tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62921391264303901222024-03-28T20:29:42.506-07:00AS IT COMES.......share thoughts, feelings and experiences with others.rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-57099287629729060832022-01-21T07:21:00.009-08:002022-01-21T07:30:01.021-08:00PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY 2022-2026<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div>PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY 2022-2026</div><div>The very fact that Pakistan has laboured to come out with a fresh National Security Policy(NSP) it’s contents definitively give away two clear deductions. One, a reality has dawned upon Pakistan that it needs to reset, reboot it’s trajectory, and steer a course correction. Two, a realisation has finally struck Pakistan that there is no alternative to self reliance. This 100 page document has only 62 pages for public domain, and rest are secret. The Secret part, necessarily covers the implementation and enforcement of the NSP, which would cover sensitive issues on both internal and external threats. Mirroring India’s aspirations of Ram Rajya, Imran Khan translates his new Pakistan as Riyasat-e-Medina, that new NSP is aimed to achieve. </div><div> </div><div>The architect of the document is Pakistan’s young scholar and National Security Advisor who is 9th in succession roll. He is one out of the only two civilians that were found suitable for the job. It adds to a positive tenor, because concurrently the opposition in the Parliament is accusing Government of militarisation of civilian institutions, by appointing defence officers as their Heads. Dr Moeed W. Yusuf, the ANSA, had a chartered career graph, from the days he was first picked up by Ambassador William B Taylor picked him in 2010 as South Asia Advisor in US Institute of Peace. It’s here C Christine Faire accused him of being a Pakistani asset promoting his Government’s interests at the expense of US Taxpayers money. Moeed graduated to Chairperson of Pakistan’s Strategic Policy Planning Cell (SPPC), in September 2019, and then to NSA in May 2021. The deep state and its US connections keeps political observers intrigued. May be Moeed, is a catalyst in setting new course for Pakistan’s security. </div><div>The New Security Policy clearly evolves from Pakistan’s threat perceptions which mainly include:</div><div>a)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Likely collapse of Pakistan’s internal Economy.</div><div>b)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Disintegration of Pakistan’s Polity due to poverty, inequality, sub nationalism, sectarian and religious fundamentalism.</div><div>c)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Enmity with India. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Policy places economic security at the core of comprehensive national security. NSA states “The challenge before us is to move away from the traditional guns versus butter debate, instead recognising that traditional and non-traditional aspects of national security must be linked through a symbiotic relationship”. Bhutto days are over when he said “we will eat grass but have a bomb”. The Gun over butter led imbalance has put Pakistan on a verge of Economic collapse. Pakistan ignored the fall of USSR, that was drawn into mad Arms Race and Cold War. China, demonstrated wisdom by sticking to self reliance, indigenous production, industry and designing a shrewd economic strategy to beat giants like USSR. The new NSP has shown shifting focus to Economy and not leasing out strategic location advantage to US in lieu of money, as the earlier Military regimes indulged into. </div><div>The new NSP talks now Geo Economic advantageous location Pakistan enjoys as against geo strategic earlier. Policy discerns to take advantages of inter connectivity as Pakistan is confluence of Central and West Asia with an access to Indian Ocean. The country is betting high on CPEC and economic advantages accruing from. </div><div>Pakistan, has realised its time to liquidate all kinds of sectarian militia that have gone far to claim sub nationalism. The Policy identifies the internal threat and emphasise on Government’s writ to eliminate Non State Actors. To quote from the policy: “Pakistan is committed to safeguarding its sovereignty in all its manifestations by ensuring national cohesion and harmony, ………by ensuring the writ of the state. Our guiding principle for national cohesion and harmony will remain ‘unity in diversity”. It envisages four-pronged policy of engagement: separating reconcilable from irreconcilables; cutting off recruitment; constricting financial sources; and pursuing targeted socio-economic policies to address governance-related concerns in regions where violent sub-nationalist elements operate. </div><div>Indian strategic observers will perforce look at the policy with great amount of suspicion, and it is with a reason. Pakistan, has been ghastly unreliable, unpredictable and venomous. Secondly, hate Muslim and hate Pakistan is new narrative that blows the political wind in the country. Therefore, negating the Policy’s changed outlook would serve Indian domestic purpose as well. The policy on the other hand talks of Kashmir explicitly, dedicating a separate paragraph. Officially, there is no relenting on Pakistan’s Kashmir Policy, but its proxy war to liberate Indian administrated Jammu & Kashmir, is already on a low burner and may remain so in coming summers. This has to be watched closely. With Taliban not singing, Pakistan may find continuing Proxy war little difficult as compared to earlier times. As the US funding gone dry, her diplomatic support withdrawn, Pakistan’s proxy war in Kashmir has a crunch. This aspect is the smell of NSP’s Kashmir factor. </div><div>The question remains of the Classified portion, the 38 pages that explains the execution or enforcement of policy. There is a repeated mention of Whole Nation Approach. Does it imply, a greater synergy between Military and Civil apparatus of Government? Could be a wishful thinking, but our best bet is hope. To quote from concluding paragraph: “Pakistan aims to advance its vital national security interests through a whole-of-nation approach that synergises collective efforts towards the attainment of a prosperous and secure country that is at peace with itself and others. The policy subtly mentions about improving Pakistan’s global image also. Firstly, an attempt to absolve itself from terror funding yoke of FATF and secondly by improving internal security environment. To quote the Policy Objectives :” Undertaking intelligence-based operations against all terrorist groups, preventing any use of financial sources for terrorism” as well to “Ensure Pakistan remains a secure destination for intellectual activity, businesses, investors, and visitors”. </div><div>It could be an overly optimistic view, but the world is realigning and new order is in the making. So, a new Pakistan can’t be ruled out, that has learnt her lessons hard way. Developments in Middle East and Kazakhstan have a strong message that it’s ultimately well being of its people, that nations hope to thrive at. India must be on a watch to see how does the walk go after a big big talk. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-24032786814812557732021-08-26T00:57:00.004-07:002021-08-26T01:07:38.838-07:00A Sojourn in Garhwal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3j-jOulftIK9SlG404rfpYQXpFw5fobqmuCyRnsnKsTccuJzs8ao_QnDpFRUcPnDfGYnEZOvAIxkDoPGXv8_IkrpVLFeJYhMU_HgbjTtx2HFwM-Qt1kizSyby07q-tvibjah9le6NQE/s960/FB_IMG_1629965005177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3j-jOulftIK9SlG404rfpYQXpFw5fobqmuCyRnsnKsTccuJzs8ao_QnDpFRUcPnDfGYnEZOvAIxkDoPGXv8_IkrpVLFeJYhMU_HgbjTtx2HFwM-Qt1kizSyby07q-tvibjah9le6NQE/s320/FB_IMG_1629965005177.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="960" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3cH8_Wz29rKN1wvwNMJX8qVHl33X81zX2URJPjubtN5bqUaXnj5UnK05y2VbGTGBTKPwWlg889_pc8faPmQvjAkyqOfLWcwKuRCpLPYF1jh2PamEDIEqbAA0y7LniPECVCeD6rQi5Ts/s320/FB_IMG_1629965034813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMqZTqXDBG1PjtGIcu69jt-LrvKPxqE6hsdi9UV5kdjCuy2Z6jEIiJBEsHpLR73QP3peZCu3YKPbfTzilivGvt2NgP4tMRJ_mrKHPteapgqrluoTtDBD15xR3dGD62PCRIu1xgX0H8Ls/s960/FB_IMG_1629965041073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMqZTqXDBG1PjtGIcu69jt-LrvKPxqE6hsdi9UV5kdjCuy2Z6jEIiJBEsHpLR73QP3peZCu3YKPbfTzilivGvt2NgP4tMRJ_mrKHPteapgqrluoTtDBD15xR3dGD62PCRIu1xgX0H8Ls/s320/FB_IMG_1629965041073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I finally undertook on 6th Dec 2016, my much overdue visit to a first cousin in Garhwal hills, near Lansdowne. He has retired into a serene solitude after hectic 40 years of business life in Delhi, and plans to live his rest of life there. His estate of few acres is on a ledge running away westwards from the road leading to Tarkeshwar Mahadev up North, a much worshipped temple in Uttarakhand, just 4Kms afar. His abode is simply a tranquility enveloped in Cedar, Deodar, Pine and Buransh, trees; filling up the air with heavenly perfume. Spending few days with him was rejuvenating both physically and spiritually. Fostering upon local mystic herbs, grains, lentils and veggies has remained only a psychological gain due to my short lived stay. There are so many health benefits otherwise we are simply unaware of.</p><p>A true incident narrated by my cousin motivated me to seek blessings of holy Tarkeshwar Mahadev, the first thing after reaching. </p><p>Tarkeshwar is one of the many names that lord Shiva bear, and this one got bestowed upon after He killed the demon called Tarkasur. It has nothing to do with ताड़, as some of us would artfully connect it to a famous tall tree found in southern India. The temple is located deep down into a hilly bowl, thickly forested singularly by cedar deodar trees. Surprisingly the whole area is devoid of Pine or any other kind of trees. Amazingly, a overbearing deodar tree right above the deity has its spine trifurcated at top, looking like a trident, the lord Shiva’s inseparable Arm. I took no time in photo shooting it. A discernible positivity in the air lightens you up and coolness of spring keeps you from departing. The locals here do not allow even forest department to fiddle with the flora fauna around the temple. A fallen deodar is not allowed to be auctioned by the Forest Department, despite being absolutely legal. There are so many of these are lying in the basin to dissipate into the stratum. I came back so much reassured and contended. </p><p><br /></p><p> The nightfall is early here and our campfire would be up by six. We would nurse our own selected alcohol and catch-up childhood stories amongst cousins. The nostalgic journeys would run into late evenings and continue over dinner. Exceptionally quiet nights occasionally get interrupted by wild life calls. It amused me to learn that porcupines regularly plunder my cousin’s kitchen garden and I got frightened to know that his young pup was stolen by a leopard. A tiger has also frequented his estate and left without harming anyone except scaring hell out of his guests. He tells me there are lots of bears, fox, barking deer and jungle fowl around and people avoid wandering into woods.</p><p><br /></p><p>I loved people of Garhwal toiling in the ruggedness of the hills carrying LPG cylinders on their backs with a smile.</p><p><br /></p><p>I came back enthused and motivated to shortlist my own retreat in next few years. </p><p>How will be a remote desert dhani?</p><p><br /></p><p>“Ordinary men hate solitude.</p><p>But the Master makes use of it,</p><p>embracing his aloneness, realizing</p><p>he is one with the whole universe.”