Tuesday, March 31, 2020

The oil crisis, thanks to the global lock down.

The global oil market is broken, drowning in crude nobody needs

The global oil market is broken, overwhelmed by an unmanageable surplus as virus lock downs cascade through the world's largest economies.

Onshore tanks in many markets are full, forcing traders to store excess oil in idle supertankers. Refineries are starting to shut down because nobody needs the fuels they produce. In physical oil markets, barrels are already changing hands for less than $10 and in a few landlocked markets producers are paying consumers to take away their crude.

"The physical oil market has seized up", said Gary Ross, an influential oil watcher and chief investment of Black Gold Investors LLC. "The logistics are struggling to cope because we are facing a catastrophic loss of demand".

Oil traders say it's likely to get worse this week.

The root cause is an accelerating plunge in consumption that's without precedent since a steady flow of oil became essential to the global economy more than a century ago. The great crash of 1929, the twin oil shocks of the 1970s and the global financial crisis don't come close. The world normally uses 100 million barrels of oil a day and traders and analysts reckon as much as a quarter of that has disappeared in just a few weeks.

The global airline industry is grounded, countless businesses and factories are shuttered  and billions of people have been forced to stay home.

"Demand clearly is off, in some parts of the world, very dramatically", Chevron CEO Mike Wirth told Bloomberg TV.

The immediate problem is a lack of storage in the right places. With demand running 20 million barrels a day below supply, the world won't have any tanks to store the surplus in two to three months. But the issue is even more pressing because global tank capacity, mostly concentrated in a few hubs like Rotterdam, the Caribbean and Singapore, isn't available to every producer. For those without access to pipelines and ports, local storage will run out in days, traders and consultants say.

For those with access to the coast, one solution is to use the supertanker fleet as floating storage tanks and that's happening at an unprecedented rate. The CEO of the world's largest tank owner, Frontline Ltd., said on Friday that he'd never known such demand to hire ships for long-term storage. Traders could book ships to put 100 million barrels at sea this week alone, he estimated, but even that could account for less than a week's over supply.

In the US, one of the largest pipeline companies, Plains All American Pipeline LP, has asked oil producers to voluntarily cut output to avoid overwhelming the network that connects well heads to refineries through thousands of miles of pipelines.

The world is running out of places to put oil because the shutdown of vast swathes of economy has been catastrophic for demand. The collapse in commercial air travel has cut jet fuel use by up to 75% or almost 5 million barrels a day.

As for gasoline, American drivers are the single biggest source of demand, using more than 9 million barrels a day, according to the Energy Information Administration. As whole states, including California and New York, have told people to stay home, billions of car journeys have been lost. It's a pattern repeated in Europe and Asia.

"Demand destruction is unprecedented", said Ben Luckock, co-head of trading at Trafigura Group, the second largest independent oil trader. He estimates the hit to consumption will total 22 million barrels a day in April.

Around the world, about 700 refineries turn crude oil into gasoline, diesel and other fuels. They are starting to dial down production and even shut outright because demand for the fuel they produce is so dire. In India, for example, where 1.3 billion people are under lock down until mid-April, the nation's biggest refinery has cut processing rates at most plants by as much as 30%.

A small refinery in Italy, the epicenter of Europe's virus outbreak, shut on Friday because demand for fuel plunged 85%.

As the refining system withers, the crude oil market is suffering. Many crudes, especially sticky, sulfurous grades that refiners find hard to process, trade at hefty discounts to international benchmarks. Western Canadian Select, a tarry blend squeezed from Alberta's oil sands, reached a record low of $4.51 a barrel on Friday.

In the US, Oklahoma Sour is changing hands at $5.75, Nebraska Intermediate at $8 while Wyoming Sweet prices at $3 a barrel.

In one obscure corner of the American crude market, prices have already turned negative. Wyoming Asphalt Sour, a dense oil used mostly to produce paving bitumen, was bid at minus 19 cents a barrel in mid-March by Trading Mercuria Energy Group Ltd.

Source. From the internet.

*                  *                    *

The PN Panicker Foundation contributed its mite towards the fight against corona virus. It was called upon to arrange food and shelter for about 250 migrant labourers in Thiruvananthapuram. The needful was achieved by speaking to the concerned people; at times, even cajoling them!


Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, went through the chores and was ready well in time. We wished Ammu, my niece many happy returns as it is her birthday by the English calendar.

Suma, finally, left the house after all her work around a half past 4. Bunty has not been keeping well and I've put him on to a doctor friend of mine......hope his medical problems are put behind at the earliest.

It's the end of yet another month!    

Monday, March 30, 2020

Worth pondering upon.

There is a catchy post circulating on Facebook/What'sApp, which goes something like this.......it is a painting depicting a migrant family walking on a highway, with their belongings and the tagline says,
'Gunah Passport Walo Ne Ki Or Saja Ration Card Walo Bhugat Raha Hain'.....or words to that effect......Willy nilly, a lot of well meaning citizens, without applying their minds, are forwarding this post......

Do we know who started this post in the first place? It is not as innocent as it appears to be.....This post is a product of the devious mindset of the 'tukde tukde gang' aimed at creating fault lines in our society at a crucial time......

This post is aimed at targeting our national resolve to fight this menace.

This post is aimed at protecting the actual criminals responsible for unleashing this vile virus, the People's Republic of China......

Don't we know who set off the unfortunate exodus from Delhi? It was a cleverly choreographed plot to create anarchy.....Aren't we aware of the videos being circulated in the migrant colonies inciting them to rebel? To start walking.....what has the passport holders got to do with this menace.....who forced the migrants to move? Surely not the passport holders........

This virus appeared in Wuhan on 17 Nov 2019.....Why did China try to put a lid on it till early Feb? Try and hide the whole thing as if it was business as usual........

I will request everyone to be judicious in sharing all that is being forwarded on social media.....We are at war on multiple fronts at this juncture....The virus is just one front........

Source. From social media.

     *                        *                           *

Thought for the day

"Words are very powerful energy. I am not socially distancing myself, I am not in quarantine or lock down. I am retreating for wellness I am not isolating I am protecting our health. I am not in the midst of a pandemic, I am contributing to world wellness. I am not in fear, I am in choice, 100% in my power and I am acting on faith. And I am backing that faith with the positive action of retreating for health. And it's not that "we will get through this", it is that "we are getting through this".

                                                      - Danielle Laporte.  



Tailpiece. 

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready well in time. It was Lekha's dad's fourth remembrance day as per the Malayalam calendar. Lekha had 'fried rice' made and offered it to the birds as her dad was quite fond of it and the offering was cleared by the birds within no time. He seemed to have liked what his favourite daughter had thoughtfully made for him. Suma had concentrated on the remaining dishes.

It was yet another hot day.

Sunday, March 29, 2020

What has the Covid-19 made clear, as of now?

 1. United States is no longer the leading country.

 2. China won the 3rd World War without firing a missile and no one could handle it.

 3. Vladimir Putin is a visionary.

 4. Prevention saves more lives than acting at the last moment.

 5. Health professionals are worth more than a footballer.

 6. Europeans are not as educated as they appear.

 7. We are not mistaken when we ask for more hospitals and "less war".

 8. Children occupy a privileged place in nature.

 9. Oil is worthless in a society without consumption.

10.Death does not distinguish race, colour or social status.

11.Human beings are opportunistic and despicable no matter their socioeconomic position when
     raising prices.

12.Toilet paper is more important than food.

13.Partner networks bring us closer together but it is also the means of creating panic.

14.Now we know how animals feel in zoos.

15.Today's children no longer know how to play without internet or TV.

16.There are those who earn millions and do not serve humanity. Not idolatrous.

17.A computer engineer is important, he already knows where the internet fell.

18.Health workers are alone, abandoned and forgotten.Even so, they never give up.

19.Children are now being educated as free thinkers by their parents.

20.Does aid favour the wealthy and do we need them? Those who live day by day are disoriented.

21.No pastor or religion saved corona virus patients.

