Interesting statistics/news.

How Does India Earn Its Money

(Segmentation of every Re.1 earned)

* Borrowings                              36 p

* GST                                         15 p

* Income Tax                              14 p

* Corporation Tax                       13 p

* Excise Duty                               8 p

* Non-Tax Revenue                     6 p

* Non-Debt Capital Receipts       5 p

* Customs                                    3 p

     *       *       *

How Does India Spend Its Money

(Segmentation of every Re.1 spent)

* Interest payments                        20 p

* State share of taxes and duties    16 p

* Central sector schemes                13 p

* Other expenditure                        10 p

* Finance Commission                   10 p

* Central sponsored schemes           9 p

* Subsidies                                       9 p

* Defence                                         8 p

* Pensions                                        5 p

      *       *       *

When a Prime Minister is a terrorist

Pakistani PM Imran Khan has said that if Taliban is not recognised there will be another 9/11.

It is the open and direct threat to unleash terror if the world doesn't bow to terrorists and doesn't start paying jiziya.

Recognition here means giving the Taliban terrorists the "humanitarian aid".

What will the West do?

The surrender monkeys in power in the West will jump in joy, "Wow....we can just pay the taxpayers' money to the murderers, rapists and paedophiles and enjoy our lives".

Well, it doesn't work that way.

Jiziya payments have never ever saved any kafir society. Only hastened Kafirs' extermination. The jiziya payments received are pumped back into jihad. Jihadists therefore grow and grow in strength and exterminate the kafirs.

Will the West even comprehend Imran Khan's threat for what it is, a terrorist threat? Highly unlikely. Zaqaati CNN, NYT and BBC will spin it and claim that Imran Khan is trying to bring peace through a sensible suggestion.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 3 to formulate my mail for August and hit the sack at 5. Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. 

Had lunch at the Warriath House at 1, on invitation. Sent my August mail to the addressees by a half past 6.

Dinner at the Warriath House at 2130 hrs. 

The History of Internet.

The internet turns 52 in a few days. Though it is extremely young compared to other technologies in history, the internet today looks nothing like it did when it was born. What was once a decentralised network is now dominated by a few powerful tech behemoths with monopolistic control over their markets. The story of these companies can be explained by "network effects" - a theory that predates the internet but was famously expounded in the 1999 book Information Rules - which predicts that the digital world is mostly about size and user adoption. The more popular a tech product is, the more applications and users it will have. The rise of Facebook and Microsoft, in particular, can be explained by network effects. The internet is now a winner-takes-all market and hence Big Tech finds itself under increased government scrutiny. We tell the story of how the internet began and how it spread.

02 Sep 1969

Techies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) create the first net connection, through a 15-foot cable between two computers. This was the precursor to the Arpanet.

29 Oct 1969

Arpanet is born after the UCLA techies connect to the Stanford Research Institute hundreds of kilometres away. The key part here is how Arpanet works : Messages are broken into blocks of data called packets that are sent independently of one another across the network.

1970

By the end of the year, Arpanet grows to 13 nodes, which include Harvard and MIT. An engineering consulting firm, Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN), does the tech work for building Arpanet. In 1973, Arpanet takes the first step to going global : Norway and the UK are linked to the US nodes.

@

Symbol used in email addresses was invented by Ray Tomlinson in 1971, according to Tim Burners Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web.

Extent of entire internet in 1973

The rudimentary system allows researchers to login to another computer from far away, transfer and save files on the network and send emails.

1982

Arpanet now has 100 nodes and a relatively busy online community. A bulletin board system called Usenet is launched in 1980, becoming the first online forum which lets users post jokes, tips and recipes.

1983

Arpanet wasmanaged by the military in the beginning but then the network operators realised they couldn't manage it forever if it continued to expand. In a move that would decide internet's growth trajectory, they decided that Arpanet should be recognised as a "network of networks", meaningthat it should be decentralised. But how can such a decentralised system be made accessible? The US military asked computer scientists Robert Kahn and Vint Cerf to come up with an answer and they developed the networking standards known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, which gave us format for transmitting data packets.

1986

The internet's backbone, the National Science Network-funded supercomputing centres, is built up across the US, allowing high speeds for users. It should be noted that the internet was still tedious to navigate at this time and simple tasks such as email were cumbersome.

1991

Tim Bernerse-Lee and Robert Cailliau of the European Centre for Nuclear Research invent the World Wide Web, giving birth to the modern internet as we know it.

1994

The US government, headed by Bill Clinton privatises the internet backbone, letting commercial firms be internet service providers. By this time, Arpanet has been decommissioned.

What is Arpanet?

The US Defence Departments's Advanced Research Projects Agency Network that was meant to link researchers spread across the US who were working on military-linked projects. Each Arpanet site had a router called the Interface Message Processor.

What is packet-switching?

The networks that we used for voice telephones are circuit-switched, meaning that while you are talking there is an individual path in the whole network that is dedicated to you (and the person you are talking to).

The internet relies on a form of message-switching which allows individual messages to be routed over the network on shared lines. Packet-switching improves this method further by splitting the messages into standard-length packets of data.

Another way packet-switching made communication easier was that it used computer resources more efficiently and ensured that messages always got through.

Layers of internet

1. TCP/IP internet protocols are the bedrock because they allow different kinds of networks and devices to exchange data. These protocols are mostly decentralised.

2. On top of the protocols is the web as we know it from social media to online search. Tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Baidu occupy large swathes of the second digital layer.

3. Smartphones, cloud-computing and data troves. Here we can see more centralisation with just two main mobile operating systems and three cloud-computing companies. Some internet giants are sitting on unimaginably big and growing piles of data about us.

2017

the world's population has internet access. India has way more mobile subscriptions per 100 people (87.3) than it does broadband subscriptions (1.33) as per UN data. But it's definitely improving at a fast rate leaving the UN compilations way behind.

Source. Adapted from an article by S Aravindakshan in the NIE

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Lekha and the maid had gone across to the ration shop to collect our share of kerosene oil.

It was a comparatively sunny day with less of rain. A quiet day!

PS.

The growth of the internet users from 1990 to 2016.

 

1991     1st web page and first web bowser released.

1993     Mosaic web browser released.

1994     Netscape web browser released.

1995     Internet explorer, Apache server.

             Ebay, Yahoo, Amazon.com

             44.5 mn users.

1996     ICQ released.

1997     Google Search.

1999     Alibaba and Napster.

2000     Haidu founded, dot.com bubble bursts.

2001     Wikipedia launched.

2003     Skype launched.

2004     Web 2.0 and Facebook.

2005     You Tube and Gmaps.

2006     Twitter.

2007     IPone.

2008     GitHub, Chrome released.

2009     WhatsApp, Uber, Bitcoin.

2010     Instagram.

2011     WeChat.

2016

A Cup of Tea.

Late afternoon on a week day, in a military station in north India, an upset little girl comes home rather upset. Her father, a strapping young Infantry Major asked her the reason to which she replied that she was talking in her class and her School Principal had scolded and punished her.

Next day the Major saab goes to the school and admonishes (to put it mildly) the Principal reminding her these were young gullible minds that she is dealing with and that she must learn to do her job better.

Satisfied at having "avenged" the wrong done to the apple of his eye, as he went about doing his daily work the next day, he was summoned by the 2IC of his Regiment. The 2IC informed the Major that the Div GOC wanted to see the latter the next day.

Perplexed, our man inquired of the 2IC the reason for this "honour". The 2IC asked him, "Did you go to the Army School yesterday and have an altercation with the Principal?" The Major replied in the affirmative. "Well, the Principal is the GOC's wife". This sentence was followed by a doomsday look on the face of the Major and a sympathetic glance from the 2IC.

Next day, in his crisp infantry uniform, albeit heavy with the bricks he was excreting, our man was marched up to the GOC. "Jai Hind Sir!" "Jai Hind" replied the General. "Young man, did you give a piece of your mind to Mrs So and so, yesterday at the school?" Enquired the General, raising his eyes over his steel rimmed half glasses.

"Yes sir, am sorry but I didn't know that......I mean...." stammered the Major.

The GOC got up from his chair, stroking his handle bar moustache and walked up to the Major and remarked, "Congratulations young man, let me shake your hand - you have done what I could not do in the last 30 years of my marriage to her. Come, let's have a cup of tea together before you go back to your unit".