</p>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-51311343892302230572020-08-20T21:12:00.004-07:002020-08-20T21:12:53.732-07:00समाजवाद की शव परीक्षा <p> </p><p><br /></p><p>स्वाधीनता संग्राम के एक बहुचर्चित सेनानी व क्रांतिकारी हुए हैं, यशपाल, जो एक स्वभाविक साहित्यकार और बुद्धिजीवी भी बेजोड़ थे। उनके लिखे दसियों उपन्यास, कहानियाँ, और लेख एक बहुमूल्य ज्ञान स्रोत एवं प्रेरणात्मक ख़ज़ाना है। उनकी एक किताब का शीर्षक है, गांधीवाद की शव परीक्षा। चूँकि, यशपाल एक कट्टर मार्क्सवादी थे, उन्होंने गांधीवाद के शव परीक्षण का प्रश्न उठाया, क्योंकि उनकी दृष्टि से वह मर तो पहले ही चुका था। मुझे इस शीर्षक ने, पुस्तक से ज्यादा प्रभावित किया। सोचा आज क्यों ना समाजवाद की शव परीक्षा की जाय। </p><p>कार्ल मार्क्स और एंजिल्स, अपनी तीक्ष्ण मेधा से यह समझ पाए कि धरती के साधनों पर किसी व्यक्ति विशेष का अधिकार नहीं, अपितु सबका है। या यूं कहें कि यह अधिकार राष्ट्र अथवा देश का है, तो इसमें झूंट की भला कहां गुंजाईश है। यह बात सटीक तीर की भांति हर एक बुद्धिजीवी के मस्तिष्क में प्रविष्ट हो गई। और दूसरी बात, कि हर वो व्यक्ति जो इस धरती पर पैदा हुआ है, उसके सामाजिक, राजनैतिक और आर्थिक अधिकारों में किसी प्रकार का भेदभाव या ऊंचनीच ना हो। इसमें भी भला क्या गलत हो सकता है? यह विचार भी बुद्धिजीवियों और ग्रसित जनता के जहन में ऐसे घर कर गया, मानो भूके के पेट में रोटी। </p><p>पूरे विश्व में समाजवाद की लहर उठी और बहुत देश इसके बहाव में बह भी गए। रूस, चीन, वियतनाम, क्यूबा, इत्यादि। भारत में भी इसका प्रभाव काफ़ी जोरों पर रहा, खास तौर पर ब्रिटिश हुकूमत के दौरान। </p><p>भगत सिंह और उनकी हिंदुस्तान सोशलिस्ट रिपब्लिकन आर्मी भी एक समाजवादी भारत कि कल्पना करते थे। कश्मीर के शेख अब्दुल्लाह वहां इसी प्रकार का आंदोलन भी चला रहे थे। </p><p>भारत के पहले और अविस्मरणीय प्रधान मंत्री जवाहर लाल नेहरू भी समाजवाद से प्रेरित थे। बाद में उनकी पुत्री इंदिरा गांधी ने समाजवादी तंत्र को मजबूती देने का जीतोड़ प्रयत्न किया। </p><p>लेकिन, समाजवाद अपनी अल्पायु में ही चल बसा। १९१७ में जन्मी इस राजनैतिक व्यवस्था का ९० का दशक आते आते इंतकाल हो गया। मात्र सत्तर वर्ष में समाजवाद, विश्व में मूलरूप से लुप्त हो गया। अब यदि कुछ अवशेष है भी तो वह तानाशाहियों की आड़ बने हुए हैं। </p><p><br /></p><p>जब, एक इतना न्यायपूर्ण और मानवीय राजनैतिक विचार पनप रहा था तो उसकी मौत का क्या कारण हो सकता है, यह एक सतत गूढ़ विश्लेषण का विषय है। समाजवाद की मृत्यु को एक आत्महत्या माना जाए अथवा हत्या? यह प्रश्न आज सभी बुद्धिजीवियों को उत्तेजित करता है और इसका उत्तर तर्क और वितर्क से परे, दूर कहीं नियति की परिधि में छुपा प्रतीत होता है। </p><p>समाजवाद का जन्म ही, स्वाभाविक, या प्राकृतिक ना हो कर एक टेस्ट ट्यूब बेबी के समान दर्शनशास्र की प्रयोगशाला द्वारा हुआ। विश्व भर की राजनैतिक और आर्थिक व्यवस्थाएं, समाजवाद के जन्म से पहले ही अपनी गहरी जड़ें फैला चुकीं थीं और सामंतवाद, पूंजीवाद या फासीवाद का बोल बाला था। ऐसे में समाजवाद का बच पाना मुश्किल था। आयरन कर्टेन के बावजूद पूंजीवादी ताकतों ने समाजवाद का किला डहा दिया। यदि इसे सच मानें तो यह एक हत्या का मामला हुआ।</p><p>रूस जिसे समाजवाद की प्रयोगशाला कहें तो संभवतः गलत नहीं होगा। यहां के शासकों ने मार्क्स के सिद्धांतो का परिपालन करने में आतंक का सहारा लिया और स्वयं लोभी, सत्तापरस्त व साम्राज्यवादी बन गए। ऐसा संभवतः इसलिए हुआ कि समाजवाद की स्थापना लिए निरंकुश, एवम पूर्ण सत्ता की अनिवार्यता है। इसका अर्थ यह हुआ कि समाजवाद की मृत्यु एक आत्महत्या का मामला है। </p><p><br /></p><p>जो भी हो, जब गीता में यह कहा गया है कि आत्मा अमर है, तो फिर समाजवाद की आत्मा अभी जिंदा है। शायद, अभी उस शरीर को बनने में समय है, जिसमें एक बार फिर समाजवाद जन्म ले सके। आज समाजवाद की आत्मा दर दर भटक रही है। कन्हैया जैसे युवा </p><p>सरगर्मों के दिलों में झलकती है। </p><p> समाजवाद, मानें तो एक विचार है, एक दर्शन है, एक धर्म है, और इसे हमें अपने राजनैतिक और आर्थिक जीवन में उतारने की गहरी आवश्यकता है। </p><p>यदि हम ऐसा कर सके तो विश्व की ज्यादातर समस्याएं स्वत: दूर हो जाएंगी।</p>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-26666021455971620592020-07-19T21:25:00.000-07:002020-07-19T21:25:46.940-07:00Great Game 2.0, Kashmir, the Key<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Christopher Snedden author of “Kashmir: The Unwritten History”, while talking about the larger Kashmir dispute, given India and Pakistan’s position, he argued that a solution will not be arrived at unless there is a “circuit-breaker” — an unpredictable natural disaster, or an even more unpredictable Chinese invasion into Kashmir.<br />
This was in March 2013.<br />
There have been major development since then:<br />
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A. China's One Belt One Road initiative.<br />
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B. Reorganisation of J&K State.<br />
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C. Xi Jinping upgrading China's foreign policy to assertion of One China, shifting centre of the world to China from West, Challenge US as super power.<br />
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D. Eruption of Pandemic.<br />
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E. Pakistan dropped by US as special strategic partner, pushing her into Chinese fold(read trap).<br />
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F. Iran and Turkey raising heads against US.<br />
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G. US losing hold in Afghanistan and Syria.<br />
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H. Russia emerges as an open pivot for strategic alliances.<br />
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Kashmir, plays a vital strategic role in facilitating Chinese OBOR plans, and new developing geopolitical scene once again raises hope for Pakistan, in annexing Kashmir, in collusion with China.<br />
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The pattern of Chinese intrusions, and her obstinacy not to de-induct, should be raising eyebrows in South Block. Fresh induction of troops in Gilgit Baltistan by Pakistan must be one corroborative input. Gen Ata Hasnain, sir has already measured it as pincer in making.<br />
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Chinese, may be master in deception but shaping threat, cannot be ignored and must be thwarted by counter manoeuvre of strategic forces ASAP, but not losing the balance in East.<br />
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International pressures must be brought down upon Xi Jinping to deflate himself, and defuse self destruction mode, that has started ticking.</div>
rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-15698638835009563872019-12-01T10:25:00.000-08:002019-12-08T21:19:01.626-08:00BANDHAVGARH BEYOND TIGERS <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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‘We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us’<br />
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– Robyn Yong<br />
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Now, into seventh decade of life, I find myself yearning for more productive and soul filling, travels. Indulgence into run of the mill tourism, attracts me no more now. Travel is a nice getaway as it up-sticks us from the grooves of our daily mundane chores, and releases us free to make fresh connects within and without. It is a great feeling of being liberated, like switching over to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. We, four childhood friends homed on to Bandhavgarh National Park, for a sojourn with its luring deciduous forest.<br />
All of us Boarded Dayodaya Express at Jaipur, to take us to Katani junction, the railhead for Bandhavgarh. Dayodaya (दयोदय) was a strange word to me, and it took me a while to understand its meaning. I learnt, it is concept, and a movement by one Jain muni, Vidyasagar about the human compassion towards animals. May be the Indian Railway thought well to name this train so, taking travellers to wildlife sanctuaries and parks of Madhya Pradesh.<br />
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To know the actual India, and with no pretence, a long rail journey does real good. The real India, is on the railway platforms and the public conduct is despicable and disgusting. The coach we travelled in was, unmistakably on a rather long extended service, with no Supreme Court to intervene, as in case of Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Pakistani Army Chief. Despite the visible series of repairs and patch work, it had still worsened into a bone rattler. Though, the coach was well kept otherwise and well served but the blankets they issued for the night, stank. All these irritants miserably failed to dampen our spirits, and the enthusiasm to travel to Bandhavgarh was uncork-able. Soon, we four were chatting, recollecting schooldays, old friends, and talking non stop with sporadic crackles, unmindful of the strange looks from co passengers. Our Absolute (spirit) with freshly cut lime & crushed green chillies, went well camouflaged. The pot lunch was sumptuously filling, and our titters faded as we dosed of late, well passed midnight.</div>
Soon, we were on the road loaded in Innova driving to Bandhavgarh, Tala to be precise. The deciduous forests along side, made the single road look like a tunnel. The whole environment was so invigorating, we rolled the panes of car windows down to gasp as much fresh air. Our hosts: The Tiger Den, run by Mr Gyanendra Tripathi, gave us opened arms reception. The resort is tastefully laid out, landscaped with exotic plantation. The bamboo groves, Champa, Molsari, Kadam, Palash etc, standing tall and were enough to make us fall in love with the place. Here we will be spending nextt threed and the very thought was kindling excitement inside us. The cottages were neat, clean and well furnished.<br />
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It was Safari Time at 2.30 PM.<br />
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We all dressed up like cowboys, donning shades, mounted the Maruti Gypsy, and our सारथी was Sh.Raju Singh, a veteran driver of Bandhavgarh Park, for 25 years. He knew the sanctuary like back of his palm and Tigers by their first names including lineage. Our rattled backs, after Dayodaya Express, found no respite with Raju Singh Ji’s Gypsy. Himmat Singh, one of the foursome had tough time in the rear most seat. I had comfortable time sitting in front, courtesy the rest. They knew my handicap.<br />
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Bandhavgarh, is mainly a Sal forest, a tree that provided timber for railway sleepers, till the concrete ones replaced these recently. The locals say nothing goes wrong with the wood for 300 years, and in their dialect “ सौ साल खड़ी, सौ साल पड़ी और सौ साल ना सड़ी। It is a tough wood. We soon started seeing wild life, and the very first were elephants housed in their camps. It was wonderful sight of a baby elephant and mother cuddling with her trunk. Soon, we crossed a herd of spotted deer grazing, then<br />
appeared wild boars, crossing our track. Jungle babblers, and many birds we don’t know names of,were cooing and chirping filling the air with such delight.<br />
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And then our guide drew our attention to the callings by different animals. It was monkey and Chital repeating the call with enough desperation. I was experiencing it for the first time. Padam Singh, a veteran of Forest services, explained us the calling by animals and how one can track the movement of the predators. Our guide, soon changed his guess from Tiger in proximity, to Leopard because the Chital’s bleating was not crying enough. It was getting dark, and there was no sighting of Tiger as yet. We returned to our camp empty and disappointed. Fortunately, Padam Singh’s friend and a colleague from Forest Dept, Mr Narendra Singh Parihar came down to meet him. He promised us<br />
Tiger sighting next morning.<br />
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We were up at five, made second attempt and this time through a different zone called Magadhi. Early morning chill, and drive in open Gypsy was bothering us when, we were pleasantly surprised by our hosts who handed over us soft blankets to cover ourselves. It was like God sent. As we drove into forest through the misty morning, we were greeted by a herd of Bisons grazing not any far from us. What a massive beast it is! Each shouldn’t be weighing less than 6 to 700 Kgs. Our guide, indicated two alpha males, who would be around 1000 kgs. They both had locked their horns, and may be claiming mating rights in the herd. We took some snaps.<br />
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As we moved deeper into the jungle, Kamlesh our guide spotted the pug marks of Tiger. He further asserted, these are of a Tigress and other smaller ones of her three cubs. He knew, that she is Dotty and just finished her night patrol, along with her cubs. Dotty, with her young ones now in a process to settle down for the day, he further stressed. I asked, why she is called Dotty? Kamlesh explained that the Tigress has a ‘D’ looking spot on her forehead, and that’s how the name. And, there is another Tigress who is named Spotty, on similar lines. The pug marks were seen vanishing into the woods, and we all knew where she has taken a morning break. There was continuous calling, and the presence of Tigress was eminent. But, she wouldn’t just show up. Our patience gave up. We decided to drive upto the refreshment point and have our breakfast, in the meantime. The hawkers, there were making hot pakoras, steaming Maggi, and ginger tea. I didn’t touch packed Breakfast from Hotel. As, we were getting done with our last sips of hot tea, there was sudden alert sounded for the Tiger, who was greedily eyeing for some cows, strayed grazing into the buffer. All the tourists jumped into Gypsies, and everyone just broke loose, zipping towards the sought after spot.<br />
