The Ashram.

There is a village in the remote interiors of Goa, on the bank of River Kushavati, called Rivona.. As per history its original name was Rishi Vana, a forest where Rishis reside. It's well known for its Buddhist caves.

Recently, Rivona became the talk of the town all over Goa when one day, all of a sudden, Prime Minister Modi made a phone call in the village to congratulate a 16 year old boy, Priyavrat Patil. What made the PM call up Priyavrat Patil was that this handsome teenager had cracked one of the most difficult exams in Sanskrit. This makes him one of the topmost scholars of Sanskrit.

A few days back, I was in Margao with a friend for some work. The person I was to meet was at Quepem. So we went there. After the work my friend said, "Why not go to Rivona to meet the Patil Gurujis?"

When we reached Rivona it was quite dark and already, the cyclone Nisarga was approaching. There we met Mrs Patil. Their house, itself, was the first revelation. It was a rishi's ashram. You could feel you're seated there and all of a sudden Sri Ram would enter with his huge bow or Sri Krishna with his flute, anytime.

The young man and his father were not at home. So, Mrs Patil called up her son on his mobile phone. The very first thing I noticed was this lady who was talking to us in fluent Konkani and Marathi was talking with the same fluency to her son, in Sanskrit.

Priyavrat's father, Mahamahopadhyaya Devdutt Patil and his mother, together, run a Sanskrit Gurukul in this village. It's a small institution with 30 or so resident students. Not many in Goa may know about it but the President and the Prime Minister of India know who they are and what work they do. This small unaided school is one of the topmost Sanskrit research centre.

Gurukul follows an entirely different kind of study system. Unlike our regular schools, here boys and girls are dedicated to study their given topics. They reside in the house of their guru, do community work, learn life skills and at the same time specialise in their subjects.

Learning Sanskrit in the traditional way is no joke. There are no classrooms or books. You totally memorise a book like a song. When asked, you sing the entire book page by page, paragraph by paragraph, word by word without making a single spelling or pronunciation mistake, knowing each and every meaning of the word in the same tone and at the same pitch. Every word is a mantra.

The Gurukul admits boys after 7th class and girls, after 10th. There is no other criteria. Students come from all over the country. Education is free. No fees. The school is run by a public charitable trust on public donations.

The course is of 6 years and these 6 years, you learn 3 topics. Sanskrit Vyakaran, Mimansa and Nyaya. That is grammar, interpretation and art of debating.That's it. It you have passed out of this small unaided institute not affiliated to any board or university, all the universities will come rushing to you, requesting you to head their Sanskrit Departments!

Remember, this is not a Veda Pathasala. They don't teach Vedas or Shastras or Upanishads. They teach you PhD level Sanskrit. If you learn it, all the knowledge of the gods is open to you. Who doesn't want the keys to the heaven's gate in this life itself?

In life, if you are a Hindu, you may not go to a temple ever but do something for the preservation of the Vedas. Dharma is not about hating other religions. It is about finding your way to God through the hardships of life!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time. Sajish, from the Amigos, had come by a quarter to 7 to give me my monthly haircut. Was ready by a half past 9 and had breakfast later than my usual time.

Time was kept apart to solve a misunderstanding within the family and in the process, spoke to a few of my close relatives. Two more are left which should be over by tomorrow morning.    

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Simply means 'Super' and is one of the longest words in the English dictionary!

It was perfidy on the part of China when it had authored the border incursions on the LAC when the country was reeling under the impact of the Corona virus and was involved in battling the pandemic.

I was waiting for the strike from Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the continuing aggressive posture the PLA Army was displaying on the Line of Actual Control. Stung by the death of over 50 of their soldiers, at the Galwan Valley, to the Indian Army's 20 martyrs, earlier today there was a prominent news byte saying that the PLA Army had positioned Mixed Martial Arts personnel, along with their troops on the Tibetan border - the stretch of LAC at the eastern Ladakh. By doing so, China has paid a back handed compliment to the Indian soldier as they've realised that their soldiers were no match to the Indian soldier - one for one and that his loyalty to his country is non-negotiable! It also means that they plan to give death blows in the event of the next border clash. Shows their meanness just as they'd used wire lined/wrapped batons in felling Colonel Santosh Babu and his men of the 16 Bihar, a fortnight ago.

The Modi government has banned 59 Chinese Apps (Applications) by this evening. It's a brilliant move that must have stunned the Chinese because its symbolism would have a great impact all over the world and perhaps, by tomorrow this time, many more countries would join India in banning China who are fed up to their gills with the Chinese shenanigans! I'm thrilled to bits after hearing about the ban which is audacious and timely! Xi Jinping needs to rework his strategy and come to terms with a resurgent India; most importantly, he must realise that India does not remain in the 1962 time warp anymore. The earlier he realises it, the better would it be for him otherwise, the President-for-life will soon meet with his Waterloo, for sure!!

Let's list down those 59 Apps which are :-

 * Tik Tok                   * UC News                                  * DU Cleaner
 * Shareit                    * QQ Mail                                   * DU Browser
 * Kwai                       * Weibo                                       * Hago Play With
 * UC Browser            * Xender                                        New Friends
 * Baidu map               * QQ Music                                * Cam Scanner
 * Shein                       * QQ Newsfeed                          * Clean Master -
 * Clash of Kings        * Bigo Live                                    Cheetah Mobile
 * DU battery saver     * SelfieCity                                 * Wonder Camera
 * Helo                         * Mail Master                             * Photo Wonder
 * Likee                        * Parallel Space                          * QQ Player
 * YouCam makeup     * Mi Video Call - Xiaomi           * We Meet
 * Mi Community        * WeSync                                    * Sweet Selfie
 * CM Browsers          * ES File Explorer                       * Baidu Translate
 * Virus Cleaner          * Viva Video - QU Video Inc      * Vmate
 * APUS Browser        * Meitu                                        * QQ International
 * ROMWE                  * Vigo Video                        * QQ Security Center
 * Club Factory            * New Video Status                     * QQ Launcher
 * Newsdog                  * DU Recorder                            * U Video
 * Beutry Plus               * Vault-Hide                               * V fly Status video
 * WeChat                     * Cache Cleaner DU App studio* Mobile Legends
 * DU Privacy

These Apps have been banned for spying on our activities!

It will be interesting to see the reactions and the cascading actions from the rest of the world. We, sure, are passing through interesting times!!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time though Lekha was bang on time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Would be guest lecturing on this Saturday's webinar.

For reducing dependence on Chinese goods!

India's border conflict with China has sparked off a sentiment to drastically reduce dependence on Chinese imports. But that is easier said than done as Indian value chains have deep material links with China. Let's take a closer look at some key bilateral trade metrics and the sectors vulnerable to such policy changes.

1. High Trade Deficit With China

    From barely any in the financial year 1999 - '00, India has ended up with a trade deficit of $48.6
    billion with China in financial year 2019 - '20.

2. Consumer Durables

    Chinese brands in TV and mobiles have a strong presence in Indian markets. They are looking at
    increasing their share in refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines. It will be hard to
    replace suppliers in critical components like compressors and LED chips.

      * Share of Chinese brands (Xiaomi, TCL and VU) in TV industry is 49%.
      * Share of Chinese brands (Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme) in cellphone industry is 76%.

3. Chemicals

    Raw material imports from China for agrochemical industry range between 10 - 50% depending
    on the product portfolio.

    The specialty chemical sector has relatively lower dependency on China for raw materials.

4. Pharmaceuticals

    * We are dependent on China for 60 - 70% of key raw materials for the industry.
    * Raw materials from China are estimated to be 20 - 30% cheaper than those in India.
    * Substantial investment, time and government approvals are needed to substitute imports from
       China in the supply chain.
    * An import ban would raise costs in the short-to-medium term but is unlikely to result in
       unavailability of APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) or plant shutdowns.