22.We started to appreciate the great gesture of trust that means shaking hands.

23.Humans are the real viruses on the planet.

24.The planet regenerates quickly without humans.

25.We are not preparing for a pandemic.

26.Politicians take the opportunity to pull the rival's rug.

27.More should be invested in health rather than festivals.

A little Big reflection on the quarantine.

And here are some more of the effects.

1. We have saved lakhs of litres of fuel (Petrol/Diesel/Aviation Fuel) while we aren't out for a ride.

2. The skies seem clearer, we have temporarily paused the generation of Air Pollution and Smog
    clouds up there.

3. We have given the much needed space and time for the nature to heal itself and Us.

4. We have slept a few extra hours and woke up without worrying about busy schedules. Oh, let's not
    forget mini panic attacks we get due to early morning alarms.

5. We actually are spending quality time with family and encouraging friends to stay safe.
     # Social Distancing
     # Family time

6. We have developed a habit of keeping a check on the latest news and stayed updated with the
    world.
     # Social Awareness

7. We have become self conscious about cleanliness, hygiene and probably have time to recollect
    long forgotten hobbies.

8. We have realised that Health is The Real wealth and Prevention is Far better than Cure.
     # First Teaching of Ayurveda

9. The annoying Honking Noises have been replaced with the Birds Chirping, Trees Waving and
    Leaves rattling.
     # The Earth Is healing

10. We have all become Super Heroes and are praying, offering gratitude to everyone around Us.
     # Social Responsibility


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready well in time. Suma comes as per her time schedule and her presence, in the house, didn't make us feel that it was a Sunday.

Spoke to Arun Nandy - he is currently at New Delhi - whose daughter is expected to deliver her first child in New York; Ruma is already there. Did my words put him at ease, I wonder?


Saturday, March 28, 2020

God's wish?

1. The Covid-19 Lockdown.

    This quarantine is God's way of accepting a ton of wishes of :-

    (a) Kids. Can we have no school and play all day? - Done.
    (b) Women. Can we have the undivided attention of my husband who works so hard? - Done.
    (c) Working Moms. I wish I could spend some quality time with my kids and read - Done.
    (d) Husbands. I'm sick of this traffic and commuting, I wish I could stay at home and work and
          get paid - Done.
    (e) Students. I wish I wouldn't have to study for my exams - Done.
    (f) Old Parents. Wish our kids could spend more time with us rather than being busy everyday
         - Done.
    (g) Employee. Hate my job, I need a break - Done.
    (h) Employers. Have no life, wish could sit home and watch television - Done.
    (j)  Mother Earth. I can't breathe, I wish I could get a break from all this pollution and chaos
          - Done.
   
Yet we all complain - Beware what you wish - You might just get it!

    *                     *                         *

2. All About A Book.

    A book 'The Eyes of Darkness' was published in 1981, in which it is written that the (corona)
    virus was made, hidden by China, in a lab in the city of Wuhan. Later China  will use it to reduce
    the population of its poor people to become a super power and in this book the name of corona
    virus is named after Wuhan 400. In the book, it has already been told that China will use this virus
    later as a biological weapon.

     *                      *                        *

3. A Coincidence.

    How great is our God, government arranged lock down from 26 Mar 2020 and the Bible verse
    Isaiah 26:20 says, "Go home, my people and lock your doors! Hide yourself for a little while
    until the Lord's anger has passed".

    Isn't that amazing?

    And further to this.....

    The Lord commanded a lock down during pass over in Egypt.....when the Angel of death passed
    over....the Israelites were protected by the blood of the lamb - Thursday, 16th of April is when
    pass over ends....As you all know that's when our lock down is lifted......21 days is the 16th.

    God's timing is incredible. Wow and we are all protected guys.....so we might think it's not hard to
    stay at home......but........it's from God.

       *                       *                          *

4. Corona Virus Explained Easily.

     * Kate got infected yesterday but she won't know until 14 days later.
     * Kate thinks she's healthy and is infecting 10 people per day.
     * These 10 people think they are okay, they travel, go out and infect 100 people.
     * These 100 people think they are healthy and keep infecting 1,000 people.
     * No one knows who is okay or who can infect you.

     Do you understand why it is important to stay at home? Be responsible. Stay in quarantine.

5. Stop Press.

    Thousands of migrant workers gathered at Delhi's Anand Vihar bus terminal today - eye witnesses
    say that they were brought in DTC buses to board buses bound for their destinations - to return to
    their homes amid the lock down over Corona virus pandemic. Several others had walked into the
    terminal. "I have no one here who would look after me if I get infected. So, I am leaving", a worker
    said.

    My take. 

    Why this sudden bunching up of people when lock down was almost seeming to be successful in
    keeping the spread of the virus under check? Who incited the workers to such a drastic step? The
    fifth columnists?


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready well in time. A quiet Saturday; Suma had come by at her usual time and went about her work.

Walked to the nearby bakery to buy a few eatables like rusks and biscuits.

Friday, March 27, 2020

Have to reckon with these hate mongers!

The country is, indeed, going through difficult times. The central and the state governments have been working hard to ensure that the 21-day lock down imposed upon the country, since last Monday, is as effective as possible to prevent the community spread of Covid-19. There has been a lot of people who haven't understood the seriousness of the order and have been violating it, which has been dealt with by the concerned state police! What also bugs me is the way, quite a few of the Indians who have returned to the country, have flouted the rule regarding their reporting to the nearest Covid-19 observation post immediately on arrival, for correct disposal.

Instead, some of them have gone about mingling merrily with people whereby they've put the others also in trouble!

Over and above this irrational and irresponsible behaviour, we have enough people, full of hatred as well as fear mongers who have been spewing venom when everyone is supposed to stand together while the government and the Covid-19 fighters are at fighting the pandemic.

Shall name just three of them here and yes, it's my intention to show to all of you that these people  have no loyalty towards their country. If you're critics of the actions taken, then why don't you suggest remedial measures which we, ordinary citizens, could ask the government to appropriate? Without much ado, here I go:-

  (a) Raghuram Rajan.

        The former RBI Governor, in an interview with Bloomberg, has said,

           (i) "India's 21-day lock down may not necessarily contain Corona virus.
          (ii) This is a serious concern because not only does the lock down keep people from going to
                work, it keeps them at home which is not necessarily that pristine isolated place but can
                also be a slum where people live together".

         My take.  

         * Firstly, he is sitting in Indiana, USA while giving off this interview where the number of
            Covid-19 cases is increasing and he should be aware of the ground situation.
         * Secondly, being an economist, what qualifies him to venture into the health experts' domain?
       
         It's my firm belief that he's given these sound bytes to the foreign press to stay in the news
         and to put India in bad light. It would be interesting to know as to what he gets out of it? And
         if he's feeling bad about the measures initiated here, why doesn't he suggest alternate ideas?

   (b) Shobha De.

         She doesn't seem to have taken it well that the Janata Curfew, called for by the Prime Minister,
         was a resounding success and seems to have been put off by the clapping and making sounds
         with bells/plates and spoons by the ordinary citizens to express their appreciation to the Covid
         workers, last Sunday evening. Her resultant tweet was,

         "India seems to be the world champion in stupidity".

         My take.

         Who is she and how dare she makes fun of my beliefs?

   (c) Prashant Bhushan.

         He misuses a few videos and photographs showing the inter-state workers moving back to their
         homes in the north east to tweet,

         "Heartless of the Central and Delhi governments to have announced a lock down without
         making arrangements for these poor people who are left without jobs and public transport to
         go home".

         My take.

         He has been against Modi right from the date he became Prime Minister and has a pathological
         hatred. Has filed a number of cases against the PM in the Supreme Court by raising serious
         charges, all of which have gone into their rightful place. Why the hell are you using half-truths
         and innuendos? Why don't you do something good for a change?

These people and their utterances need to be taken with a pinch of salt. And are they preparing fodder for the foreign media, inimical towards India, to use it against the country with all the venom that they can muster?