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And, lo behold. The Tiger was in his ambush, tactically sited. Unnerved by huge gallery, the regal predator was sitting on the fringes, well camouflaged. His demeanour was kingly and we all watched him with widow eyes. Our wait was over. After, granting us a great audience, he quietly walked to his next bound for an intended hunt. As he gracefully moved, his gender was reconfirmed and “ He is Bhamera’s son” said Kamlesh. What a name the royal beast had! I enquired further, and unfolded the story. There was Tiger who had once strayed into nearby village, called Bhamera. He got his name. What we saw was his son. Seems so strange! No?<br />
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Our mission was nearly over once the Tiger had shown up. For all those wildlife enthusiasts, who venture into various sanctuaries and parks, I would leave a thought behind. It is the forest and it’s environ that has to be savoured and felt by our souls. Focusing on Tiger sighting can rob you of the small pleasures of watching the flora and fauna, the cooing and chirping of the birds, fluttering of jungle fowls, that innocent gaze by antelopes or may be monkeys jumping around. The moist air of jungle has soul filling scent and earthly whiffs that invigorates your nostrils and lungs. The quietness and serenity of jungle is treasure we miss in cities. Let’s not miss woods for the trees, or shall we say Tiger?<br />
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Part II<br />
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A visit to Bandhavgarh would be incomplete without having shopped and eaten at Malaya, a boutique cum café run by an elderly lady Ms Neelam. Her shop be better called as an Art Gallery. She relocated herself away from the hustle bustle of Ahmedabad city, for her sheer love for living in smaller places, close to nature. The lady has rightly thought of running such a delightful corner in a rustic rural, Tala. Ms Neelam has a passion of collecting art & craft works from pan India, specially the tribal work. She singlehandedly drives her Maruti Gypsy, and detests national highways. Venturing deep into the countrysides, she looks for dying arts and skills of our Indian tribes, reach out to artists, crafts(wo)men and does her best to preserve these. Each item in her shop is carefully selected, handpicked and needless to say priceless. Himmat Singh and I bought a few souvenir, but God sent, through her, was my favourite fresh beans, French Press filtered Coffee, with a delicious banana cake (egg free), that too complimentary. Knowing her was great pleasure, and my blog would have been equally incomplete without mentioning The Malaya.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-69768485610228111312019-10-04T08:38:00.003-07:002019-10-04T08:38:45.069-07:00Death of Mainstream Politics in J&K <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Ceasefire line of Indo-Pak war in 1947-48 was also de facto, divided the polity of J&K on lines of secularism. On its Eastern side the J&K polity, enjoyed the confidence of an emerging progressive leader, Mohammad Sheikh Abdullah. He had changed name of his political party from Muslim Conference to National Conference. Nearing independence, the friendship between Nehru and Sheikh grew stronger and was forged more on ideology and mutual admiration. While, the integration of J&K into union of India under the provisions of article 370 had begun well, the demand of plebiscite didn’t die as wished, and anticipated by Nehru. The trust between Nehru and Sheikh started eroding as both were testing waters to encroach upon more and more political advantage. Nehru, had signalled in his Calcutta speech(1948), that Plebiscite may be difficult due to changed circumstances, and later subsequently enforced CAG jurisdiction over J&K, and merged its state forces with Indian Army much against the wishes of Sheikh. This led to mistrust and doubt in the mind of Sheikh, if his decision of supporting Instrument of Accession, was right. He started exploring possibilities to have an independent Kashmir, and his liaison with Ayub Khan, US envoys suggested that.<br />
What came to be known as Kashmir Conspiracy was hatched. Sheikh was arrested and put behind bars in a jiffy. He didn’t realise what had hit him. This gave a backhand blow on Kashmiri mainstream politics, and seeds of separatism were sown right in.<br />
Then, began the era of making and unmaking of Jammu and Kashmir Government through rigging elections, and manipulating politics of the state. The mainstream political leadership learnt the art of doing a tightrope walking, keeping the separatists and Delhi, both in good humour. Winning public support was of no consequence. The separatists had their militant wing going with the aid of Pakistan, and resorted to radicalisation through jihadi money to keep fuelling the insurgency. The mainstream politicians had to fine tune the violence, separatists voices and Delhi's cash flow, there in lied the art of living. There was no slot for common Kashmiri to share political space and chip in to build its future. As a result these, manipulators swelled financially and had their coffers full.<br />
The real leadership of Kashmir that had believed in joining secular, socialist India, and with a greater autonomy, while discarding the Pakistan option being regressive, had no other choice but to fade away or join separatists. The Delhi sponsored and groomed stooges, represented mainstream politics of Kashmir but this was sheer pretence, and fake. It had no future. In Hindi a saying goes, jhoot ke paanv nahin hotey. The message from Center was loud and clear that Government in state would represent Delhi, and people of Kashmir do not matter.<br />
A new strategy was unrolled by Delhi on 5th August 2019, as a Kashmir resolution formula. The State was reorganised into two Union Territories with severely curtailed legislative powers. The idea is to strengthen the local bodies and empowering people at grassroots levels on one hand, and dismantle the helm of mainstream leadership on the other. Should it work or not? This current speculation is puzzling Kashmir observers now. Rekha Chowdhary in 'The Wire' says : “By denigrating mainstream politics in Kashmir, the Modi government at the Centre has created a dangerous vacuum, reversing the gains of the past couple of decades.”<br />
The empowerment of Panchayats in Kashmir is a noble idea and should work with people handling their own affairs of development and governance, leaving the separatist agenda for state leadership to conduct. And this has been already decimated smartly. Even the Hurriyat shall meet the similar fate.<br />
Honestly speaking, mainstream politicians have failed the people of Kashmir by conspiring with Delhi, match-fixing with Separatists/Militants, and conniving with ISI. It’s good that vitiated leadership of Kashmir is dispatched home and new crop of leaders to build Kashmir for future is ushered in. It’s not going to be straight walk but would need sustain effort and support from Delhi to de- radicalise, and heal the wounded hearts of alienated as well angered Kashmiris.<br />
It may, still be premature to mourn the death of mainstream leadership in J&K, and wait for the new Kashmir to shape. Possibility of moments of rejoice shouldn’t be discounted.</div>
rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-69016947898298009362019-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:002019-06-02T11:50:52.942-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ladakh Trip.<br />
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My fascination for Pangyong Tso (Lake) had started growing longtime back (yr 2003-4), when we, military intelligence staff officers, at Army’s Northern Command Headquarters, would regularly collate the Chinese intrusions in Ladakh. The forward troops used to send us such beautiful visuals of this amazing lake, as part of the Situation Reports; and these would lure me to the marrow. Since, then I harboured the desire, to be there one day, and physically feel the very vim, this wonderful creation of nature invigorates. Apparently, God has a<br />
timetable for all of us, and my visit to Pangyong Tso was to come now, so much later. It’s another piece of cake that at sixty(+) years my physical strengths would prove inadequate, to luxuriate this wonderful gifts of the nature, and my much cherished desire. Yet, it was an lifetime experience.<br />
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We, four boarding school old boys, regardless of our ripened age, decided to take our maiden trip to Ladakh, that too as singles (liberated from wives).<br />
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The excitementw obvious, and I during<br />
planning of the itinerary had put my foot down, saying: “Visit to Pangyong Tso is non negotiable<br />
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Ladakh historically, I learnt has been a melting pot of many cultures, evolving into the finest traditions of peace and spirituality. Shamanism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Hinduism are some of the many ingredients, of an entrancing recipe, that the pot churns out placidly. My friend Zora Nawang Regzin, a very tall local political leader, says, to our pleasant surprise that Buddhism came to Ladakh via Kashmir, which was at one time great Buddhist learning centre. Buddhism, in Ladakh he adds, is a blend of Shamanism, unlike what is being practiced in Japan or elsewhere. As we set out to see Leh, former capital of Ladakh kingdom, and its surroundings, Shri Patthar Sahib Gurudwara was one high point.<br />
Guru Nanak Dev had meditated here, on the banks of River Indus and held on to a huge rock hurled at him by the demon.<br />
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As Zanskar river joins Indus only few miles away from here, a spiritual confluence of Buddha and Nanak spurns palpable positive synergy in the environment. We were fed by the langar of Baba(Guru Nanak) for the lunch, and it was simply soul filling.<br />
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Stenzin, a cute Ladakhi, was our driver cum guide, and next morning, we four set out to explore Nubra Valley, across Khardung La(pass). A small tip for the travellers to Ladakh, hire Mahendra’s Xylo and not Innova, because of road clearance. It is a perfect car for mountains and quite spacious too. Climbing along the winding road, chasing contours of barren mountains, was very exciting, specially for our civilian friends who were venturing into such altitudes for the first time. I realised as we grow old we are conditioned to all kind of motion sickness, and may be that it troubles only kids. We four were all happy and chatting, in a child like propensity. As the altitude increased, we faced some kind of breathlessness. Thanks to the advisory by Brig Jha, the hand held oxygen cylinders came handy. The puffs started. We, got bumped into Army convoy and over spent our time in crossing Khardung La, but finally it was such a relief to climb down from 18379 feet. Soon, we were driving along breathtaking Nubra valley. It is flanked on both sides by towering rocky mountains, chiseled by cruising winds over ages, and looking so very picturesque. Ladakh falls on the leeward side of Himalayas, and therefore gets scanty rains or snow. As the Valley widens, the River Nubra flows rather lethargically and her distinct green waters look simply divine, meandering the stretch of blade less terrain. The landscape surprises you with sand dunes, along the river banks, akin to our Rajasthan. In single frame of your lens you can click, snow clad peaks, barren mountains, flowing river bed and sand dunes.<br />
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utmost surprise we saw whirlwinds, similar to what we have in our native Rajasthan. Feeling at home we were, but got punctuated by occasional breathlessness and tiredness to remind us of the altitude we were plying at. Notwithstanding, the perils of terrain we were enjoying thoroughly the beauty of Himalayan and Ladakh ranges. The temptation to shoot whole of Nubra Valley was getting high. We all got busy with our mobiles on a shooting spree. Soon we realised that fun of enjoying the realtime, seizing those memorable moments, was fleeting away. We just put the camera back and started savouring on those Godly creation.<br />
It’s a rare part of the world, and holds immense opportunities to develop tourism for India. A stretch of mountain slopes on the Eastern Bank looked so similar to Grand Canyons of Arizona, and simply looked magnificent. As we were closing down for the day’s journey, a small village called Hundar popped up with greenery like an oasis. It rears double hump camels, that some Mongolian invaders supposed to have left behind some centuries ago. These are attraction to young tourists, and conveniently we kept our course, rushing to hit our destination, the Siachen Brigade Headquarters.<br />
