. A few months ago Madhu Koda , was appointed the Chief Minister , by toppling the elected government . The specialty of Madhu Koda lay in the fact that he was an Independent legislator, and therefore no supporting party was wary of him getting too big for his boots . Koda was supported by JMM of the great Shibu Soren , Congress (I) , RJD of Laloo Yadav fame , and other independent legislators.
Things went on smoothly for a few months , the naxalites kept on killing people , but at least the govt. did not fall . That is what matters, finally!
But then came the trust vote at the Centre . The five JMM M.P’s supported the govt , which was saved by the skin of its teeth . Everybody was waiting for the catch , for Soren ( also known as Guruji ) , is not exactly known for providing anybody a free dinner . Now the cat is out of the bag . Guruji , says that he had bargained for the C.M’s chair , while supporting the govt. at the centre , and he now wants it . Funny , isn’t it , the chair is up for grabs , you only need the correct strength to acquire it , it is a commodity like say a toy in the shop. Guruji , wants it and he must have it , or else…………Democracy be damned.
Koda exhibited bravado, initially , and refused to give way , but then a bargain is a bargain ( We still have morals left ) , and Koda is on the way out . Guruji is placated , and Koda , well , a bargain is a bargain , isn’t it , how about a ministerial berth at the centre or any other similar goody.
You see, we are the largest democracy in the world , and in our version of musical chair , nobody looses .
This musical chair is played out across the political spectrum , remember BJP –Mayawati pact , Laaloo replacing himself with his wife. The list is endless , but the truth remains that we are unbeatable at this sport .
One Gold assured.

CRAB DRAG CRAB:
It is a unique Indian sport . Just like crabs we do nothing ourselves , but the moment one of us tries to break out of the mould , the rest gang up together and try to drag him down . We criticize the person, demonise him , demoralize him , in order to ensure that the person does not surge ahead, while we languish behind. It happens among couples , at the workplace , in the sports ground, in schools , colleges , and just about every activity .
Look at the way Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes fought each other rather than with each other, and ensured their defeat . The idea is simple , I will not mind losing , as long as my partner also loses .
Sample the events in Singur for further details . The manner in which the TATA group is being harassed, corroborates this mentality . Thousands would have been provided employment , with further thousands earning employment through the ancillary units , which would have come up in the vicinity of the factory producing the much awaited NANO car . The ruckus created by Mamta Banerjee , has all but ensured that the TATA’s would move out of Singur, sooner rather than later . Whatever the declared goals of Mamta Banerjee, the concern for the common man is the least of it . The Communist parties , who are the progenitors of this crab mentality , are for a change , at the receiving end . But then that is no solace for the TATA’s or the common people of Singur. And to think thank that the TATA group is known for its concern for the rural poor, unlike some of the other industrial giants .Interestingly,Amar Singh , a lackey for one such industrial group , is sitting alongside Mamta ,on dharna , in Singur. Does this give you an indication about the real crabs in the story.
Speaking of sporting events , the shameful episode of Monika Devi , bears no recapitulation . But since we are pressing for inclusion of this sport of crab drag crab, into the Olympics , the case needs to be buttressed .
Monika Devi, was reported to have tested positive for a banned substance ,on the eve of proceeding to Beijing , for the Olympics , to participate in the Weightlifting event . That the SAI (Sports Authority of India) lab., where her sample was tested was not a WADA(Word Anti Doping Agency) accredited lab was nobody’s concern , as was the fact that nobody knew of the banned substance , she had allegedly tested positive for . She was however stopped from proceeding to Beijing.
But not for nothing is Monika a weightlifter . She created a ruckus in the SAI office , and the issue soon became political with the Manipur govt (Monika’s home state ) joining in . She was soon absolved of the charges, and apparently the second sample tested negative . It would have been a good joke, if it was not so pathetic . If we go back in time , a couple of months , you realize , that the same Monika had been dropped from the Beijing team in favour of another lifter Shailja Pujari, compared to whom Monika, for all practical purposes had performed better. Monika had spoken out against this injustice , and another trial was held hurriedly , where ,not surprisingly , Monika got selected . Interestingly, Shailaja had been banned for use of performance enhancing drugs after the Manchester Commonwealth games , a few years back.
But we Indians , have long memories , which is a deadly concoction with this crab mentality . Obviously, some official was waiting for an opportune moment, and played his cards adroitly. The fact that the reporting time for the Games was over , by the time Monika was absolved ,was just the icing on the cake . That the country was not represented in Weightlifting, and the shame the incident brought is, well……………………..
The response of our “keenly followed your career” sports minister ; He brought in a fellow retired election commissioner, Krishnamurthy , to enquire into the matter , and submit his report in a week .
A WEEK!!! It has only been a fortnight, and please do not get so prickly about time, which is an infinite thing, in the Indian context . In the meanwhile, the Manipur C.M, will be involved in the musical chair game.
The best thing about the crab drag crab , is that it can be played adroitly by any ordinary Indian , and is not a specialty of the bureaucrats and politicians.