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Earlier, Sajish, the khalifa from Amigos had come by at 7, to give me a haircut and massage. Thus the Sunday had begun well! Wished  Charlie Mike(395)-Sasikala and BR Vijayakumar(526)-Anita on the occasion of their wedding anniversary. 

Participated in a Zoom meeting of the Military Literature Festival Lucknow on "A Way to Remember" from 1550 hrs to 1800 hrs. It had a heart tugging content! The music around the 'Majha House' was soulful.

Saw the Malayalam movie "Home" on Prime Video. Indrans as the subdued dad to the entire household, except his dad, has acted well. Consequently, it was a late night. 

From here and there....

4 Golden Rules of Positive Lifestyle

* Before you assume, learn the facts.

* Before you judge, understand why.

* Before you hurt someone, feel.

* Before you speak, think.

    *      *      *

The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.

    *      *       *

Happiness is always a choice.

You can't wait for circumstances to get better. You have to create your own good fortune. So look for ways to be happy every day.

    *      *       *

Best lesson of life is listen to everyone. Because nobody knows everything but everyone knows something.

     *       *       *

If you are spending your time always thinking about the past you are heading the wrong direction. Your future relies on your present actions so continue to move forward and NEVER LOOK BACK.

     *        *        *

Happiness is an inside job. 

It's a state of mind.

It's priceless 

and most of all,

it's FREE.

      *        *        *

And finally, on a humorous note!

As things go:-

* Captain Morgan will be an Admiral

* Old Monk may die

* Teachers may become principal

* Famous grouse may become infamous

* Johnny Walker may be using wheelchair

* Magic moments may lose magic

* Smirnoff may turn on

* Beefeater may become vegan

* Single malt may be no longer single

* Gin may become virgin

   Cheers. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Had an online meeting with Maman, Senthil and Harshad of Stones2Milestones.

Another thoroughly wet day.

Afghan Snow.

In these horrible times through which Afghanistan is traversing, it would be a pleasant diversion to remember India's first beauty cream and its royal Afghan connection!

The other day my 70-plus year-old friend called me, "Have you heard of Afghan Snow.....while you write all about war, chaos, Taliban etc, you must write about India's first beauty cream and its Afghan connection". And the bell started ringing in my mind.

We know all about "Kabuliwala" and Afghani almonds and other nuts, this beauty cream was the essential part of most of the household of Indians - from rural to urban. I remember the cream, as white as snow, was used by my mother and grandmother's generations. Though it was branded as Afghan Snow, it was manufactured in India.

And the story goes when Afghanistan's king Zahir Shah, visited United India in 1919, a young entrepreneur Ebrahim Sultanali Patanwala presented a hamper with all of E.S.Patanwala beauty products. Inside the parcel was a jar of pearly white cream without any name. His majesty was impressed and commented that it reminded him of the snow in Afghanistan.

Patanwala then asked if the cream could be named 'Afghan Snow' - a request the king readily agreed to. From then "Afghan Snow" became the first beauty cream made in India. In fact, in its early years of production, the packaging mentioned the connection with the King of Afghanistan.

Soon Patanwala's offerings gradually drew patronage from the English gentry and the princes of India. Maharaja Gwalior and Maharaja Kota became a part of his choice patrons. According to the company's web site https://afghan-snow.com/front/about during the Swadeshi Movement when Mahatma Gandhi took a pledge to boycott foreign goods, Afghan snow was erroneously listed in the list of foreign goods but later none other than Mahatma Gandhi endorsed its Indianness.

Soon it would go on to become one of the most popular household beauty creams in United India with a tagline, "Your mirror reflects.....The True You". And it was popular in Afghanistan too. 

Patanwala used Raj Kapoor, Nargis and Kathak dancer Sitara Devi to first sponsor the Afghan Snow Navy Ball in Bombay. First Miss India concert was sponsored by Afghan Snow in 1952. Ms Indrani Rehman was the winner of the event. Most Hindi film actresses including Devika Rani, appeared in Afghan Snow advertisements. The brand held the vast market share till the early '80s.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan was in turmoil. King Zahir Shah was deposed and his cousin and the prime minister Mohammed Daoud Khan overthrew his regime and became the President of the country. Daoud was assassinated in 1978, followed by the Soviet invasion. The series of events plunged Afghanistan into the ongoing turmoil.

Afghan Snow became the "vanishing" cream in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime.

The last king of Afghanistan, Zahir Shah returned to his country after three decades, in 2002 to inspire hope among his people that their shattered homeland can be rebuilt in a new era of peace.

Afghan Snow is still there but has become obsolete. It could not keep up with the changing times of competitive markets and by the end of 1980s, it was taken over by bigger brands. But like Afghanistan, Afghan Snow is also fighting for survival.

- Adapted from the Daily Hunt 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Took off in Hameed's auto rickshaw to the Geeyem Motors to collect our Chevy. The return drive through the rain was smooth and I got the Pollution Under Control Certificate taken, short of Chovvallurpadi.

Participated in the Aazhchakkoottam : "Governments through terrorism" by TP Srinivasan, IFS, Former Indian Ambassador to the US from 1600 to 1715 hrs. It was a refreshing interaction.

A rainy day, when Thrissur was on Yellow Alert!

  

Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage Under Threat.

The UNESCO has sounded an alarm after the Taliban's quick takeover of Afghanistan, as memories of the terrorists blowing up of the world's tallest Buddhas returned. 20 years ago, in an act of cultural genocide that shocked the world, the Taliban destroyed two monumental 600-CE statues of Buddha carved into the cliff of Bamiyan - figures that have been revered by Afghans for generations. UNESCO's Director General Audrey Azoulay seeks the protection of what remains of Afghan heritage.

Sites in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has two cultural sites under the UNESCO's World Heritage List. In addition to this, there are four other sites on the Tentative List - which is a list of properties a country intends to consider for nomination to the Heritage List.

BAND-E-AMIR

Protected as the National Park of Afghanistan, this naturally created group of lakes with special geological formations is pure blue in colour. The natural beauty of Band-E-Amir has not been disturbed till now.

BAGH-E-BABUR

On the slopes of Kuh-e Sher Darwaza, southwest of Kabul, lies one of the earliest surviving Mughal gardens. The 11.5-hectare garden is arranged in 15 terraces from the top of which the Kabul river and snow covered mountains can be seen. Babur had longed for returning to this place and after his death, his remains were transferred to Bagh-E-Babur.

THE CITY OF BALKH (ANTIQUE BACTRIA)

About 25 km west of Mazar-i-Sharif lies the ancient Bactria city spreading over 11 square kilometres. Bactria is said to have rivaled the urban centres like Babylon in the past and was a spiritual centre for the Parsis. In the 7th century, there were a significant number of Buddhist monasteries, stupas and a rich temple to Zoroastrian goddess, Anahita. Later, the city was ringed with earthen walls within which there was a citadel and a mosque.

1207 CE

Jalal-ud-Din Balkhi-Rumi, one of history's great poets, was born in Balkh.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE AND ARCHEOLOGICAL REMAINS OF THE BAMIYAN VALLEY

Guarded by the high mountains of the Hindu Kush, in central Afghanistan, lies the Bamiyan Valley. The Valley consists of eight separate sites in Bamiyan that highlight the artistic and religious developments in ancient Bactria from the 1st to the 13th centuries CE. The site contains Buddhist monasteries, chapels and sanctuaries. Carved onto the cliff are the niches that once housed the Buddhas. 

CITY OF HERAT

Established around 500 BCE in the fertile plain beside the Hari river, Herat is the site of the ancient Persian town of Artacoana. Captured by Alexander in 330 BCE, the city remained of strategic importance to succeeding dynasties. Some of the oldest structures include - Qila-e-Ikhtyaruddin or Heart Citadel, Musalla Complex, Masjid-e-Jami and the mausoleum complex of Khwaja Abdulla Ansari.

THE SILK ROAD 300 BCE - 100 CE

The Afghan cities of Balkh, Bamiyan, Herat, Badakshan and Kabul were part of the Silk Road, on which trade flowed between the Persian and Chinese empires of old.