     Sourcing of raw materials by companies from China.

     * Ajanta    100% of API requirement outsourced.
     * Alkem    70% of API requirement outsourced.
     * Aurobindo   50% of the raw material requirement is dependent on China.
     * Cadila Healthcare  45% API requirement is outsourced.
     * Cipla   Except in oncology and respiratory all the API requirement is outsourced.
     * DRRD   40 - 45% of API is outsourced. High single digit direct dependence on China.
     * JLS   Some of the KSM  for API (-7% of total sales) is directly procured from China.
     * Strides    100% of API requirement is outsourced. About 35 - 40% of requirement is fulfilled
                        Indian API firm Solara.
     * Sun     45% of API requirement is outsourced.
     * TRP    70% of API requirement is outsourced.


 5. E-Commerce

     Chinese companies have high investment exposure to some key start-ups in India.

      * Ant Financial/Alibaba      Invested in Paytm, Snapdeal, Zomato, Big Basket.
                                                   Total investment $ 2.7 billion.
      * Tencent                             Invested in Policybazaar, Ola, Udaan, Flipkart, Byju, Dream 11,
                                                   Hike, Swiggy.
                                                   Total investment $ 2 billion.
      *  Shunwei Capital               Invested in Zomato, Meesho.
                                                   Total investment $ 0.13 billion.
      *  Hillhouse Capital              Invested in Swiggy, Udaan, Cred
                                                    Total investment $ 0.16 billion.
      *  TR Capital                         Invested in Flipkart, Lenskart, Urban Ladder, Big Basket.
                                                    Total investment $ 0.11 billion.

 6. Automobiles

     27% of total imports are from China, with the country being a key supplier of auto components.
     It would be difficult to replace Chinese suppliers in segments such as electricals and semi-
     conductors as the required scale and skill are not available.

         * 30% of domestic consumption of auto components is imported.
         * China accounts for over a quarter of total auto component imports.

 7. Telecom

       * Telcos are dependent on Huawei and ZTE for network access, which includes front-end
          telecom sites as well as back haul network.
       * Huawei's equipment is used in three of Bharti Airtel's circles and 7 of Vodafone India out of a
          total of 22 circles.
       * Back haul equipment is far more deeply deployed across India.
       * Globally there are 4-5 major network equipment producers and Huawei is one of the largest
          along with Ericsson, Nokia Siemens, Samsung and ZTE.
       * High requirement for telecom equipment

Source. Adapted from TNIE.

Now, one can understand as to how daunting the task of shutting off the Chinese completely is. But if it's inevitable, so be it!


Tailpiece.

Got up half an hour late, the chores and was still ready by a half past 9. Murali, the youngster from the Warriath House came by to fix up my laptop but wasn't able to do so. Joined the Story teller webinar in the evening which was a pleasant experience!
 

Shortest horror stories ever!

1. A husband kills his wife while their 5 year old son is asleep. The weird thing is that the kid doesn't
    ask for his mother even three days after she goes missing.

    Father. "Is there something that you want to ask me?"
    Kid    . "Yes. Why is mom always standing behind you?"

2. The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails
    through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams.
   
    I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my
    closet door creak open.

 3. A girl hears her mother yell her name from downstairs, so she gets up and starts to head down.
   
     As she gets to the stairs, her mother pulls her into her room and says, "I heard that, too".

 4. My wife woke me up last night to tell me there was an intruder in our house.

     She was murdered by an intruder two years ago.

 5. I always thought my cat had a staring problem. She seemed fixated on my face.

     Until one day I realised that she was always looking just behind me.

 6. There's nothing like the laughter of a baby.

     Unless it's 1AM and you're home alone.

 7. I begin tucking my son into bed and he tells me, "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed".

     I look underneath for his amusement and see another him, under the bed, staring back at me
     quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed".

 8. You get home, tired after a long day's work and ready for a relaxing night alone.

     You reach for the light switch but another hand is already there.


Tailpiece.

Got up late by about half an hour, the chores and was still ready by about a half past 9.

The webinar on 'Crimes during Covid times' by IG (South Zone) Harshita Atluri was short but nice.

Had a meeting with a few of my course mates, subsequent to that, on zoom which was a great hit. We'd participated in the interaction with our wives.

A couple of fine thoughts!

A soldier's dignity

I was reading a story the other day....and it struck a chord.....this is how it went....

An old duke used to hold an annual dinner for the retired officers of his regiment and every year, chose ten different people to attend the dinner.

One year, post dinner, he found that his precious silver snuffbox was missing.....and very candidly asked those present to turn out their pockets. Nine of them did but one gentleman refused and walked out in a huff. So, the others automatically assumed, he'd stolen it.....and as expected belittled the old man and forgot about it......

But life is full of twists and four months down the line, a lazy handmaid dusting the armchairs found the snuffbox, stuck in the upholstery......and took it to the duke.

The duke was horrified as he had been a part of the badmouthing and guiltily decided he needed to go in person to apologise to the officer.

He went to the soldier's sparse home and after much talk, asked, "If you hadn't taken the snuffbox, why did you walk away?"

To which the upright soldier replied,"the only thing I had left was my dignity and honour and if you did not trust me then, I didn't want any part of proving it!"

That's how soldiers are....they assume the world understands them and will respect them....and take care of their needs....., because they have been taught that character, courage and integrity matter more on the battlefield than money ever will.

   *                *                  *

The Eagle

He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring'd with the azure world, he stands.

The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.

- Alfred Lord Tennyson.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Interacted with a lot of people over the telephone and felt richer by the quantum of information gathered from them. It was a great experience!

Assorted information.

1. The origins of the word 'hangover'.

    The lowest form of accommodation in Victorian England was access to bend over a rope, for the
    night, at the price of a penny. Usually used by drunken sailors who had spent all their money
    drinking. It's said to be the origin of the term "Hangover".

    *                   *                   *

 2. A.Word.A.Day 
     with Anu Garg

     The English language has lots of words. More than half a million by one count. It's just that many
     of them are not widely known. It's a catch-22. You avoid using unusual words because you fear
     that others may not know them. And people do not know those words because they haven't come
     across them.

     gazump

     Pronunciation :  (guh - ZUHMP).

     Meaning.
     verb tr.

        (a) To raise the price after accepting an offer from a buyer.
        (b) To offer a higher price to a seller on something that's already being sold to another.
        (c) To pre-empt something, especially by questionable means.
        (d) To swindle.

      ETYMOLOGY :

      Of uncertain origin, perhaps from Yiddish gezumph (to overcharge). Earliest documented use
      in 1928.

      USAGE :

      "Ms. Lively used her website to gazump all gossip sites by announcing her pregnancy".

       *             *              *

      Forbidden Fruit a Flavour Has

      Forbidden Fruit a flavour has
      That lawful Orchards mocks --
      How luscious lies within the Pod
      The Pea that Duty locks --

      - Emily Dickinson.

      One more day is gone.

      * One more day is gone. if you think of the day which is gone, this day will also go away.
      * Subbayya was not a writer, not a poet, not a singer: he was just an ordinary man in the
         village. Just a fish in a river which is not concerned with the waves that cause the turbulence
         on the surface.
      * Subbayya was the quietest gentleman in the village.
      * His daily routine was the same every day. Get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee given
         by his wife.
      * Walk up to Krishna River early morning, take bath at the same time, summer or winter no bar.
         The water temperature did not make a difference to him. Pick up a small utensil of Krishna
         water from the temple; pluck a few flowers enroute to the temple. He knew every plant on the
         streets on the route between the river and the temple.
      * He used to sprinkle a few drops of water on the little children going to school and the children
         used to giggle with joy.
      * Go to the temple, do his puja in the Sivalayam.
      * Sit in the temple for some time; watch the pigeons roosting on the temple.
      * People used to discuss about rising prices, taste of idlis and dosas in the local hotels etc.
      * Goes home, wife asks him what he wants for lunch, he tells something, she goes into the
         garden picks up some fresh vegetables and makes his lunch.
      * Both of them finish lunch talking about their grand children or children. Both of them sleep
         next to each other for some time.
      * Subbayya goes to the temple in the evening.
      * Enroute he watches the children playing marbles on the street, buys them a few peanuts and
         shares their joy.
      * Goes to the temple, sits in the temple till dusk.
      * Walks home.
      * Wife asks him about dinner, he tells something.
      * They have dinner and go to sleep.
      * Subbayya is loved by everyone in the village, if someone wanted some help, he was always
         there.
      * SUBBAYYA JUST LIVED A SIMPLE LIFE.



