The story of Birba...

The man who was awarded twice, on Republic Day, including the highest gallantry award but is still unknown.

Bir Bahadur Gurung was a young well built lad not yet into his teens. He lived with his family on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Upper Assam, in a thatched roof hut. He was fondly called Birba by his family and friends. Needless to say, Birba was a strong swimmer. He also climbed nearby hills with the agility and sure footedness of a mountain goat.

One day Birba and his friends were lounging on the banks of the river. Birba saw a passenger ferry sail down stream which in Birba's own words seemed to be "walking like a drunken man".

Birba barked a few instructions to his friends to get ropes and jumped into the water. For the next hour or so Birba was in water, saving as many as he could from the ferry, that had now capsized. He came out of the water only after after the Army rescue teams arrived.

For his act of exceptional bravery, Birba received the President's Bravery Award given to children on Republic Day.....On R-Day, he rode the back of an elephant down Rajpath, waving excitedly to the cheering crowds.

Fourteen years later, Lance Naik Bir Bahadur Gurung and his team of crack commandos scaled a vertical cliff all through the night to catch the enemy by surprise at dawn. During the firefight Birba was mortally injured, but he continued to fight on and breathed his last only after the enemy had been eliminated and the Tricolour fluttered atop the peak. The detailed planning and flawless execution of the capture of "Peak Tololing" during the Kargil war is the stuff that legends are made of.

Cadets in military academies around the world study this military operation in great detail. Many cadets have submitted dissertations on Birba as a part of their study program. "The Life and Times Of Birba" is a lesson that eighth grade children learn in schools across Canada - as a part of their English Language curriculum.

Once again Birba's name was called on Republic Day. His widow walked up to the President to receive the Param Vir Chakra.

Back home in Upper Assam, an approximately forty year old woman blows through a pipe to revive the dying embers of the fire in the "chullah". She lives in a thatched roof hut along with her aged in laws and an old aunt. The arresting feature of the hut is a framed colour photograph of Birba with two medals garlanding it. The woman keeps her body and soul together by working as a domestic help in a few houses in the nearby Oil town. All this whilst pot bellied men with oily smiles zoom around town in their latest SUVs.

Fortunately, Birba's only son now a teenager has been picked up by Birba's old regiment, the Assam Regiment, where he is now a recruit.

My friends, this is the story of a genuinely great Indian. Unfortunately, he will never be even a footnote in our history books though many other "genuinely great Indians" like numerous scam tainted will be talked of for years to come. There will never be a Birba Road or a Birba statue in the middle of a "Chow rasta". Such privileges are for people who sell their souls and our motherland to the highest bidder.



Tailpiece.

Had got up at 6, even though it was a Sunday, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was Lekha's birthday as per the English calendar and I presented her with a couple of miniature Ganesh statuettes. It was a quiet day with us quietly getting ready for an early morning exit. There's gonna be rain as the south west monsoon has set in. Hope the water doesn't bother our smooth drive. 

India - a rising global power.

Nobody likes a rising global power and we must ask a simple question - Who benefits the most from tearing India's image to pieces.

As a matter of principle, nobody likes a rising global power. They didn't like it when China rose. They don't like it now that India is breaking into the top five.

I will never get tired of pointing out how momentous the the year 2019 was for India and the whole world. I'm not just talking about the Lok Sabha election. I'm talking about the fact that in 2019, India entered the club of the world's five largest economies. This marks the end of one era and the beginning of another.

In ten years, we would be in the top three. That upsets everything. The whole global order.

So it is no surprise that the global elite has become exceptionally cruel and vicious towards India. As usual, they have used their Ganga Dins in India to support and further their cause. I'm talking about the army of activists, intellectuals, op-ed writers, street protesters who have systematically undermined and shamed India for 70 years. They have always been the infantry of the global elite. Their livelihood depends on it. They grow up on a diet of lit fests, made up international conferences, fake degrees (honorary or otherwise) in fake subjects from real universities and so on.

- Abhishek Banerjee in OpIndia.

   *             *              *

The Post Office

There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.

One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no address. he thought he should open it to see what it was about.

The letter read :

Dear God,

I'm an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had 100 Pounds in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension cheque. Next Sunday is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner.

Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?

Sincerely, 
Edna.

The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few pounds. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected 96 Pounds, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman.

The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.

Christmas came and went.

A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God.

All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read :

Dear God,

How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift. By the way, there was 4 Pounds missing. I think it must have been those b******* at the Post Office!

Sincerely,
Edna.



Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. By 10, I drove off to renew the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate from the nearest booth. On my return, I'd picked up the 1 kg packet of arrowroot powder for the old lady that I know and had topped up my Chevy and checked tyre pressure - the usual steps that I follow before a long drive!

Earlier, around 9, I'd spoken with Madhu because he'd called me up last night. It was just a usual 'hello call' and through his friend, got Lekha's dentist's cellphone number, the last person to confirm an appointment. With that in the bag, we'd rung up Joma - my classmate's wife - whose 60th birthday it was today. She was quite happy as Lekha had contributed towards the 20' video clip, made by her daughters to facilitate her on the occasion! 




   

The ICMR's (Indian Council of Medical Research) recommendations.

These points may be borne in mind to avoid unnecessary problems.

 (a) Postpone travel abroad for 2 years.
 (b) Do not eat outside food for 1 year.
 (c) Avoid unnecessary attending of marriages or other similar ceremonies.
 (d) Do not undertake unnecessary travel trips.
 (e) Do not go to a crowded place for at least 1 year.
 (f) Follow social distancing norms...
 (g) Stay away from a person who has cough...
 (h) Keep the face mask on...
 (j)  Be very careful in the current one week.
 (k) Do not allow any mess up around you.
 (l)  Prefer vegetarian food...
 (m)Do not go to the Cinema, Mall, Crowded Market for 6 month from now. If possible, Park, Party,
       etc should also be avoided.
 (n) Increase immunity...
 (p) Be very careful while at the barber shop or at a beauty Salon parlour....
 (q) Avoid unnecessary meetings, always keep in mind social distancing.
 (r)  The threat of Corona is not going to end soon.
 (s) Don't wear belt, rings, wrist watch, when you go out. Watch is not required. Your mobile has
      got time.
 (t) No handkerchief. Take sanitizer and tissue if required.
 (u)Don't bring the shoes into your house. Leave them outside.
 (v)Clean your hands and feet when you come home from outside.
 (w)If you feel you have come nearer to a suspected patient, take a thorough bath.

Lock down or no lock down, for the next six to twelve months, follow these precautions.

*                *                  *

                           FEAR

It is said that before entering the sea a river trembles with fear.

She looks back at the path she has traveled. From the peaks of the mountains, the long winding road, crossing forests and villages.

And in front of her. She sees an ocean so vast, that to enter there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.

But there is no other way. The river cannot go back. Nobody can go back. To go back is impossible in existence.

The river needs to take the risk of entering the ocean because only then will fear disappear because that's where the river will know it's not about disappearing into the ocean but of becoming the ocean.

- Kahlil Gibran.



Tailpiece.

Both of us had got up around a half past 1 to go to the rest room and I wished Lekha many happy returns as today happens to be her birthday as per the Malayalam calendar. Lekha had set the alarm for a half past 5 to be in time for the Rajah medical team that landed up, on the dot, at 7.

Hameed took me to the hospital to give my blood for the post prandial test. Ran quite a few errands and met Vishnu, the Manager of our bank who's moving to Thiruvananthapuram on transfer. Will miss him for sure!

Lekha cut the cake exactly at 1 before Suma left the house after work.

The results are good in Lekha's case but mine needs to improve! 

The Kupler Rose Model and another story.

The Kupler Rose Model

When a human being goes through any tragedy, natural disaster, accident, they pass through 5 stages. They are :-

   (a) Denial
   (b) Anger
   (c) Bargain
   (d) Depression
   (e) Acceptance

   Denial. Refusal to believe such a thing never happened. For example, we all denied that Corona
   will not come to us. Even if it comes, repeated denial that it will not spread to our place due to hot
   climatic conditions.

   Anger. Getting angry as it upsets routine. For example, anger over the loss of income and the loss
   of normal life due to lock down.

   Bargain. Inwardly lamenting that the Corona should have done less damage like sparing fit people,
   having curable treatment.

   Depression. Feeling low due to these things which were not expected.

   Acceptance. The last stage. The other way around is to accept it. Example : getting used to live
   with Corona.

These five levels are not limited to Corona. Applies to all problems in human life.

What will the wise person do?

Going straight from the first level to the fifth level he will set to make next steps to progress in life.
He who is trapped without reaching the fifth stage becomes mentally ill.