Incidentally, the inter-state workers were stopped at the states' borders and taken into the help-shelters that the government has set up to look after the poor people. Moreover, an economic package of Rs.1.70 lakh crores have been worked out to help the poor in these times of distress!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time of 6, the chores and was ready well in time. After a long time, thoughts about Dr (Mrs) Pronoti Mukherjee came to mind. A close friend, Mrs. Rachayita Banerjee's mom, she was a sprightly lady, a powerhouse of a person who laughed very easily and I was fond of her. She used to pull my legs about my 'chhum chhum' because I used to pronounce a sweet by that name! Today, had she been around, she would have celebrated her birthday! Said a small prayer for her though she's part of my everyday prayers!!

Suma had come by and prepared food for us. Another quiet day.
       
    

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Another perspective on the passing days..

1. Everything is not locked down

Everything is not locked down
Sunrise is not locked down
Love is not locked down
Kindness is not locked down
Creativity is not locked down
Learning is not locked down
Conversation is not locked down
Imagining is not locked down
Reading is not locked down
Relationship is not locked down
Praying is not locked down
Hope is not locked down
Everything is not locked down

   *                        *                          *

2. A famous quote

"Never get worried
This too will pass".

Another one from Shakespeare's King Lear,

"To thine own self be true; and this
too shall pass as the night, the day".

And in Hindi, from Amar Prem,

"Kuchh reet jagat ki aisi hai, har ek
subah ki shaam hui".

    *                        *                           *

3. Replicating life on LoC

    (a) My countrymen the lock down that so bothers you, a soldier on the LoC experiences day in and
         day out. He does not have the luxury of a Tatasky, an attached bath or even a bed. Yet he is in
         quarantine. You have the luxury of disobeying the lock down, the soldier does not. Your worry
         is the virus, his a sniper bullet. You may survive the virus, his chances are very low, should he
         expose himself. What you're experiencing is a version of the life on LoC.

    (b) If the soldier can do it day in and day out without even basic amenities, surely so can you with
         all attached luxuries at your disposal. For the sake of the soldier that guards you, do a bit for his
         family, by staying indoors.

    (c) Stay safe and let others be safe. Your quarantine is temporary, not the bullet on the LoC. Think
          of the soldier and please stay indoors. This, too, shall pass (TTSP).

By Brigadier Injo Gakhal.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready well in time. Suma, had come at her usual time, around a quarter to 8.

It was another quiet day. Went out around sunset time to the ATM nearby. The highway was empty, there was neither any vehicle nor another human being......it was eerie!

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Absolutely brilliant!

An Obituary printed in the London Times.....

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as :-

    * Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
    * Why the early bird gets the worm;
    * Life isn't always fair;
    * And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well - intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap; and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,
     
    * by his parents, Truth and Trust,
    * by his wife, Discretion,
    * by his daughter, Responsibility, and
    * by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers :-

    * I know my rights
    * I want it now
    * Someone else is to blame
    * I'm a victim
    * Pay me for doing nothing

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. 

On such a note, here are just two reactions from those 'knowledgeable ones' regarding the lock down
announced by the Prime Minister, last evening :-

     * The PM has not taken into account the food that my dog needs.
     * In India, this lock down can never work.

We need to take these cynics also along with us to prove that we can.


Tailpiece.

Had got up about half an hour late, the chores and was ready well within time. By 1100 hrs, Suma had come by after getting clearance to come to work at our place, from the police beat near her house. Am impressed by her keenness to do work. Meanwhile, Jaya had visited the hospital to get her medicines and should be able to come by for work, next week.


Tuesday, March 24, 2020

A bouquet of snippets!

And People Stayed Home

Kathleen O'Meera's poem, written in 1869. Kinda prophetic. Take care!

And people stayed home
and read books and listened
and rested and exercised
and made art and played
and learned new ways of being
and stopped
and listened deeper.

Someone meditated
someone prayed
someone danced
someone met their shadow
and people began to think
differently
and people healed,

and in the absence of people who
lived in ignorant ways, dangerous,
meaningless and heartless,

even the earth began to heal
and when the danger ended
and people found each other
grieved for the dead people,

and they made new choices
and dreamed of new visions
and created new ways of life
and healed the earth completely
just as they were healed
themselves.

   *                     *                       *

The History of the Middle Finger

Well, now.......here's something I never knew before and now that I know it, I feel compelled to send it on to my more intelligent friends in the hope that they, too, will feel edified.

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore, they would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous English longbow was made of the native English Yew tree and the act of drawing the longbow was known as 'plucking the yew' (or 'pluck yew').

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and they began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew! Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed by a labiodentalfricative 'F' and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute! It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as 'giving the bird'.

And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing. Didn't yew!!

   *                       *                         *

A Story of the Times.

"It was in Mar 2020.

The streets were empty, the shops closed, people couldn't go out anymore.

But spring did not know and the flowers started to bloom, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the swallows were soon to arrive, the sky was blue, the morning was coming earlier.

It was in Mar 2020.

Young people had to study online and find occupations at home, people could no longer shop or go to the hairdresser. Soon there would be no more room in hospitals and people continued to get sick.

But spring did not know, the time to go to the garden was coming, the grass was turning green.

It was in Mar 2020.

People were put in containment, to protect grandparents, families and children. No more meetings or meals, family celebrations. The fear became real and the days were alike.

But spring did not know, apple trees, cherry trees and others bloomed, the leaves grew. People started reading, playing with family, learning a language, singing on the balcony inviting neighbours to do the same, learning a new language, showing solidarity and focusing on other values.

People realised the importance of health, suffering, of this world that had stopped, of the economy that had plummeted.

But spring did not know. The flowers have given way to the fruits, the birds have made their nest, the swallows had arrived.

Then the day of liberation arrived, people learned about it on TV. The virus had lost, people took to the streets, sang, cried, kissed their neighbours, without masks or gloves.

And that's where summer came, because spring didn't know. He continued to be there despite everything, despite the virus, fear and death. Because spring didn't know, he taught people the power of life.

"Everything will be fine, stay at home, protect yourself and you will enjoy life".

Note. This story was sent to me by my friend from Australia.


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot, the chores and was ready well in time. Another uneventful day. The Prime Minister announced a 21-day lock down across the country, beginning at 0001 hrs, tonight to beat the Corona virus.

Suma had called up Lekha asking as to whether I'd handle the situation if she were to come for work, tomorrow and we'd to tell her to stay at her home and not worry about us.


  

Monday, March 23, 2020

A collection of snippets.

1. An Empty Boat.

    A monk decides to meditate alone, away from his monastery. He takes his boat out to the middle
    of the lake, moors it there, closes his eyes and begins his meditation. After a few hours of
    undisturbed silence, he suddenly feels the bump of another boat colliding with his own.

    With his eyes still closed, he senses his anger rising and by the time he opens his eyes, he is ready
    to scream at the boatman who dared disturb his meditation.

    But when he opens, he sees it's an empty boat that had probably got untethered and floated to the
    middle of the lake. At that moment, the monk achieves self-realisation and understands that the
    is within him; it merely needs the bump of an external object to provoke it out of him.

    From then on, whenever he comes across someone who irritates him or provokes him to anger, he
    reminds himself that the other person is merely an empty boat. The anger is within me.

    Note. Take time for introspection and search for an answer.. "Empty boat" is a famous and
    fabulous metaphor. Its value lies in its implementation.

    *                       *                         *

2. The Italy - Wuhan Connection.

    Why did the Corona virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, cause such widespread outbreak in a
    country - of a distant continent - like Italy?

    The answer is that Italy has a strong textile garment industry trade relations with China especially
    Wuhan province. One lakh Chinese workers work in the textile industry (north Italy). Italy, even,
    has direct flights to Wuhan.

    Northern Italy has a huge Chinese immigrant population, many of whom travelled from Wuhan.
    Instead of testing and restricting these people, the Italian authorities launched a 'Hug a Chinese'
    campaign in February. They are, now, paying the price. "I'm not a virus. I'm human. Eradicate the
    prejudice". This was the message of videos released in northern Italy in February this year, urging
    Italians to hug the Chinese people to encourage them in the fight against the Coronavirus.