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. A quiet day and plenty of discussions/plans of action over the telephone with people regarding activities connected with the Reading Month activities. The webinar was nice.
      * 

Mysterious India.

So it appears to foreign tourists!

India holds a certain sense of mystery for the world outside its borders. Read on to find how curious foreigners are about India and its ways or rather read on to find out how dumb and ignorant they are about our beautiful country. This has been taken from a tourism blog where people could post queries if they were planning on making a trip to India.

The answers are the actual responses by the website participants who demonstrate tolerance and excellent sense of humour.

 Q. Does it ever get windy in India? I have never see it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? (UK).
 A. We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

 Q. Will I be able to see elephants on the street? (USA).
 A.  Depends how much you've been drinking.

 Q. I want to walk from Delhi to Goa - can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden).
 A. Sure, it's only three thousand km, take lots of water.

 Q. Are there any ATMs in India? Can you send me a list of them in Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta and
      Bangalore? (UK).
 A. What did your last slave die of?

 Q. Which direction is North in India? (USA).
 A.  Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of
       the directions.

 Q. Can I bring cutlery into India? (UK).
 A. Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

 Q. Can you send me the Indiana Pacers matches schedule? (France).
 A.  Indiana is a state in the United States of .....oh forget it. Sure, the Indiana Pacers matches are
       played every Tues day night in Goa, come undressed.

 Q. Can I wear high heels in India? (UK).
 A. You're a British politician, right?

 Q. Are there supermarkets in Bangalore and is milk available all the year round? (Germany).
 A. No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunters/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

 Q. Please send a list of all doctors in India who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA).
 A. Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where you come from. All Indian snakes are perfectly
      harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

 Q. Do you have perfume in India? (France).
 A. No, we do not stink in India.

 Q. I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell
      it in India? (USA).
 A. Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

 Q. Do you celebrate Christmas in India? (France).
 A. Only during Christmas.

 Q. Will I be able to speak English at most places I go? (USA).
 A. Yes, but you will have to learn it first.

 Q. Can I see Taj Mahal anytime? (Italy).
 A.  As long as you do not have vision disability, you can see it anytime during day and night.

 Q. Do you have toilet paper? (USA).
 A. No, we use sand paper. (We have different grades).

My take.

Are all of them grotesquely ignorant?


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Could do a few pending things and attend the webinar in the afternoon.

   

The changing scenario of Madras(Chennai).

So far our children worked in IT sector in metropolitan cities and we moved there with them. So as the IT sector developed, skyscraper residences mushroomed in OMR, ECR, Coimbade, Uragadam in Madras.

But now we have to realise that, apart from necessary cases, our children made the big mistake of purchasing flats for Rs.50 lakhs to 1.25 crores by bank loans. They dreamed "going by costly cars, admitting their children in international schools, frequent foreign trips, best medical treatment, luxurious life etc...."

But the whole thing changed upside down from last March-end and city migrated people's lives are slowly becoming miserable. We never thought, coming from Madras to our native place would be so difficult. It is worrisome to note that Madras residents are not welcome in the remaining parts of Tamilnadu.

Cities are not attractive anymore. Starting from "google", "facebook" to TCS etc have switched over to "work from home" concept and 75% staff are instructed to work from home.

Major immediate impact is IT giants have started to vacate costly rented buildings at Siruseri, Solinganallur, OMR, Porur DLF and Mahendra city IT parks.. They have planned to open "Supervising hubs" (controlling offices) in small buildings in Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Madurai. 75 to 90% staff are going to work from their own native places. So imagine the fate of skyscrapers in Madras! They will get no resale/rent value by 2021.

The next major change being made silently by NASSCOM (With over 2,800 IT and related company members in India) have approached the central/state governments to :-

  (a) Amend or abolish major (75%) of Labour laws to suit IT sector "work from home". The central           government has given consent in the last week of May 2020 itself and has advised NASSCOM           to give the blueprint of amendments in Labour laws.

  (b) Amend Income Tax Act to include expenses by employer/employee incurred at home,
        amendment to cover insurance for working from home.

So it's a matter of time before Acts/Laws are amended. So "Work from home" has come to stay. So no more necessity for IT people to stay in the Metropolitan cities.

Next major impact is gradual disappearance of dependent industries of IT sector. Service industries like high/medium class hotels/motels/spas, major entertainment malls, rental buildings, call taxis, auto service. For example, about 10,000 call taxis and 25,000 share autos are plying, in Madras, to carry IT people daily from one place to the other. My friend, from Australia, who established Australian restaurants called "Australian Pie" at IT campuses of Navallur and DLF with investment of about 1.5 crores have not been earning a single rupee since March end. In each centre, about 50 international restaurants like Mackdonnel, Paprika etc have been kept closed for months which may not reopen for ever!

Next shock comes at the social level. "Foreign Bridegrooms" are not attractive anymore. When world "job recession" shows out in full scale, job of those employed abroad will face uncertainty and may, even, lose jobs.

As such,

   (a) Advanced medical facilities are available all over Tamilnadu.
   (b) Online classes are coming to our children.
   (c) And the emerging "work from home" concept.....

it is high time to rethink whether it is necessary to settle in cities except for those who have unavoidable reasons.

Source. Adapted.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a quiet day, attending webinars in connection with the Reading month activities and answering the telephone. Spoke to Charlie Mike after a long time; he sounded quite under the weather. Must speak to him again, tomorrow. 

PS.
Can't get myself to call Madras, Chennai!  

News views.

A quick rundown of the news that are hogging the headlines right now.

 1. The Congress Party is at it.

     The Congress party has been going hammer and tongs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi as and
     when they sense an opportunity to show him in poor light. The fact is that if it's done by a guy
     who sticks to certain principles and adheres to the truth, perhaps the guy could pull it off. In this
     case RaGa is a poor choice. Firstly, his shenanigans with half truths and innuendos have become
     so common that I'm sure there are many people who don't take him seriously. He seems to be
     under the false notion that if he were to cross swords with the Prime Minister, he becomes an
     automatic contender for the post.

     Today, the party has roped in former PM Manmohan Singh to speak out and he has parroted like
     a dutiful servant. It's so pathetic to see him being manipulated. This is after 10 years of relentless
     exploitation of the poor man when the UPA was in power. Sad!

     The party also needs to lay bare its secret pact with the Chinese Communist Party. The fight is on
     between the Congress and the BJP. It needs to be seen as to who blinks first!

      The sad part is that when the country is supposed to be united in times of an aggressive
      neighbour's shenanigans, this party is fighting its battle with its own PM for political gains. They
      are gonna be beaten at their game yet again!

  2. The Kerala CM is at it again.

      Last weekend, during his evening interaction with the press, Pinarayi Vijayan swooped on the
      KPCC President, Mullappally Ramachandran's for his tirade against the Health Minister, Shailaja
      teacher calling her 'Nipah princess' and 'Covid queen'. Though it was in bad taste, the CM using
      an official press interaction to deride the opposition was just not done. On top of it, he lamented
      aloud as to how people could use uncivilised language to put down their political opponents. It
      was laughable because he has been in the habit of pulling down his adversaries, often, by using
      unacceptable language.