MINARET AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS OF JAM

The 65 m-tall minaret represents the zenith of artistic creativity and mastery of structural engineering of the 12th century Ghurid dynasty. Seated in the deep valley of the Hari river amid towering mountains in the heart of Ghur province, the minaret is said to mark the site of the ancient city of Firuzkuh, the summer capital of the dynasty. The structure is covered in elaborate brickwork and inscriptions in turquoise tiles.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Sajish, our sa'arthi for the day, reached at a quarter past 10. We went to the Rugmini Regency - at the east nada - to attend Preethi's daughter's engagement. As soon as the ceremony was over, we made a dash to the Horizon International at the south nada.

Anup (son of my classmate, Rajeev Mannali) and Reshma got wedded at a glittering ceremony. Reshma's dad is a film producer and because of that, there were a few film personalities among the guests. They made a handsome couple and both are doctors - Anup is a surgeon while Reshma is an ophthalmologist, currently practicing at Kannur. Venugopal-Umah, Rajeev Mannali-Jaya and self-Lekha were of the Sainik School, Kazhakootam group, with us guys belonging to the class of 1972!

It was a wet day and the Met department has predicted four days of heavy rains and Thrissur district is on yellow alert! Our Chevy is ready at the Geeyem Motors and I would be collecting it tomorrow. 

 

My prayer.

Every day early morning this little girl would come to the temple and stand before the idol, close her eyes and with folded hands, murmur something for a couple of hours. Then open her eyes, bow down, smile at God's statue and go out running. This was a daily affair.

The priest was observing her and was curious about what she was doing. He thought, she is too small to know the deeper meanings of religion, she would hardly know any prayers. But then what was she doing every morning in the temple?

Fifteen days passed and the priest now couldn't resist but to find out more about her behaviour.

One morning, the priest reached the temple before the girl and was waiting for her to complete her ritual. He placed his hand on her head and said, "My child, I have seen since the last fifteen days that you come here regularly. What do you do?"

"I pray". She said spontaneously.

"Do you know any prayer?" asked the priest with some suspicion in his voice.

"No". Replied the girl.

"Then what are you doing closing your eyes, every day?" the priest smiled.

Very innocently the girl said, "I do not know any prayer but I know only a,b,c,d......up to Z. I recite it five times and tell God that I don't know your prayer but it cannot be outside of these alphabets. Please arrange the alphabets as you wish and that is my prayer".

And she ran, jumping her way out of the temple. The priest stood there dumbstruck, staring at her for a long time as she disappeared running in the wilderness.

Do we have such unconditional belief in our prayers?

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4 thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm, the chores and was ready by 6. Earlier, we'd conducted the usual Wednesday aarathi of the house. Sajish, our sa'arthi, came late at a half past 6 and we set off soon after. We took the Kodungalloor route, had breakfast around 8 o'clock, short of Ernakulam - Lekha had made idlis and tomato chutney. Our tea was at Aroor.

We reached Padmakumar's place, at Pidavoor, by about a half past 1. Spent some time at Amma's cremation spot and also the 'asthithara'. Offered our condolences to each and every member of the family. Rema, my sister, gave us a great lunch and we yakkittiyakked! Ramachandrettan, Bharathi chechi and Aji were the others there. Lekha's elder sister, Letha and her help, Thankamani had dropped by from Kottarakkara, as planned by the two sisters. 

After sitting with all of them for about half an hour, we were off on our return trip to Guruvayur by about a trifle after 2. As we were pulling out of the driveway, I looked through the rear window of the car - just hoping like mad to see Pidavoor amma, with folded hands, wishing us a happy journey! 

......That's something that I shall miss forever in this life of mine!  

At random.......

Afghanistan

We must remember that no insurgency - the most violent - can take over a country without people's support. The Afghans have had to chose sides. And more Afghans have chosen to side with the Taliban than have chosen the American occupiers......Not all of them, just more of them.

More Afghans have chosen to side with the Taliban than with the Afghan government of former President Ashraf Ghani. Again not all of them but more supported the Taliban.

And more Afghans have chosen to side wit the Taliban than with the old warlords. The defeat of Dostum and Ismail Khan in Herat is evidence of that.

The internal Taliban jockeying for power and anti-Taliban resistance is part of Afghan culture and history. Taliban needs money, they need to reconcile with hostile groups to govern or else they lose, possibly forever.

Give Afghanistan six months. Let the Afghanis sort it out. 

The US and UK have started their dirty tricks. Too many and that too, multi-domain. Their egos will now ensure that they neither provide money or basics necessary for Taliban to stabilize. Biden has agreed, as part of the deal, as long as Afghanistan is not used for training groups or action.

Pakistan will run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. China, quietly, will strengthen its economic and political clout in Afghanistan. India despite ourselves have always managed to hold onto our interests.

- My friend, PR Kumar's analysis

    *       *       *

An Officer

An officer should be able to heal a wound, plan an expedition, order from a French menu, climb a mountain face, enjoy a ballet, balance accounts, roll a kayak, embolden a friend, tell a joke, laugh at himself, cooperate, act alone, sing a children's song, solve equations, throw a dog a stick, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, love heartily, fight efficiently and die gallantly.

     *       *       *

In Perpetuity

Ramayana and Mahabharata come under 'itihasa' and are not mythology or myths as branded by foreigners and Indian secular historians.

To preserve this itihasa, our ancestorsmade great efforts by carving it upon temple pillars and walls so that even after thousands of years the future generations will remember those incidents and pass it on to future generations.

       *        *        *

Spiritual secrets you learn over time

* The sun strengthens and upgrades your DNA

* The universe is always listening

* The vibration of love is a powerful soul healer

* Raising your vibration enhances your psychic abilities

* Meditations and affirmations work wonders

* You are always manifesting your reality

* Karma 'Cause and Effect' is very real

* No such thing as a coincidence

* Optimism is the basis of alchemy

        *      *      *

Why we resist change

One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up instead of what they will gain.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Decided to go for Pidavoor Amma's 15th day ceremony tomorrow and went to the east nada, by Kannan's auto, to get things done related to it.

Rahul brought us the stuff ordered on Medicare.

  

Choose your echo wisely.

A man was taking his son on a walk in a nearby forest. Suddenly the boy tripped and feeling a sharp pain, he screams, "AHHHH!" 

Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, "AHHHH!" He was taken aback as it was his first experience of an echo.

Filled with curiosity, he screams, "Who are you?" but the only answer he received was, "Who are you?"

This made him angry, so he shouted, "You are a coward!" and the voice answered, "You are a coward!"

He looked at his father and asked, "Dad, what's going on. How's he talking back at me?"

"Son", the man replies, "Pay attention. Say something nice to him.

Then he screams, "I love you!" The voice answers, "I love you!"

Realising his son's confusion the man takes over the conversation with nature and shouts, "You are wonderful!" and the voice answered, "You are wonderful!" The boy is thrilled but still can't understand what is going on.

The father explains, "Son, people call this an ECHO but truly it is LIFE. Life always gives you back what you give out. Life is a mirror of your actions.

If you want more love, give more love. If you want more kindness, give more kindness. If you want understanding and respect, give understanding and respect. If you want forgiveness then forgive people who have hurt you. If you want people to be patient with you, then be patient with them.

This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives. An echo is nature's way of teaching us to do unto others what we wish them to do to us and wish for others what we wish for ourselves.

Life always gives you back what you give out.....

Your life is not a coincidence but a mirror of your own doings.

Choose your ECHO! Send out blessings and receive blessings in return.

    *       *       *

The Story About Afghanistan

A curse was given by Gandhari, princess of Kandahar (Afghanistan) to her brother, Shakuni (the then ruler of Afghanistan) that because of his crooked and cunning ways, she lost her 100 children.

She cursed him that never ever in his kingdom will there be peace, prosperity and progress.

Well......how true Hindu scriptures are!

Afghanistan in Vedic period was known as 'Avgan Sthan' (a defective place).

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Today's Chathayam, the fourth day of Onam and Sri Narayana Guru's birth anniversary.

The maid was going to the hospital and therefore, she had taken leave. 

Luckily, Ismail the fish vendor had dropped by and Kittu's stock of fish could be replenished. His reactions on seeing the vendor is a treat to watch!

  

 

Indian aviation is gaining wings!

Many cities have been added to the aviation route since 2016.

Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh got air connectivity with Delhi and Bombay on Friday. It will be connected to Indore and Hyderabad next week. Bhavnagar in Gujarat got connected with Delhi, Surat and other cities, when a private airline launched 14 new flights on Friday.