‘SECULAR-SECULAR’
Even before the event has been included in the Olympics, the team has been selected , and the selected players are Mulayam Singh Yadav, Laaloo Yadav and Ram Bilas Paswan . Although , the competition for this event was very stiff , the selectors were people of repute, and who are an authority on this subject , so there is no heart burning among the left out contenders .
Without any further ado, let me introduce the selection panel before you. The selectors were Ms. Shabana ( no body sold me a house,because I’m a Muslim) Aazmi , and Ms. Arundhati ( Aazadi for Kashmir) Roy .
The competition for the ‘secular-secular’ , team was very stiff , but what clinched the vote in the favour of the three was the recent statements in favour of the proscribed organization SIMI. The ideology of SIMI is unambiguous: ‘Establishment of Islamic Rule in India’. SIMI has been behind the spread of internal terror in India , and provide the ‘sleeper cells’ for the external organizations. You certainly need no intelligence reports for this piece of intelligence.
The recent arrest of one Bashir , said to be the kingpin behind the blats in the country , brought out the best in these three individuals . “ This is prejudice”, “We will hit the streets against this victimization”, “Bashir is innocent , and is being harassed”, “Lift the ban against SIMI”, are just a few of the samples of their expertise in this game .
The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid , ( the govt. nominee on the selection panel) has also spoken on similar lines, “ We will protest against this arrest, Muslims are being victimized on the basis of their religion,” he thundered in Azamgarh , the home district of the arrested individual in Uttar Pradesh. I dare not question the reason for this religious personality to leave his religious duties in New Delhi and come to this far off district, to ‘protest’ against the arrest of one individual. Is there something more that what meets the eye?
One of the selected players, Ram Bilas Paswan, campaigned during the last assembly elections in Bihar, with an Osama bin Laden look-alike . The love Osama and his fellow cohorts have for India , needs no further elaboration .With a track record like this , you hardly need to face a selection panel , but better to face one , for the sake of parity , rather than facing charges of nepotism ,later on . Not that these worthies are bothered, but why give others an opportunity!
Since we cannot compete in say Volleyball, Basketball,Swimming,etc. with the rest of the World, I believe that these three sports, if included in the Olympics , would give us the best opportunity for medals . China, here we come …
CITIUS , ALTIUS , FORTIUS.