      He doesn't take criticisms against his doings or his government! Now how can that be?

  3. The Incidence of COVID cases are on the rise.

      With a daily influx of Malayalees fetching up from abroad, the rise in the number of COVID
      cases is alarmingly on the rise. Today, 138 cases have been reported and there's a clamour, by
      the government, to have the entire lot of foreign returnees to get a COVID-free certificate
      before embarking on the chartered flights.

      A war of words between the potential passengers and the government is on currently, regarding
      the same.

      The whole exercise could have been studied before giving clearance to the 350 odd chartered 
      flights that the government has approved between now and 30 Jun.


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Had taken part in two webinars as part of the ongoing Reading Month activities. Must work out a strategy for carrying out the aim set by the National Reading Mission.   
     

The man behind the Galwan incursions.

Ambitious General threatens to derail regional balance in Asia

General Zhao Zongqi is an ambitious man. He has been heading the newly created Western Theatre Command since 2016 and has led an almost perfect career, something most of his peers can only dream of. His stint of 20 years in the Tibetan Military District led him to believe that he had a clear shot for the top prize, an admission into the Central Military Commission (CMC), the Chinese Communist Party's highest military decision making body.

He perfected the art of mass ambushes during the Sino-Vietnam war of 1979and has survived the ups and downs of of the Party's fortunes till now, in fact, he is one of the few lucky ones to have escaped Xi's purge of the top military leadership. Purges have become a staple for communist regimes worldwide. Stalin anyone? Zhao however is a departure from the generals that populate the Party's ranks. Ruthless and ambitious, he is banking on his current profile and the stand off to reach the hallowed ranks of the CMC. The style of ambush of the 16 Bihar troops and the use of primitive weapons fit his profile perfectly.

Just before the reorganisation of the PLA's seven military regions into five theatre commands, he was in-charge of the Jinan Military Region but had gone on a tour of garrisons in Gansu, Xinjiang and Ningxia with General Fan Chonglong, the previous Vice Chairman of CMC. This was a sure shot indicator that something big was being planned for him, in the next couple of months, he was crowned King of the West.

The former Xinjiang and Tibetan Military Commands were integrated into the Western Theatre Command in 2016 and its reins handed over to General Zongqi. The interesting point to note is that the Western Theatre Command looks after China's borders with India and is the largest among the five. For Zhao, this was the perfect posting. An apparently low lying fruit in the form of armed confrontation with India would have ensured his elevation.

Zhao was also made the member of the 19th Central Committee in 2017. But having been given the look over for the position of the Vice Chairman of CMC after the retirement of General Fan Chonglong, he started looking for ways to make the Party realise his potential. His plan to intrude into peace-loving Bhutan would have fetched him immediate affection from his party superiors, had it succeeded. He was also banking on the fact that India's friendship treaty with Bhutan was a paper tiger. In case things went south, he could always say that India was the aggressor and he was just maintaining the status quo. Under this charade, he planned to grab some more territory.

Destiny had different plans for him. India intervened in strength and did not respond to Zhao's provocations, which were made through the crude Party mouthpiece Global Times. The 72-day long stand off threatened to submerge the Indian subcontinent under the clouds of war. The international opinion also turned against China for invading a peaceful country. As a result, Zhao had to back off. Seething with humiliation, especially after Indian PM Narendra Modi's firm demand to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Wuhan Summit, China had pulled its troops back. Zhao felt the Vice Chairmanship slipping away from his fingers. It was also decided during the same summit and the one at Mamallapuram later that the delicate regional balance in the region will not be disturbed at any cost.

Zhao is one of Xi's rare handpicked choices and both he and Xi are children of CPC revolutionary heroes from Shaanxi province and hence are very close. The ambitious Zhao Zonqi desperately wants his ploy to work. - if he could avenge Doklam and show the party that he had the determination to force his will on his adversaries. As a result, the current stand off with India was planned in the early months of 2020. The intrusion was supposed to capitulate and surrender its positions. He also calculated that going into a previously settled place like the Galwan Valley would be advantageous as India would not be expecting any action there.

Zhao tasked units of Xinjiang Military District to harass Indian patrols on the northern bank of Pangong Tso Lake and removed all restrictions on their actions. Similarly, units of Tibet Military District were told to move into Galwan, Hot Springs and Depsang plains and try and rake up hostilities deliberately with the Indians. Again he has been sorely proven wrong. Not only has India not capitulated but the massive build up of troops and the two incidents of violence in May and June also threaten to push the region into a devastating no-holds-barred war.

Despite the understanding at the political level of not letting differences turn into disputes, General Zhao Zonqi's grandstanding and megalomaniacal behaviour is not only destroying whatever little chance that he has of the VC position in the CMC but he has also put his President in a very difficult position.

With half of the world breathing down Xi's neck over his mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis, Hong Kong and the South China Sea, the least he could have expected out of his General was sane military advice and not an unwarranted action that will attract the attention of the other powers.

- Adapted from BharatShakti.


Tailpiece.

Got up half an hour late being a Sunday, as we'd planned last night. The chores and was ready by a half past 9. A quiet Sunday when a solar eclipse was witnessed across India beginning 1020 hrs.

PS.
Lt General Zhao Zonqi has since been sacked and Lt General Xu Qiling will be taking over the Western Theatre Command in lieu. 

Putting Galwan Valley incursions in the right perspective!

An infantry battalion is the smallest fighting combat unit in the army. It is self sufficient for the majority of the tactical battles like Galwan Valley skirmish but will need other fire support for being part of a larger scale operation.

The Commanding Officer is the father of the unit like in a household and is the master of the house. Everybody looks up to him for anything and everything in a battalion. He is an institution in himself. He's the one who calls the shots and he's the one who will be hanged if anything goes wrong in the unit.

So if a father figure of a battalion is harmed or injured or in a worst case scenario, is killed in action, the unit is like without a head and will be shamed for life if they don't avenge that killing.

And that's exactly what happened in Galwan. Seeing their Commanding Officer critically injured and later succumbing to injuries, the Bihar battalion knew there were no boundaries to be observed with the Chinese, who were responsible for this tragic event. There were two other men also probably, CO's personal squad, who were killed initially.

So the only course of action was to restore the pride of the unit. Every person in the unit dies for NAMAK and NISHAN.

It was time to retaliate for the namak and restore the dignity of the unit. How could a unit answer the elders and the young in the coming years about this incident?

So, the battalion under the company commander went back with whatever he had and thrashed the Chinese. The blood was boiling in the Biharis' veins and they avenged the dastardly act of the Chinese against their Commanding Officer. In the fight, a few more of our brave soldiers slipped the slopes and fell into the ice cold waters of the Shyok river and died of Hypothermia. Medical aid at such outposts, at the borders, is elementary.

The Chinese didn't expect this backlash and asked for truce.

The Bihar battalion restored the lost dignity and told the Chinese not to meddle with them in future or they will face graver consequences.

The 'izzat-o-iqbal' of the unit remains intact and nobody in the army will ever question this battalion as to how they allowed the Chinese to construct a bunker on our land.

For maintaining territorial integrity of the nation, Col Santosh Babu gave up his life - the supreme sacrifice - unparalleled in any other army of the world.

Look at the onerous task this Colonel of maybe just 43 years of age, has been entrusted with by the President of India, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and look at the unflinching dedication and devotion with which he did it by laying down his life for a piece of land belonging to India, which will have far reaching consequences in the international scenario.

The battalion is now led by another Colonel as its Commanding Officer and I am sure it will bounce back and prove its mettle in the days to come, having given the Chinese a bloody nose. Pray for the departed souls and also pray for the victory of these men who are fighting it out on the icy heights at 17,000 ft for all of us, without any incentive or awards, because they know it's their duty towards the nation.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Monitoring the activities conducted on the second day of the 'Vaayana Maasam' was the main task.
    