Over 60 smaller cities have been added to the country's aviation map under the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme, which was launched in 2016, with a view to enable air operations on unreserved routes connecting regional areas, promote balanced regional growth and make flying affordable for the masses. 

Over the past 35 days, operations of 44 new flights have commenced in Madhya Pradesh, of which 26 aircraft movements have been attributed solely to Jabalpur.

Budget carrier Indigo said that after Bhopal and Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior will be the third and fourth stations in Madhya Pradesh. SpiceJet announced 14 new flights including 12 industry-first non-stop flights. While SpiceJet will be the first airline to connect Bhavnagar-Delhi, Bhavnagar-Surat, Gwalior-Jaipur, Kishangarh(Ajmer)-Bombay, Pune-Tirupati and Varanasi-Dehradun, the airline will also launch a non-stop flight connecting Bhavnagar with Bombay. A spokesperson said it is one of the major regional players operating 63 daily flights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.

On 12 Aug, Bareilly in UP got a flight connecting Bombay. On 08 Mar, it became the 56th airport to commence operations under the UDAN scheme. On 04 Aug, the first direct flight between Imphal and Shillong was flagged off.

Ministry officials said more that 360 of a total of 780 awarded routes have started connecting smaller cities and metros. A senior official has said that over 100 airports and heliports are to be developed by 2024. 9 airports have been developed in 2019-'20 and 26 are to be developed in 2020-'21. 20 each are to be developed in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

New Cities on Aviation Map

* Bihar.                   Darbhanga.

* Gujarat.                Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kandla, Mundra, Porbandar.

* Karnataka.            Belagavi, Hubbali, Mysuru, Vidyanagar, Kalaburgi, Bidar.

* Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior, Jabalpur.

* Maharashtra.        Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Nanded, Ozar.

* Rajasthan.            Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kishangarh.

* Uttar Pradesh.      Bareilly, Agra, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Hindon.

* Uttarakhand.        Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Sahasthradhara, Chinyalisaur, Gaucher, New Tehri.

* Assam.                 Jorhat, Lilabari, Tezpur.

- Kumar Vikram in the NIE.

My take

A country's progress is measured by the extent of communication prevalent and the connectivity that renders the conventional meaning of 'remote and inaccessible' meaningless.

Tailpiece.

Was up by 6, the chores and was ready by 10. It was a leisurely Sunday.

Spoke to Ammu and it was a concall of the family. The cohesion was good and I think each one of us, from here, could convince her that she wasn't far away from us - mentally. She looks more sure of herself, now.

Participated in a webinar : "Mehru Jaffer in conversation with Dr Rosie Llewellyn-Jones (upcoming book Lucknow 1857) and Gen Milan Naidu (new book Nizam-I-Bhopal)" from 1828 to 2030 hrs. An evening well spent!

  

There are no gender-neutral battlefields.

The battlefield is an unforgiving place. It does not understand decency and civilised behaviour and it does   not give consideration to physical or physiological differences. Mountains do not become any less steep nor does the enemy stop firing because the adversary is not a male like him. Simply because the female soldier underwent diluted standards of physical fitness tests in the academy does not give her the right to slow down her comrades nor compromise their safety because she cannot keep pace with them. It does not give her the right to seek privileges or special dispensations on account of her gender because she has already demanded and been given equality when she demanded her right to enter the battlefield.

I am not for a moment suggesting that women are weak or unfit for battle. Our female athletes have displayed their prowess in the sports arena time and again. But in the stadium her opponents are of the same gender and there are rules that are strictly followed. The battlefield does not have such niceties. There are no referees nor any appeals. Might is right and the means don't matter.

But the honourable Supreme Court with its supreme wisdom opines that women are indeed equal to men and are fit for battle then who are we to think otherwise?

Let us accept their diktat gracefully. But for the sake of the men they will command and for the sake of the eventual security of the nation, let it be a level playing field for men and women alike. Let the selection process, requirements and physical standards be the same regardless of gender. As an example, consider the minimum height for a male candidate for joining the OTA, the stipulation for which is presumably based on the envisaged job requirements. 

Why should a male be at least 157.5 cm in height but a female is acceptable if she is 152 cm? Why should a Gentleman Cadet running 2.4 km in 10 minutes be rated "satisfactory" but a Lady Cadet doing the same run in 12 minutes be graded "excellent"? Where is the logic in this? Are we training them for different battlefields and different adversaries?

Lest I be branded as a narrow-minded male chauvinist, let us view this issue from a different perspective. Let us assume that the male and the female are truly equal in the battlefield and we have achieved gender equality by inducting women officers. The question now arises, are we not now indulging in socio-economic discrimination? Why only officers? Why not a similar opportunity for female soldiers? 

Throw open the doors for recruitment of women in every regimental centre. Let every infantry battalion, every armoured and artillery regiment be completely gender neutral. Otherwise, we are simply catering to the educated elite while neglecting the aspirations of other segments of society. And while at it, what about transgenders? Why are they being discriminated against? After all, history tells us that eunuchs were widely employed as security guards for harems in palaces?

The Chetwode motto says, "The safety, honour and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time". My sincere request to the honourable Court and other advocates for equality is, please pay heed to these wise words. The safety, honour and welfare of the country is far too precious, far too hard-earned to let it be compromised on the whims of those who are far removed from the reality of war. And my sincere request to the senior hierarchy of the military establishment is, please follow the Chetwode credo. Stand up for what is right, do not forget that "your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time".

Your subordinates will pay with their blood for the compromises that you make today. Think about it. Jai Hind!

- Colonel Ghosh

My take.

Very valid points that need to be taken into consideration by the stake holders before arriving at the decision of inducting women into combat! 

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores. Was quite busy with a host of small things in the morning to get the Thiruvonam activities going. Lekha had put an attractive 'pookkalam' at the verandah at the entrance of the house.

Suma had sent the chunk of the 'sadya' by 1100 hrs. Lekha had added on to it to make it complete.

Called up relations and friends to pass on onam wishes. There were many calls to attend and scores of messages to reply.

A quiet but memorable day!

A diary of events.....

How things spiraled out of control in Afghanistan.

  1. On 29 Feb 2020, Trump administration (Khalmay Zaidad - US negotiator) had signed a secret deal    with Taliban ( Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar). According to the agreement, it was agreed that :-

* USA would pull out all its troops by 31 May 2021. 

* Taliban would not attack US soldiers till then, which is a reality.

Taliban stood by the deal.

  2. When Joe Biden became president in Jan 2021, he was reminded by the Taliban of the deal and told his reps that Taliban would start attacking US bases.

  3. Biden administration signed another agreement to say :-

* Vacate by 11 Sep 2021. In so doing, Ashraf Ghani would be asked to resign and a NATIONAL GOVERNMENT with Taliban as main partner would be formed.

* However, Ashraf Ghani was unwilling to resign. He thought that he could fight the Taliban with his army.

  4. At Doha talks in May/Jun 2021, Taliban threatened that they would begin their attacks by 01 Sep 2021, if Ghani did not resign. The US changed its deadline of withdrawal to 31 Aug 2021 but Ashraf Ghani still refused to go. To teach him a lesson, the US suddenly and quietly pulled out almost 25 days before the fresh dead line, creating chaos everywhere.

  5. Meanwhile Ashraf Ghani's negotiators, Abdulla Abdulla and ex-President Hamid Karzai switched sides to Taliban. The Army Chief and other generals were bought over with the tacit knowledge of the US. The Afghan forces collapsed. Ashraf Ghani was denied asylum in USA. He is in UAE.

  6. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is an American sympathiser and he is likely to be the new president. He had been in Pakistani jail from 2010 to 2018 and was released on US request. He was arrested by Pakistan in 2010 when he tried to negotiate peace with the then Afghan President, Hamid Karzai - a member of the interim Council of Taliban.

  7. Ahmed Masood of Panjshir valley is a favourite of Russia and not an American friend. Amaraulla Saleh was made a compromise Vice President by Ashraf Ghani to keep Panjshir valley war lord amused. The US could not have given weapons to him.

  8. Fact is that the US wants a stalemate in Afghanistan. And Abdul Ghani Baradar is their man. His becoming the President was the secret deal.

  9. Do not go by what is visible outwardly - a lot remains hidden below the surface. It is now coming out that the US deliberately vacated Afghanistan to entice China into it so as to reduce pressure on Taiwan.