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Brigadier Bhupesh Hada<br />
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He is the Siachen Tiger, World’s highest battle field Commander, a soldier of high acclaim who summited Mount Everest, runs Leh Marathon (73 km across Khardung La), and is fit as fiddle. His josh is unprecedented and he is itching to be unleashed into Pakistan. A decorated soldier, who dons with pride Purple Heart on his chest amongst many distinguished medals. Seeing him, Indian freedom stands guaranteed. Bhupesh, hosted us generously for a sumptuous campfire dinner; and we were no stray visitors to his formation, but his seniors(uncles to him) from School. Felt so very proud.<br />
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Next day our journey began for Pangyong Tso, driving along the beautiful Shyok Valley. It gets surprisingly wide and takes away any kind of claustrophobia that one may suffer in high mountains. The road meanders running right on to bed of the river. We were lucky to spot some rare wildlife. First were a couple of stripped partridges, which google tells me are called Chukar Partridges. And next was Marmot. A burrowing animal of rodents family. A very cute, dumb creature which makes it a easy prey. Now in the list of endangered species. Snow leopards thrive on these. Marmots go, the leopards go. And, to our good luck we spotted herd of wild asses. They looked so pristine, and our friend Asadullah from Ladakh says, these are the purest form of life here. He further adds to support, a local notion prevails in Ladakh, that if humans touch these equines they could probably get infected. Imagine the purity.<br />
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Pangyong Tso I, finally landed at Pangyong Tso on 18 May, 2019. Fifteen years, it took for my time to come. The experience was divine and God welcomed us by unleashing gushing winds, that could even rock our Xylo. As the winds blew past our faces and eyes got watered, the nose froze; and the vim that I had yearned for, was here kindling me. It was great moment of satisfaction and acclaim. The lake is simply breathtaking with its turquoise expanse of water, guarded by golden lit mountains with rocky face, and a leafless barren scape rising into spotless blue skies. You feel it only, when you are there in the middle. Amir Khan, the Bollywood Star has made this lake world famous through his movie called ‘Three Idiots’. We had lunch at a small eatery run by a young mother. We relished veg momos, and honey tea. That was surely energising. A lot needs to be done to have infrastructure for sustaining large number of tourists here.<br />
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We spent the night at Tangse, another Army camp. It was trying night at 15480 feet for half acclimatised oldies. The morning was bright and sunny, Sep Hemant treated us with some crisp hot parathas for breakfast with spicy aloo sabji. I am not so fond of parathas but couldn’t stop myself seeing three of my buddies savouring them.<br />
Our journey back to Leh began soon after Parathas. Crossing Changala Pass was another experience. It’s a tougher pass to negotiate than Khardung La, the altitude being almost same.<br />
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Indian Army<br />
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The most inspiring part of my Ladakh trip was the indomitable spirit of Indian Army deployed there, and serving the nation under the harshest and trying conditions of weather and terrain. The Border Roads is sturdy organisation that works round the clock, relentlessly under extreme conditions to keep Ladakh open to rest of the world. Their sacrifices in no way go shorter than Indian Army. To feel a proud Indian, we all must visit Ladakh and smile with its sentinels, a selfie with them may be, to carry as a souvenir. Been once part of this mighty and hearty service, as veterans we feel, the Army is flying high. God speed and our salute….Jai Hind.<br />
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As we rolled down into the Indus Valley, and back on the road to Leh, there was an irresistible temptation to take a diversion from Karu, to visit the world renowned Monastery, Hemis. Jesus, supposed to have been here, as the controversial fable goes, during lost years. And above all, Parikshit, a soulmate friend, had insisted that we must.<br />
Visit to Ladakh, is evidently incomplete without a spiritual sojourns at Monasteries. We chose only one, the Hemis.<br />
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Hemis Monastery.The Monastery is tucked high up, in to a cleavage of cliff like steep mountains. It overlooks a hermitage with cluster of houses for devotees and seekers to live and dwell.<br />
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I, specially had an incredible experience, the moment I set my foot inside the stupa, where a huge, towering, copper gilded Buddha sits in a lotus mode. In, there I felt, was a tranquility of a deep ocean; and the air was filled with the smoky incense, simply lighting purity of thought. I just sat down in the shadow of Buddha, and slowly got drowned into the chanting of hymns. The divine sounds poured into my heart, filling whole inner self in consonance with the environment. Already worn out by the tough drive, down from Chang La, I was soon drifted into kind of a trans, inundated with the serenity of this Godly place. To me this was a high point of my sojourn in Ladakh. It took me an effort to come out of the deep quiescence and resume our journey ahead. I couldn’t resist sharing this with other three buddies, and they all had similar feelings to express. The whole place was superbly charged with positive energy.<br />
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A delicious lunch at Karu, was very filling, and Leh was not too far.<br />
Our trip to Ladakh, ended sooner than we thought.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-26150904576043928402018-05-28T22:33:00.002-07:002018-05-28T22:35:14.299-07:00KASHMIR: A PERSPECTIVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
KASHMIR: A PERSPECTIVE<br />
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Kashmir, has been the bone of contention between India and Pakistan, since 1947, and remains to be an unfinished agenda of the great Partition. The Srinagar Valley is on a constant fire; consequent to Operation Tupac, unleashed in 1989, by General Zia-ul-Haq. After losing Bangladesh, Pakistani urge to snatch remaining Kashmir from India was the strongest, for two reasons. One, to avenge the humiliation of 1971 war, and two, to settle score of the Partition as Kashmir rightfully, Pakistan believes, belongs to her, being a Muslim majority state; the very principle of the Partition. Every Pakistani General, harbours a life time ambition to capture Kashmir, and General Reheel Sharif called it even a Jugular’s vein. <br />
The history of Kashmir is dead and buried, never to rise and influence its future ever. The erstwhile Princely State of J&K today lie trifurcated under different political controls. It includes, India, Pakistan and China. It’s unlikely that any kind of reunification would materialise ever in distant future. The reason lies in the history of Dogra expeditions in North and West to build over the real estate they bought from Sikhs, so that the latter could pay their war indemnity. The conquered lands remain ethically and geographically disjointed from a young unified state of Jammu & Kashmir. A kingdom bought, like Kashmir would have it’s subjects naturally more of slaves than citizens, and lands would be a private real estate. The people, the nation there in Kashmir remained a suppressed idea, and it waited for the day of judgement. We, even today deal with Kashmir more as real estate, than a federal dominion. Many takers fake two nation theory in Kashmir to pursue political aspirations, without seriously believing in it. It provides them a political platform to gather noise.<br />
15 Aug 1947, dawned in Kashmir with bloodshed, state sponsored ethnic cleansing attempt in Jammu region, Raiders attack, the Dogra Rulers having acceded kingdom to India, the consent of it’s people never having considered necessary. The day of judgement had gone without delivering a judgement. The case of Kashmiri nation was dead, because it was not there in the first place. Aksai Chin in Tibet, Gilgit, Jammu all were neither geographically nor demographically a bound nation. It got splintered with ease.<br />
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The part of Kashmir held by India is vital for her strategic defence, and remains non negotiable both politically and militarily. The people of Kashmir, how so ever radicalised or alienated they may be, but India will never be compromising her existential imperatives. It also therefore, clearly dictates that Pakistan has no role to play hereafter, and it already has more than it’s share of contentious bone.<br />
For Indian state to exercise it’s political will over Pakistan, there is only one option of formalising status quo.<br />
More necessarily, immunisation of Indian held J&K from external Islamic overtures, flirting and subversion, must be first completed in all respects.<br />
A realistic picture of Kashmir is necessary to be drawn so that our remedial strategy have right direction and pressure points to press.<br />
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Review of the Situation:<br />
The voice of Kashmiri nationalism was first raised in 1931, led by Sheikh Abdullah, and people demanded freedom from oppression of Dogra rule, abetted by Kashmiri Pandits, the bureaucracy of that time leaving Muslims distressfully downtrodden. The movement got hijacked by the Independence of India form British Paramountcy, and subsequently accession to India. The movement never died though, but changed it’s political façade. And, of late manifested into a Islamic one.<br />
Indian state promoted and patronised stooges and puppet Governments in J&K as a short cut, rather than engineering social and political integration with rest of the country.<br />
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The instrument of accession, by all virtues, has lost its legal status after 70 years of signing. The fact of the matter is that the Princely state never physically got acceded to India, except on paper. Therefore, all it’s constitutional bindings should rightfully stand annulled legally. What remains a ground reality today is, that India, like China and Pakistan also holds a portion of, splintered erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir; the fragmentation being the result of many evolutionary factors beyond the political control of sovereignties, emerging during that period.<br />
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The Kashmiri separatism, on Indian side, and it’s perpetrators had been weak and geographically confined to some four districts of the Valley only. These provided hot bed and opened gateway to Pakistani monster, the Operation Tupac. Indian sleeping Intelligence Agencies were caught with their pants down. Kashmir was flooded with AKs 47 during 1989, and formidable arsenal. How quickly it got cached is surprising.<br />
The Indian Army redeployed, raised Rashtriya Rifles, mobilised para military, CPOs to fight the menace of Tupac, both on LOC and the hinterland. The Valley was infested with foreign mercenaries, mainly Afghans, Syrian, Arab Mujahideen, recently spared from Russian engagement in Afghanistan. Sallahuddin,(Yusuf Sheikh), raised his own Army, and had local Kashmiris, considered weaklings, unradicalised, unmotivated, and timid in many cases.<br />
During the next 30 years from 1989 onwards, the collateral damage due to Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist Operations was enormous. More than physical loss of life & material, the major impact was delivered on People’s psych, thinking and attitude. The mental stress on women, children, older men was unbearable. It lead to alarming levels of alienation, angst, anger and revengefulness, which in turn has manifested into a hydra with mainly three heads: radicalisation, jihadism and Alienation. The insurgency got indigenous and we witness Burhan Wani, stone pelting, intifada, like Palestine, solidarity fight for insurgents, funerals as projection of strength. The political parties, in Kashmir fallen and stooped low to broker deals between separatists and Union of India. The elected Government runs it’s writ in shadow of the separatists and the Centre of gravity of J&K politics remain in South Kashmir, for some very strange reasons. Pakistan, can today reap it’s ROI, put the Kashmir burner on auto and sits back watching us muddling in blood and sweat.<br />