The 25th Vaayana Dinam (Reading Day).

Background

1. On this day, 25 years ago, PN Panicker - the founder of the Kerala Library Movement and the architect of 100% literacy in Kerala, in 1991 - passed into the mist of time. He was 86. He had left for his heavenly abode at 1913 hrs on that ill fated day. From 1996, the Kerala Government has been celebrating 19 Jun as the Reading Day and the connected activities were conducted over a span of one week, making it a Reading Week.

2. On 17 Jun 2017, at a glittering ceremony at the St Theresa's College, Ernakulam it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had announced that a personality like PN Panicker was a national icon and that the Foundation's activities must not be restricted within the state. It was he who had announced, that from then on, a Reading Month would be organised all over the country, every year, commencing 19 Jun. This was to facilitate us to monitor our activities, in connection with Reading, in every nook and corner of the country. (He'd told us the reason for being spellbound by PN Panicker's success in making the Malayalees read. When he'd taken over as the chief minister of Gujarat for the first time, he'd kept aside resources for his pet project -'Vanche Gujarat'...meaning, Gujarat Reads. The project had failed to take off and he was surprised that a frail man like PN Panicker could achieve the impossible in making the Malayalees read!)

3. At many public meetings, I've heard numerous guests saying that PN Panicker spent his time for the upliftment of the society and consequently, never had any time for his family. Ruminating about it, I beg to differ on that statement and my narration of certain incidents would highlight the fact that he definitely did find adequate time for his family, though Mrs PN Panicker 'ran a taut ship' and never bothered him with trivia within the family.

A Grandson Remembers

4. My mother, Chandramathykutty Amma, is the eldest of his seven children (The Panickers had nine children but two - Radhakrishnan, died when he was just over a year and Geetha, died at the age of 13 yrs) and he was very fond of her. She was the only one who could stand up to him and put across her point of view, often encouraged by him. At the time of my birth, my mother had certain complications and the doctor seems to have told my grandparents that she could save only one of the two - the mother or the baby. My grandfather's retort was "What baby? I want my daughter". In an unguarded moment he'd let the cat out of the bag to say, "Do you know why I'm fond of you? I'd almost lost you at the time of your birth!"

5. From Nov '63, when my dad had brought us back from Bombay, mom, me and my two sisters became part of the PN Panicker joint family and those were fun loving days, with around twenty odd people - which included guests - full of fun and frolic. My dad thought if I'd continue to be with my grandparents, I'd become a pampered boy and insisted on putting me in a boarding school, despite my grandparents' fervent pleas. The toss up was between the RIMC, St Lawrence School, Lovedale and the Sainik School, Kazhakootam and it was at my grandfather's insistence that I was sent to the Sainik School, from class VII.

6. One evening while I was on the games field, my House Master, Mr CV Sankaranarayanan came by to inquire as to whose parent had come in a 'state car' - the red number plated car with serial numbers - and that he has been waiting for quite a while. Around that time I'd heard that the Education Minister, Mr CH Mohammed Koya had released one for my Muthachhan to travel through the entire state to do his work. I couldn't bring myself to believe that my grandfather would drop by to meet me because of his busy schedule, but due to a bankruptcy of thought, I'd headed towards the spot accompanied by my House Master. To my utter surprise, I saw my grandfather waiting beside the car. The problem was that he used to call me 'monay' and was not aware of my official name and to the query of the Master, he was at a loss for words! (My friends started calling me 'monay' from then on, much to my annoyance!)

7. Subsequently and much later when I'd joined the IN, he used to carry a piece of paper with my rank and name inscribed on it. He made it a point to drop by and even spend a night, at our house, whenever he used to pass through Ernakulam!

8. There are very many such small incidents that showed as to how much he cared. He had wanted me to join the IAS and when I'd written the entrance examination for the NDA, I'd told him that I'd done badly in a paper. When I was called for the SSB interview and had returned after clearing it, I'd told him that I would never figure in the final merit list to assure him because, frankly, I wasn't happy with my overall performance! I can never forget the sad look on his face when he returned from office, one evening and had waited for me to get back, as I'd gone out with my friends. As I entered the house, he told me, "The Press Information Bureau had called up this evening to congratulate me because you're 13th in the overall merit list for NDA". However much I tried to convince him that I wasn't expecting that, he could not be convinced. Did I hurt him then, I wonder?

9. I can go on and on with so many such anecdotes about my grandfather. But time and space, dictate that I should adhere to brevity. So, I shall jump time and recall the last time that I'd seen my handsome grandfather. He had arrived at New Delhi on 01 Dec 1994 for his felicitation by the Malayalee organisations there. He'd spent a week with us - at D II/A 32 at Nanakpura - often pulling my legs about my weakness for Bruno, the Dobermann - who, incidentally, was in his best behaviour throughout those seven days! On the eighth day, I'd driven my grandfather to the airport early in the morning and saw him go along with the then minister, MV Raghavan into the building. I and Maman waited there to see his small frame disappearing into the innards of the airport terminal. Never in my wildest of dreams did I realise then that I was seeing him for the last time!

Epilogue

This evening, exactly at 1913 hrs, I stood in front of his portrait concentrating on my experiences with him. I consider myself to be lucky that I'd received his unadulterated love.

Twenty five years - a quarter of a century - has zipped past without him but he continues to live in my heart and for many others too....thanks to the tremendous body of work done by him during his lifetime.

My grandfather bestest!     



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time with thoughts about my grandfather. The chores were gone through and was ready by a half past 9. The monitoring of the Vaayana Dinam activities took up most of the day.
  

22 reasons to believe ancient Bharat was steeped in science.

1. Tree

People are advised to worship 'Neem' and the banyan tree in the morning. Inhaling the air near these trees, is good for health.

2. Yoga

If you are trying to look ways for stress management, there can't be anything other than 'Yoga Aasan Pranayama' (Inhaling and exhaling air slowly using one of the nostrils).

3. A temple's location

Hindu temples are built scientifically. The place where an idol is placed in the temple is called 'Moolasthanam'. This is where the earth's magnetic waves are found to be maximum thus benefiting the worshipper.

4. Tulsi

Every Hindu household has a Tulsi plant. Tulsi or Basil leaves when consumed, keeps our immune system strong to help prevent diseases.

5. Mantras

The rhythm of Vedic mantras, when pronounced and heard are believed to cure so many disorders of the body like high blood pressure.

6. Tilak

Hindus keep the holy ash on their forehead after bath which removes excess water from the head.

7. Kumkum

Women sport 'kumkum' bindi on their foreheads that protects from being hypnotised.

8. Manhandling food

Eating with hands might be looked down upon in the west but it connects the body, mind and soul when it comes to food.

9. Eating on leaf plates

Hindu customs require one to eat on a leaf plate. This is the most eco-friendly way as it does not require any chemical soap to clean it and it can be discarded without harming the environment - banana, palash leaves.

10. Piercing of ears

Piercing of baby's ears is actually part of acupuncture treatment. The point where the ear is pierced helps in curing Asthma.

11. Turmeric 

Sprinkling turmeric mixed water around the house before prayers and after. It's known that that turmeric has antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.

12. Cow dung

The old practice of pasting cow dung on walls and outside the house prevents various diseases, viruses as it is antibiotic and rich in minerals.

13. Cow's urine

Cow urine is drunk to cure various illnesses. Apparently, it does balance bile, mucous and air and prevents heart diseases and effect of poison.

14. Punishment

The age-old punishment of doing sit ups while holding the ears actually makes the mind sharper and is helpful for those with Autism, Aspergere's Syndrome, learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

15. Wick lamps

Lighting 'diyas' or oil or ghee lamps in temples and house fills the surroundings with positivity and recharges the senses.