    *                 *                   *

Intelligence and Wisdom

 1. Intelligence leads to arguments. Wisdom leads to settlements.
 2. Intelligence is power of will. Wisdom is power over will.
 3. Intelligence is heat, it burns. Wisdom is warmth, it comforts.
 4. Intelligence is pursuit of knowledge, it tires the seeker. Wisdom is pursuit of truth, it inspires the
    seeker.
 5. Intelligence is holding on. Wisdom is letting go.
 6. Intelligence leads you. Wisdom guides you.
 7. An intelligent man thinks he knows everything. A wise man knows that there is still something to
    learn.
 8. An intelligent man always tries to prove his point. A wise man knows there really is no point.
 9. An intelligent man freely gives unsolicited advice. A wise man keeps his counsel until all options
     are considered.
10. An intelligent man understands what is being said. A wise man understands what is left unsaid.
11. An intelligent man speaks when he has to say something. A wise man speaks when he has
      something to say.
12. An intelligent man sees everything as relative. A wise man sees everything as related.
13. An intelligent man tries to control the mass flow. A wise man navigates the mass flow.
14. An intelligent man preaches. A wise man reaches.

Intelligence is good but wisdom achieves better results.


Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5 as Lekha had set the alarm basically, to be on time to move when George would arrive by a quarter to 9. We left at the anointed time and was at the Rani Menon's Eye Hospital, a trifle after 9. Lekha's follow up results were fine and both of us had our eyes checked and placed orders for new glasses. The doctor did touch upon the difficulties of the lock down!

Meanwhile, Jibin, the service rep of the PCI had reached home to carry out the quarterly servicing as per the AMC. We returned by a half past 1 and had a late lunch.

Ramesh and his understudy had fetched up to carry out the maintenance work of our garden before the onset of monsoon. 


  

US to Recognise Tibet Autonomous Region.

US trying to hurt China diplomatically by recognising Tibet as independent country. Others like India, too, should follow suit.

Ramping up pressure in China, US lawmaker Scott Perry has introduced a bill in Congress that would "authorize the President to recognise the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China as a separate, independent country".

Perry, a military veteran and a Republican from Pennsylvania, has introduced a similar bill for Hong Kong.

Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing. Both major political parties are accusing each other of being soft on China.

The bills will have to pass the House and the Senate before it goes to the President to be signed into law to be meaningful - and even if it does there is little the US can do to force the issue. But such is the strain in US - China ties that the move sent a frisson of excitement though the diplomatic community with Tibetans in exile taking enthusiastic note of it.

"Good move! It will happen sooner or later. Please @scottperry consider whole # Tibet, not only ART but including Kham and Amdo, a separate Independent Country for your Bill", one Tibetan activist tweeted the Congressman, adding, "There would be no better sanction for # China to recognise # Tibet and # East Turkestan as separate and Independent Countries".

The move also galvanized Uygurs, some of whom urged US lawmakers to bat for them too. While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, has had long and deep ties with Tibet going back decades. Tibet as a political issue has largely been forgotten in Washington, sacrificed at the altar of economic expediency. While the Dalai Lama remains a much loved and revered figure in the US, this is the first time in many years that any political figure has pushed for political independence for the region.

My take.

A master stroke to bring China to its knees! It should happen soon!!



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Finally, Hameed took me to the Geeyem Motors at Puzhakkal and I drove my Chevy - into our porch - after 85 days! Also, Suma has submitted our application for the issue of a new ration card.

George will chauffeur us to the Rani Menon Eye Hospital, tomorrow morning at a quarter to 9, as per the appointment given.    

    

From here and there....once more!

Rama and Krishna

Rama, literally, means delightful. King Dasaratha and all his people were delighted to to see the first child after performing a lot of virtuous deeds. So his Guru, Vasishtha named the child, Rama.

Further reciting the name of Rama three times, is as good as reciting the full Vishnu Sahasra nama stothra.

Sri Rama Rama Rameti; Rame Rame Manorame
Sahasra nama tat tulyam Rama nama varanane.

Similarly, Krishna means knower, to know or knowledge.

He is the Vasudeva, resident divinity in all and the knower of all!

    *                *                *

Why do we say 'Ram Ram' on meeting another?

Twice would mean 54+54 = 108. Every mantra we chant (Jap) is done for a minimum of 108 times, hope you all know the importance of the number 108 in the Sanathana Dharma. When we say Ram Ram, it completes one Mala/108 times so we take Lord Rama's name twice when we meet anyone.

    *                 *                 *

The clear instructions Sanathana Dharma had issued, 5000 years ago, to prevent Pandemics.

(a) Salt, ghee, oil, rice and other food items should not be served with bare hand. Use spoons to
      serve.
(b) Without a reason don't touch your own indriyas (organs like eyes, nose, ears, etc.)
(c) Don't use clothes already worn by you. Dry them, yourself, after every bath.
(d) Wash your hands, feet, mouth before you eat.
(e) Without a bath or 'snaan' and 'suddhi', all Karmas (duties) done are 'nishphalam' (of no use).
(f)  Don't use the cloth (towel) used by another person for drying yourself after a bath.
(g) Use different clothes while sleeping, while going out, while doing pooja.
(h) Don't wear clothes worn by others.
(j)  Clothes once worn should not be worn again, before washing.
(k) Don't wear wet clothes.
(l)  Take a bath on return from the cremation ground. Have bath after every haircut.

These precautions were taught to everyone five thousand years ago in the Sanathana Dharma. We were forewarned about the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, when no microscopes existed but our ancestors using Vedic knowledge prescribed these Dharma as Sadaachaaram and followed these!

And see, in today's scenario, how true these are! 


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The Chevy was ready by evening but there was none to drive it in because of reduced manpower. Meanwhile, Lekha had gone to meet the ophthalmologist, next door, to get her eyesight checked to renew glasses.

Long chats with Ajith, my classmate and Joe, my shipmate in the Centre for Leadership and Behavioural Studies, Kochi. Interesting conversations! 

Corona Travelogue.

The Migrant Malady Version II : Ground report far away from media stories.

17 May 2020.

It was my Day Number 57 in Delhi at my dear friend's place. My workplace being in Agartala, I was one among the millions 'Lock down Struck' Indian who was stuck in Delhi awaiting some transportation that carried me back. With the decision by the Government that flights resumption wasn't to start in the foreseeable future came my resolve that I needed to start back for Agartala on my own.

This had regularly struck my mind during last fortnight (Lock down 3.0) but what prevented me driving my way back was the image of the country that one had built over days of following media......that being chaos on roads, migrant workers turning violent in absence of support, arson, loot etcetera.

The fact that I needed to travel with my wife and twin teenage daughters across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal naxal belt made my decision a favourite object of my well wishers' criticism.

Nonetheless, on the evening of 17 May 20, the positive desperation of heading back to my home overpowered the long carried apprehension, as I packed my bag for this adventurous journey back home. On the morning of 18 May, my dear friend who had been my host for the last two months, dropped me at Agra in his SUV. In Agra, I took a Maruti Swift, that belonged to an employee of my company. The car was incidentally stuck with the car transporter who was unable to tranship it to Agartala for the last two months under the conditions that prevailed.

My journey from Agra started and I travelled across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura to finally reach Agartala, covering 2,400 km over three nights and four days.

My experience was vivid and revealing on many counts. I came across hundreds of care centers across UP and Bihar meant for the migrant labourers set up by social organisations (including the RSS), political parties, local leaders and NGOs. Then there were hoards of volunteers distributing water and eatables to those travelling and were needy out of their car boots!.......all this while it rained or was avoidably hot and humid.

Over the last few days, I smoothly crossed across seven state borders. This statistically meant travelling across 25% Indian States. I witnessed the sheer professionalism and dedication of the Governments of Assam and Tripura; by the way they are handling the incoming population and transients. Everyone I found was courteous and respectful. I, finally, reached my destination yesterday feeling prouder as an Indian, deeply impressed with our response mechanisms and state of affairs during this Pandemic.

The lessons that I learnt for three nights, four days road journey were few, nonetheless need to be shared :-

 (a) There is an urgent need to have some positive news reporting and avoid migrant workers as
      villains. Even in the face of such distressing conditions, I found helpful hands and smiling faces.
      With every single bad report of something gone wrong somewhere, there are hundreds of things
      going right!

      They need to be reported for the population to draw a correct picture and take positive decisions.

 (b) Don't draw conclusions watching motivated news stories or some videos over social media. Law
       and Order on the roads, isn't bad.