THE GREAT GAME

2008-08-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

The Great Game refers to the strategic rivalry and the resulting conflict between Russia and Britain, played out over the lands of Afghanistan starting from Circa 1813, beginning with the Russo-Persian treaty and which generally continued up to the year 1907, until the Anglo-Russian convention. Though this term was first used by an officer in the British army Arthur Connolly; it was popularized in the novel, Kim, by Rudyard Kipling.
The British, with their sun-never-sets-on-the-empire attitude, were contently ruling over India, with the Russian empire far away, what with the strategic buffer of Afghanistan. Slowly, the Czarist empire began to spread its ambitions, resulting in a renewed interest in Afghanistan, which at that point of time, was fragmented into different spheres of interests among various regional chieftains.
Resultantly, the British started growing wary of this increasing Russian Bear hug, for they feared a Czarist advance towards India, which was their ‘Jewel in the Crown’. Fearing for the worst, the British started countering this increasing Russian influence in Afghanistan.

What followed, was essentially espionage, assassinations and counter assassinations, with no side giving the other any concessions. It was politics at its best, or worst, depending which side of the story you were on. This Great Game culminated in two Anglo-Afghan wars, but the British did succeed in halting this Russian advance towards their sphere of influence.
With the decrease in the British strength, post IInd World War, and the rise in American prominence, along with the Rise of the U.S.S.R, the Great Game was now known as the Cold War. The players were basically the same, the Russians on the one side and the Western powers on the other. The Cold War was anything but a cold war. It was not restricted to one theatre of war, as the Great Game, but spread across the Globe. The Bay of Pigs crisis , which perhaps has remained the only genuine nuclear war flashpoint (thank God, for that) till date , and where both the powers were only minutes away from launching nuclear strikes against each other, the NATO and the WARSAW pacts, which divided the world into two opposing camps (each armed to the teeth) with nuclear tipped missiles pointing at one other, are only a few examples of this ‘New Great Game’, which, incidentally, was still being played out in Afghanistan . The Russians, had invaded and occupied Afghanistan in 1980, and installed a puppet regime. The Americans created the Mujahiddens, to counter the Russians. The Taliban was conceived, its delivery and growth need no elaboration.
Perestroika and Glastnost, stunned the world. Gorbachev, was a man ahead of his time. Perhaps even the staunchest of CIA detectives, had not expected this fallout. The WARSAW pact countries began to fall like a pack of cards . Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Bulgaria , Romania……the list is endless, threw off Communism and embraced Democracy. The Russian army , withdrew from Afghanistan , humiliated , for perhaps the first time in its history.
Resistance seemed futile , for as Victor Hugo remarked, “ You cannot fight an idea , whose time has come .”
Officially the Cold War was over, and the Americans seemed to have prevailed. Russia which had reached the abyss, under the leadership of Boris Yelstin ,started its resurgence under Vladimir Putin , and his gentle dictatorship. I refer to his reign as dictatorship, because although he was elected democratically ,his regime was anything but that. Rivals were hounded out off the country ,and the ones remaining in the country were dealt with very strictly. Even Gary Kasparov , the former world Chess champion was manhandled and arrested , while leading a protest march against Putin . If media reports are to be believed , Kasparov , is planning a comeback into the world of chess, the reasons are not very far off to see.
But the Great Game was still not over .The Americans , buoyed by the success in the Cold War ,now dreamt of a unipolar world, the Russians had been defeated , but not eliminated .America now began to implement its vision of surrounding Russia with its new found allies .Huge amount of money was pumped into the region ,in support of apparently democratically aligned political parties. The real reason was to bring in regimes favorable to America, and isolate Russia in its own backyard. Czechoslovakia was won over by the ‘Velvet Revolution’, Ukraine by the ‘Orange Revolution’, and Georgia by the ‘Rose Revolution’.
Mikhail Saaskhasvili, the American educated politician , was supplanted as the President in Georgia. NATO began to spread its tentacles, and the countries surrounding Russia were fast tracked into NATO. Georgia became the closest American ally in the region . It even sent its forces into Iraq, to fight alongside the Americans . Its army was being trained by the Americans , Turkey and Israeli forces . Resultantly the Georgians , began to look Vladmir Putin in the eye.
Four Russian agents were arrested , in Georgia ,on grounds of espionage. Even the residence of the Russian ambassador to Georgia was raided by the Georgian police, on the grounds of searching for a terrorist. The stakes were being gradually raised in the Great Game .
In the meanwhile Putin had his hands full of the insurgency in Chechnya. The hostage crisis in an opera in Moscow, was the ultimate challenge Putin faced to its authority. The stern reponse to the challenge,ensured that the Russian confidence was restored. Here was a MAN , for whom the Russians had been clamouring for .
In the meanwhile, the Georgians were also dealing with revolt in South Ossetia and Abkhazia . After all, the Great Game is played by both the sides .
During the time when Russia was still U.S.S.R , South Ossetia was an autonomous region in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic . The region has a majority of Russians, and post break up of U.S.S.R , they wanted to merge with Russia . The insurgency, resulted in Russian forces being stationed in South Ossetia , as peace keepers. But the province knew no peace . The Georgians , with tacit approval from the Americans , began to stand up to Putin .