10. It is yet to be seen whether China bites the bait, though it had met the Taliban delegation. Some say the US had promoted Taliban to send its delegation. Whatever, how China behaves is yet to be seen.

11. Do not go by Pakistan and Indian news media - a bigger game is on the cards. It is the game of the super powers wits - who blinks first will be known only after a year or so.

12. Russia is watching from the sidelines to ensure that the two giants fight in Taiwan - Afghan imbroglio and it should regain its lost status.

13. Now consider, where does India fit in?

Courtesy. WhatsApp.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Based on a morning call, went by Sajish's cab to collect our 64 KB ECHS cards. Spent some time with the present Officer-in-charge before returning but not before collecting fruits and flowers.

Lekha has got everything taped up for the onam celebrations tomorrow. Meanwhile, Leela chittamma had invited us to her place which we'd to politely refuse.

Spoke to Ammu, who showed us the house that has been taken on rent. She has settled down and is slowly enhancing her staying facilities. It was nice to see that. 

Can't check out, can't leave!

The real situation in being a member of WhatsApp groups!

The other day, I took a decision in the making for a long time. I knew the consequences would be unpleasant but I owed it to myself and so took the plunge. Some were shocked and disappointed, some called to ask me if everything was okay while others congratulated me saying my action gave them the courage to do something they would not have dared to do.

What did I do? I left a WhatsApp group!

No one could have anticipated the horrors that would follow the dreaded group chat feature of the messaging app. Nowhere have social etiquettes been more flouted and disregarded than in a WhatsApp group.

Imagine a party with a few people hanging out with lovely food and light music. Some are chatting and others staring at the art work on the walls but one person looks desperate to escape from someone showing him all 200 pictures of his baby.

Suddenly, one guest grabs hold of 10 people, drags them to the centre of the hall and forces them to plan how to bring the cake out. Though bewildered at first, you all decide to humour your strange friend. After a few half-hearted comments, the topic at hand is forgotten and one member of the group suddenly starts handing out fliers for the discounts in the car dealership he owns. Meanwhile, another starts loudly warning people about how a secret society has been poisoning the water. In the middle of all this, two old school friends pass around school trip photos and have a nostalgic conversation about their school  that no one else in the group went to. Smack in the middle of this mayhem, a doctor friend shares health tips no one asked for and the other annoying person shows off more baby photos.

Now imagine you quietly walk away from this storm of insufferable madness and everyone stops and stares at you as if you insulted them and calls you rude!

No sanity

That, my friend, is exactly how some WhatsApp groups feel like! What would definitely be viewed as insane behaviour in a normal social setting, is tolerated and even perpetuated in these groups.

Any resistance or indifference makes you a social reject.

What do these groups offer you in reality? Well, rarely does anyone ask to be in a group. They are added in, whether they like it or not. Then there is the good morning, good night forwards. And all those Happy birthday, Deepavali, Christmas and any number of season's greetings, complete with fireworks GIFs.

Then there are the forwards - 15 lines narrating a moral story and the scary "Read more" at the end. The real gems are the "Pass this on to 10 people to bring good fortune" messages. I guess passing on the last three did not improve my luck.

Let us not forget fake news, complete with unrelated and out-of-context videos or images. This wisdom comes courtesy of senior members of our families followed by blessings and religious sentiments.

And yet, thousands of WhatsApp users like me continue to remain in the grips of these groups, wanting to avoid the awkwardness caused by those terrifying words : "So-and-so has left the group". Those words seem to insinuate an abandonment of filial or friendly duties, not the great escape that it actually is! And so, I continue to open and close chats, hoping to remain unnoticed in the background. I dared once to "exit" but no more. I'm not that reckless. I only rant nowadays!

- Jane Pauline Hamilton

My take.

The real situation that one gets drawn to while being a member in a WhatsApp group. The funniest thing is that the most inane topic is discussed with great seriousness! Your hand reaches for your cellphone the moment you wake up in the morning and you're at it for the rest of the day!! An addiction of sorts!!!

Tailpiece.

Got up around 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. After a quick wrap up of the day's newspapers, participated in a webinar : "Afghan government capitulates - what next" hosted by Indus Research Foundation from 1100 to 1300 hrs. Had joined up thanks to the personal invite from my classmate and friend, Anandakrishnan. It was interesting.

Lekha has got her first courier - the pair of sandals!

Participated in the Aazhchakkoottam : "The many meanings of Onam" by K Jayakumar, IAS, former Chief Secretary, Director, Institute of Management in government from 1600 to 1730 hrs. It had the 'K Jayakumar touch'! 

 

The business of fighting!

For all my fellow Indians who sometimes find it hard to understand as to why do we need such a big and professional Army and why should the nation bear the burden of all the Taam Jhaam that comes with it.....Just have a look at Afghanistan. This is what happens when your Army doesn't have the will or what we call Irada in the fauj. Even the most modern weapons given by the Americans and Training by both US and India couldn't install a sense of belongingness and Will to confront the Taliban.

Soldiering and the sheer determination to face odds just doesn't come by wearing a Uniform and donning Ray bans. It's intense training and a will power that can't be broken is what makes an Army. So next time you see an Indian soldier.....close your eyes and thank him for all the parties.....long drives.....Peaceful lives and many more luxuries that we enjoy everyday. Just wish him good luck. That's all that a soldier wants.

      *        *        *

When I joined the military I was taught "the military is here for a few reasons and a couple, probably primary, are to kill people and break things and the sooner you learn that and their way of doing it, the better off you will be".

Trey Gowdy, South Carolina Congressman, has just said a few things about the military in response to a stupid question from an equally-focused CNN reporter about the DoD ban of transgenders joining the US armed forces. He nails it.

"Nobody has a 'right' to serve in the Military. Nobody. What makes people think the Military is an equal opportunity employer? Very far from it.

The Military uses prejudice regularly and consistently to deny citizens from joining for being too old or too young, too fat or too skinny, too tall or too short. Citizens are denied for having flat feet or for missing or additional fingers.

Poor eyesight will disqualify you as well as bad teeth. Malnourished? Drug addiction? Bad back? Criminal history? Low IQ? Anxiety? Phobias? Hearing damage? Six arms? Hear voices in your head? Self-identification as a Unicorn? Need a special access ramp for your wheelchair?

Can't run the required course in the required time? Can't do the required number of push-ups? Not really a 'morning person' and refuse to get out of bed before noon? All can be reasons for denial.

The Military has one job. War. Anything else is a distraction and a liability. Did someone just scream 'That isn't Fair'? War is VERY unfair, there are no exceptions made for being special or challenged or socially wonderful.

YOU change yourself to meet Military standards.....Not the other way around.

I say again : You don't change the Military......you must change yourself. The Military doesn't need to accommodate anyone with special issues. The Military needs to Win Wars.

If any of your personal issues are a liability that detract from readiness or lethality....Thank you for applying and good luck in future endeavours.

Who's next in line?"

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. The usual Wednesday 'aarathi' of the house was carried out.

Gopu gave me the information that the pay and emoluments of the KEDES workers has been settled, which is good. Have asked him for their medical insurance case also to be sorted out at the earliest.

A thoroughly wet evening, because of which the Amazon delivery boy and Suma, the maid didn't turn up as promised. 

 

  

A nugget from the culinary world.

A wildly popular dessert pastry, little known outside France, is a legend that revolves around a bishop, the French Revolution and lots of fresh cream.

The ancient Christians of Europe had patron saints for everything and everyone, from thieves to computer scientists. There is Rene Goupil for anaesthesiologists, St Martha for dieticians and St Lidwina for ice skaters, I kid you not. The 16th century Bishop of Amiens, St Honore, is the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs, having performed many miracles with bread. The St Honore Cake is one of the culinary marvels of the Gallic palate and its making is as complicated as a catechism.

Its construction is elaborate and masterly. The gateau has a circular puff pastry base filled with creme chiboust. The base's outer ring is decorated with a piping of pate a choux - profiteroles that are pastry balls filled with whipped cream, custard, pastry cream or ice cream; these are dipped in carmelised sugar and attached along the side of the circle. The cake is then finished with whipped cream using a special St Honore piping tip. St Honore is credited with inventing choux in 1847 - a delicate puff pastry made with butter, water-melon flour and eggs, made at the Chiboust bakery on the Paris street that bears his name, Rue Saint-Honore, a stretch once lined with patisseries and bakeries. Larousse Gastronomique, an authoritative encyclopaedia of French cuisine, claims that the real inventor of the St Honore Cake was the pastry chef Chiboust who worked on Rue Saint-Honore in 1846. The cream in the gateau, a blend of traditional pastry cream and Italian meringue, gets its name from him.