 (c) Police across states is geared up and selflessly render duty and enforce crowd control measures.

 (d) Road conditions in India have improved over the years. With or without traffic, maintaining an
       average of 65-70 kmph across all states wasn't possible otherwise. Road trip is a way to go in
       such a situation, considering the social distancing norms.

That's all...May we all beat the VIRUS with positive thoughts and a brave, confident response.

Good Luck and Godspeed!

A proud and confident Indian.

Source. What'sApp.

    *                        *                            *

Did you know this?

The evolution of the word Pandemic.

On an average, the Panda feeds for 15 hours a day. This is the same as an adult at home under quarantine, which is why we call it a "Pandemic".


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by 9. The grocers delivered our demand and the Geeyem guys have said that my Chevy should be ready by tomorrow evening. Phew!

It rained in short bursts but the heat was unbearable! Suma left the house, after work, by 1830 hrs. 



      

From here and there.

If you love the English language, you will enjoy this verse

The Mysteries of Anatomy

Where can a man buy a cap for his knee,
Or the key to a lock of his hair?
Can his eyes be called an academy?
Because there are pupils there?

In the crown of your head can jewels be found?
Who crosses the bridge of your nose?
If you wanted to shingle the roof of your mouth,
Would you use the nails on your toes?

Can you sit in the shade of the palm of your hand,
Or beat the drum of your ear?
Can the calf in your leg eat the corn off your toe,
Then why not grow corn on the ear?

Can the crook in your elbow be sent to jail?
If so, just what did he do?
How can you sharpen your shoulder blades?
I'll be darned, if I know. Do you.......???

How people turn out to be

The heartthrob of the school, is a man grim and somber.
That lanky little girl, is now a weightlifter.
The topper of the class, is a happy homemaker.
Back bencher of the lot, is an entrepreneur.
The flamboyant fashionista, became a dreaded lawyer.
Oft ignored average Joe, turned a well known writer.
The one who failed math paper, is a fashion designer
And one who often got to stand outside the class, is a respected Army officer.

* The reunion taught me how, people came with many layers and tell me why should we never, judge a book by its cover.

Some beautiful answers and way of thinking of the Turkish poet Jalaluddin Rumi

1. What is poison?
    * Anything which is more than our necessity is poison. It may be Power, Wealth, Hunger, Ego,
     Greed, Laziness, Love, Ambition, Hate or Anything.

2. What is fear?
    * Non acceptance of Uncertainty. If we accept that Uncertainty, it becomes Adventure.

3. What is envy?
    * Non acceptance of Good in Others,. If we accept that Good, it becomes Inspiration.

4. What is anger?
    * Non acceptance of things which Are Beyond Our Control. If we accept, it becomes Tolerance.

5. What is hatred?
    * Non acceptance of a Person as he is. If we accept the person unconditionally, it becomes Love.


Tailpiece

Had got up at our usual time, despite being a Sunday, the chores and was ready well in time. It was a quiet day. 

Lipu Lekh.

The past, present and future of the Nepal - India stand off.

Two of the world's closest neighbours, India and Nepal, are locked in a cartographic, diplomatic and to an extent, a political stand-off. The dispute is over the ownership of nearly 330 sq km of land called Kalapani near Nepal's western tri-junction with India and China.

The dispute was triggered in Nov '19 when India issued a new map to indicate the changed status of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory. Nepal raised objections because the Kalapani area was shown as being in India. Indian maps have always shown it that way; therefore there was no change in the map. This was followed by Nepal's objections to the inauguration of a road from Darchula to Lipu Lekh Pass, aimed at strengthening India's defence supply lines as well as facilitating smooth passage for pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet.  Nepal said this road is an encroachment on its sovereignty. There have been street protests, parliament has agitated and now, the Nepal government has issued its map showing Kalapani as its territory. New Delhi has reiterated that the area belongs to India and would be willing to resolve the dispute through diplomatic negotiations after the corona virus disease crisis is over.

Nepal's claims are rooted in the Sugauli Treaty signed with the British in Mar 1816. In this, Nepal renounced "all claims to or connextions (as in original text) with the countries lying to the west of river Kali....." (Art V). The land east of the Kalithus remained with Nepal. This claim is reinforced by some old revenue records and gazette notifications.

India accepts this position but its claim arises from the ambiguity in the treaty on the identification of the Kali river and its origin. According to India, the river originates from Lipu Lekh and then merges into other streams and tributaries to become Mahakali. Nepal's contention is that Kali originates from Limpiyadhura and the stream originating from Lipu Lekh is called Lipu Khola. Hence the dispute. The area between these two streams is Kalapani. The treaty underwent some revisions to accommodate Nepal in the Terai (southern part) and was finally endorsed by the British government on 15 Nov 1860.

The maps issued by the British between 1816 and 1860 generally favour the Nepali position. It is possible that the British administration changed this position through proper surveys or subsequently decided to manipulate this position to serve its larger strategic and commercial interests in using the Lipu Lekh pass for access to Tibet. Independent India was handed over access to Kalapani and Lipu Lekh by the British.

Blaming India for any encroachment is baseless. It must be borne in mind that much before the British came or the Gurkha kings annexed Kumaon and Garhwal regions - then surrendered under the Sugauli Treaty - Indians were using this route for the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. The route has deep spiritual and civilisational significance for India. China accepted Lipu Lekh as one of the cultural and commercial transit points with India under its Peaceful Co-Existence Agreement of 1954. This was reiterated in 2015 in a joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China.

Nepal has endorsed India's position for nearly 150 years. It used Indian maps showing Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipu Lekh in India. Objections to this were raised in the 1980s but were ignored by the royal regimes. Since 2000, the two surveyed the length of their boundary to resolve outstanding issues, except in two areas, including Kalapani. It is mutually agreed that these issues will be resolved through diplomatic negotiations.

Why then has the Nepal government turned up the heat on the Kalapani issue? Prime Minister KP Oli faces serious internal opposition at the moment, including from within his ruling Nepal Communist Party. This is largely on account of his governance failures and lack of action on combating the pandemic. He has consolidated his nationalist image since 2015 by fighting India's ill-advised diplomatic intervention on the Constitution issue and the counterproductive economic coercion (partial economic blockade) that followed. He perhaps hopes that his face-off with India on Kalapani  will give him a new lease of political life.

The strategic community in India apprehends that Nepal is also being prompted by China to get India out of Kalapani. Indian Army Chief General MM Narvane's indirect reference in an Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses lecture may be recalled here. This apparently conflicts with China's endorsement of the Indian position in 1954 and 2015. However, China is seldom straight in diplomacy. It is unhappy with India's growing strategic proximity to the United States. It has also objected to India's defence infrastructure upgradation projects all along the border.

The Darchula-Lipu Lekh road is one such project. Needling India and alienating Kathmandu from New Delhi serves China's broader purpose. This explains why it is playing an active role in preserving the unity of the Nepal Communist Party and protecting the Oli regime.

Prolonging this stand-off is not in the interest of either Nepal or India. It will be exploited by the third parties to their advantage. India and Nepal, keeping in mind their mutual stakes and concerns, should negotiate through resilient and mutually accommodative diplomacy, resolve this.

- SD Muni in the Hindustan Times.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by 9. Was able to connect up with my course mate, Anand Saxena and his wife, Reshmi after a long time. Actually, he'd contacted me yesterday to warn me about the 'recording button of my cellphone that was stuck for over half an hour'. We'd continued the conversation this morning and we were able to speak to Reshmi. We can never forget her help in setting up our flat in Sector 21, NOIDA and with the logistics of the initial week.

They have two sons, Ahshay and Rohit. The younger one is Rohit, who got married last Sep to Frances, a descendant of Charles Darwin, the naturalist, geologist and biologist who had propounded the 'theory of evolution'.

The vulture and the little girl.

Remember the picture? The name of the picture was "The vulture and the little girl".

In the picture, a vulture is waiting for the death of a hungry little girl. Kevin Carter, a South African photojournalist, captured the March 1993 famine in Sudan. He was awarded the Pullitzer Prize for the film. But Carter committed suicide at the age of 33, despite receiving so much respect.

But what was the reason for suicide?

In fact, when he was busy celebrating such a great honour at the time, the news of his receiving the award was being shown  on various TV channels. At that time someone asked in a phone interview what happened to the girl in the end?

Carter replied that he could not say because he was in a hurry to catch his flight.

"How many vultures were there?" He asked again.

"I think there was one", Carter said. The man on the other end of the phone said, "I'm saying there were two vultures that day, one of them with a camera".

Realising the significance of these words, Carter became upset and eventually committed suicide.