On August 7 , the Georgian army rolled into the South Ossetian capital , Tskhinvali .The city was literally razed to the ground by the Georgian army . Numerous Russian peacekeepers , were hacked to death . The Georgians had expected the Russians to be taken off guard , what with the recent change of guard with Dmitry Medvedev having taken over from Putin , as President of Russia . Putin was still the Prime Minister .Furthermore , Putin was in China , for the opening ceremony of the Olympics . Even Medvedev was on holiday . The Georgians were expecting an American initiated ceasefire , by the time the Russians reacted .
BIG MISTAKE .
The Russians , responded in the manner only they can , immediately and effectively. The Georgian army , which is even less than 1/10 th of the Russian army , was effectively annihilated within 48 hours . The Russians are renowned for being merciless towards their enemies, maybe their harsh weather has got to do something with this . The Russian army is continuing its mission deep inside the Georgian territory , dismantling whatever war machinery was still left with Georgia.
The Americans , who the Georgians were looking towards , for succour , never appeared . The European Union did not speak out . Mikhail Saaskhavilli is completely isolated . The Russians have sent out a very clear message , Great Game or no Great Game , don’t mess with us !! NATO has been sent out a warning , ‘don’t meddle around in our backyard’. Not for nothing is Putin known as the strong man , although his black belt in Martial Arts , may also have something to do with this .
Sample the Indian response , in the Great game , in its theatre .
The agitation in Jammu , in the aftermath of the land transfer issue , with the people coming out in droves , demanding the land for the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board , met with a response in the Kashmir valley . Ever since the advent of terrorism in the Kashmir valley (around 25 years back) , Jammu has been an oasis of peace . Nothing had provoked their ire, not the discrimination against them , in favour of the Kashmiris , not the ethnic cleansing of the Kashmiri Pandits , not the attack at the Raghunath temple in Jammu, neither the attack at the Jammu railway station . But this time around , Jammu reacted .
The government led by Governor N.N.Vohra was still vacillating . Then Kashmir burst out . The rhetoric of Sajjad Lone and the Hurriyat conference ,reached its logical conclusion . Lone and his colleagues had been crying about shortage of Baby Milk Powder and stuff in the valley , due to the economic blockade imposed by the people of Jammu . This coming from a party which has been calling for long bandhs in the valley for the past numerous years , would have been laughable , if not for the human lives involved .
That the talk of ‘economic blockade’, is a sham indulged in the by the Hurriyat , at the instigation of its masters from across the borders , has been exposed by the Intelligence agencies . The Television channels have shown shots of the Srinagar –Jammu highway , showing no blockade at any point . Trucks, although fewer in number have seen moving on the highway, freely.
The Hurriyat Conference then showed their true colours . Apparently, the apple growers of the Kashmir valley were suffering huge losses due to the ‘economic blockade’, imposed by the people in Jammu region . The Hurriyat gave a call for a walk towards Muzzafarabad ( capital of Pak Occupied Kashmir) , in order to sell apples .The call was supported by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, which incidentally has never raised its voice against the ‘economic blockade’ imposed by the terrorists. The security forces intervened , and now Kashmir is aflame .
Kindly note the dangerous game being played out in the Indian version of the Great Game . Kashmir has known no peace for the past twenty five years . 68,000 people have lost their lives in terror related incidences , tourism industry , which is the back bone of Kashmiri economy , is in tatters , 5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits have been driven away from the Kashmir valley , bandhs called after the death of terrorists , last for days together , rest of the time the place is under curfew . And listen to the rhetoric about the ‘Apple growers facing a loss’, ‘shortage of Baby Milk Powder’ . Get real mates !!
Further , the resemblance between protests in Palestine and Kashmir bear an uncanny resemblance , the same throwing of stones against the security forces and then running away into the alleys , the same beating of chests and dancing with the dead body of one killed in action taken by the security forces . The resemblance is too close to rubbish it with a coincidence theory . There certainly is a thread running through these places , which indicate a common puppeteer .
In contrast to the approach of Putin , our Govt. , as usual, has been clueless . Governor N.N.Vohra , who initially yielded to the demand of revocation of transfer of land to the shrine board , without giving the matter any thought , is now caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea . On the one hand are the terrorists in Srinagar ( with the history of the Hurriyat conference , you cannot call them as apart from the terrorists) , and on the other hand are the people in Jammu , who by now have realized that the politicians only understand the language of violence (can we really blame them?).
The response of Dr Farooq Abdullah , is reported to you , ad verbatim , to understand the truth , “ The agitation in Jammu must stop forthwith. The agitation in the rest of the country must stop forthwith. Otherwise be prepared to face the consequences.”
Although nothing in politics surprises anybody , but this coming from a man who is himself a part of the problem is , well , pretty amazing . His family has ruled Jammu & Kashmir for greater part of its accession with India , and have only reaped the benefits . The talk of self autonomy can still be heard from the National Conference , of the Abdullahs . Would Dr. Abdullah kindly elaborate on the ‘consequences’ he was referring to!!!
The fact that India is bereft of a man like Putin , can be gauged from the response of the Home Minister of India , who stated that he had no objection , if the apple growers exported apples to POK , provided Pakistan allowed them to cross the LOC, for Muzzafarabad was closer to Kashmir than New Delhi. BRAVO , shall we say .How the Americans would wish Putin to say something of this sort .
Now the Govt. has enlisted the support of the spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar , to mediate with Syed Ahmad Shah Gilani and Mirwaiz Farooq .