    Moreover, the Chinese New Year 2020 was celebrated from 25 Jan to 08 Feb. So, many of the
    Chinese immigrants went home from Italy to Wuhan to celebrate the New Year with their families.
    When they returned after leave, they were not tested in Italian airports.

    The rest, as they say, is history!

    *                       *                        *

3. "God and the Soldier, we adore, but in times of Peace after all things Righted, God is forgotten         and the Soldier slighted". 

     *                       *                       *

4. Nostradamus wrote this in the year 1551! 

  "There will be a twin year (2020) from which will arise a queen (corona) who will come from the         east (China) and who will spread a plague (virus) in the darkness of night, on a country with 7
   hills (Italy) and will transform the twilight of men into dust (death), to destroy and ruin the world.
   It will be the end of the world economy as you know it".

      *                       *                        *

5. Corona virus According to Vedic Astrology.

     Important dates.

     * Beginning of Corona virus      26 Dec 2019.
        The virus started with the solar eclipse in Dhanu Rashi Moolam Nakshatram.
        The effect of an eclipse mostly lasts for at least three months.

     * Corona virus weakening          31 Mar 2020.
        Transit of Jupiter to Makar Rashi, which is the Maarak Sthaan (destruction point)
        for Dhanu, conjoining with Mars and Saturn forming a strong Neechbhang Raj Yoga.

     * Cure administration                  13 Apr 2020 onward.
        Sun transiting to Mesha Rashi and reaching its exaltation.

     * Weather improves                     19 Apr to 21 Jun 2020.
        The (Vedic) season of summer causing the temperature to increase,
        further weakening the grip of the Corona virus.

     * End of Corona virus                  23 Sep 2020.
        Ketu transiting to Scorpio moving away from Moolam Nakshatra.
         (Please note that the dates may vary per country (24 hrs).


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot at 6, the chores and was ready well in time. Suma, after her morning work, comes back again in the afternoon and carries out Jaya's work as she's absent because of a frozen shoulder. The evening news declares that Kerala has been brought under lock down owing to a spurt in the Corona virus cases.


     
       





Sunday, March 22, 2020

Unconventionally yours!

1. Why the 'Janata Curfew' on 22 Mar, Sunday?

    22 Mar '20 is a new moon day or - Amavasya - the darkest day in a month. All virus, bacteria and
    evil forces have maximum potential  and power on such days. The clapping at 1700 hrs, the Prime
    Minister has asked us to do, has an interesting connotation.

    Someone who has studied astrology and knows how to co-relate with science had this to say.

    "At that time, the Moon  is passing on to a new star/'nakshatra' called Revati. The cumulative
    vibrations of playing of bells and clapping will encourage blood circulation in the body. It's the
    reason why they used to have huge, gong-like bells in old 'Shakti' temples on the mountains. The
    clapping, 'shankh nadam' etc by 130 crore people, at the same time will create so much vibration
    that the virus will lose all potency". Interesting!

    *                      *                        *

2. The Nirbhaya Rapists Have Been Hanged.

    The case regarding the brutal gang rape and grievous injury, resulting in the painful death of the
    23-year-old physiotherapist - named 'Nirbhaya' meaning 'fearless', by the country - that was
    carried out on the fateful night of 16 Dec 2012, attained closure by the hanging of the four
    convicts, at Tihar Jail, in the early hours of 20 Mar after a lot of legal dramas that were played out
    by the defence counsel, AP Singh and his team over the years.

    There was one among the culprits - who was a juvenile at that time - the cleaner of that bus and is
    currently living 'somewhere in Kerala' after doing the mandatory corrective spell in a juvenile
    home.

    To my mind, no one knows of his true whereabouts which could be dangerous for the subsequent
    girls that he might come across. He was the guy who had inflicted the maximum torture on the
    hapless young lady by shoving an iron rod into her privates, tearing her innards and pulling out
    parts of her intestine. This guy, to me, has a faulty and perverted mind; will he be able to ever
    change this flaw in his personality, the spell in the juvenile corrective home notwithstanding?

    *                       *                         *

3. States Shying Away From The NPR Procedure.

    I'd just talked about the total lack of information about the last of the Nirbhaya case convicts,
    roaming freely in Kerala. Had the census and the mandatory, periodic updating of the National
    Population Register (NPR) gone on as it's supposed to be done, such a sorry state of affairs would
    not have been prevalent. And what bugs me is that we seem to be smug about such a situation!

    Political games are being played to win brownie points with the Muslim community, so much so,
    that many of the illegal immigrants are untraceable. I hope I'm wrong in this assessment of mine
    and sincerely hope that the government, surely, has all the necessary information!

    Misguided people, hate mongers and potential trouble creators have been goading the Muslims
    to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), not to allow the NPR procedures to
    take off and thereby, prevent the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) from being formulated.
    They are the real gang of anti-nationals because what's being proposed for the country by the
    government aims at bolstering National Security!

4. The Continuing Shaheen Bagh Protests.

    The continuing Shaheen Bagh protests - despite the restrictions brought in by the Corona virus -
    in north east Delhi, is a classic example of such irresponsible behaviour! What amazes me is that
    the protesters don't care a damn about the immense difficulties they are giving to the residents of
    the adjacent colony!! Definitely, strong and invisible powers are at work to keep the fires stoked.
    Sad!

    And my doubt is "Are the Indian Muslims out to inflate their numbers with the help of those
    illegal immigrants? Come on don't you have any loyalty to India that has nurtured you all this
    while?" You are first class citizens, are privy to privileges being a minority community and I
    often wonder as to what is it you really want?

    I've been given answers saying that the majority are very happy with their life in this country but
    it's the comparatively younger and an insignificant lot that have radical views, a glimpse of which
    the country was privy to during the anti-CAA protests. In this specific case, falsehoods were
    planted and certain political parties stoked the fire. But why are the elders scared to correct these
    hotheads and tell them to behave? Their loyalty towards this country, that has nurtured them, has to
    be total and is not negotiable. Period!

5. The Janata Curfew And Expression of Gratitude.

    The Janata Curfew, called for by the Prime Minister, was very successful throughout the country.
    It began at 0700 hrs and went on till 2100 hrs today. There was an eerie quietude all through the
    day because there was no traffic whatsoever and the main highway, near our house remained
    deserted. At 1700 hrs, Lekha and I clapped and made noise with a steel plate and spoon along with
    my immediate neighbour - who happens to be a senior school mate and an Air Marshal - and his
    wife as an expression of our gratitude towards the people, who continues to work, to keep us safe.
    Felt nice!


Tailpiece.

Got up around a quarter past 6, went through the process of opening up the house and let Lekha sleep on for a while more. It was a real quiet Sunday! 


    

         


       

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Made in China - a perspective!

Covid-19 is a Bio weapon.

The way the things are panning out is indicative that Covid-19 is a bio weapon. The following are discernible :-

  (a) Initial info curbed by China.
  (b) Then followed the media release that it was caused by eating bats.
  (c) The epicenter is in Wuhan, where they have a bio weapon facility.
  (d) Game plan was in place.
  (e) Multiple 1,000 bed prefab hospitals set up in a very short time. Thousands of medical personnel
       mobilised.
  (f) Huge quantity of special equipment mobilised in a very short time.
  (g) Intense measures used to control population.
  (h) By 20 Mar Covid-19 controlled in China.

Obviously, there was a battle plan in place and that was activated. On the other hand, the rest of the world has been handed a sucker punch in the stomach.

Major economic setback has been inflicted; all economic activity has been crushed, as world nations struggle to cope.

Now, China will emerge as a major economic power. At low cost it has inflicted a major blow and is many steps closer to world dominance, which is its aim. A country which could kill over 5 million of its own people in its cultural revolution is not gonna bat an eyelid if it has to sacrifice a couple of thousands, as has happened now.