It should be humane to get anything in any situation. Carter would be alive today if he had taken the starving baby to the United Mission's feeding center, which was only 1/2 mile away, where the baby might have been trying to reach.

Today, 26 years later, the vultures are still returning home from all over India with cameras in their hands, busy taking pictures of workers walking thousands of kilometres. There is no holding even after seeing the children.

These vultures are more concerned with gathering news, with increasing channel TRP, than with worrying about workers' deaths. They are busy collecting breaking news by pouring spices on the bodies of dead workers and children.

Kevin Carter had self esteem, so he committed suicide. But the vultures named after this journalist are busy making breaking news with dignity.


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by 9. Both of us took turns for our exercises on our new toy - the bicycle. Seemed like a Sunday due to Suma's absence. The Faber rep had returned to fix up the new bulb on the chimney.

Why do these haunt me?

A few things that continue to haunt me....

 1. Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination.

     It was on this day, in 1991, that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed in an explosion
     triggered by a suicide bomber. Investigations were carried out, the findings took an enormously
     long time to come into public domain without of course, clearing many of the doubts towards the
     run up to the assassination and the incident itself.

     There were a whole lot of Congressmen and women accompanying their leader like Suman
     Dubey, Maragatham Chandrasekhar etc to name just a few. My questions are these :-

        (a) How come none of the Congress leaders died along with their leader? All of them were at the
             dais - far away from him instead of being near him - as though waiting for something to
             happen. Were they aware of the terrible disaster waiting to happen?
        (b) How come his family - Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka - does not seem to want to zero in on the
              culprits? Is it because of the fear of revelations that will shake their very foundations? In
              fact, a few years back the entire family made a great show of pardoning Nalini - a convict
              in the case - from the hangman's noose.
        (c) How come none of the state Congress leadership was not connected to the assassination?
             I mean, who among them, provided shelter and administrative support in the run up to the
             assassination and post, the dastardly act?

     It's sad that the poor gentleman has still not got justice for his violent end. How can the family
     continue to live in denial when they and their party ruled for so many years at the centre and did
     not make any effort to bring the investigation to its logical conclusion? Or is it that someone,
     from within, is involved?

 2. The Restive Migrant Population During Covid-19.

     For the last two months of the lock down, the migrant workers were carefully looked after by the
     respective state governments and their affairs were being managed under the watchful eyes of the
     police force. Of late, with the lock down being extended with further relaxations they have, all of
     a sudden, become a restive lot.

     The consequent crowding at certain points and the way they quickly became unruly mobs,
     show that the situation was being aggravated from behind the scenes and even from the sidelines.
     Time and again, it has been established that fake messages, were being sent to the migrant
     workers' cellphones, about trains and buses waiting to ferry them home.

     Why is the country being shown in bad light? Or is it a planned move to sully PM Modi and his
     government? Who are these trouble makers and what are their intentions?

And now, for some feel good news!

 3. Today's Bombay's Birthday.

     It was on this day - 21 May 1662 - that Charles II of England married Catherine of Braganza, the
     Princess of Portugal and got the 7 islands of 'Bombaim' as dowry from Portugal to England.
     Charles II, then, leased 'Bombaim' to the East India Company for an annual rent of 10 Pounds!

     Many happy returns of the day, belated though, Bombay!

 4. This Is What PM Modi Is Going Through.

     Listing them down :-

       (a) Corona virus
       (b) Migrant issue
       (c) China stand off
       (d) Pakistani terrorism
       (e) Cyclone Amphan
       (f) Nepal's intransigence at Chinese behest.

     He is dealing with multiple issues that even, in isolation, can shake a government.

     For some time, see Narendra Modi as a fellow human, not as a politician. Just be with him
     unconditionally.


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by 9. In the meantime, we'd wished Padmakumar-Rema and Mithun-Ammu, many happy returns, on their wedding anniversary. Suma had finished her work by 1800 hrs and she's taken a day off tomorrow on the occasion of her daughter's birthday.

The young lady is engaged and her-would-be-husband is working in the gulf region. Their wedding is slated for Sep, this year. As per customs and traditions in this part of Kerala, on the occasion of the birthday of the would-be-bride, the entire family of the bridegroom is given a meal by the girl's folks. I'd asked Suma as to why she was spending money on extravaganza, especially when the lock down was on. The answer, she gave me, was a helpless smile........I could understand her helplessness!    

The dacoit who became a saviour.

This is the story of a Rajasthani dacoit who helped guide the Indian Para Commandos in the 1971 war to their targets in Pakistan.

He is Thakur Balwant Singh Bakhasar from Barmer, Rajasthan.

He played an active role in helping the Indian Army reach Sindh and capture Pakistani areas during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

He was active as a dacoit in and around in and around Barmer, parts of Gujarat and Sindh in Pakistan and was dreaded in these regions within a circumference of 100 km in the pre 1971s. He was familiar with each and every corner and pathway of these regions.

His knowledge of untrodden routes proved a boon for the Indian Army in the war. Ultimately, India won this war against Pakistan.

The Indian Para Commandos, in this region during the 1971  war was led by Lt Col Sawai Bhawani Singh. The Colonel was aware of Balwant Singh's knowledge of routes in the region. He sought the dacoit's guidance on the routes, to which the latter readily agreed.

The Indian Army first attacked and captured Chachro town in Pakistan on 07 Dec 1971.

Thereafter, the Indian Army commandos attacked Virawah and captured it. In total, Dacoit Balwant Singh Bakhasar not only guided the Indian Army but also (along with his associates) participated as soldiers) participated as soldiers to capture many villages of Pakistan.

Interestingly, Balwant Singh Bakhasar started his pastime as a 'Gaurakshak'.

Pakistanis often came to India along the borders and stole cattle. Balwant Singh Bakhasar saved the cows, killing the Pakistani cattle thieves.

He saved many cows from being stolen and encountered many cattle thieves.

This stopped the Pakistanis from further entering the Indian borders and stopped their activities. They dreaded Balwant Singh.

Dacoit Thakur Balwant Singh Bakhasar became a hero and his fame as a patriot spread far and wide.

The Rajasthan government pardoned him.


Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle late, the chores and was ready by 0900 hrs. Things were quiet and the 4th phase of the lock down has come into effect from last Monday.  

The efficient threesome.

In early 1979, I was a Sub Lieutenant posted on board the old INS Krishna, for the award of Watch Keeping Ticket. Since I was the only officer borne for such a duty, I was looked after by everyone on board - each one taking a keen interest to teach me.

This calls for many of the stories on board the ship and the fantastic time that I'd on board to be brought out at a suitable time, later. The particular story that I'm now going to tell you, folks, is about the three efficient stewards viz. Nair, Abdulla and Michael - INS Krishna's version of Amar, Akbar and Anthony, a popular Hindi blockbuster of those times.!

We could get any of our guests on board and the three of them would ensure that the guests enjoyed their time spent on board and spoke volumes about the Ward Room's hospitality. The three boys had a way with children and the little ones would be eating out of their palms by the time they were to set off for home!

Let me touch upon each of their personalities. Nair was a sentimental person and he used to feel upset when any one of us would pull him up for a fault and took a while to come out of his gloom. Abdulla would sulk for a while but it would be too short lived for him to get back to normal. Michael was a happy-go-lucky type of a person and would not allow such infractions to upset him for long.

One of the officers used to complain that the tea/or any beverage, provided by the stewards, was not hot to his standards. The three of them got together to overcome the issue and before the officer used to be given his cup of tea, the cup and saucer used to be immersed in piping hot water. The officer was happy too, because his beverage was hot and to his requirement.

On a particular evening, when the job was exacting, as the Ward Room was being wound up it was found that a full bottle of gin was missing. Now, that sort of lapse was not acceptable to the three musketeers. Once the session was over, they went about the evening's session minutely and found that Michael had poured the entire liquid into an ice tray in a fit of absentmindedness!

They were fond of me, looked after me and ensured that I never missed breakfast, which used to be a common habit of mine those days. As the Ward Room Mess Secretary, it was my duty to run a taut mess, give the best food acceptable to most, if not all and these boys were my able assistants.

We had a fantastic Ward Room then, with Cdr Suresh Chand (Commanding Officer), LCdr AC Jose (Executive Officer), Lt Sharat Jain (Gunnery Officer), Lt Gursharan Singh (Navigating Officer), LCdr A Sarkar, Lt Arunabh Ghosh (Electrical Officer), Surg Lt P Vijayashankar (Medical Officer), Lt HN Shirgavi (Supply Officer), Lt HS Manhas, Lt Philip Vanhaltren and Lt SAS Rizvi (Senior Engineer) and it was one hell of a team! Lt Ranjan Seth (Navigating Officer), LCdr AS Pandey (Electrical Officer) joined us subsequently. In fact, many of my course mates used to be jealous of me!!