Resolution<br />
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The resolution would be best found in reverse engineering.<br />
Efface the ghost of erstwhile J&K State, denounce the instrument of accession and along with it, article 370 on the same plea to start with. The Centre of gravity of Kashmiri politics must shift south of Pir Panjal, Demography must change to fit into rest of India profile and thus completing the integration. The road would be steep, winding, meandering and tough. But, nations evolve with grit, determination and clarity.<br />
There is a case for quasi state like Delhi, in Jammu and of a UT in Ladakh. The Kashmir valley can have special Administrative Zones(SAZ), leaving a 5 km belt along LOC as Military Protection Zone. The SAZs should have political bodies only upto Panchayats, empowered sufficiently to have people’s rule in spirit. The district administration could be placed under mature, acclaimed administrators of fame and proven records.<br />
Covert Intelligence operations to root out radicalisation from Mosques and Madrassas, selectively banning religious organisations and overt separatists (Hurriyat) lobbies, would be needed with additional resources pooled in from rest of the country.<br />
Education and mass recruitment of youth(both genders) into uniformed services with highly relaxed qualifications and dispersing in rest of the country, would extricate them from the black hole of insurgency.<br />
Investment into infra structure, through Military and Defence budgets would pay more dividends, dual purpose as well.<br />
A slow, genuine reconciliatory soothing approach would settle the fire and make headway for permanent peace.<br />
All we need is a DOER and not the TALKER at the helm.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-58104954653309948182017-06-08T08:26:00.000-07:002017-06-08T08:26:06.226-07:00Indian Farmer & his hope<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Largely, agriculture in India, besides being an unorganised business sector is acutely capital-dry reducing farmers to zero sustenance. They, have no power to hold on to their produce even for a day and are heavily pressed against debt servicing. The distribution system is ruled by the middlemen who have the money power to control the rates leaving farmers high and dry. The case is no different than artisans starving and retailers making huge money. In an open market economy, the Capital controls the MRPs tactically, nullifying the strategic factor of demand and supply, which has slow and indirect effect. That explains flourishing Aadti (wholesale trader in Mandi) and starving farmer. We are not talking exceptions but generally speaking. Undoubtedly, world wide there is subsidy on agriculture because of various socio-political reasons and rightly so, but that is only to keep the system healthy and not as ventilators, what we witness in India.<br />
Since, farmers are poor, debt ridden and have no control over retail pricing suffer the most, to the extent of suicides and wildest of protests as we witnessed at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, or in Mandsaur(MP) or Maharashtra. It's now spreading like a wild fire despite a happy harvesting this year.<br />
Subsidies, loan wavers are not the answers and these would be rather injurious to our national economy. Such measures are for compassionate healing and can be administered as immediate painkillers but not the remedy to the ailment.<br />
Indian agriculture has to turn into a Corporate Business House, to become financially viable. That would necessarily require a structural changes in rules related to Revenue deptt, land holdings, land reforms, irrigation network, seed research and trade, taxation etc. More importantly, the need is of socio-economic transformation of farmers from land lords to businessmen/working hands.<br />
Unless, we attempt to juxtapose socialism(public sector) or cooperative farming and refuse to learn from the world experience, the answer lies in turning farming into large corporates. That will allow the satellite agro market and industry to flourish, generating employment and prosperity in rural areas, besides retarding human migration to urban areas. These have far reaching advantages.<br />
Firing guns on Protesting farmers, politicising it for quest of power, blowing the wind for media TRP are criminal offences if argued by any jurisprudence.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-9313219838194523452017-04-17T12:12:00.002-07:002017-04-17T12:17:33.122-07:00Sword & the Scabbard <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Armed Forces are State’s Instrument of Power and beside their primary role, these are called upon to execute writ of the Government where necessary. These remains State’s last bastion and therefore not only be deployed judicially but decisively. The latter holds the key. As the Indian State evolved over period of last century, the political leadership and bureaucracy in comparison with Armed Forces lagged much behind despite being cornerstones of arch of power. It was because of British Raj’s patronage to Military and quality building out of sheer necessity. Today, when Indian Republic stands as world's most liberal and largest democracy, the acumen of state to employ and deploy it's Armed Forces shows large amount of deficit. The Nehruvian paranoia, on the other hand continues to clip the wings of Armed Forces reducing them into castrated bulls or oxen to pull the cart at the whip and whims of bureaucracy and Political leadership. 70 years after the Independence, the Armed Forces have started taking shape into the cast designed for them as the old guard has slowly faded away.<br />
Going back to the deployment of Armed Forces, it's now going from bad to worse for a simple reason that the interface today has become more pliable as both the engaging wheels get greasy.<br />
Protracted deployment of Armed Forces in Counter Insurgency role becomes even more complex decision to make, thus warrants deeper thought and strategy, the key word being ‘decisive’. Under no circumstances the deterrence of Armed Forces and their sanctity as a final Instrument of Power never be diluted leave aside losing them.<br />
With this as a background, look where our Armed Forces stand today? During JAT Agitation last year in Haryana, the Army was marching with a placard saying ‘Army’. The Kashmiri youth is able to swarm at operations sites, totally undeterred as a flash mob and throw stones at the Armed Forces in defence of holed up militants. Stone pelters do not leave a chance of displaying their fearlessness to raining bullets.<br />
The Armed Forces, much to their distaste are made to occupy front office of the State and seen as instrument of governance, in addition to that of power. The failings of Government are inadvertently seen as failings of Armed Forces. A guile the politicians possess to their brim, and Military bites the bullet. A case in point of Kashmir is there for all of us to see. A mission strapped young Army Major, make use of an unwilling human shield to save, reportedly some 100 lives. Means justify ends in war as they say, but is there a war in Kashmir? If yes then which is the other Army we are fighting against?The larger question remains as to why the Army has lost its deterrence power? Who is responsible for it? And now that alienated Kashmiri youth is undeterred, what next? I am sure no nuke and no Chemical Agents. Syria, Turkey are already under world's RADAR.<br />
If, we talk of only Kashmir, it is a political problem and Military cannot resolve it, except bringing down the violence to a manageable levels of civil governance. The Army brought it down many a times but found follow up wagons missing. Last 30 years, it's been like a bloody game and politicians doing the cheer leader. The edge of Security Forces have been blunted, their deterrence lost and Operations turn into personal street fight.<br />
Abusing and Misusing Armed Forces is a sin and no act of treachery or sedition could surpass it. Those who are jingoistic must look under their collar.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-55092160328125445302016-10-11T02:00:00.001-07:002016-10-11T02:24:40.279-07:00Burhan Wani, a Kashmiri Resurgence <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Killing of Burhan Wani literally, had set the Kashmir Valley on fire that continues to simmer till today. No other killing of a terrorist has ever resulted in high octane volatility as this. Why? It's a question we all must ask ourselves and dig out answers for. Those who feel otherwise are either naïve or pretend to be one. It's not matter of conjecture but a simple fact that occurred undeniably in the valley. His funeral gathered unprecedented solidarity and anger against the Indian State.<br />
Burhan, was romanticising militanthood to avenge his brother’s killing. The least any professional terrorist would never do is to post selfies on social media. A staunch radical Islamist only desists the very camera, Burhan was toying with. There were no known or acclaimed terrorist attacks alleged on him. He and his whole gang apparently took up, otherwise easily available gun in Kashmir to become a hero in the eyes society which is largely petrified, specially the young girls. His bravado was an arrogance towards the might and merciless iron hand of security forces.<br />
Those following the insurgency in Kashmir, closely and empathetically, had not only foreseen the cataclysmic results of Burhan’s killing, but are also pulling their hairs at the annoying disconnect between military and the political establishment, which is so very visible. Whereas, the field units of Security Forces are conducting operations to eliminate terrorists in their conventional stride, the finer strategic direction to their colossal effort is found apparently missing. An intelligent target analysis and realistic damage assessment, in context of counter insurgency would require deeper understanding of complex strands that such evaluations bear. It's the job of our worthy intelligence agencies to continuously evaluate otherwise a fluid situation, and feed our political leaders as well as commanders so that they can keep fine-tuning their strategy. Killing of Burhan Wani explicitly displayed the disconnect, or was it incompetence at strategic level?<br />
This makes it a classic example of how not to fight insurgency. Any Counter Insurgency campaign would require a clear cut strategic thought and direction. Resorting to fire fight or retaliations, is simply faulting the basics. The strengths of a State in neutralising any political uprising are perseverance, strategic capacity and political acumen. On the contrary, by adopting reactive and punitive approach towards the alienated population and insurgency, the State agencies tends to get personal over a protracted period of deployment, thus losing their superiority of edge. It not only does create a bloody melee but dissipation of state effort. And we have created such a melee in Kashmir.<br />
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We would view Kashmir better through an Indian prism rather than a Pakistani lens. Islamist Violence and religious fundamentalism has disturbed the global peace matrix. Pakistan, couldn't help itself to avoid becoming part of the problem and the world is aware of the same. She has got cornered internationally for sure, and it's outrageous support to Kashmir is waning on two accounts. Firstly, the World Community pressure and secondly, a severe resource crunch it faces in house. Its own domestic violence and public opinion are only making the situation worse. Our focus should well now be shifted to people of Kashmir away from Pakistan's proxies.<br />
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This, would put us in context of Burhan Wani, and his likes who are picking up gun not to defeat India but to wriggle out of life of an inmate a Kashmiri lives strangulated in barbed wire. The youth want to rebel and push the barrel of gun away, that always seen pointing at him or her. A joint strategy of political wisdom and military prowess can bring peace and tranquility back in Kashmir if we all put our hearts and minds together as Lt Gen Hooda, Northern Army Commander rightly said.<br />