16. 'Janeu'

The 'string' on a Brahmin's body is also a part of Acupressure 'Janeu' and keeps the wearer safe from several diseases.

17. Decorations

Decorating the main door with 'toran'  - a string of mango leaves, neem leaves, ashoka leaves purifies the atmosphere.

18. 'Charan sparsh'

Touching one's elder's feet keeps the backbone in good shape.

19. Cremation

Cremating or burning the dead is one of the cleanest forms of disposing off the dead body.

20. 'Om'

Chanting the mantra 'Om' leads to significant reduction in heart rate which leads to a deep form of relaxation with increased alertness.

21. Hanuma Chalisa

The Hanuman Chalisa, according to NASA, has the exact calculation of the distance between the Sun and the Earth.

22. Blowing of the 'conch'

The 'Shankh Dhwani' creates the sound waves by which many harmful germs, insects are destroyed. The mosquito breeding is also affected by the blowing of the Shankh and decreases the spread of Malaria.


Tailpiece

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Suraaj had come by in the morning to fasten the Chevy's front bumper liner with a nut as he'd promised when he'd met last time.

My take on our response to China.

Here are the names of the 20 Indian martyrs who'd laid down their lives at the Galwan valley, fighting the Chinese :-

  3 Med Regiment

  1. N/Sub Satnam Singh
  2. N/Sub Mandip Singh

  16 Bihar

  3. Col B Santosh Babu
  4. Sep Kundan Kumar
  5. Sep Aman Kumar
  6. Nk  Deepak Singh
  7. Sep Chandan Kumar
  8. Sep Ganesh Hasda
  9. Sep Ganesh Ram
 10.Sep KK Ojha
 11.Sep Rajesh Oraon
 12.Sep CK Pradhan
 13.N/Sub Nandu Ram Soren
 14.Hav Sunil Kumar

  12 Bihar

  15.Sep Jai Kishore Singh

   81 MBSC

  16. Hav Bipul Roy

   3 Punjab 

  17. Sep Gurtej Singh
  18. Sep Ankush
  19. Sep Gurwinder Singh

   81 Field

  20. Hav K Palani

RIP Bravehearts! My salutes, tears and prayers!! Your martyrdom shan't go unpunished!!! Here's wishing that your near and dear ones have the strength to tide over these stressful times.

The Chinese were brutish, savage and inhuman in their approach. Where has their professionalism gone? They need to be given a bloody nose for their misadventure.

Why did they embark on this exercise now?

The reasons are many, let me hazard some guesses :-

   * Xi Jinping is coming under increasing pressure for his mishandling of the Corona virus crisis
      within his country.
   * The WHO apex body deciding to go through the reasons behind the outbreak of the Corona virus
      at Wuhan and as to why there was no spread of the virus into the other regions of China but had
      become a worldwide pandemic. India's Dr. Harshavardhan is slated to take up his post in the
      WHO shortly and China fears that the pace of the investigation is gonna pick up.
   * With President Trump and the US battling it to control the riots against racism, the Chinese bet
      is that the US is too preoccupied to come to India's aid against it.
   * There's trouble brewing against it from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam.
   * The countries of the world are currently fighting to contain the pandemic and once that is done,
      the entire lot will unite to take on China for their handling of the COVID-19 crisis. The onslaught
      could be through economic, diplomatic means to make it a pariah!
   * The acceptance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader of world stature by the comity of
      nations.
   * The slapping of a Chinese Major by a young captain of the Indian Army sometime last month
      resulting in a considerable loss of face for the PLA Army.
   * The feeling that the communist, KP Olli's government in Nepal was tilted to their side
      consequent to its border row with India.
   * Pakistan, its all weather ally, continuing with its game of pitting terrorists against India on the
      LOC.
   * Most importantly, it wants to hurt India economically when it's just undergone a stringent lock
      down and a consequent downturn of its economy.
   * Did I miss out the scrapping of Art 370 of the Constitution? By making Ladakh a Union
      Territory, the Chinese think that India would next claim Aksai Chin as its rightful territory!

And of course, the Congress party seems to be in glee that such a thing has happened on the LAC with its strange pro-China stand. Would be interesting to note as to where the loyalty of the CPM is?

And What Must India Do? 

    * Recognise Tibet and make it clear that the Galwan pass and eastern Ladakh form part of our
       border with Tibet and not China. Oversee the inauguration of the Dalai Lama as its first
       Prime Minister.
    * Establish diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
    * Support the people of Hong Kong for their justified cause against China's high handedness.
    * Dump the use of Chinese products, blacklist them and clear them off our markets.
    * Reinforce our existing troops on the LAC with additional troops, artillery, tanks and armoured
       carriers along with appropriate assets of the IAF.
    * Alleviate the woes of Vietnam that it has with China in the South China Sea.

The dragon needs to be taught a lesson, come what may.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a comparatively quiet day. 

The flashpoint at the LAC.

Flash Point PP 14 Galwan Valley

1. Yesterday as the crimson sun was rolling down in the west, Indian Army's battalion was waiting 
    since morning to ensure that the PLA troops to fall back to Post 1, which was 5 km to the east as 
    per the disengagement plan decided on 06 Jun 2020 at the Corps commanders' level meeting held
    at area near Chushul.

2. At one stage, the Chinese troops got ready to go back but they suddenly turned back and assaulted
    the Indian troops. CO 16 Bihar and his two escorts were knocked down with iron poles, bamboos 
    embedded with nails and stones. Indian troops retaliated and in close unarmed combat, bashed up      PLA soldiers. The unarmed combat continued for several hours. Around midnight, the troops
    disengaged.                

3. As the sun broke the dawn, it was confirmed that the CO and two soldiers had succumbed to
    injuries. Around midday, the news of the clash at Galwan was flashing on national media.

4. Global news, the official news channel of China announced that 5 PLA soldiers were killed and
    approximately 11 severely injured.

5. Close door meeting between the RM, EAM, CDS and the service chiefs took place earlier in the
    day. 

6. The end of the day reports say that 20 Indian Army personnel have attained martyrdom with 43
    Chinese casualties.

Epilogue.

Talks to pull back hundreds of troops deployed in the remote region have been held over the last ten days but no breakthrough had emerged. Indian government sources said no shots were fired but a physical fight broke out between the two sides with soldiers using batons and throwing stones, which resulted in the casualties.

The Army said, "During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place last night with casualties on both sides. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation".

But mystery surrounds the situation after a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that he was not aware of any incident on the border with India. China's Global Times newspaper tweeted, "Based on the ground situation, Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash". It sent a chilling warning to India, "Don't be arrogant and misread  China's restraint as being weak. China doesn't want to have a clash with India but we don't fear it".

The Global Times is published by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party.


Tailpiece.

Had got up at 4 AM, thanks to Lekha's cellphone. I'd a rethink, based on medical advice and had called off our trip. The Quarterdeck was opened up and Suraaj was asked to reach so as to drive off to Kochi by a half past 6. Lekha stayed back.

We reached the clinic by a 10' past 9 and were on our return leg by a quarter past 10 and reached home by lunchtime. Our folks in Thiruvananthapuram expressed their disappointment at the cancellation of our visit.

A fairly busy day!

Today is the first of the Malayalam month of Mithunam!

The day had begun on a sad note. Padmaja chechi, the late music director Radhappa chettan's wife, passed into the mist of time, around midnight, due to a cardiac arrest at the SJ Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. An ever smiling lady with a cheerful countenance, that's what I remember of her who never stepped into the limelight and was content to stay in the shadow of her husband! She had lost her twin sister, Girija, about six months back due to cancer.

RIP chechi! My prayers and tears. You've left us in grief. Here's wishing that Rajakrishnan and Kathu
have the requisite strength to pass through these stressful times!!