It's my fond hope that I would be able to pick up the thread of relationship with which each one of them after this post of mine. There's one gentleman who'll never answer my call - later Cdr AC Jose (who was my Executive Officer, yet again, at INS Agrani in Coimbatore) and had passed into the mist of time due to cancer, a few years back.

And I must say that he has immortalized the dish 'Mutton-do-pyaza' by calling it 'Mutton-do-paisa, in his unique lingo'!

I would also like to meet up with Nair, Abdulla and Michael anytime, anywhere and know as to what they are up to now!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The sky was overcast for most of the day and it rained from time to time. Consequently, the temperatures were low and the day was pleasant. 



    

Oh Please! Spitting is Not a Sport.

Unity in Diversity

We all agree that India is a unique country. It showcases unity in diversity; we have  multiple languages, cultures, cuisine, religions, colours, diversity of terrain and thought. It thrives, resonates, is chaotic, funny, noisy, polluted, developing and finally things get done with 'jugaad' and 'adjust madi' as they say in Kannada! We eat in banana leaves with hands, we squat and use water after answering nature, we stare and ogle at anything which moves and we are ready with unsolicited advice.

Spit and Polish

One truly endearing habit which a large number of Indians instinctively adopt and are proud of, due to its exclusivity and originality and which we proclaim as our USP is SPITTING! We are Mastersat it; if ever a PhD is awarded for it we will have a billion doctors! We spit anything and everything, solids, liquids, mixtures, phlegm, tobacco in varied colours, composition, volumes, digested, undigested; you name it and we spit it.

Mainly we spit paan with or without tobacco. Nobody is surprised when a true artist asks the paanwaala for 'gimme red or maroon' or '20 footer dena' signifying the colour of extract or distance one can fire based on viscosity, volume and calibre of artist. Well, we even use spit to polish (including shoes) which gave rise to the popular saying in Army about 'spit and polish'! Does it mean we consider our Nation as a spittoon, I guess so, except for our homes. Homes are a strict NO NO, but wait, it's only for the spitter's home.

Anybody else's is a great target and opportunity! We pride ourselves in creating art on all available walls, posters, roads, malls, cinema halls everywhere. Nothing and nobody is sacrosanct! Did I say anybody meaning humans; yes I did, because the art of spitting requires one to generally spit without looking with gusto and noise from anywhere. The higher the platform like a rooftop, bus, car or a hilltop, the better the distance spread, spray of spit with its multi-layered contents that by the way are permanent. They can't be washed away or dry cleaned. Humans are fair game, in fact the best game. Those of you who wonder why some of us move around outside our homes in raincapes and umbrellas even when it is not raining have got your answers.

Olympic Sport!

We are also known as a secular and tolerant country but we have slowly started spitting venom! Do not worry, we are not snakes but love to spit venomous gossip. Thank God, we are pretty upfront when it comes to spitting, blatant and in your face with a wide grin and finesses. Wonder why the Indian Olympic Association does not demand its inclusion in Olympics. It will not be accepted as we are universally accepted as world beaters. Nothing can touch us with spit, as 'we can out-spit all'. How can they compete as it's banned in all countries and people generally follow rules, traditions and customs whether they are under scrutiny or not.

Maybe we can make a start with inter-state championships and draw world attention. Start with paan and then move on to more potent, colourful and esoteric substances. We can have two categories, one with and one without tobacco. After all we need to encourage the non-tobacco user. Initially folks from Benaras (now Varanasi) may have an edge, if local legend of its class is true, but soon the Hyderabadi, Uttarakhandi or Bihari ( do not get offended if your state is not specifically mentioned; I include all) will fine tune their product and complete with gusto. The average accuracy, consistency and distance achieved of spitting is anyway legendary. Localities can boast of their heroes spitting into a thimble from twenty feet without any diffusion or spray. The spray spitting competition will be equally colourful and the radius and perimeter covered enormous; maybe in times to come a tennis court or even a football ground - who knows with time!!

Overseas is a different ballgame

However, there is one strange phenomenon, a departure from our profligate spitting ways; we only spit in India! We literally swallow our spit and pride everywhere outside Indian mainland and remain spitless. All the spotless white walls, shirts or humans are left alone. We swallow and move on.

Enter COVID-19

Will COVID-19 initially restrict and slowly erase our collective memory of spitting or will it actually increase our intent and capabilities due to 'Social Distancing' (we need to gain more distance and accuracy to hit our objective) and apprehension of ingesting the dreaded virus. Only time will tell.

Major Thrust towards Swachh Bharat

Our hobby and specialisation need to be contained in tune with the national calling of 'Mera Bharat Mahaan' (My India is great) and 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India). So citizens. let's spit fire on those who eye our territorial integrity and prosperity and no spitting venom and other substances in India or on each other.

- Munshi Jr, is a social activist working in India towards the betterment of India.


Tailpiece.

Was up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 9. It was an overcast day with intermittent rainfall. Our exercise bicycle and the weighing machine was finally home by a half past 4. Both of us began our exercises on it in right earnest!

A first hand account.

From a Senior Indian Naval Officer, presently posted in Goa and he hails from Kerala. 

Was on the roads for the last two days travelling to Kerala to be with my parents. I want to share my experiences with everyone for general benefit.

First I applied online for entry into Kerala. Got it in just over 3 hrs. In case of Goa, I'd to apply 4 times to get it right and clear it. It was difficult to navigate through the website. The entire process took about 30 hrs.

While on the journey itself at the Goa border, I got down and had to show ID proof of all members which was written down in the register and then cleared to go. At the Karnataka end, all of us had to get down for thermal screening. Names were entered in a register and then cleared to move. As we travelled within Karnataka we were stopped at two toll booths to enter our details.

Now comes the real one. As we entered Kerala, at the first check point, I'd to get down, show my pass and was given a token. I got in to my car and travelled another 500' approximately. At this point, we were asked to get down. The bag containing the eats was closed, the windows were rolled down and the entire vehicle was sanitised. We were told not to switch on the airconditioner. We could move to the next point.

Again travelled for 500 mts or so where we had to get down. Thermal screening was done for all and with our permit number, itself,  our details were verified online without the need for any documents.  Contact details were taken and then we could move to the next point.

Here, we sat in the car itself  and our details were recorded online by the police. And we could commence our journey homeward. We were in for a surprise; within a minute we got a call from my village panchayat confirming our entry. Next call from my village health department checking about our health. After that, from the collectorate checking our health details.

As a family, we felt we were in a foreign country (in a positive manner) where everyone was showing concern about our well being.

We reached home at 1 AM at night. At 7, I got a call checking if we had reached safely and was given instructions about home quarantine for 14 days and to report if we get any symptoms. At 9 AM, a local volunteer visited us to have a chat. He said, "In your absence we'd come to your house and checked up on your parents and were ready them out with medical treatment etc".

During the entire journey, we'd sent a word across about our travel and were surprised  to be provided with food at different points, which we'd to decline because we were already stuffed with it in the car.

My two bit.

So, Kerala is changing into a well managed welfare state, a state that gives tremendous impetus to Healthcare, Education and good Governance. 


Tailpiece.

A quiet Sunday when we'd got up half an hour late, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Today marks the end of phase 3 of the lock down. But it has been extended till 31 May.

With more and more Indians returning from abroad, by sea, air and by trains from other states, there has been an unusual spike in the number of Covid-19 cases. We need to watch as to how quick we are able to control the spike. 

29 years back......

29 years back, on this day - 16 May 91, Lekha had come into my life at a simple ceremony at the Brahmana Samooham Hall beside the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathi kshethram. The ceremony, as in all Nair weddings, was a short one but the customs and traditions that were followed, both, before and after the wedding ceremony were quaint, yet beautiful; each had a meaning and purpose that added to the glitter of the marriage!

I can never forget what Mrs. PN Panicker - my maternal grandmother - told me after the ceremony was over and we were waiting for lunch to be served. "I'm glad that I have been able to attend your wedding. Now, I don't mind going away". And exactly, 69 days later, she would pass into the mist of time. Wasn't her utterance prophetic? It still rankles in my ears!

All of us returned to our house, Raj Nivas, by about 1530 hrs as per the charted muhurat at which the daughter-in-law was to enter the house. The entire PN Panicker family was in attendance and there was fun and frolic in the house, all through the evening! I remember Santhan kochachhan's advice for me regarding our first night! Mom and dad were happy that I'd, finally, settled down.