It's the delivery boy or the messenger that not only bears the brunt of war but also put up a front face of the back office, that may be any insipid, distorted, disjointed and ill-intended.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-23221781510842779672016-07-03T22:17:00.004-07:002016-07-03T22:53:03.871-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-49382454100619287502016-07-03T22:17:00.002-07:002016-07-04T00:40:21.516-07:00A Cindrela in Waiting..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My 85 year old father once narrated me a small anecdote. While studying for an History exams in high school, he had asked his older brother “ Bhaisab, how come it's only Mughals that win all the battles and no Hindu King ever? To this his older brother replied “You will learn in later chapters that only <i>Angrez</i>(British) are winning all the battles thereafter.”<br />
This made me curious to dig more into the history and draw my own conclusions. My father and his older brother, both were right. Paradoxically, the Armies of Mughals as well as British were constituted mainly of native Indians though, the wars got identified by the Kings who fought them. I couldn't avoid observing that valour of Indian soldiers and officers had been always exemplary; and despite this we lost to every raider / invader and were enslaved for 1000 years. It is a question I tried searching an answer for.<br />
My first deduction was that there existed a serious deficiency in our polity which threw up sordid rulers of a low political acumen, incapable of forging stronger alliances and build a mightful nation. Probably, the folly goes on till today with no change.<br />
Secondly, the Kings maintained their Armies necessarily to quell internal rebellions rather to thwart an external aggression. The soldiers were seen more as kingsmen rather protectors of people and their nation. The Army lacked its nationalist character from its origin. The genesis of Indian Armed Forces has another typicality which has been aptly observed by General JN Choudhury, former COAS while delivering Lecture in Cambridge Trust series. He recalls, I quote “that the Indian armed forces as constituted today originated from the locally recruited watchmen employed by the East India Company to guard their trading sheds and settlements. However, when the directors of ‘John Company’ changed their priorities from enlarging their trade to increasing the size of their trading territory, these watchmen grew in number and quickly became an army. As the scope of military operations began to expand, into this army were incorporated the military forces of those Princes who threw in their lot with the British. Take my own regiment, the 16th Light Cavalry, for example. The brief history given in the Indian Army List states: ‘Date of raising unknown. Formed from details of the Nawab of Arcot’s Bodyguard in 1784’.” unquote.<br />
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Indian Military slowly got cast into a colonial Army as event unfolded. Instead of, for own freedom and independence, it fought and won wars for our masters. The character of Indian Military was thus shaped by the purpose and intent of its rulers, keeping it nationally and politically colourless.<br />
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Going back into prehistoric times, the religious discourses, philosophical dictums and righteousness preachings occupy an overbearing space in our much revered epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It leaves military valour, strategy, tactics and art of warfare at the margins. On the contrary, the Greek epics like Iliad highlighted more upon Military values, valour and bravery. The Armies, therein, were formed by the best men of the country who had an ability to defend people’s freedom and liberty, even at the cost life. Soldiers were thus seen in country as elite, saviours and Godly. That encouraged, among people a culture to respect and envy Military traditions and ethos. War and valour got romanticised and drew lot of glamour in Western World. Till the British came we never had experienced this among our common men.<br />
Casteism, in India had been another evil which kept military a domain of few privileged and blessed ones. It added to an already existing disconnect, that Military had with common men.<br />
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Independent India had on her hands a Queen’s Colonial Army laced with British traditions and Brown Saheb culture. At the same time it was a reckonable force, seasoned through Frontier insurgencies, and two world wars. Since, it had served the British Crown for two hundred years, our political leadership, drawn from Independence movement, doubted the loyalties of Military and would not believe that these can change instantly. Till few days back Military officers would look down upon the <i>topi & dhoti</i> walas and chased them out with their mounts and batons. Indian Army had some very tall leaders and battle hardened distinguished officers who overshadowed both the political class and civil bureaucracy. Field Marshal Cariappa, General Thimayya, Rajendra Singhji, SD Verma, Nathu Singh ji, to name only few. The envy and insecurity it generated among bureaucracy were to guide future civil military relations in independent India. A bad note to begin with. No wonder Nehru said “Scrap the Army”. Blatantly, it also reflected Nehru’s paranoia about Military Coup and lack of his strategic vision and statesmanship. In fact it sums up the perineal dislike the Indian polity has in its Military and vice versa.<br />
Flaws in Nehru’s leadership have been brought out best by Madhav Godbole in his book ‘The God Who Failed’. When it's almost fashion these days, in a new Indian political era, to loudly criticise and castricate Nehru, astonishingly no word comes out on his ill treatment of Armed Forces, not even by Godbole. Is it a testimony to the disconnect and insensitivity the nation has towards its Military or its connivance with the imprudence?<br />
We do witness cricket kind of hoopla during war, calamities and anniversaries with Armed Forces but that's veneer of our patriotism and skin deep.<br />
Our very fine Armed Forces, despite their proven unflinching loyalty, competence and dedication to our countrymen, time and again, for some very strange reasons as fathomed above, have been denied their due space in national affairs. Are we going to carry on with the follies and deficiency of our history or shall learn from it? When we were just rejoicing the dawn of a new political era on Indian horizon, the sky got overcast again.<br />
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Will our Cindrela get her Prince Charming ?<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-64427330359120023222016-07-03T22:17:00.000-07:002016-07-03T22:57:29.631-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-20242694319681522622015-12-02T04:23:00.002-08:002015-12-02T04:25:12.249-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS ARE TENABLE<br />
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After saying my bedtime prayers, and lying eyes closed, I usually take a plunge into realm of architecture’s fantasy and enjoy mentally drawing a ideal house plan in my own virtual space of mind; until such time the sleep grapples me hard enough. During the leisure, while wide awake as well, if ever a paper and a pencil found their way into my hands, I would invariably indulge in drawing another house-plan. Noticing my intriguing hobby, one Colonel Chauhan, my colleague at Air Force Station, Awantipura, J&K, warned me, that those who make house plans in the air never succeed in actuality. The colloquial phrase ‘castle in the air’ flashed across my mind immediately as part of natural reflex. I asked him inquisitively and worrisomely as to why? He said “ The desire gets satiated due to protracted flights of imagination itself and loses its potency to impregnate the ground”. He had a point alright, but does it in anyway mattered to unabated stream of my creativity? Does it mean that unrealised ideas are worthless? The taunt triggered off argument in my mind to defend and value my thoughts, ideas, feelings and desires which remain unrealised, unaccomplished or unexecuted for lack of will and courage. While, I pushed my chair back to straighten up legs and recline, the temptation to light a smoke prevailed. Nicotine would soon stimulate my mind and raining thoughts would come knocking one after the other.<br />
First one that came alive in my mind made me blush, unbecoming of a middle aged man like me. Thankfully it went unnoticed as Col Chauhan had left my office by then. Into the flashback…..experimenting then, with the puberty and adolescence, I would toss in my bed whole night, compose poetry for her and secretly write letters only not to post them. Angelic love that sprouted and flourished in my heart, sadly remained shy of pronouncement and enactment. I, with no sense of regret, cherish the very thought of it today with so much sublimity. Was it meaningless because it never saw the light of dawn?<br />
Frequenting Indian Coffee House in college days, we discussed Karl Marx aloud and fought verbal duels with those having bourgeois mindsets. Idolised Bhagat Singh and we denounced Mahatma Gandhi. Hailed a powerful statement by Vibhuti Bhatnagar, a fellow goer that “Gandhi was not born in Porbandar but in the minds of British”. We cursed American oppression in Vietnam and revered Dutta Samant a labour union leader in Bombay with hope and excitement. Yet, we never ever joined any street protest or a political rally. Remained like others, in the mainstream to flow with the current. Would it imply that intellectual pursuits we ventured into, as young men in seventies, was a waste of time or simply meaningless?<br />
We grew up adoring Vijay of ‘Deevar’ (Amitabh Bachchan starrer Bollywood blockbuster), who would not climb the steps of a temple of worship. Yet, we never mustered courage to abstain ourselves from rituals at home or acclaim Atheism. Did we fake our feelings and conviction then? I feel no. We were genuine in our hearts and saw rationality, reason above blind faith.<br />
I might as well put a lid to so many such thoughts that would keep erupting to justify their existence in a virtual world and never turned into a physical occurrence. Let's not talk of many recipes that churn out of my mind but never reach to oven.<br />
In today’s age of roaring social media, sharing of ideas, opinions, philosophy and knowledge has become a popular trend. People have found new platform to hone their writing skills, exercise their analytical minds and attempt to attract as much readership. These are Intellectual pursuits which serve as nourishments to our brain faculties and quests for philosophical and empirical truth; the one we all remain in constant search of. Ironically, it's getting fashionable nowadays to ridicule these as pseudoism, meaningless outbursts or waste of time. Is it fair and just?<br />
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Of Course, we have those enviable doers, who would do it what they propound, and accomplish that they believe in totality. Most certainly, they are the midwives who actually deliver, through the intense labor and odds of uncertainty. Undeniably the doers are the gainer but it is not righteous to undermine the fertility of mind which conceives and sprouts seed ideas, concepts and philosophies, notwithstanding its inability to cast and mould them into physicality.<br />
Will it not be vulgar to call Intellectual Pursuits alias’ Mental Masturbation? Some wordsmiths have flirted with the idea to my utter anguish.<br />
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rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-26002391296416259922013-06-06T03:26:00.001-07:002013-06-06T03:26:26.664-07:00EVOLUTION<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
we may be calling as unnatural in the society today, is it not possible that an evolution
has just begun? The living beings evolve continuously and the nature adapts to
it; and mind you the vice-versa is true as well. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The gay relationships, fading
away of human basic instinct of procreation- specially amongst females,
confronting sexual hunger head-on and stripping it off the maze called love, relinquishing
the parental care, suckling the newborns etc are few such examples. We for sure
are evolving to a next level; for some it could be a sad story. Is that the ongoing
“gender war and truce” heading for a unisexual society of hermaphrodites? Not immediately
but say after some thousand years? I am not sure but it looks like not
impossible. Fast increasing of IQ levels in each progressing generation with a catalyst
of accelerated growth in science and technology is throwing much loftier
options as against the basic natural instincts, we elder humans have been captive of!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i>Chaachaa! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>why are we faced with so many options in life?