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and was ready by 7 AM to receive Shyla, from the Thyrocare, who was to draw my blood samples for test. She, however, didn't fetch up and I got a message from her at 8, saying that she had a cough and cold and therefore, would be unable to fetch up. I had almost given up on the tests because the road, towards the Rajah hospital where I planned to go, was barricaded as Chavakkad was a containment zone.

It was Hamid, the auto rickshaw driver whom I'd called up, who told me about the path lab that was just a stone's throw away from 'The Quarterdeck'. Thus the morning's emergency just blew away within no time. Had then taken our Chevy to the nearby petrol bunk to top up with fuel and check tyre pressure.

Meanwhile, Trijo, the truss work man along with his Bihari workers - Arun and Gudda from Patna - had fetched up to fix up a long standing defect of the truss drain. Scaffolding was erected, the work was done in a jiffy and hanging plastic chains were put at the end of the main drain pipe so that the heavy rain water would, now, cascade through the chain-array, greatly reduced in force and consequently, the tiles below would have a lesser force of the flowing water to reckon with!

Earlier, Trijo, tried to give me a sham work by saying that the chain was unavailable(As the shops were closed due to the renewed lock down!) and he had the Bihari boys to finish the work with the available material, which when completed reminded me of a mini skirt! I'd to literally hold him by his ears and tell him to get the stuff from wherever possible or else half the costs would be held back till the job was completed! He got my message nice and proper and what gladdened me was that his workers, Arun and Gudda, also shared my point of view!!

'The Quarterdeck' was systematically shut down by evening, the newspaper boy was asked to collect our newspapers till Saturday to deliver on Sunday, on our return and the maid was instructed by Lekha about the work to be done during our absence.

A quiet evening. Called up our cab driver, George to find out the details of the route I must take to move out of Thrissur without any dead ends, in the morning.


Tailpiece.

It's my firm belief that Muthachhan is taking us out of the hot spot area of Thrissur, for a short period, to tide over the present situation. Hope things are brought under control by the weekend, on our return.    

News, yet again!

Today, I shall endeavour to touch upon certain news bytes that have hit the headlines. My thoughts are also being added..

 1. Another Black Man Killed In The US.

     Devin Bronsan and Garret Rolfe of the Atlanta Police were dispatched on Friday night to a
     Wendy's on a complaint about a man parked and asleep in the drive-through. The officer
     performed a sobriety test on the Black American, identified as Rayshard Brooks. When Brooks
     failed the test, the officers attempted to handcuff him. In the scuffle that followed, Brooks grabbed
     an officer's stun gun and ran away....after moving away from the scene, he turned around pointing
     the stun gun at the policemen, when one of them shot him down with his revolver. These scenes
     have been captured by a surveillance TV in the vicinity.

     This has enraged the public and the people went on a rampage burning down property and shouted
     slogans, escalating the ongoing protests.

     My take.

     Is there some sort of an effort to deepen the Black-White divide in the US? Or is it a subtle way of
     nullifying Trump's chances of a re-election because he's not a politician in the real sense and 
     therefore, considered out of the establishment?

  2. A Reverse Swing In Nepal.

      Agni Prasad Sapkota, the Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives rejected the Constitutional
      Amendment Bill that proposed a new political map for the country. This alteration includes an
      additional 370 sq km that included Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh that belong to India.

      On 13 May, Nepal had deployed Armed Police Force(APF) near Kalapani, at Chhangru, on the
      Nepal side of the border. On 12 Jun, one person was killed after Nepali police opened fire near
      the border. The troop deployment by Nepal was in response to India's construction of a
      strategically crucial link road in Uttarakhand, connecting the Lipulekh pass along the border
      with China.

      My take.

      The communist Prime Minister KP Olli, is increasingly getting nervous about his political future
      and is trying to shore up his sagging acceptance among his people and could have got into this
      misadventure at China's behest!

  3. 5.5 Earthquake Strikes Near Rajkot.

      The quake in Gujarat is the latest in a series of minor and moderate quakes to have hit parts of
      northern India. It struck at 2013 hrs, this evening and the epicentre of the earthquake was 118 km
      north-northwest of Rajkot.

      No injuries, deaths or damages have been reported so far.

      My take.

      The state is coping with the abnormal spike in the number of COVID cases when another tragedy
      of this magnitude has struck. O God, please look after the  people of Gujarat in these difficult
      times.


Tailpiece.

Though it was a Sunday, we'd got up on the dot, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The maid had come by at her appointed time.

I find that I've been highlighting the maid's coming and going from the house, everyday. Just goes to show as to how activities have dwindled and with the areas surrounding Guruvayur, having become containment zones, a retreat to a few of the lock down restrictions has already taken place!

  

     

News.

Columbus Has Become Not Wanted

In the United States, statues of Christopher Columbus have been beheaded and vandalized - from Boston to Miami - as calls to remove sculptures commemorating colonizers and slavers swept America on the back of anti-racism protests by the death of George Floyd.

So, what's wrong with Columbus?

Columbus, long hailed by school textbooks as the so-called discoverer of "The New World", is considered by many to have spurred years of genocide against indigenous groups in the Americas.

1937

Dozens of American cities have over the years replaced "Columbus Day" in October - which had become a federal holiday in 1937 - with a day of tribute to indigenous peoples.

Where the statues have been damaged.

 * Richmond and Portsmouth - Virginia.

 * Boston - Massachussets.

 * Miami - Florida.

 * St Paul - Minnesota.

   *              *               *

South Korea's Success Story Threatened

Just weeks ago, South Korea was celebrating its hard-won gains against the corona virus, easing social distancing, reopening schools and promoting a tech-driven anti-virus campaign President Moon Jae-in has called "K-quarantine".

  

* 45 new cases on Thursday, a daily rise that has been fairly consistent since late May.

* The majority of the new cases are linked to nightclubs and other entertainment venues. At least

   146 cases are linked to warehouse workers, while more than 90 infections have been traced to

   churches near Seoul.

* The recent virus clusters have popped up just about everywhere around the capital. Transmissions 

   are quicker, unpredictable and contact tracing is more difficult.

* Majority of South Korea's cases in Feb and Mar were concentrated in a single church congregation

   in Daegu and they were easier to track.

My take.

Do we, in India, need to take note of South Korea's experiences as we go through the unlocking procedures with rising cases everyday? Yes, we should!

Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Suma comes by at her usual time and Seena comes by a half past 10 at Lekha's behest. 

Trijo and the truss work guys will now fetch up on Monday!  

The Arab Space Designs.

Arab's Martian Hope

The first Arab space mission to Mars is all set to blast off from a Japanese space centre on 15 Jul, with preparations now in the final stages.

A Great Step for the UAE

*  This project is the next giant step for the UAE.
*  The UAE sent its first astronaut into space in 2019.
 
Collaboration

*  The spacecraft orbiter is a planned mission being built by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space
    Centre, University of Colorado, Arizona State University and University of California, Berkeley.

Car-size Probe

*  The Hope probe will be hexagonal in shape, built from Aluminium in honeycomb structure with a
    composite face-sheet. The overall size and dimensions of the probe will be comparative to a small
    car.

Salient Features of the Explorer

*  Weight                                                1,350 kg
*  Antenna to communicate                   1.05 metre
*  Dimensions (with solar panels open) 3 m x 7.9 m
*  Solar panels to charge the batteries    600 Watts
*  EMUS  Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer is a far-UV imaging spectrograph.
*  EXI      Emirates eXploration Imager is a high resolution multiband camera that can capture
                 12 megapixel images.

What It Will Do?

* Researchers say the probe will provide a comprehensive image of the weather dynamics in Mars'
   atmosphere with the use of three scientific instruments.
* The first is an infrared spectrometer to measure the planet's lower atmosphere and analyse the
   temperature structure.
* The second, a high-resolution imager that will provide information about ozone; and a third, an
   ultraviolet spectrometer to measure oxygen and hydrogen levels from a distance of up to 43,000 km
   from the surface.
* The three tools will allow researchers to observe the Red Planet at all times of the day and observe
   all of Mars during those different times.