      *                     *                      *

Returned to Chilka a few days after and was slated to report at the DSSC, Wellington for the 47th Staff Course wef from Jun '91. Had come on leave for the wedding and therefore, did not take Lekha along with me to Chilka; instead showed the video coverage of the wedding to my friends and members of the staff during my short stay out there before returning, lock, stock and barrel to my home first and subsequently, to the Staff College.

      *                      *                       *

Many of the protagonists, who were at the wedding, have passed into the mist of time, over the years. Ammachi, Muthachhan, Achhan, Amma, Leela kunjamma, Santhan kochachhan, Vichani kunjamma, Lekha's mom, step mom and dad and quite a few others, dear to us, are no more with us.

       *                      *                       *

The day had begun thinking about all of them as I lit the lamp in the puja room. Earlier, on getting up, we'd wished each other. Our close family called us up to wish many happy returns. Calls from classmates and course mates kept pouring in, all through the day and it gave a nice feeling of being part of a huge family.

Suma had wished us on arrival and the cake had come by at 9. I was ready by a half past 9. After going through the day's work, the cake was cut at 1200 hrs. Suma took a few of the shots on mine and Lekha's cellphones.

The telephone kept ringing and messages piled up in the inboxes! It was a day of nice memories!!


Tailpiece.

Another quiet day with not much of activities!

A day that zipped past.

Had got up at our usual time of 6, gone through the chores and was ready by a quarter past 9. An hour before, I'd received a message from our neighbour that the well washers, who were supposed to reach by 0700 hrs, had not yet arrived.

They were to have washed down their well and got it ready before they were to start work on ours. I just sent back a message saying, "Do not worry, they might be on their way. Let's hold our horses for a while more". I really can't think negatively and have made it a point not to let anyone's negative thoughts to dampen my spirits and instead, throw back my optimistic frame of mind at them to spark off a positive vibe......I must say that I've always been successful!

The well washers - Ramesh, Subbru and Appu - reached our place by about a half past 10. They'd brought packed breakfast and Lekha and Suma had supplemented it with glasses of water and cups of tea. They got to work soon after.

The remaining water was removed from the well with a submersible pump that they'd brought along. The silt - white sand, from the environment - that had accumulated over the last one year, was taken out with buckets tied on ropes, passed through the pulley.

Meanwhile, Bijish, the Whirlpool service rep, had arrived around a quarter to 11, to fix up the mother board that he'd taken to the shop floor for changing a faulty electronic chip. He, too, quickly got on to his job and had got the air conditioner going within the next 45 minutes.

The well washers, meanwhile, had completed the job and the well looked good with a bright green net put over the top. Prior to that, a small bagful of rock salt and a couple of handfuls of charcoal had been dumped into the floor of the well. The water had started seeping in, almost immediately, after the last bucketful of silt was thrown out of the well.

The well washers went into the next part of their work which was to fix up the new system to clear the kitchen waste water for which a concrete receptacle and lid had been bought and positioned at the spot almost three days ago. This job was also accomplished within a matter of another 45' thanks to our planning, when I'd met with the team last weekend.

Didn't really know as to how the forenoon had passed off so fast, with quite a few pending jobs done within a short span of time.

Didn't even know that there was a lock down on! And yes, we were all with our masks on and following the requisite social distancing!!


Tailpiece.

There was no requirement to water the plants, in the evening, as it had rained last night and in the wee hours of the morning. Saw the movie, 'Mission Mangal' on television. It was nice!      

Army's new proposal.

Allows youth to serve for 3 years, cites patriotism and unemployment!

The selection process will remain in the same that is followed for regular recruitment with age and fitness level being a key criteria.

The Indian Army has proposed a three-year "Tour of Duty"programme that allows youth to serve in the forces as officers and in other ranks. This "game changing" proposal is being examined by the top commanders of the force.

Unidentified officials told the agency that there is a "resurgence of nationalism and patriotism" in the country. The proposal for youth who do not want to join the forces permanently but want to experience military life for a limited period. The Army aims to bring people closer to the 1.3-million-strong force.

The selection process will remain the same that is followed for regular recruitment with age and fitness level being the key criteria. Currently, the Army recruits youth under the short service commission. This is for a tenure of 10 years and can be extended to 14 years.

The Army spokesperson said that if the proposal is approved, it will be a voluntary engagement. "There will be no dilution in selection criteria", he added. "Initially, 100 officers and 1,000 men are being considered for recruitment as part of test bedding of the project".

According to the proposal, there will be no restrictions on the roles of those selected under the programme.

Unidentified official said that this will also benefit the Army financially, as it will save a huge amount on gratuity, severance packages, leave encashment and pension. The cost incurred on an officer who is released after 10 to 14 years is between Rs.5.12 crore and Rs.6.83 crore. However, the cost for an officer who will be released after three years will be released will be between Rs.80 lakhs and Rs.85 lakhs.

Source. Adapted from Scroll.in

  *                 *                 *

The 'Baan Stambh'.

There's a pillar in the premises of Somnath temple. This is known as Baan Stambh (Arrow Pillar). It is difficult to say that since what time it is there. Going by taking history as reference, it has been there since at least the sixth century.

On the pole it is inscribed : "Aa samudranth dakshindhruv paryanth abhaadith jyothirmarg".

It means, "There is no hindrance in the straight line from this point to the south pole". And yes, in reality today we know there is no piece of land in this path right up to the South Pole, nearly 10,000 km away. Amazing!

This is a wonderful indicator of ancient Indian wisdom. Remember, at that time the rest of the world was still learning how to survive in the jungles.

This means our ancestors knew not only that the earth is round but that the earth is having a South Pole (and the North Pole as well). Did they have the Earth's 'aerial view'? If not, did the Earth's map exist at that time?

The Baan Stambh identifying its location as the first point of land to the north of the South Pole is yet another illustration of the knowledge of astronomy, geography, mathematics and indeed, maritime sciences of the ancient India, an invaluable element of our vast rich heritage.

Source. From the net.



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 9. A quiet day. The caretaker had called up for the go ahead to apply manure to the rubber trees. It will be done on Saturday and Sunday, by two hands for Rs.3,040/- that includes the cost of the manure, too.

A market survey was carried out for an exercise bike and a weighing machine and have zeroed in on to three items.

Suma left by a half past 5 after her work. And it rained nicely for about an hour and a half,  accompanied by thunder and lightning, from about 1900 hrs.
 


    

Extraordinary steps!

I was quite amused to see the reactions last night to the Prime Minister's teaser of the massive economic package being unveiled......it was a teaser, the actual details will be coming out over the next few days......

A whole lot of our 'esteemed' critics were rendered speechless, probably unable to comprehend the size of the package......
India is only used to comprehending the number of zeroes after a numeral when it comes to corruption scams.....

This is a stimulation package.......

A noted TV anchor wanted to know where that kind of money is going to come from? Well if you are going to believe your own lies about the state of our economy, you'll definitely wonder about where that kind of money is going to come from? We mustn't forget the fact that India is the fifth largest economy in the world.....

Another prominent critic of the government, a left liberal this time, criticised the government for restricting FDI......He must have meant investments from China.....India has not shut its doors on FDI, only FDI from certain destinations.

This is precisely what the PM meant.....Go local....(Reduce your dependence on Chinese goods).

All over the world, nations are looking inwards.....There is indeed a great churning taking place. The Prime Minister wants to position India in the pole position to take advantage of the arisng opportunities.....

After World War II, two countries, Germany and Japan rose phoenix like to reclaim their space. It needed iron self discipline and focus and a lot of nationalist spirit, energies channelised into industry......This package is intended to boost our economic activity.....Even if we get a fifty percent return on investments, which I believe is a fairly consevative figure, look at the stimulus it generates.......

There are many who said that they could not understand what the Prime minister said......I missed out on the live speech....But I caught up on a recorded version subsequently....The same has been dissected on social media adequately.......

I will not like to add on to the mountain of material already available......Suffice to say, that this speech reflected a reiteration of our ancient values.

We have got the first installment on the package today....it will astound a lot many critics with its range and details......Brilliant minds have been working on this over the last few weeks.

One of the greatest irritants of certain critics, liberals and experts is the total lack of 'leaks' from within the government.....

No one had an idea of what was coming before the PM spoke....The old journalistic tagline, 'as received from sources within the government' no longer holds true.....

There are no sources within the government. This inability to crack the code of silence is making some of our 'journalists' feel so irrelevant.....It's making our opposition parties also paranoid....