The Chinese WHO play was to ensure that the export of virus to other countries carries on unhindered. So no pandemic declaration, no embargo on flights, no screening. Now the entire world is locked down, less China.

The Chinese believe in total dominance not co-existence like our civilisation. All their actions are oriented towards projection of hard power, military or economic unlike India which has strong belief in the strength of soft power.

Now we wait for the next Chinese move, as we struggle to overcome the major damage that the Chinese virus has inflicted on us in terms of morale and confidence, current and future economic states. The world must unite to tackle the contagion and the Chinese game plan. China must pay for :-

  * the corona virus.
  * the corona virus pandemic.
  * the China virus.

In the Army they teach you to look out for 'battle indicators'. They are pointers to the adversary's intentions and plans. An examination of battle indicators helps identifying enemy's future plans and in formulating our own counter plans.

The Battle Indicators.

 (a) Unusual suppression of info and execution of a deception plan. All measures were taken by
       China to suppress info leak on Covid-19 to include expulsion of western journalists. A deception
       plan was activated that it was bat-eating-related issue emanating from the local meat market.
       China failed to share info with the world till it was too late to prevent spread.

 (b) China leaned heavily on the WHO to prevent it being declared a pandemic. Lack of restrictions,
       thereby, lead to spread across the world. Delayed declaration is akin to shutting the stable door
       once the horse has bolted.

 (c) Deployment of multiple 1,000 bed hospitals. While it is a commendable feat, it is not possible
      without deep preparation. No country has such prefab hospitals lying stored around to be
      deployed in 10 days flat. We are struggling to create isolation wards out of soldiers' barrack
      accommodation. The Chinese response was too pat and army based.

 (d) Special equipment and clothing. No country or army has hazmat suits and other special
       equipment, robots etc readily available in the numbers observed on media in China. Even their
       defogging personnel were in hazmat suits. Compare this with the rest of the world.

 (e) Population control measures. Very strict measures were implemented. It was a planned
      deployment of resources based on police and army. Force was used ruthlessly as what was
      apparent in the media. This was not a panic resultant administrative response. There was a plan
      in place.

 (f) Now that the virus is having a free run across the world and China having stamped it down, it
      is now in the pole position. Economies will suffer immensely. China will step in to support and
      build up markets for its goods. If western leadership weakens, they will not be able to resist.

The Chinese resurgence. Western power projection, both military and economic, will suffer. China benefits.

There has to be a coordinated counter plan based on mutual support.

This may not be the last bio weapon!

Note. From the net.


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot at 6 and wished Rema, many happy returns as it was her birthday by the English calendar. Went through the chores and was ready on time. A quiet and warm Saturday.    

Friday, March 20, 2020

From a buddy....

I learnt the following after being in a lock down since last week :-

 (a) Why the bathrooms and toilets were outside our houses and not inside.

 (b) Why we should not touch anything or anybody when we return from a barber shop or a funeral.
       You may return to normalcy only after having a bath immediately.

 (c) Why the footwear has to be kept outside the house and not inside.

 (d) Why we have to wash our hands and feet when we returned from schools or outside after playing.

 (e) Why a mandatory 10 days isolation/quarantine (especially at a birth or death) in traditional
       households.

 (f)  Why the households must not cook if there's a dead body inside the house.

 (g) Why the washing of discarded clothes has to be done outside the house and not inside.

 (h) Why was it mandatory to be clean and have bath before cooking for the house.

 (j)  Why once you have had bath, you were not supposed to physically touch those who did not.

Maintaining physical hygiene, social distance and cleanliness were laughed at, ridiculed, insulted, systematically breaking these traditions brick by brick, forcing people to discard these rituals for the fear of being isolated and force fit into a society blindly aping the Western way of life. Now all these habits and routines followed by our elders from time immemorial stand validated.

This is what is meant by life coming round a full circle, perhaps! Or history repeating itself!!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, went through the chores and was ready on time. Went for a short outing to the town to recharge our Tata Sky DTH connections and buy sundries. Otherwise, yet another quiet day!

Thursday, March 19, 2020

From a statesman.

1. The Prime Minister's Appeal.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, had spoken to all Indians this evening, during prime time about the situation brought about by the Corona virus scare. It was an appeal that should have touched everyone's hearts and I highlight the 9 points that he'd touched upon, which are:-

 * Can't be complacent anymore.
 * Let's impose a 14-hour curfew on ourselves this Sunday from 7 AM to 9 PM. Everyone stays
    indoors.
 * It's time for social distancing and stay away from crowds.
 * Salute those serving in these times like the medical workers, police, delivery boys etc, at 5 PM on
    Sunday, to show our appreciation.
 * Those over 60 years of age should remain indoors.
 * Avoid non-essential visits to hospitals.
 * Don't cut wages of staff and daily wage earners.
 * Don't indulge in panic buying, India has enough supplies.
 * A Covid-19 task force has been set up with the Finance Minister as its head.

A speech from the heart and spoken like a true statesman!

      *                         *                            *

2. Sheer Madness.

    Dr. Rajith Kumar was one of the contestants - a lecturer in Botany at the Sree Sankara College in
    Kalady - in the Malayalam version of the reality show, Bigg Boss. He was playing his cards well
    and seemed to be a strong contestant according to Lekha, who watches this programme everyday.
    Last week, he was thrown out of the show for his misdemeanour of applying chilli paste into
    Reshma Ranjan's - one of the female contestants - eyes. His followers - and he seems to be having
    quite a few of them - have been clamouring for his return which has been negated by the
    producers. On his return from Madras, he was received by a huge crowd of his supporters at the
    Kochi airport, despite the crowd restrictions imposed due to the Corona virus scare.

    Mohanlal, the host of the show, has been trolled on the social media because of Rajith's eviction.

    My take.

    I was under the impression that the average Malayalee was literate enough to understand that these
    reality shows were programmes merely for entertainment and not for expressing extreme emotions.
    The way these guys seem to be going on and on, one wonders as to what they are up to?


Tailpiece.

Had got up with the alarm, gone through the chores but was late in getting ready. A quiet day!

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

More info on Coronavirus.

Feeling confused as to why Corona virus is a bigger deal than Seasonal flu? Here it is in a nutshell. It has to do with RNA sequencing......i.e. genetics.

Seasonal flu is an "all human virus". The DNA/RNA chains that make up the virus are recognised by the human immune system. This means that your body has some immunity to it before it comes around each year.....you get immunity two ways.....through exposure to a virus or by getting a flu shot.

Novel viruses come from animals.....the WHO tracks novel viruses in animals (Sometimes for years watching for mutations). Usually these viruses only transfer from animal to animal (pigs, in the case of H1N1 and birds, in the case of Spanish Flu). But once, one of these animal viruses mutates and starts to transfer from animals to humans......then it's a problem. Why? Because we have no natural or acquired immunity......the RNA sequencing of the sequencing of the genes inside the virus isn't human and the human immune system doesn't recognise it so, we can't fight it off.

Now.....sometimes, the mutation only allows transfer from animal to human, for years its only transmission is from an infected animal to a human before it finally mutates so that it can now transfer human to human......once that happens.....we have a new contagion phase. And depending on the fashion of this new mutation, that's what decides how contagious or how deadly it's gonna be....

H1N1 was deadly.......but it did not mutate in a way that was as deadly as the Spanish flu. Its RNA was slower to mutate and it attacked its host differently, too.

Fast forward.

Now, here comes this Corona virus......it existed in animals only for nobody knows how long.....but one day, at an animal market in Wuhan, China in Dec 2019, it mutated and made the jump from animal to people. At first, only animals could give it to a person.....but here is the scary part.....in just two weeks it mutated again and gained the ability to jump from human to human. Scientists call this quick ability, "slippery".

This Corona virus, not being in any form a "human" virus (whereas we would all have some natural or acquired immunity). Took off like a rocket. And this was because, Humans have no known immunity......doctors have no known medicines for it.