It is impossible to decide and choose.” </i>asked one of my nieces. She was so
right. Whenever surfing net or the TV channels, I for one find it difficult to
decide and choose. The communications viz: voice, data, video or physical travel have entered fourth generation and opened avenues possibly good
enough to distract us from our basic instincts. The plenitude of information
availability has out grown largely the time and space. Too much to do in so
little time! What to catch and what to discard is not easy. In fact you cannot see
all the options to choose the best from. We may end up choosing nothing, yet keep wandering in hope of the best. We may wish and chart so much to-do before thinking of any sort of settlement or commitment. A lifetime may be too short to do everything we desire to do. So where is the time? Some decades back there were few options, gated and channeled life, designated charter and role for each relation, few resources, few contacts etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Does
it mean we would evolve humans sans love, womb, sex, parents, and siblings??????<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-77780501367796235872013-05-01T08:26:00.000-07:002013-05-01T08:26:53.084-07:00Chinese Intrusion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Indian bankruptcy of its National Strategy and pragmatic leadership is not a whistle blown from trumpets of WikiLeaks but a brooding repetitive thought with a despair. Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, like a novice jumped to accept Chinese suzerainty over Tibet, rather bargaining to have the Indo-Tibet Border demarcated as a prelude to our generosity. We withdrew from Chumbi Valley and Askai Chin areas as a good neighbourly gesture. Yet, Chinese Army rode down the Himalayas outraging the Indian integrity. Our Army took 9 years to come out of the scare of abominable Chinaman and the mirage of never ending assaulting waves of PLA assaulting one after the other. <br />
<br />
WW II was fought between the Allied and Axis Forces, in a third country as the battle ground, and the British training pamphlets sprouted from there. Even prior to that WW I had the similar deployment and the strategy or tactical concepts dwell in that context. Our bookish Generalship and incompetent political leadership could not read a simple cast that we from the times of history have the raiders from North and the Sea. We have frontiers and not borders with our neighbours. British India and Republic of India are two states with different geo-political influence. Before, we regroup to protect our fence it has to be erected in its first place. 1962 lessons were drawn down the drain or whiskey in the officer's messes. we left 150Km of territory in Arunachal undeveloped so that Chinese forces find difficult logistically invade us and we need not defend it. How do you like that? Thanks to General Sundarji we had "Op Falcon" launched in response to Wang-drung-Chu intrusion. Instead of developing politico-military deterence we thinned out inwake of growing better relations and cutting costs. Any layman will tell why should Chinese invade? They can keep nibbling and inching forward. They have permanent defences, permanent logistic bases and not occupying a Firm Base or vulnerable Logistic echelons like British Armies had fighting Germans in France or in North Africa. Chinese have decades and not H-hour based time plan. we were to put our military acumen together to evolve a Border-Frontier and LAC management strategy as well as tactical drills.<br />
<br />
But we neither made fence nor thought of protecting it. to make the matter worse we had a division of the subcontinent which also had no fence demarcated. in 1971, we had created history and master piece of a 'total victory'. We ran out from Bangla Desh little slower than a retreating or fleeting Army. We could have relinquished Bangala Desh deliberately only after erecting our fence with her public ratification. Are these rocket science in political maneuvers?<br />
<br />
Today, we have LAC and disputed borders all around. A simple old adage that "neater fence make good neighbours" never made sense to our imbecile strategic leadership, both military and political.<br />
<br />
</div>
rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-56608585615461808282012-01-30T06:33:00.000-08:002012-01-30T06:33:21.471-08:00Golf Royale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">Maharani Gayatri Devi, the former queen mother of erstwhile princely state of Jaipur was known for her beauty and elegance but few would know her love for Golf. It was in 1943 while holidaying in Gulmarg, Kashmir that she first had a feel of this awesome game of golf. She got so fascinated by the sport that she insisted Maharaja to lay out a Golf Course for her, the first thing after reaching back home. His Highness Maharaja ManSingh II of Jaipur was himself an epitome of chivalry and a debonair horseman who enjoyed an apex handicap of 10 in Polo. By the way higher is handicap better polo player you are, unlike Golf. He obliged his beloved and in the backyards of Lilly-Pool (Maharani’s abode), part of Rambagh Palace Estate, came up a nine holes brown course designed by an Englishman specially hired for the job. He also coached and taught golf. The flora and fauna was sacredly preserved and wild life remained tolerably undisturbed. The pea-hens, pea-cocks, hares, jackrabbits, partridges, squirrels peeped out to watch this funny game of golf with dismay. As the course was slowly taking shape the coterie of Maharani was growing around the game of golf. Some were already showing the signs of being bitten by its bug. Afternoons were now busier and an ostentatiously stylish new social circuit was forming around the royals. Crème-la- town was seen importing golf sets, straw hats, flannels and colourful parasols. A round of golf would invariably author comic stories around some desperadoes, who tried all the magic to be winners and able to draw attention of the Queen. These tit-bids would then be narrated most ludicrously by some of the flunkeys over a sumptuous cup of tea served in silver by liveried staff from the palace. The caddy boys would be sitting at the feet of the feudals and brown sahibs, cleaning their flannel bottoms and stockings of the “Burrs” which used to get stuck while chasing the ball in roughs. The most predominant undergrowth of vegetation in this part of the country comprises of such bushes which have “Burrs” as their pollen bearer. These get stuck with their porcupine looking spikes to your clothes and get carried away afar for better and a healthy pollination. They say the person who invented Velcro straps got his brain wave from these “Burrs” in dessert.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">An indigenous extension of golf was found here during those days and may be it came from sheer love for outdoors, that generation of Raj fashioned and enjoyed. Could be, that originally the Scottish shepherds who invented this game also played similar kind of golf. On Sunday mornings golfers clad in flannels, breeches, corduroys, Jodhpurs, Knickers with Pith Hats, Straw Hats, Golf Caps on their crowns would set out to Tee-Off for a cross-country Golf with a final destination about 3 miles away, the Maharani Farms. Mr Malookh Singh Bakshi, one of the survivors of that era fondly remembers those fun days. Each would take as long a shot as possible and the field of fire permitting. The band wagon of staff with extravagant logistics of snacks and refreshments would trail behind the golfers. The incorrigibles would be carrying their hip flasks full. As the whole zing-bang negotiate the woods, jungles, ploughed fields and hutments the natives, specially the children and women with their veils on would come out to see their Queen and sahibs; wondering “ what the hell are they doing in this heat?”. Usual breaks, enroute for drinks and rest were well organised by some of the </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">rasookdars . </span></i><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"> The final destination was well prepared to receive the golfers with the printed </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">shamiyanas</span></i><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"> and tentage being put up neatly. Local </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">muddhas</span></i><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";"> were laid out with soft cushions to give some respite. Some ladies would then have joined in </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">driving</span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"> via the road, for the gup-shups sessions. After a round of high tea and some quipping awhile, golfers will freshen up, change and come out for cooking party. Those with culinary skills will cook their best dishes where as grills and barbecues will be there as part of common affair. Lanterns lit up the area sufficiently enough for people to see each other and dim enough to keep the tranquility of the place intact. Local liquor, distilled by some of the experts with recipes of medieval era vintage, along with scotch used to start flowing as the party got merrier.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print";">Since those days of Raj, Rambagh Golf Club has come a long way and now we have 18 holes green course, a five-star Restaurant, and other at par amenities like pool, gym and air conditioned well stock Bar. But yet I indulge in fantasizing those golden days of sublime style. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-57433516968243509602012-01-22T02:10:00.000-08:002012-02-01T23:08:01.933-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 115%;">Morning golf at Rambagh………<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 115%;">The winters had slowly crept in this time; and morning golf at our club has become breathtakingly beautiful. Bleak sun sneaking over the Moti Doongri fortress greets you with a promise and brings some respite from the chill. Blue smoke of the night fires hangs low, and dew on the grass refuses to flee in the face of weak sunshine. Waiting at the first Tee you see the fourball ahead disappearing into the mist. If you are lucky, you get a cup of hot coffee from Biramn who remain busy taking in/out golf bags from his custody. The caddies get quite squeezed-in and their hands refuse to come out of their pockets. Omprkash advises “sab 10 se chale jaao voh khaali hai” but somehow it doesn’t go well with the body and mind. We wait for some more time. Some feel happy that they are not immediately behind that profound ‘caddie-less foursome’ who remains undeterred by time and space. Walking through a narrow lane towards Tee-2 an occasional snuff emanating from caddies’ shit hole reminds you of a jungle time. If, you are lucky a cute family of partridges will show up, fast bipedling towards another bush. This is the last of bushy undergrowth that we are left with after a merciless gardenisation of our golf course by some thoughtless people. The natural flora and fauna we had earlier which also yielded as an abode to our little wild life like peahens- peacocks, hares and jackrabbits has been erased to pave way for flower beds, and cosmetic plants. I for one miss them a lot. Tee No 6 has become a permanent Tea-Junction and loud shouts for ‘Killoooooooo’ are heard from the distance. Hot tea and rusks are served here by ‘Chhotoo’ and they come escorted by one ‘Seema’. Her gait has an attitude and eyes have a glitter. Of course, she is going to share that rusk of yours, which is difficult to avoid. While you enjoy a soaked rusk in a hot tea, those </span><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 115%;">who are greedy of playing faster and more numbers of holes keep cursing you behind their plastic smiles. Virendra Luna smartly gauging their mind says “you guys please have tea on me and enjoy the break too”. Seema is a friend of Killoo and enjoys golf cart rides during logistic trips of the canteen. I wonder that out of the whole gang of ‘dirty-dozen’, the stray dogs; she has been the only smart one to have won a patronage, not only of Killoo but some of the retired senior bureaucrats who are precariously famous for their second love; the animals. The Killoo’s Tea-Hut is a place for morning <i>gup-shup </i>and reminds me fondly of <i>Chaupal</i> or Nukkad<i> where</i> grapevines get woven and club-politics is cooked. The golfers shun teeing off from 7<sup>th</sup> as they see a ghost haunting in Garcha’s Stables who sucks in golf shots and especially if the ball is a new one. Those who are seasoned will play safe much to the left. By now, the first layer of woollens gets removed, caddies shove them into the bags, and you feel much warm and get rid of that extra piece of clothing hampering your swing. But, one keeps cursing the golf shoes which cannot protect the feet getting wet from the moist grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 115%;"> Most of the Golfers will call it off after nine holes to converge on the gazebo for a hot breakfast and settling of the accounts. Burnt toasts with chopped onions and tomatoes with a generous sprinkling of a special<i> masala</i> imported from Indore by Sudhir Kasliwal is an indigenous topping improvised in RGC cuisine with zero calories. Some, on the other hand will order a sumptuous menu so as to make up for their lost money; you guessed it right: the winners would sign the bills. Neta<i> ji</i> will invariably be seen collecting winnings from those who took the bait and me in particular has been quite a victim of his. The chatting prolongs and get louder as Dr Raghvender Chaudhary walks in announcing the last fourball-in. Tirlok, the waiter in distress will have his hands-full for next one hour.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-61492578838743604772011-12-11T06:34:00.000-08:002011-12-11T06:34:23.947-08:00psychology of work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I left Army seven years before my retirement for two reasons. First being love of golf and second my wife's blatant refusal to accompany me on any more postings. After small stints here and there,I finally sat back at home. The famous question as work or not to work? keeps bothering me. I never felt the need to work and am quite happy with net surfing, golfing, gossiping around and bit of travelling. But, people around me and well wishers always insisted that one must work to remain occupied fruitfully and physically fit. It also ensures a daily routine and you remain in presentable getup or in military language "turn out". To be very frank I also felt some emptiness somewhere. So I kept moving in and out of jobs. When in job,I do not want to continue and when out of it, I want to join one.<br />