How about pacifying the people of Jammu , Dear Sirs ? This is exactly the kind of act which encourages the tolerant people to resort to non violence . With due regards to the spiritual guru , does any body acquainted with the politics of the day believe that something constructive would evolve out of this half baked measure .
We as a nation , have developed an uncanny knack to search for short cuts , and that too through an half hearted approach.
The Prime Minister , well what of him …….Years ago , the pout of the then Prime Minister Narsimha Rao , was the butt of jokes , “When In doubt , pout,” which was the posture Narsimha Rao , usually maintained . But at least Narsimha Rao was his own man .
So J&K burns , while the politicians warm their hands from its fire , with the general elections a few months away , the best course is to stoke the fire , one way or the other , while the bureaucrats calculate the moolah to be raked in from the Sixth Pay Commission , as if these bureaucrats ever use their salary .

Let Vladimir Putin deal with and counter the Great Game .

“ An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry.” ~T.S. Eliot

Before signing off , I would wish to avail this opportunity to congratulate Abhinav Bindra , for his Golden effort at the Olympics . The way he has reacted to all the adulation , in his composed manner ,shows sagacity and maturity, which is very hard to find in the heroes of Today . May his tribe increase . Let us all wish the boxer Akhil Kumar for his fearlessness and the contempt for the established order in his sport. Win or Lose , at least he has shown the heart for a fight.