St Honore was born Honotatus in an aristocratic family near Amiens.

Understanding the history of a country is best done from the driving seat of a motor car. St Honore's bishopric Amiens, called the 'Venice of the North', is a 160-odd km upcountry drive from Paris for about two hours. It is a magical medieval city with floating gardens and a network of canals along which you can float on a barge or eat a cake at a canal side cafe on a cobblestone street. 

The Amiens cathedral boasts the tallest nave in all of France and is a repository of Gothic and renaissance art. The tiny commune of Port-le-Grand, where St Honore was born, is about five lm away - the tree-lined River Austreberthe runs through it serenely. St Honore is depicted in church iconography holding a baker's peel or loaves of bread. Some stepping stones of history are epicurean legends. Baking historian Steven Laurence Kaplan attributes the Bishop's fame to St Honore chapel, once the headquarters of the Guild of Parisian bakers. The French Revolution put an end to all guilds and the saint lapsed into obscurity but not without a final miracle - the lasting popularity of his little cake.

No other nation has transformed gastronomy into a complicated fine art like the French with charming legends, exotic pronunciation, complicated wine drinking rituals and menu construction. Demystifying a popular dessert is the best way to make one. Even if it is a mystical creation like gateau St Honore.

Courtesy. Ravi Shankar.  

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, opened up the house - as the maid was coming in, earlier than usual at a quarter-to-7, though finally she fetched up an hour and a half later - because of the downpour. The chores and was ready by 10.

Lekha and I'd gone to town by about a half past 12 to buy the 'onakkodi' for the maid and returned an hour later.

My niece, Ammu left Bangalore for Doha, from where she boards the second flight to Boston, arriving there by midafternoon, tomorrow. She's pursuing a two-year MBA in entrepreneurship at the Babson College, Massachusetts.

Cacophonics.

A series of background discussions against the backdrop of the Taliban taking over Afghanistan. Interesting as they are, it would be worthwhile to make a note of them!

China is going to be the most important player in Afghan/Taliban/Pakistan politics. With a sizeable population of subjugated Uyghur Muslims in Sinkiang and the Islamist Sunni Taliban in power, the Us may be playing a bigger game to create anarchy along the Sinkiang-Afghanistan-Iran axis. Iran being Shia and Iraq also having a majority Shia population, it's gonna be a heady cocktail.

Just a passing thought. Time will disclose the truth.

One should remember the lessons in "Passing it On", learnt at the training academies, the text book that described the characteristics of Pathan tribes, their treacherous nature and an equally treacherous terrain, tribal rivalries and the operations by the British Indian frontier forces in frontier provinces.

    *        *        *

China should also get its fingers burnt after Russia (in existence, then, as the USSR) and the US. It is playing up to the Taliban by promising lots of money while asking them not to support the Muslims in their own country.

     *        *        *

It seems Afghanistan is being sacrificed for Taiwan! The US wants China to bleed in Afghanistan and Xinjiang so that the 2022 elections of the CCP doesn't return Xi as its chief.

This ongoing situation is achieving multiple targets for the US. With China embroiled and Pakistan not getting any funding, it will become a failed state. A volatile Afghanistan and a failed Pakistan will make India definitely align with the US against China to avoid further impact in the union territory of J&K and Ladakh.

The deal was done by the US with Taliban and that's the only reason for this smooth entry all the way to Kabul. One only has to analyse "what's in it for the US" and given their pressure point in China, they're lighting up the fire in China's western border. Then light up Tibet and ensure India gets involved.

Yesterday, a French naval ship had dropped anchor off Taiwan and there's anticipation that more such allies' naval vessels will converge onto the region. Australian response to the Afghanistan crisis has been muted but it's very much aware of the larger plans.

The chess board is moving rapidly into a long term strategic direction!   

Tailpiece.

Got up around 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Kittu's fear is not understood. Lekha says that it all began last Friday, when the maid had chucked a stone at a stray dog that had accidentally scraped past him.

The day was more or less sunny throughout.

Lekha completes her recital of the Ramayana. The month of Karkkidakom has passed off damn quickly, so it seems.   

What a bloody mess!

The worst hotspot in the world tonight is Kabul, without doubt!

Earlier in the day, almost every foreigner who were in Kabul had fled in their national aircrafts dreading the entry of the Taliban into the city. The so-called Afghan National Army - trained and equipped by the yanks - had succumbed and fled without offering even a semblance of a fight. 

The Afghan President-till-this morning, Ashraf Ghani, had fled to the neighbouring Tajikistan, some time during the day. Yesterday in a widely covered media interaction, he'd proclaimed that his government would negotiate with the Taliban regarding the sharing of power! The Taliban having encircled the whole of Kabul and after having taken over all the important cities and the regions, had then given a statement to the effect that it will not fire a single shot and will wait for the smooth transition of power.

What does one say about a President who, in the process of saving his skin has left the entire lot of Afghans - in the lurch - who desperately believed that he, along with the American forces, would ensure their safety and security, come what may! 

And going by the track record of the Taliban, it's gonna be hell for the womenfolk of Kabul; even the little girls would be violated and scarred by those beasts! They've already been looking for the complete count of girls from 14 yrs to under 45 yrs. I can't believe these guys because their 'so-called-fighters' have no scruples and don't care as they mercilessly trample and snuff out the women. Tales of perpetual rape and inhuman behaviour will be the staple news from the latest hell on earth.

What do the Americans have to say about all this? 20 yrs back, they'd entered Afghanistan and dismantled the Taliban and drove them to the remotest corners and inhospitable mountainous terrain, to fend for themselves. The yanks never tried to dismantle this wretched lot or were they incapable of doing it? The 'superpower' was looked upon by the common Afghan, however, as saviours from their miserable and wretched living under the Taliban.

No doubt, the consequent horror of seeing slain soldiers in 'body bags', returning to the country with a remarkable regularity, was sickening and heart rending for the American public!

But 16 days before the scheduled date of return of the American armed forces on 31 Aug 2021, the Taliban has captured power. Ironically, it's having the last laugh having cocked a snook at their so-called-terminators! 

Can a superpower that had promised something to the host nation, retreat without having achieved its primary objective?

What sort of a President has Biden been reduced to? Barely six weeks ago, he'd made a pompous statement that the Taliban would not take over Afghanistan when the last of the US soldiers left that country. Is this the type of statement that the leader of a superpower should have made which he, himself was unsure of, based on the intelligence about the actual situation on the ground that he must have received?

I am of the firm opinion that more Americans would now realise that they've elected the wrong guy for being their President. Sad!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. It was a sunny day and an uneventful Sunday. Spoke to quite a few people in the course of the day!

Participated in the webinar of the Lucknow-based Janus Initiatives which was giving a debrief of its program - the distribution of masks, sanitizers and sanitary napkins during that last year across the country - from 1930 - 2100 hrs.

Respect invisible labels!

A car ahead was moving like a turtle and not giving me way despite my continuous honking! I was on the brink of losing my cool when I noticed the small sticker on the car's rear!

"Physically challenged; please be patient".

And that changed everything!!

I immediately went calm and slowed down.

In fact, I got a little protective of the car and the driver!!!

I reached home a few minutes late but it was okay!

And then it struck me.

Would I have been patient if there was no sticker?

Why do we need stickers to be patient with people!?

Will we be more patient and kind with others if people had labels pasted on their foreheads?

Labels like -

* "Lost my job"

* "Fighting cancer"

* "Going through a bad divorce"

* "Suffering emotional abuse"

* "Lost a loved one"

* "Feeling worthless"

* "Financially broken".

Everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about.

The least we can do is to be patient, kind and compassionate.

Let us respect the Invisible Labels!

......and more like these!!

     *       *       *

When Maths Died And They Lived Happily

Husband borrowed Rs.250/- from wife.

After a few days he again borrowed Rs.250/-

After a few days she asked husband to return the money.

When asked how much wife said that he owes her Rs.4100/-

On request, below is the math given by the wife.