Let us await the grand unveiling over the next few few days......it will be something the likes of which have never been seen before.....It's an unprecedented situation and it is only appropriate that our responses are equally unprecedented.....

- Col Rajib Bhuiyan.



Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, the chores and we were off in George's cab by 10' past 7, for work at Palakkad. Had an extension of our breakfast of idlis and chutney powder on reaching Palakkad by 9; George took full advantage of the comparatively sparse traffic. Lekha's sister and Ashok had arrived soon after. After completing our work, we were on our return and reached home by a half past 3.

Since the taxis are prohibited from using air conditioners, it was a rather warm journey up and down. A quiet evening, thereafter!     

Bravo Zulu IIT, Bombay!

India's first Covid-19 test bus was launched in Bombay, the other day!

The bus is based on indigenous technology and is the first vehicle of its kind in the world with on board genetic testing. Artificial Intelligence-based teleradiology and contactless sample collection. The IIT Covid-19 Test Bus is based on the indigenous Kodoy Technology Stack and executed by partner organisations led by the IIT alumni.

The Kodoy architecture involves e-vehicles for sample selection and telemedicine, algorithm-based pooled genetic testing and indigenous megalabs capable of up to 5 million tests per month per lab.

The medical equipment on board comprises a low dosage digital X-Ray, real time teleradiology, contactless swab collection and instant RNA testing. The bus has been configured keeping for heavy rains and has 384 sq ft of lab space on board. It also has a wireless robotic tele-operated ultrasound lung probe and a nanopore gene sequencer.

Congratulations IIT, Bombay!

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NDA VIGNETTEs.

I bet none of you know that I am responsible for all the colours of the battalions and squadrons in NDA?

My dad was Commandant and I was studying commercial art in Sir JJ School of Art in Bombay. I usually came home on the Deccan Queen for weekends. One day my father said, please sort out some colours for battalions and squadrons. When I see a cadet, I know his name but also want to know which squadron and battalion he belongs to. You are an arts student. You do it. Why should NDA pay some artist?

So, yours truly, half qualified, did all the colours for him. It really amuses me to see them painted till today at the entry of every cadet's residential building!

- Mrs Sunita Garware, daughter of Lt Gen Bakshi.

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This Is Not Right.

'A Major has died' is all one heard. It was Maj Mukund Vardarajan of 44 Rashtriya Rifles who died while fighting terrorists in Shopian yesterday. This should have made national headlines on TV and in print. Why such nameless faceless sacrifices by our men in uniform......Let's show our gratitude. I request you to spread this message. We don't need Arnab Goswami every time.

A country that fails to respect its soldiers is setting itself up adversely in a future war.


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time with apprehensions about Lekha's condition after her tumble, last night. She'd gone to the rest room around a half past 3, in the wee hours of the morning and had that fall. Thankfully there's nothing to worry, I guess, though Suma gave her a massage with warm, saline water.

Bijeesh and his understudy, came by for the airconditioners' servicing. The ground floor one has a problem and they've taken its mother board for repairs.

The Sikkim clash.

'Small' Indian Lieutenant who punched a 'Big' Chinese Major.

When a young Indian Army Lieutenant punched a Chinese PLA Major on his nose, at Muguthang and sent blood oozing from his nose, he nearly provoked an escalation that his officers had not bargained for.

The officer's infantry unit had stopped the intruding Chinese PLA at Muguthang last week and were furious at the Chinese commissar for shouting, "This (Sikkim) is not your land, this is not Indian territory......so just go back".

Brought up in a military family - his grandfather a veteran of the Royal and then Indian Air Force and his father a Colonel in the Indian Army - the officer could not stomach it anymore.

"What Sikkim not our territory? What the hell!" he shouted back. Then as one PLA Major moved menacingly towards his senior officer, a Captain, the Lieutenant flew into him and punched him in the face. 

The Lieutenant was patted for bravery, yet admonished for 'provoking a bigger spat'. The Chinese Major collapsed with a thud and his name tab came loose - a good souvenir to carry back - but the Lieutenant left it alone, as his colleagues pulled him back.

After being admonished for a while by senior officers, for provoking a bigger spat and being congratulated by the officers from command and divisional headquarters at Calcutta and Sukna, the Lieutenant was preparing for a commendation. But the senior commanders could not land at Muguthang because of bad weather. Even Army Chief Gen MM Naravane is said to have expressed his desire to 'have a look at the boy'.

Meanwhile, the Lieutenant is unrepentant but somewhat crestfallen because he has been pulled back to location away from the front. His only comfort that his troops are loving his act of 'teaching the Chinese the right lesson'.

A senior officer said, "he (the Lieutenant) is a hero for his troops - slight build but extremely pugnacious".

Source. Adapted from The Quint.

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Why is National Technology Day celebrated?

 - On 11 May 1998, India successfully conducted its first nuclear test at the Indian Army's Pokhran
   Test Range in Rajasthan.

 - Codenamed 'Operation Shakti', the set of 5 nuclear bomb detonations marked India's entry into the
    nuclear club.


Tailpiece.

Had got up a trifle late, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Sent our request for going to Palakkad and back, the day after tomorrow in George's cab, to the Police Station but am yet to get the clearance. And it was Suma's long day in the house.

Roy, the plumber, had come by in the morning to replace the capacitor on the water motor. Nidhin, from the Faber, had come by about 1300 hrs to carry out the servicing of the stove and chimney at the kitchen. He'll have to replace a light on the chimney within the next couple of days!  

Project Artemis - NASA.

Preface.

 (a) Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo.
 (b) This is a project that marks Humanity's return to the Moon!
 (c) The Artemis program will land the first woman and next man, on the Moon, by 2024.
 (d) NASA will collaborate with its commercial and international partners and establish sustainable
      exploration by 2028.
 (e) Next use what we learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap - sending astronauts
      to Mars.

And How We Are Going?

With sustainable architecture like :-

 (a) Exploration Ground Systems + a network of Earth-based structures required for launch.
 (b) Space Launch System + the most powerful rocket in the world.
 (c) Orion + deep space human rated command module.

Artemis I.                                First human spacecraft to the Moon in the 21st century.

Artemis II.                              First human to orbit the Moon in the 21st century.

Artemis Support Mission.     First high power Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) System. 

Artemis Support Mission.     First pressurized module delivered to Gateway. 

Artemis Support Mission.     Human landing system delivered to Gateway.

Artemis III.                             Crewed Mission to Gateway and lunar surface.

  Lunar South Pole is target site.
  Early South Pole Missions - 2020 to 2024.
  First robotic landing followed by eventual human lunar return and in sites.


Tailpiece.

Got up about 15' late, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The morning power interruption prevented us from watching the Rangoli on Doordarshan National channel - our Sunday Morning habit. A very warm day despite the early morning shower!  

Another random collection...

Essence of Military Training Routine at the NDA.

 (a) Drill. Practice makes you perfect and perfect you have to be.
 (b) PT. How can you ever think of giving up?
 (c) Horse Riding. Don't mess with me 'ole guy. I may be a fresher but I'll get you.
 (d) Weapon Training (WT). How to become a jerk! (Cadet - Chatkee).
 (e) Ragging. You learn for yourself, where you want your break point to be, if any.
 (f)  Dinner Nights. The one thing that instills pride and makes it all worthwhile.
 (g) Cabin Cupboard. Not this time, sir. Teaches you to perfect your own ways to overcome
       problems.
 (h) Kit Muster. How to have the last laugh. Teaches you how not to get surprised.
 (j)  Fall in. Reach on the dot. Perfects the art of backward planning and execution.
 (k) Announcements. Your start point on commanding a parade.
 (l)  PT, Drill and WT. Even the impossible has to be made possible. No two ways to this.
 (m)Lights out. Time to start planning.
 (n) Academics. Teaches you the art of how to rest even while walking.
 (p) Study period. Look busy, do nothing.
 (q) SCC. How to command with responsibility.
 (r) DCC. How to command with no responsibility.
 (s) CSM. How to manage even if the above two are duffers.
 (t) CQMS. Practising the art of OC Rear.
 (u)Ordinary Cadet. Learns that life is a marathon. Initial sprints are meaningless.
 (v)Liberty. Teaches how to put plans into action with zero resources.
 (x)Pay Parade. Coping with occasions where a moment of intense joy is followed by total
      disillusionment, but you still look forward to another.
 (y)Tea room. Where you learn how to extract tea from an empty kettle or get biscuit from an
      empty tray.
 (z)Cycle Stand. Where you learn the importance of the right side of the toast to be buttered.
 (*)Dhobi. You hate him for the money he extracts but you quickly learn the art of how to praise
      him, despite it.
 (*)Extra Drill. Where you learn how to give the least to a guy trying to extract the most out of you.
 (*)Barber Shop. Where you learn to sit back and let your nut get raped.
 (*)Cross country. Where you learn to look over your shoulder, either to remain the first or not be
      the last.