And it just so happens that this particular mutated virus, changed itself in such a way that it causes great damage to human lungs......

That's why Corona virus is different from seasonal flu or H1N1 or any other type of influenza......this one is slippery. And it's a lung eater.....And it's already mutated again, so that we have two strains to deal with - strain s and strain L......which makes it twice as hard to develop a vaccine.

We really have no tools in our shed. History has shown that fast and immediate closings of public places has helped in the past pandemics. Philadelphia and Baltimore were reluctant to close events in 1918 and they were the hardest hit in the US during the Spanish flu.

Factoid. Henry VII stayed in his room and allowed no one near him till the Black Plague passed....(honestly, I understand him so much better now). Just like us, he had no tools in his shed, except social isolation.

And let me end by saying......right now it's hitting older folks harder.......but this genome is so slippery.....if it mutates again (and it will). Who is to say, what it will do next.

Be smart folks.....acting like you're unafraid is not sexy right now.

Stay home folks......and share this with those that are just not catching on.


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot. We wished my sister, Rema, many happy returns as today is her birthday. Both Suma and Jaya were in attendance today. It was a very warm day! 

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

News views.

My views on the news bytes that had hogged the headlines today. Without much ado, here I go.

 (a) What Are They Up To?

       Three convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case - Akshay, Pawan and Vinay - have
       approached the International Court of Justice for :-

             (i) a stay on their execution scheduled for 20 Mar.
            (ii) an open court hearing of their oral arguments by through their legal counsel and
           (iii) calling of all the records of the case.

        This situation is unprecedented and unnecessary because of the following reasons :-

             (i) A case like this comes under the purview of the laws of the land where the misdemeanour
                  has taken place, implying that the accused could exhaust all the legal options available in
                  the country.
            (ii) The ICJ does not have any jurisdiction over a country's judicial process and decisions.

         So, the questions that arise out of the present situation are :-

             (i) Who is/are behind the convicts trying to delay the execution of the verdict?
            (ii) It becomes amply clear that some powerful forces are at work to discredit our legal
                  system.
           (iii) And these forces must realise that they easily come under the category of 'anti-nationals'.

        What is their answer to the most justified demand of Nirbhaya's mother as to why justice
        is being delayed for her daughter who'd died a violent death at the hands of these beasts?
        Don't they have daughters, sisters, wives, aunts or mothers who can meet with such an
        eventuality? Would they like motherless delays in the delivery of justice then?

        My take.

        It's those people who should be exposed and tried, for letting down the motherland!

 (b) Another Huge Scam.

       The Yes Bank scam is getting bigger and bigger. With today's revelation, the Indiabulls had
       paid crores of rupees to Mrs. Kapoor, the wife of the head of Yes bank, Rana Kapoor. In the
       coming days, I expect more names to tumble out of the cupboard.

       My take.

       How long can the rich and the people in power/holding high positions loot this country and get
       away scotfree? The culprits are the right ones that should be given capital punishment for their
       crimes.


Tailpiece.

Got up at the usual time and went through the chores, to be on time. Went to Harisree Department Store, to fetch groceries, around 1100 hrs. Maman, who had recently undergone a cataract operation has contracted chicken pox. What a thing to happen; hope his condition improves at the earliest.



          
                 
               




Monday, March 16, 2020

Remembering Bruno.......

It is 17 years to this date since Bruno had passed away. Lekha and I had remembered him early this morning, on waking up. There's a photograph of his that adorns a wall of our bedroom.

We were transported to this dreadful day 17 years back, when at 13' past 6 in the morning, he'd left this world when I felt that small tug from his body and his head fell lifeless against my chest. Prior to that, he had his eyes on mine, perhaps enjoying my ignorance of the impending catastrophe - I was carrying him in my arms after taking him out and returning to our flat, 9/97, Arjan Vihar at Delhi Cantt - as his soul took flight towards his next avatar. Our maid, Meena, who was into the final stages of her pregnancy delivered a bouncy, baby girl the very next day and with my little knowledge of the cycle of rebirths, I would like to believe that Meena's daughter, Renu is Bruno, in his present life!

There was a clear indication, when, during the last week of his life, he took an affinity, gravitating towards her like never before. Lekha and I did wonder regarding this newfound love because in the normal course, though he showed his gratitude to those who showered their love on him, it always, had a limit! It was that typical Dobermann trait in him. That's why I believe it to be the indicator of his next birth!!

He'd come to us as a small, adorable pup, just 30 days old, sometime during the first half of 1992 from Bangalore, sent as a gift to us by Lekha's uncle. His brown colour was a trifle unusual and that was the time we'd come to know that he was a cross between a Dobermann and a Labrador. But it was never an issue as he'd quickly established his place, deep within our hearts.

He used to take all sorts of liberties with me when I took him out for his walks - so much so, that many of my friends used to tell me that he was a rogue while he was with me but he was the most well behaved dog when he used to be out with Lekha. I think he was quite aware about her physical condition and it always was an overwhelming sight when the both of them negotiated steps/stair cases - he used to take a step or two and pause, wait for her to negotiate the steps and only, then proceed further!

While we used to have mock fights between the two of us, he made it very clear that he'd a sneaky preference for her instead of me.....and I never grudged that! When Lekha was seriously ill, he used to wait for me to return from the hospital and sit in front of me - motionless - as if to say that he understood my predicament and wanted to share it!!

His delightful capers, the warm welcome that he gave us whenever we returned after an outing, were experiences that he had given us in abundance.

Bruno had one failing, though. He hated anyone who was not dressed well and he used to bark like hell at them. In other words, a thief dressed immaculately, would have passed his muster!

The journeys that we'd with him in our Maruti Omni were many - the trip with our friends, the Banerjees, to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and Mussoorie along the River Ganga, the yearly leave trips on the Rajdhani Express from New Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram and back, the numerous trips home from the Naval base, Kochi gave us a fund of experiences and amazing glimpses of his behaviour.

Was he happy with us? I would like to believe that he was.

I remember him everyday as my e-mail ID begins with bruno_nair!

Booney, Lekha and I miss you every waking moment of ours as you have given us plenty of memories to remember!!


Tailpiece.

A quiet day. Suma and Jaya have begun to work for us from today.  

Sunday, March 15, 2020

My views on today's happenings.

1. SAARC Summit Through Video Conference.

    Prime Minister Modi reached out to the eight member regional grouping on Friday and pitched
    for a video conference among the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional
    Co-operation (SAARC) to chalk out a strong strategy to combat the Corona virus outbreak.
 
    The Corona virus cases reported among the SAARC nations is as follows:-

        (a) Afghanistan                 11.
        (b) Bangladesh                  In single digit.
        (c) Bhutan                                   "
        (d) India                             107.
        (e) Maldives                       In single digit.
        (f) Nepal                                      "
        (g) Pakistan                        34. No death has been reported.
        (h) Sri Lanka                      10.

     The last SAARC summit in 2014 was held in Nepal's Khatmandu which was attended by Modi.

     Apart from Prime Minister Modi, the following had attended today's summit by video conference:-

        (a) Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
        (b) Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina
        (c) Bhutanese PM Lotay Tshering
        (d) Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih
        (e) Nepalese PM KP Sharma Oli
        (f) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and
        (g) Special Assistant on Health to Pakistani PM Zafar Mirza.

     PM Modi proposed the creation of a COVID-19 emergency fund. India will contribute $10
     million. "Prepare, don't panic", was the mantra that he'd passed on.

     Pakistan, churlishly, said that Kashmir should be opened up, as before, to fight the virus menace.

My take.

It was diplomatic churlishness on the part of Pakistan for two things:-

         (a) Imran Khan sending his minion who is caught up with smuggling masks to China.
         (b) Raising the Kashmir issue, since it's no more one. Only the PoK needs to be sorted out!

2. What Goes Comes Round.

     The NIA has slapped cases on the Kashmiri terrorist, Yasin Malik for the murder of six IAF
     personnel and for his active involvement in many terrorist activities in the past. There is no
     dearth of concrete evidence to prove his guilt and this time, he's sealed for good. A photograph
     of his shows as to how worried the guy is.