Rs. 2 5 0

Rs. 2 5 0

------------

Rs. 4 10 0

The husband is still trying to find out the school where she learned her Math.

Later.........

Husband gave her Rs.400/- back and asked how much balance he has to pay back.

She wrote :

Rs. 4100

Rs. 400

------------

      0100

He gave back Rs.100/-

Both lived happily ever after. Only Maths died!

* Courtesy. What'sApp

Tailpiece.

Got up half an our later than our usual time, the chores and was ready by 10 o'clock. The maid was on a day off and it was Lekha's show all the way.

Participated in the Aazhchakkoottam : "The Epics and India's Culture" by R Ramachandran Nair, Former Chief Secretary to the Govt of Kerala from 1600 - 1730 hrs. A very interesting one at that!

Standing by her convictions!

She won her first Olympic medal at Athens 2004 - the silver in 200 m.

In Beijing 2008, she won the silver in that event again. And along with it a gold in the 4x400 m relay.

In London 2012, there were golds in the 200 m, 4x100 m and 4x400 m, including a World Record in the second event.

At Rio 2016, came the silver in 400 m and golds in the two relays.

In early 2018, she got pregnant.

Her sponsors, Nike said they would lower their sponsorship amount by 70%. When she protested, she was asked to 'know her place' and get back to training.

Alysson Felix moved away from Nike. She created her own brand of shoes. She wore the shoes in Tokyo 2021. This was her fifth Olympic Games.

At the age of 35, she won a bronze in 400 m and a gold in the 4x400 m relay.

Her tally of medals stood at 11 - 7 golds, 3 silvers, 1 bronze, making her the most successful female Olympic athlete ever.

After the last medal, she posted a picture on Instagram. The caption read : 'I know my place (and it's in my own shoes)'.

The picture showcased her medals and the scar of the caesarean section from giving birth to daughter, Camryn.

As a result, the suit-clad male-dominated Nike-management had a change of whatever black market substitute corporates carry for a heart. Women athletes sponsored by the company are now guaranteed salary and bonuses for 18 months around their pregnancy.

Since then three more big sponsors have walked the same path and changed their terms.

Source : What'sApp

      *        *        *

A slice of history.

Air Travel in 1945 was not only expensive but also tedious. 

The flight from Karachi to Colombo.

Duration : 32 hrs with 7 stops. It included an overnight stay at Hyderabad. Price : Rs.465 and 0 Annas.

       *        *        *

Did you know?

When you're happy, you enjoy the music. But when you're sad, you understand the lyrics.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. 

Spoke with a lot of people; the day was busy from that point of view.

  

What is intelligence, anyway?

When I was in the army, I received the kind of aptitude test that all soldiers took and against a normal of 100, scored 160.. No one at the base had ever seen a figure like that and for two hours they made a big fuss over me.

(It didn't mean anything. The next day I was still a buck private with KP - kitchen police - as my highest duty).

All my life I've been registering scores like that, so that I have the complacent feeling that I'm highly intelligent and I expect other people to think so too.

Actually, though, don't such scores simply mean that I am very good at answering the type of academic questions that are considered worthy of answers by people who make up the intelligence tests - people with intellectual bents similar to mine?

For instance, I had an auto-repair man once, who, on these intelligence tests, could not possibly have scored more than 80, by my estimate. I always took it for granted that I was far more intelligent than he was.

Yet, when anything went wrong with my car I hastened to him with it, watched him anxiously as he explored its vitals and listened to his pronouncements as though they were divine oracles - and he always fixed my car.

Well, then, suppose my auto-repair man devised questions for an intelligence test.

Or suppose a carpenter did or a farmer or indeed almost anyone but an academician. By every one of those tests, I'd prove myself a moron and I'd be a moron, too.

In a world where I could not use my academic training and my verbal talents but had to do something intricate or hard, working with my hands, I would do poorly.

My intelligence, then, is not absolute but is a function of the society I live in and of the fact that a small subsection of that society has managed to foist itself on the rest as an arbiter of such matters.

Consider my auto-repair man, again.

He had a habit of telling me jokes whenever he saw me.

One time he raised his head from under the automobile hood to say, "Doc, a deaf-and=mute guy went into a hardware store to ask for some nails. He put two fingers together on the counter and made hammering motions with the other hand.

"The clerk brought him a hammer. He shook his head and pointed to the two fingers he was hammering. The clerk brought him nails. He picked out the sizes he wanted and left. Well, doc, the next guy who came in was a blind man. He wanted scissors. How do you suppose he asked for them?"

Indulgently, I lifted my right hand and made scissoring motions with my first two fingers.

Whereupon my auto-repair man laughed raucously and said, "Why, you dumb jerk, he used his voice and asked for them".

Then he said smugly, "I've been trying that on all my customers today". "Did you catch many?" I asked. "Quite a few", he said, "but I knew for sure I'd catch you".

"Why is that?" I asked. "Because you're so goddamned educated, doc, I knew you couldn't be very smart".

And I have an uneasy feeling he had something there. HB

- Autobiography by Isaac Asimov 1920 - 1992.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Around 11, Lekha and I'd gone by Hameed's auto rickshaw to buy our weekly supply of assorted fruits.

Dr Aby, from the Shenoy Care, confirms that Lekha has sufficient antibodies in her system, to defeat the Corona virus, post both the vaccinations. That was a big relief and our recent trip and the drawal of her blood samples had reached its logical conclusion. Phew!

Changed the bed clothes and have got things ready for an early morning wash of the soiled linen, tomorrow.

Adieu Pidavoor Amme!

Vetteelazhikom Thankamma chechi (aka as Pidavoor Amma as she stayed at Pidavoor, a small hamlet between Pathanapuram and Kunnicode in Kollam district), passed into the mist of time about half an hour past midnight, quite early in the day. All of 95 years, she was energetic and active - moving all around the huge compound of her house till about the third week of last month. 

She'd sit on her chair in the sitting room and interact with everyone who dropped by and she was known to quite a few people around the place, as she provided food and interacted with everyone. No one left the house without enjoying her hospitality. In other words, she had a huge fan following! 

She was admitted at the NS Hospital, Ayathil at Kollam on 28 Jul, after having tested positive for Covid and was under treatment over the last couple of weeks. About five days back, she'd contracted Pneumonia which got worse and finally, took her away from us. Her body all wrapped up in polythene, except for the face - which was covered with a transparent piece - was brought into the house around a half past 12, this afternoon. She lay in state for two hours in the sitting room of the house that she'd lorded over the last so many years and was finally cremated behind the house at a spot adjacent to her husband's (Pidavoor Achhan - Vetteelazhikom Govinda Pillai) cremation point, who'd passed into the mist of time in the year 2000.

Pidavoor Amma is the mother of G Padmakumar, my sister, Rema's husband both of whom were at Pidavoor all this while.   

I'd like to recall a few incidents that I'd the privilege of  experiencing under her benevolent eyes. I'd first met her towards the run up to Rema-Padmakumar's wedding on 21 May 1989. From then on, there was no looking back as she'd developed a fondness for me and when Lekha joined me, she showered her with her love and affection.

She'd feed us with snack/food depending on the time of the day we fetched up and would be disappointed if we did not partake the delicacies on offer. Her trademark adieu was to stand with folded hands, blessing us as we drove out of her driveway. I used to feel very comfortable and safe during the journey because of that solid 'kavach' that protected us.

I'd listen to her conversations, experiences and the stories of her life which were interesting and there were occasions when I'd ask for a repeat or for more, at times, even losing track of time. 

She was very possessive about us ever since the passing away of my parents and I always had this feeling that she took it upon herself to cater to our needs as she would perceive! 

RIP Pidavoor Amme! Will miss your overwhelming presence when I reach there next. My salute, tears and prayers to an extraordinary lady who'd tremendous love and compassion towards everyone she came across! Here's wishing everyone of our near and dear ones to have the strength to pass through these difficult times.

Tailpiece.

Rema had sent me a message about the tragedy around a half past 1 at night. Didn't pass it on to Lekha then as I saw her sleeping peacefully and instead, informed her about it in the morning. The day was spent in calling people as well as answering calls.

Monitored the progress of work on our Chevy. 

US and China lock horns at the UNSC.

It was at the India-led trailblazing United Nations Security Council debate on Maritime Security. While China hit out at the Quad, US attacked Beijing on its growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

As India initiated the first-ever standalone discussion on 'Maritime Security' in the United Nations Security Council on Monday, the US and China took on each other over the issue of freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.