Once over a cigarette I kept brooding over it and realised job assigns you a niche in the society and those who are jobless or retired lay in the outbox <i>"in the e-mail jargon"</i>. That stems the psych to work and to remain in the loop. It is quite a churn in the stomach to stop being part of the main run. But it is even worse to work for hack of it as you still remain a squire peg in a round hole. I still ponder over it. should I quit my new job where I feel like the same peg? <br />
</div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-35172931800037059642011-10-14T23:52:00.000-07:002011-10-14T23:52:04.172-07:00MAUSAM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I like Pankaj Kapoor as few of the genius actors. 'Mausam' was long awaited and I literally struggled to finally watch the film on a DVD. After a long time we had that intensity of emotion and drama on the screen which I thought will never come back. Some of the newer generation, I heard labeling it as a slow drag. I only feel sad as they are slowly getting bankrupt of romance and art. Those couples who vowed to live together against all odds of money, cast, creed and power are rare to see. what matters today is money, packages, BMWs, villas, brands,jets, yachts, designers,etc. where is a place for Indian Air Force Officer fighting for his country and mankind? he is not in a hot demand. Very few boys dream to fly fighter jets against what most of us did then.<br />
<br />
A great film with a class apart. </div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-49448147400527277642011-09-03T23:25:00.000-07:002011-09-04T01:21:55.780-07:00Mention-in-Dispatches.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was Vth Term, June, 1978. The slip lying on the telephone table in C sqn read “Cdt RS Bhown to report to Adjt’s office in Drill Order, in Sudan Block at 1.30 PM today.” We were fatigued after the morning ‘End of Term’ drill+POP practice and were planning to hit bed when this bombshell exploded in my mind. YV, DPS Aujla, RK Yadav and many others came to express their sympathy. “But none of the Sahabs, Sergeants or ACA has caught me. My I slips, I card, Name Tabs were safe and intact” I moaned. Every one of us was straining our brains with great efforts to find the reason of such a dreadful call that too, in End of Term. Karsolia said “beta tu to gaya” any punishment would imply eating into the Term break. Some said such calls at this time of the term, generally are for relegation. My throat was getting drier and suddenly I swung into action to manage a pair of KDs and summoned Khandu, my orderly to fix a drill order for me. “Sab the boots and anklets are being waxed for the drill competition, should I polish Ammo boots?” He said with sincere concern. I got ready with OG anklets, Ammo Boots, stockings and guarder flashes as Hops tops were not worn in this combination. My friends saw me off with a long face and I left for Sudan Block with a lump in my throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In Sudan block I saw Crème’la 55 in shinning regulation-drill orders with torches flashing on their left breasts…Ajit Singh, Surender Singh Jhaj, Ajai Shukla, Karan Singh Rathore and many more (my memory ditching me). Most of them asked me same question ‘What are you doing here?” and I kept on repeating sheepishly Adjt wishes to see me. They brushed me aside and continued with their chat. I stood hiding in a corner and worried about what lies in store for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, came Guman Singh, our Drill Sub Maj with a cane tightly pressed in his arm pit and white hackle soaring like a rooster. He spotted me and said “Mharashtra State ki lottery hai kisi ki bhi nikal sakti hai!” I could not understand a thing and asked him clearly. He said “I have recommended your name for ACA” and simultaneously asked the Crème’ la 55 to stand in a single file as per the order in the list he was carrying. I told him “sab yeh kya kiya? You have no idea what you have done.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He thought because my drill and word of command being good, I was an ACA material.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon, came in Maj Rupi Brar the offg Adjt as Maj Harjit Singh was out on lve. He checked antecedents and inspected the turnout of all of us (I had joined the Crème’ by then). He got stuck confronting the last man in the file, it was me. “What is your overall order of merit?” he frowned. “Sir, 144<sup>th</sup>” I fumbled. He gave those dirty looks to Guman Singh who straightened himself with a jerk and we knew the SM has done a big FU. But it was too late to rectify as the list lay already on DepCom’s table. “Now, you stay back for the interview” Maj Rupi Brar barked at me. As my turn came I marched into the DepCom’s office for the first and the last time in my life. Air Commodore Dogra was smiling in the chair and the Adjt stood on his left. Seeing me, Maj Brar stooped halfway to whisper in DepCom’s ear. “Sir, this boy has been called by mistake. We can send him back.” I could hear it distinctly despite its low pitch, and never felt so small and humiliated in my life till today. DepCom was generous to say “Don’t you worry; let me talk to him.” With great difficulty he pronounced my name and asked me two questions rather my views on A) manhandling of jrs by senior cadets and B) smoking to be allowed in 6<sup>th</sup> Term. I said yes to smoking and no to manhandling. He said “Thank you” and I, followed the word of command of Sub Maj shouting from outside the office. My perspiration was making the starched KDs stink by now but I was a relieved man; rather proud man to be mentioned in Despatches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In C sqn by now a new star had born. I proudly, told all the mediocre course mates about me being in the run. Maj Satnam Singh ( Tahalka fame later), C sqn cdr thought of me at least worth a DCC as I was put up for ACA. My DivO, Capt Pramod Krishna, asked me to go to Goal Market and get myself photographed with the DCC’s tabs. I was already contemplating to take over 9<sup>th</sup> Div meanwhile. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then fell another bombshell. I got Re-Test in English, as usual. This time my papers had gone well but Mr Raina was a cruel man. I was called up by the Sqn Cdr who said we do not want our appointments to be coming for a bloody Re-Test and set a bad example. I saluted, turned about and marched off. Joined the gang of OCs to the place I belonged. <o:p></o:p></span></div></div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-76501836316930500002011-09-03T00:00:00.000-07:002011-09-03T00:12:02.053-07:00KASHMIR: A BONE OF CONTENTION<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5cjLGx0BfE3MyKojWSCXDvVsKXjJDZh07uuzBm36knZ6xdO_eQBKFss49Wji1d1PejCV4H4VVvIYo7JgiCCROmgsthIooG5dcoEdtNBWhXeBRDWGQocV7rLqkmBcoc40TCPnFB_v04I/s1600/valley-kashmir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5cjLGx0BfE3MyKojWSCXDvVsKXjJDZh07uuzBm36knZ6xdO_eQBKFss49Wji1d1PejCV4H4VVvIYo7JgiCCROmgsthIooG5dcoEdtNBWhXeBRDWGQocV7rLqkmBcoc40TCPnFB_v04I/s320/valley-kashmir.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">If, Kashmir is a bone then the dogs we know. Does </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this bone have any say? Practically… No. Bones do not speak. Lord Mountbatten advised Hari Singh rightly that he has no option of remaining independent. History has been very unkind to Kashmir and she has been ravaged by Afgans, Pathans, Sikhs and Dogras alike, in the past and now being bullied by India and Pakistan. The strategic location of Kashmir has been the cause and no son of the soil has risen to a level of exploiting its vantage. The result is its degradation into a bone of contention. The third dog in the fray is less visible but more dreadful. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A power vacuum in Kashmir will keep sucking-in the ambitious nations’ might and it cannot avoid being a battle ground. The one who controls Kashmir controls Asia. India has her five Life lines flowing through Kashmir and she has no option but to hang on there with all the resources under her command. If, the next war is going to be for water then we better keep our objectives well defined and a potent strategy to achieve/retain them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The balance of power in South Asia has not yet been attained and continuous quest, for tilting it in one’s favour, is on amongst three nuclear powers of the region less Japan. A triangular cold war, with India confronting rest of the two is a reality, and it should be the single most factors driving our national strategy. Ignoring it even for a little while is suicidal. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Therefore, resolution of Kashmir, if any, will be a fall out of Balance of Power and stability in South Asia; currently it is neither in sight nor in womb. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A bone will remain bone and the dogs will remain dogs for times to come. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-65575957360008295382011-08-17T08:14:00.000-07:002011-08-17T08:14:40.703-07:00Anna Bizarre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A beginning has been made. The movement against corruption in Indian society has sprouted from non other than an old Gandhian seed, Anna Hazare. People have amassed and rallying on streets behind him. Interestingly,the campaign is apolitical and powered by the middle class; its two major pillars of strength. The motivated forces have mobilised and are ready to create history but there is no goal, there is no strategy. what a waste of effort and emotion!!<br />
Corruption is a disease and has to be fought inwardly at grass root level upwards. It will not vanish overnight. Lokpals will be same as any other controlling bodies and susceptible to corruption as any other Indian unless we have ET aliens. we know our judiciary and its integrity. Secondly, legislation is charter of Parliament and not of hunger strikers out side the House. Anna and his team imperatively have to earn a seat inside the house to bring in changes. Else, it remains as high pitched drama and media spree.</div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6292139126430390122.post-24821396966948124342011-08-08T00:42:00.000-07:002011-08-08T04:03:01.329-07:00Aarakshan and Bhrashtachaar...contd.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I thought for a while, is corruption a mere act of immorality? or is there a deeper reason for it to exist? After a bit of google dig on its psychology, I got convinced that the once socially accepted this evil has spread like a contagious disease in India and has reached at an alarming level. Unless the society starts out casting corrupt people there will neither be a shame nor fear amongst them. Extralegal strength of society's rules is far more than any Lokpal.<br />
<br />
Albert Einstein has simplified it by saying: "The world is a dangerous place to live not because of the people who are evil but because the people who do nothing about it.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>So, what we do about it...</div><div><br />
</div><div>We need a nation wide mass movement like Renaissance, Mao's Long March, or American Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr's to bring in a change.</div><div><br />
Can Anna prove to be a leader of such a mettle? or we have to wait for some incarnation as per holy <i>GEETA.</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">"यदा यदा ही धर्मस्य, ग्लानिरवा भवती भारत, </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;"></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">अभ्युथानम अधर्मय्स्य , तदात्मानं सृजामि अहम् ". </span></div><br />
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</div><div></div></div></div></div></div>rajhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215256749024202334noreply@blogger.com0