     It's my fond hope that the legal proceedings against him are hastened and that he is given the
     capital punishment for his past actions!

My take.

Serves the idiot right. We should get over the legal procedures as early as possible and end his life at the gallows!


Tailpiece.

A quiet Sunday. Lekha has recruited Suma for the activities in the kitchen and she commences work from tomorrow.
   
   
      

Saturday, March 14, 2020

A poem for the times.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lynn Ungar - minister, dog trainer, little-known poet - sat down at the desk next to her kitchen table and began to type. 

A friend had posted something on Facebook about how much we need poetry in this anxious corona virus age and she thought, "You're right".

Ungar had been thinking about social distancing, the idea that to keep the virus from spreading we need to stay away from one another. She'd been reflecting on a question. How do we physically distance ourselves without emotional distancing? In this strange and befuddling moment, she thought, we need to recognise that moving away from other people isn't an act of emotional disconnection but the opposite. It's something to do out of a sense of community and compassion for the vulnerable.

And so, with her two Australian shepherds by her side, she spent a little while turning her thoughts into a poem. When she was done, she typed her name and the date at the bottom and posted it on Facebook for her small following of friends and colleagues. It went like this :

Pandemic

What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath
the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now, on trying to
make the world
different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now).

Know that our lives are in one another's hands.
(Surely, that has come clear).

Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love -
for better or for worse,
In sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

- Lynn Ungar, 11/3/20.


Tailpiece.

A quiet Saturday that was uneventful!


Friday, March 13, 2020

How dare you?

India is changing/has changed. We used to take a lot of insults earlier but no more. Here's an example!

Terence James O'Neill's (The man who coined the acronym 'BRICS' - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa economic group) bigoted claim, "thank god this didn't start in India", about the corona virus. Here's this detailed response to a very racist and biased comment.

 1. Firstly, despite sharing a border of 3,488 km with China, India has only reported 88 cases and 1
     death - compare that with over 600 cases and 8 deaths in the UK.

 2. India is the only country in the world to evacuate its citizens 6 times (and counting) and
     evacuated the most number of foreign nationals.

 3. The IAF evacuated a total of 723 Indians, 37 foreign nationals from Wuhan. India evacuated 119
     Indians and 5 foreign nationals from Japan. IAF also evacuated 58 Indian pilgrims from Iran on
     10 Mar. Total : 900 Indians and 48 foreign nationals.

 4. India is leading the fight against COVID-19 in the South Asian region, offering diplomatic,
     humanitarian and medical assistance to its neighbours.

 5. A total of 56 Virus Research Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) have been set up in India to test
     its citizens as well as foreign citizens in a record time, with a plan to build 56 more VRDLs in the
     next month. This insane level of efficiency hasn't caught the eye of the media.

 6. India, currently, has one of the world's most efficient and reliable testing systems, reducing the
     time taken to get test results back from 12 - 14 hours to 4 hours. US health officials have admitted
     that their system is failing and testing has been very sluggish.

 7. As a result, from Iran, Afghanistan up to Timor Leste, countries in Asia have been requesting
     India to help set up testing facilities in their countries.

 8. India has sent 6 top scientists to set up a make-shift lab and testing facility in Iran to test 6,000
     of its citizens because Iranian officials refused to test Indians due to their high load. India has sent
     3 more airplanes this week to airlift its citizens.

 9. India has provided 15 tons of medical assitance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency
     medical equipment to China.

10.India has sent Maldives a 14 member medical team comprising pulmonologists, anaesthetists,
     physicians and lab technicians and also a large composite of COVID-19 medical relief to assist
     Maldivian health authorities.

11. India has screened 1,057,506 people from 30 airports and 77 seaports.

12. India has suspended all visas to India as well as visa-free travel facility for OCI cardholders. It
      has closed its border with Myanmar. The Indian nationals coming from COVID-19 hit nations
      after 15 Feb will be quarantined for 14 days. This is in contrast with the UK with far more cases
      but no quick action whatsoever.

13. India has the world's biggest state-sponsored health assurance scheme, covering over 500 million
      beneficiaries (approximately 8 times the size of the UK).

14. Indian drug prices are among the cheapest in the world. Medbelle ranks India as one of the five
      countries with the lowest median prices for drugs around the world due to an elaborate price
      control mechanism for drugs and the government's Jan Aushadi project to provide cheap
      affordable medicines to the poor.

15. China had silenced the doctor who identified COVID-19 and he died 6 weeks later. China let this
      brew. On the other hand, when Nipah virus was found in India in 2018, 3 doctors identified it
      and the authorities immediately reported it to WHO. 2,000 quarantined and 17 died in total.
      India would have never allowed it to become a pandemic.

The Indian civilization, being one of the most advanced in the world, has been way ahead of its time with gifting the world the Namaste - which is now propagated by every world leader. Ancient India idealised vegetarianism and expounded Ayurveda and as a result, did not come in contact with any serious threat from plagues/diseases in its millenniums of existence. India NEVER created any
pandemic in the history of its existence.

You are highly misinformed, Mr. Jim O'Neill!

Jai Hind!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and was ready in time. The new maid had reported her inability to come for work, today, because she'd to attend some court formality. So, it was Lekha, all the way. Drove to the Geeyem Motors to hand over the Chevy for repairs. Phew!
      

  

Thursday, March 12, 2020

A double whammy!

Had got up leisurely in the morning and the four of us - Lekha, Rema, Padmakumar and self - talked over the morning cup of tea, with rusks. A quick wash and change, breakfast of dosas and chutney and by 9, we were on our return to Guruvayur.

The traffic was manageable and I could navigate through the traffic with ease and was about 10 km from Guruvayur, when tragedy struck. A private bus, from the opposite direction, had maneuvered in a stupid manner, that the motorist ahead of me had jammed his brakes. I was quick to take avoiding action because I'd maintained a distance of twice my car length and came to a dead halt. After a matter of a couple of seconds, there was a loud thump, as the car behind, had hit our Chevy's tailboard and the car behind him had rammed into his car's tailboard.

My initial reaction was anger but I realised that the driver behind - a taxi driver, to boot - was shaking like mad and kept pointing at me saying that I'd braked hard. I'd to speak and I let the entire lot have it (By now, the leading occupant of the taxi had come out saying that he was into insurance and assured me that the insurance would cover the damages. He was on his way to having a 'darshan' of Guruvayurappan!).

But I'd to educate (?) the guys in my own manner and I did just that."Dear pilgrim to Guruvayur, you'd better change your taxi because your guy is not a good driver. You might not reach back at all. Wonder who has issued him his driving license? He doesn't seem to understand the safe distance that his vehicle must maintain - especially, when the vehicles are negotiating high speeds - from the vehicle in front to avoid such close quarter situations! The insurance guy immediately piped down and I asked the driver to show me his papers to see if everything was in order, if not, I was planning to hand him over to the Guruvayur Police Station. The driver who was on the offensive initially - this is the tactic that guys, usually, employ to cow down the other and gain an upper hand, even if they are in the wrong! - had begun to punctuate every sentence of his with a 'saar'.

I wanted to give the guy a tight slap but held back my temper, on a tight leash!

We reached 'The Quarterdeck' by a half past 1, after picking up stuff from the department store and Lekha had made a swift and wonderful lunch! I'd called up my 'customer service adviser', Sreejith, to report about the mishap and fixed up an appointment for 1000 hrs tomorrow, along with the insurance surveyor. Hope the work doesn't get delayed for want of spares, which is the thing that I dread!

Every time I see my Chevy, I feel terrible!

It was a quiet evening, thereafter, with the usual chores of unpacking and washing machinex.


Tailpiece.

The Congress, through Kapil Sibal, has said in Parliament, today, that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) doesn't snatch anyone's citizenship away. Then why were they spreading falsehood and scare mongering the people for the last three months? Sad!

The entire opposition has been exposed!!     