China hit out at the Quad, accusing a "few countries" of "pursuing an exclusive regional strategy in the Asia Pacific region in an attempt to create intensified maritime conflict". The Quad, formally known as the "Quadrilateral Security Dialogue", is a forum for exchanging strategic intelligence and conducting joint military exercises between four countries - the United States, India, Japan and Australia.

Officially, the organisation was conceived as a place for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific area to protect shared security and other interests. Observers, on the other hand, believe the Quad is designed to challenge China's recent military and economic development.

The US, represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an oblique reference to China, said the international rules-based order was "under serious threat".

"In the South China Sea, we have seen dangerous encounters between vessels at sea and provocative actions to advance unlawful maritime claims", Blinken said. China has been building military bases on artificial islands in the region also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

"The United States has made clear its concerns regarding actions that intimidate and bully other states from lawfully accessing their maritime resources. And we and other countries including South China Sea claimants have protested such behaviour and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea", he said.

"Some may assert that resolving the dispute in the South China Sea is not the business of the United States or any other country that is not a claimant to the islands and waters. But it is the business and even more the responsibility of every Member State to defend the rules that we've all agreed to follow and peacefully resolve maritime disputes. Conflict in South China Sea or in any ocean would have serious global consequences for security and for commerce. What's more, when a State faces no consequences for ignoring these rules, it fuels greater impunity and instability everywhere", the leader said.

China's Deputy Permanent Representative Dai Bing, speaking last in the meeting, said that he wishes to "point out that the Security Council is not the right place to discuss the issue of the South China Sea. The US just mentioned the South China Sea issue and China firmly opposes this act".

He said that at present "with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable. All countries enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law".

The Chinese diplomat said that Beijing is "determined and able to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea". Hitting out at Washington, he said the US itself is not qualified to make irresponsible remarks on the issue of the South China Sea.

"The US has been stirring up trouble out of nothing, arbitrarily sending advanced military vessels and aircraft into the South China Sea as provocations and publicly trying to drive a wedge into regional countries, especially countries concerned. This country itself has become the biggest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea. The US itself does not join the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) but considers itself a judge of the Convention pointing fingers at other countries", he said adding that Washington has no credibility on maritime issues.

"The United States' hype in the Security Council is entirely politically motivated. The South China Sea arbitration tribunal violated the Principle of State consent", the Chinese diplomat said, adding that "There were obvious errors in the determination of facts and application of the law and its award was invalid and without any binding force".

He said China and ASEAN countries are committed to fully and effectively implementing the declaration under the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and strive to reach the code of conduct in the South China Sea at an early date.

In the backdrop of China having dismissed the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea - UNCLOS judgement in 2016 vis-a-vis Philippines - the outcome document on maritime security that stressed the primacy of the international law, was a major development.

However, it was not without its share of hurdles, CNN-News18 has learned. China is believed to have held out till the very end of the discussion, on the language related to UNCLOS.

This also marks the first-ever outcome document adopted by the UNSC on the issue of maritime security.

As per practices, the "Presidential Statement" has to be adopted unanimously. But Indian negotiators were able to find a language acceptable to all. This was without dropping the reference reference to UNCLOS.

Four heads of governments/states and 10 Ministers, including seven Foreign Ministers, participated in the Indian initiative at the UNSC.

India also managed to get a full open debate on maritime security. So far, UNSC has discussed limited aspects of maritime security, such as maritime piracy and crime.

Past attempts made by Vietnam in Apr 2021 and Equatorial Guinea in Feb 2019, for a full discussion had not succeeded.

Source. News18 with inputs from PTI.

My take.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yet again, has shown that the other world leaders look up to him for leadership in the affairs of the world. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Was able to finish up a lot of work through the course of the day.

Lekha, along with the maid, had gone across to the ration shop to collect the rations for the month. The union government is doing a lot for the people. The red card holders are issued with a variety of rice, wheat and pulses.  

 

S-400 delivery and CAATSA sanctions.

Indian defence forces are expected to receive the first delivery of the Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missiles (SAM) later this year. With the delivery fast approaching, the Biden Administration will soon need to decide whether to sanction India under the US Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which came into effect following allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential elections. The law includes provisions that require the US President to impose sanctions on any nation with 'significant transactions' with Russian defence industry. 

When US lawmakers and Administration officials have reportedly discussed a waiver for India, when asked about CAATSA on his recent visit to New Delhi, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "Well, we have our laws. We'll - we apply our laws, but we shared our concerns with India about this. But I'm not going to get ahead of myself. We'll see how things evolve in the coming months".

In other words, there is room for a waiver but sanctions are also possible and the US has yet to make a final judgement. Before India takes delivery of the S-400 system, the US Administration should stand firm with a decision to grant India a CAATSA waiver and prepare to formally inform Congress that it is in the vital national security interest of the united States to shield India from sanctions over their S-400 purchase.

This decision is not without controversy. Adversaries (China) and allies (Turkey) have already been sanctioned under CAATSA. The law bolsters a significant national security priority for the United States and has support from both major political parties. So, what justifies an exemption for India?

First is context. India imported most of its weapons from Russia for over half a century. Until the early 1990s, around 80% of Indian military inventory was from the former USSR and India still depends on Russia for everything from training to spare parts. But this dependence has reduced considerably. From 2015 - 2019, Moscow's share in the Indian weapons market declined from 72% to 56%. In contrast, US defence sales to India have drastically increased from almost nothing 15 years ago to approximately $21 billion today. India is on the right path from the US standpoint.

Second, the US and India are aligned in several crucial areas : a free and open Indo-Pacific, anti-terrorism, ending the pandemic, resilient global supply-chains, trade, cyber security, space, education, climate change and a commitment to democracy, to name a few. The US is well aware of India's critical position as a regional force in the Indo-Pacific, as indicated in Secretary Blinken's recent agreement with Foreign Minister Jaishankar to expand the multilateral security partnership and counter China's growing influence in the region. On the geo-political level, India's crucial role as part of the "Quad" grouping and its pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific region cannot be ignored.

CAATSA sanctions might be narrowly targeted but the symbolic consequences would undermine all these priorities. Following the 1998 nuclear tests conducted by India, the US led a group of western countries to impose sanctions on India creating deep mistrust. Washington soon regretted that choice and worked to rebuild ties. But the existent maturity of the relationship took over two decades to rebuild. Sanctions would endanger progress made over two decades under five American presidents. While Indians would view sanctions as an avoidable and unwarranted 'punishment', the Russians (and Chinese) would view US sanctions on India as a geo-political and commercial victory.

Sanctions would put on hold the Major Defence Partnership the two countries share, derail Quad cooperation and have a negative ripple effect on more than 40 ongoing dialogues between the two democracies, including those related to : defence trade, military exercises and vaccine diplomacy.The public backlash would place a political chill on relations and it is unlikely that the damage would be limited to the defence sector.

Right now, the US-India partnership is stronger than ever. When the US requested countries around the world to stop crude oil imports from Iran, India worked to comply given US flexibility and negotiations behind the scenes. This helped the US to achieve an important geopolitical milestone in pressuring the Iranian regime over its nuclear programme. But CAATSA is a harder ask. With active military threats from its neighbours, India will not defer maintenance, overhaul and upgrade of Russia material procured over 50 years. India cannot rapidly wean off Russian arms.

Sanctions would push India back to Russia as a preferred and reliable source of weapons, increasing rather than decreasing the strength of Russia's defence sector. Sanctions would weaken a common front deterring China's most destabilizing activity in the region. And sanctions could cut off India's long-term market for the US defence industry. In the case of India, CAATSA's core purpose will be undermined by its implementation. Congress and the Administration should take note.

Source. Shireen Singh and Captain Vikram Mahajan (Retd) in Financial Express Online.

My take.

Here, the Americans seem to be on tricky terrain! Let's see as to how the situation turns positive for India.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 6, the chores and was ready by 10. There were a couple of actions that needed to be completed right in the morning.

It was a quiet evening. 

PS.

On this very same day 76 years back, the US had dropped the second nuclear bomb - code-named Fat Man - on the Japanese town of Nagasaki during World War II on 09 Aug 1945. Found no mention of it in any of the mainstream media today. Have we forgotten it so soon? Sad!