     * Ready Reckoner.
        * SCC      Squadron Cadet Captain.
        * DCC     Divisional Cadet Captain.
        * CSM     Cadet Sergeant Major.
        * CQMS. Cadet Quarter Master Sergeant.

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Be Civilized

Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.

But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts.

Mead said, "We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized".
- Ira Byock.

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Fuel Prices Decoded

A detailed break up of what you're paying for a litre of petrol or diesel.
Taxes now make up 69% of retail fuel prices.

 Petrol                          As of 06 May 2020                        Diesel
  17.96                                 Base Price                                 18.49
    0.32                                   Freight                                      0.29
  18.28                           Price charged to dealers
                                     (excluding Excise Duty and VAT)   18.78
  32.98                              Excise Duty                                 31.83
    3.56                           Dealer's Commission(Average)        2.52
  16.44                VAT(including VAT on dealer's com)        16.26
  71.26            Retail Selling Price in Delhi(Rounded)      69.39



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 9. Suma was back, hale and hearty. Roy, the plumber had come by to check up the water motor and will return on Monday to change a spare part. Shibu of Geeyem Motors reports that work has recommenced on our Chevy from Thursday as both the spares have fetched up from Pune. Should get back our car by early next week. Phew!

A random collection.

Yesterday was Rabindranath Tagore's Birthday

       "That side of our existence
     whose direction is towards the
        infinite seeks not wealth,
     but freedom and joy".

It was the 159th birth anniversary of the poet, yesterday, for he was born in Calcutta on 07 May 1861. 

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Top Hizbul Terrorist Killed

Security forces eliminated Hizbul Mujahideen's top leader and Jammu and Kashmir commander, Riyaz Naikoo. He was active in the valley for 8 yrs. At least two more terrorists were also killed by security forces in the encounter in Sharshali Khrew area of Awantipora. Naikoo had a bounty of Rs.12 lakh on his head!

And the anti-national journalist, Barkha Dutt, says that he was studious and aspired to be another famous mathematician like Srinivasa Ramanujan who was murdered by the security forces. Why is she allowed to spew venom at our armed forces? It's high time that she is tried for treason!

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Did You Know These Things Had Names?

  (a) The space between your eyebrows is called a glabella.
  (b) The way it smells after the rain is called petrichor.
  (c) The plastic or metallic coating at the end of your shoelaces is actually called a wamble.
  (d) The cry of a new born baby is called a vagitus.
  (e) The prongs on a fork are called tines.
  (f) The sheen or light that you see when you close your eyes and press your hand on them is
       called phosphenes.
  (g) The tiny box plastic table in the middle of a pizza box is called a box tent.
  (h) The day after tomorrow is called overmorrow.
  (j)  Your tiny toe or finger is called minimus.
  (k) The wired cage that holds the cork in a bottle of champagne is called an agraffe.
  (l)  The 'na na na' and 'la la la', which don't really have any meaning in the lyrics of any song, are
        called vocables.
  (m) When you combine an exclamation mark with a question mark (like this ?!), it is referred to
         as an interrobang.
  (n)  The space between your nostrils is called columella nasi.
  (p)  The armhole in clothes, where the sleeves are sewn, is called armscye.
  (q)  The condition of finding it difficult to get out of bed in the morning is called dysania.
  (r)  Unreadable hand-writing is called griffonage.
  (s)  The dot over an "i" or a "j" is called tittle.
  (t)  That utterly sick feeling you get after eating or drinking too much is called crapulence.
  (u) The metallic device used to measure your feet at the shoe store is called Bannock device.

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"Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs!"

This is the new sentence which has all 26 Letters of English.

Previously it was, "A quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog".

Discovered by a proud drinker. Cheers!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by about 9. Suma was unwell and Lekha had given her an off. Went to the shopping complex, nearby, to buy sundries, just before lunch time. Have been put on a three-day antibiotic course to sort out the congestion in my lungs.

After the first round, felt better or was it the 'placebo' effect?

The shape of things to come?

China will cease to exist by 2027. The Soviet Union (USSR) to just Russia story is about to be replicated.

The Afghan war broke USSR. The Wuhan virus will balkanise China.

You will wonder how it is possible? You will also say that the mighty military and economic power, coupled with the totalitarian regime will never allow this to happen. The very same questions were asked for USSR too. But USSR balkanised. It will happen and happen soon to China too.

It does not matter if the Wuhan virus escaped from a laboratory, was deliberately made to escape or originated in wet markets; China will pay the price. The western powers have had a heavy death toll that surpasses the number of US soldiers who died in Vietnam War or the civilian casualty during 9/11.

To put things in perspective, 2043 Americans were killed in Pearl Harbour but Japan paid the price, multiple times  when 'little boy' and 'fat man' were released from B-29 bomber. The Wuhan virus toll in the US is beyond 70,000. Cowboy justice will be implemented. Very basic justice. You hit us we will hit you. Virus killed our people; we will make you suffer.

The sequence of events will be as under :-

  1. When the world limps back to normalcy, businesses will pull out of China. All major MNCs
       manufacturing in China will either move back to their home countries or will relocate to other
       non-threatening nations.

  2. Anyone who trumpets the benefits cheap labour leading to higher profits for western
      multinationals will be either a non-conformist or a Chinese.

  3. Western nations will correct the presently skewed trade balance in favour of their countries and
      China will suffer a trade deficit.

  4.  A US led campaign will bring all developed and developing countries under one umbrella to
       isolate China. Only Pakistan and North Korea will remain in the China camp.

  5.  China will flex her military might by increasing presence in the South China Sea. This will
       make other countries feel threatened. This fear will be leveraged by the western powers.
       Australia and New Zealand will seek help from the US, leading to their increased military
       presence in the region.

  6. A cornered China will start bullying smaller countries who refuse to trade with it in consonance
      with the international anti-Chinese mood.

  7. This will trigger even greater military deployment in land, air and sea of western powers as a
      deterrent.

  8.  Western Intelligence agencies will release report that the Wuhan virus was man made. WHO
       will counter this report by its own research findings that the COVID-19 had originated in nature
       and China is not to be blamed.

  9. Western powers will discredit WHO and its funding  pattern will change. China will go against
      the tide and try to keep WHO afloat.

10. China will approach UN to protest against presence of other Navies and Forces in Chinese waters
      'area of influence'.

11.  Belligerent statements will emanate from Chinese Government mouthpiece on how strong China
       is and can match any western power in firepower.

12. Aggressive patrols of Chinese nuclear tipped submarines and aircraft carriers will start.

13. Sterner trade sanctions will be imposed on China.

14. Its double digit growth rate will come down to negative growth.

15. Unemployment will increase in China.

16. The citizens who were on a tight leash will protest.

17. Massive demonstrations will breakout in major cities and villages in China.

18. The resistance to the communist government will be fuelled and fanned by the western powers.

19. A government under pressure will try to brutally suppress the protests.

20. UNHCR will be activated.

21. Videos of brutal suppression will escape out of China and will be broadcast on all major channels.

22. A western coalition to rein in the communist government of China will get active militarily. All
      major bases in and around the neighbourhood of China will be activated to protect human rights
      abuses.

23. In the meantime North Korea will implode and both the Koreas will be unified.

24. The authoritarian Chinese government will find it untenable to continue.

25. The leaders will go into hiding or will escape in exile to South American tinpot dictator country
      and African banana republics.

26. There will be unrest in China.

27. Many of the PLA soldiers will join protesters.

28. There will be mass desertions in PLA.

29. Western coalition will disarm the residual PLA.

30. A "Beijing Human Rights Tribunal"(BHRT) will be constituted with judges from 42 countries
      to try the PLA leadership for excesses. The trials will be conducted 'in absentia'. (Just like the
      post WW II Nazi trials).

31. A geographical longitude will be decided by the UN and the "Chinese Melon will be cut" into
      two administrative zones of East China and West China.

32. UN Administrative Mission in China (UNAMC) will help develop democratic institutions in
      both these countries.

33. The UNAMC will provide stability for two years after which the first democratic elections
      would be held in East China and West China.

34. After which the UNAMC will be dissolved.

35. The two new democratic countries be the proud new members of the United Nations.

36. Tibet will gain independence. Dalai Lama and the Tibetans will leave India for their promised
      land.

Source. What's App.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time. The chores and was ready by 9. It was a warm, quiet day.