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Gosh, what an anticlimax!

Had got up at our usual time, went through the chores and were ready on time. Got a call from my sister, Mini that she had reached her house at Gottigere by a half past 7. The caretaker had got us our breakfast as per the order that we'd conveyed to him last night. We completed the remaining bit of packing and by a half past 11, the Chevy was loaded with our stuff and the caretaker was a great help as he saw us off, after I'd handed over the house keys.

Earlier, had spoken to my parents giving an outline about our programme. Did I hear mom asking me as to whether I needed to go when we were slated to come back on the 27th? Or was it all an illusion?

Drove to Padmakumar's house. Spoke to Padmakumar's mom and generally gave them a gen on the corona virus; basically it was to highlight the fact that no one in the house should get carried away by a lot of scary propaganda about the illness. Spoke to her and the others about the nuances of the ailment.

After a lovely lunch, made by Rema, we were off on our way to Thrippunithura.

This time I'd gone by the state highway, through Kottayam, because the traffic was manageable. Probably the after effects of the new restrictions laid down by the government on account of the spread of the corona virus. The drive was comfortable but on reaching Rema's flat, the Chevy got a fairly large smack from a reckless auto rickshaw. Felt immensely sad as it was yet another instance of my carelessness! There's no point in blaming the guy, as he and his ilk are irresponsible and drive recklessly. They'll never be in the wrong!!

Padmakumar and I had gone to collect the printouts of my air tickets to and from Pune and a medicine. On reaching their place, had contacted my friend, Priscilla to find out about the details of the programme, connected with the wedding. I was getting ready to go to the airport when Vishy, the bridegroom, had called up to say that the entire lot of bookings at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) was cancelled thanks to the Army Headquarters' order on the way the corona-virus-afflicted- cases were increasing in our country, almost on a daily basis. He was profusely apologetic and I had to pacify him.

Called up the ticket issuing agency to cancel my tickets, then rang up my Academy course mate, Prakash Vishwe and my naval course mate, Jags Varma to tell them about the cancellation of my trip. Missing a trip to Pune, after what has been a long time, was sad! They'd planned get togethers, tomorrow on arrival!

It was a quiet evening, thereafter!


Tailpiece.

Will return to Guruvayur tomorrow after breakfast. Will only feel satisfied after handing over my Chevy to the Geeyem Motors for defect rectification.           

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The mouse and the antelope.

We focus on the easy stuff and the simple tasks, instead of going after the more challenging pursuits that would stretch us, force us to give our best.

You have probably seen it before. A video of a lion going for the kill. The hushed, lazy move as he spots an antelope in the distance. The nervous look on the antelope's face as she senses danger. The fast-paced chase. The suspense : will the lion win or will the antelope get away? And then, finally, the kill. It's fascinating. And behind the lion and and antelope encounter is an interesting, lesser-known insight. It's an analogy first shared by Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker in the US House of Representatives.

"A lion', explained Gingrich, "is fully capable of capturing, killing and eating a field mouse. But it turns out that the energy required to do so exceeds the calorie content of the mouse itself. So a lion that spent its day hunting and eating field mice would slowly starve to death. A lion can't live on field mice. A lion needs antelope, Antelopes are big animals. They take more speed and strength to capture and kill and once killed, they provide a feast for the lion and her pride. So ask yourself at the end of the day, "Did I spend today chasing mice or hunting antelope?'

That's a terrific question. So what's keeping you busy? Have you been chasing mice or hunting antelopes? What's true for lions is true for us and our teams too. We focus on the easy stuff and the simple tasks, instead of going after the more challenging pursuits that would stretch us, force us to give off our best and give us the best rewards. Why does it happen that we all end up making the mistake of chasing mice instead of focusing on antelope?

One, mice are easier to catch. Second, catching mice gives us the feeling of being busy all day. And third, when we embark on the journey of catching mice, we get a feeling that success is assured....unlike the pursuit of antelope which could often result in a failed attempt. We don't like to be seen to be failing.

So we do what's convenient rather than what's needed. Before embarking on a new initiative, good leaders don't pose the question 'Can we do it?' They ask the tougher question : 'Should we be doing it?'

Businesses and teams begin to win when they turn their attention to the most important task at hand. They know it won't be easy. But they also know it needs to be done. When teams focus on the big wins, there is a sense of excitement in the team. Everyone knows that to be successful, they all need to stretch every muscle and give off their best. If you find that in spite of doing all you can, the rewards aren't coming your way, maybe you need to pause and check : Are you chasing mice instead of antelopes? Just as lions recognise that they weren't granted all that power to feed on mice, individuals and organisations too need to focus on the highest goals they were meant to achieve.

Michaelangelo got it right when he said : "The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it".

Time then to remind yourself and your team : Forget the mice, focus on the antelope.

- Prakash Iyer on Leadership.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores. Rema and Padmakumar, were the first to go.....they were dropped at Pidavoor. Then it was Mini's turn to be dropped at Kuri halt to catch the 1130 hrs passenger to Kollam, from where she got her train to Bangalore by a quarter past 2. We'd gone across to Kottarakkara to top up the Chevy and check tyre pressure.

Settled down to a quiet afternoon, thereafter and wound up Raj Nivas. The house has suddenly gone quiet!. .    

Monday, March 9, 2020

To Ernakulam and back.

Lekha woke me up at a half past 5.

The day had begun with a comedy. I'd planned to wear a shirt and a dhoti for the wedding. Unluckily, the packet that I'd picked up, thinking it to be a dhoti, turned out to be a shawl and quickly changed plans and wore a normal shirt and trouser.!

Went through the chores, had a quick breakfast and was in the process of getting ready when Prathapan, my chauffeur for the day, fetched up. We, finally, left around a quarter to 8 through the Pathanapuram - Adoor and later, through the Changanasserry - Alappuzha route to attend the Shasmira - Sheridon wedding at the Empress Hotel at Paalaarivattom. The muhurtham was between 1200 and 1230 hrs.

My friends were quick to comment that they expected me to be wearing a dhoti. I did tell them about my faux pas that became a joke for the day.

Prathapan was a good driver and he handled the Chevy well. We were at the venue of the wedding by a trifle after 11 and I was among the early birds! It was nice interacting with each one of them and the course had a sizeable presence. Spoke to Suresh and Supriya, Shasmira's parents and I was glad that I'd made up for our absence at their son, Saurabh's wedding.

The wedding took place within the muhurtham that was promulgated and it was nicely done - there seemed to be a small confusion about the sequence of events towards the end but I don't think anyone noticed it! I couldn't meet up with Supriya's parents as they were at Thalasserry, because her mom wasn't keeping well. Met up the newlyweds to bless them and I gave an invite for them to visit us at Guruvayur.

There were two inputs that I found to be interesting :-

   (a) Supriya was wearing her wedding saree. Wearing it for the second time, she said.
   (b) The young couple had got to know each other at a football stadium. Both are soccer
         enthusiasts!

After a quick lunch, Prathapan and I were on our return trip, without wasting any time. The roads had manageable traffic and we were back in Raj Nivas, just as the procession was slowly reaching the gates of the house. Ten caparisoned elephants, around 60 tableaux and several dance and folk music groups formed up the procession which took almost two hours to pass a point. Seeing this after a lapse of six years, as it comes in rotation! Last time in Mar 2014, mom was also with us to witness the event!

It was down to yakkitiyakking as Rema and Padmakumar had fetched up by lunchtime, from Thrippunithura. Mom's help, Sumangala called on us and it was nice interacting with her, after a long time. Muttathe Kamalamma chechi and Suresh came, soon after, to invite us for his daughter's wedding in early April.

After dinner, Padmakumar and I'd walked to the Thrikkonnamarkodu temple and had a 'darshan' of the goddess in all her grandeur. Actually, had no plans to go out but did not want him to go all by himself and therefore, had tagged along. After having completed the 4 km walk, must admit that I felt nice.


Tailpiece.

Could accomplish all that I'd wanted to do for the day and felt glad.