It is not a short-lived mission, but rather one that continues throughout the years and produces
valuable scientific findings - be it by researchers in the UAE or globally.

Launch Date                  15 Jul 2020.
Return to Earth                 Feb 2021.

In 2117, the kingdom plans to build a "Science City" to replicate conditions on Mars, where it hopes to build a human settlement.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Wasn't able to connect up for the 'Aazhchakkoottam' at the Foundation due to technical glitches, yet again.

Moving away from OPEC?

India is moving from OPEC's Brent to USA's WTI crude oil and the benefits are going to be huge. 

India, the world's third-largest oil consumer with a demand of approximately 4.5 million barrels per day, is reducing its dependence on OPEC for oil imports. As per a report by Reuters, the share of OPEC in India's total oil import fell to 78.3 percent in FY 20, lowest in 19 years. This comes as India WTI crude oil imports from the USA have increased.

India imports 80% of its total oil needs and the majority of it comes from members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). But in the last few years, India is diversifying its oil import kitty and American oil companies, which sell WTI crude (India traditionally used only Brent crude, imported from Arab nations, which is relatively costlier) are the major benefeciaries of diversification by Indian refiners. "In the last three years, refiners have invested money to enhance flexibility to process cheaper, heavier grades to improve margins", said R Ramachandran, head of refineries at Bharat Petroleum Corp.

India's import of WTI crude from the US increased from 3% in FY 19 to 4.5% in FY 20, while imports from the Mediterranean also increased from 2.5% to 4.9%. Thw WTI crude processed in India now accounts for double-digit figures of total processing from single-digit a few years ago.

For FY 20, the US became the seventh-largest exporter of crude oil to India from the ninth-largest a year ago. Irag remains the largest oil supplier to the country followed by desert kingdom Saudi Arabia.

A few days ago, Indian Oil Corporation, the biggest Indian refiner, issued a tender to import 24 million barrels of WTI crude from the US between October this year to March next year, which means the second half of the Indian financial year.

WTI crude trades below Brent crude in the market. For example, today Brent is trading at $40 per barrel while WTI at $38 per barrel and therefore, for refiners, it is beneficial to increase the share of WTI crude in total refined oil.

Moreover, India is trying to bridge the trade deficit with the US, which is a precursor for enjoying a healthy relationship with the Trump administration.

The Trump administration had complained about a large trade deficit with India since assuming power and the reduction in the deficit will bring both countries closer as American complaints are being addressed. "It (gas and oil) is a completely new import on India's part from the US and will directly result in bringing down America's trade deficit with us", said an official.

The US has emerged as the top crude producer with 12 million barrels per day, ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia. The US does not seem to have any plan to reduce shale oil production in the upcoming months. In fact, American companies have planned to increase production and due to this, WTI crude was trading at a negative price a few months ago.

In 2018, the US became a net oil exporter for the first time in 75 years. The majority of US oil is flowing to Asian countries like China, India, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. The flow of US shale oil to the international market will keep the global crude prices low. So the price of oil is going to be low in the upcoming year which is great news for the Indian economy amid these testing times.

Also, the US has offered to sell oil to India at concessional terms in order to grab a larger share in the new market.

- Amit Agrahari in TFIPOST.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The expected rain never came and it was sultry. A quiet day! 

Adieu Shanmukha!

It was from our family What'sApp group that I first came to know about the passing away of N Shanmukhan, all of 85 years. He leaves behind his wife and five children, who have their own families. They stay at Poojappura. The pain was instant because he and I used to interact everyday, way back in time before we went our different ways that life had laid out for the both of us. And to come to it, I must give you the backdrop, in brief.

Background

Dad had got us back to Thiruvananthapuram, from Bombay, in Nov 1963 and we became part of the PN Panicker household - a vibrant joint family and I was admitted into class III of the Holy Angel's Convent. We used to visit the late Dr. K Narayana Pai, a very popular physician for the family's medical needs, in fact, both the families were close to each other and we stayed at the Eswara Vilasom Road, a stone's throw away from one another.

The Pais had two sons, Krishnanand (Anandettan - who was my Maman's classmate) while the younger one, Rajeev was a year senior to me and he, too, was studying in the Convent. Shanmukhan was the Pais' driver and the car that was familiar to us was the Hindustan Baby Morris, jet black in colour and its registration number was KLT 541.

Every morning, Maman and I used to go over to the Pai household - around a half past 8 - and we were driven to school in the Baby Morris by Shanmukhan. On certain days, the soft spoken and avuncular doctor used to drive us to school. The sequence used to be, Anandettan and Maman at the Model School, Rajeev and me, at the Convent. The reverse would be the sequence in the evening. In school, when the others used to see Shanmukhan driving us in, they used to say that 'Rajeev squared' had arrived!

Shanmukhan was a very gentle person with an ever smiling face. He used to tell us quite a lot of stories, answer our silly doubts about driving and many other things. What I remember is that he was never short of answers and we liked him for his pleasant countenance. He was very possessive about us and I can never forget the way he used to wait and watch both of us moving into the innards of the school - after dropping us - before driving off home.

I'd this rare privilege for about 6 months, after which Rajeev Pai had to shift to another school (The Convent used to have boys only up to class IV), the Pais shifted their house to Poojappura and I used to commute, thereafter, to the Convent, initially by the school bus for a few months after which it was by the city service bus of the Road Transport Corporation.

Even though the break had come about, Anandettan and Rajeev continued to meet us, always with the accompaniment of the smiling Shanmukhan or during our visits to the doctor for medical reasons.

The Pais and Shanmukhan used to keep track of me as I joined the Sainik School and beyond, through Maman, who used to be a frequent visitor of the Pai household to help Anandettan in his studies.

After that, I used to meet Shanmukhan once in a while and later, came to know about him and his activities through my Maman. But I must confess that it had gotten rare, subsequently. He was, however, a frequent visitor at the Foundation, despite his tender health, Maman says.

As I look back at those times and make a recall, I must admit that I was lucky to have come across a fantastic person like Shanmukhan. He wasn't just a driver but a lovable personality with an ever smiling face. He used to be genuinely happy at my professional achievement, especially, when I'd won the gallantry award!

RIP Shanmukha! (I find that I used to call him by name and no, he didn't resent it ever, though he was miles senior). My tears and prayers!! May your near and dear ones have the strength to bear your loss and pass through these troubled times. It's a promise that I will remember you till my very end and have added you to my list of people for whom I say my prayers every morning!!!



Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Suma was on a day off, as she'd gone to drop her daughter at Palakkad who's taking up her new job. For Lekha and me, therefore, it was like a Sunday as we went about our usual activities.

My neighbour and I had gone to the Pookkodu panchayat, around a half past 10, to submit our 'House Tax' exemption forms, an annual ritual!    

A rare positive outlook, by China, about the Indian Army.

India has the largest, most experienced mountain army in the world, says Chinese military expert.

Huang Guozhi, senior editor of Modern Weaponry magazine, has said that the world's largest and experienced country with plateau and mountain troops is neither US nor Russia but India. The magazine and defence journal, is affiliated to the state-owned China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO), which describes itself as "the main platform responsible for developing mechanised, digitised and intellectualised equipment for PLA". It's one of the world's largest defence contractors and is also closely involved in President Xi Jinping's legacy project, the Belt and Road Initiative.

India has the world's largest and most experienced troops trained for high-altitude battles, a military expert affiliated to China's leading maker of equipment for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has said, adding that mountaineering is an "essential skill" for each Indian soldier deployed on the mountains.

The write-up comes in the backdrop of a stand-off between Indian and Chinese border troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the mountainous Ladakh region. It began last month and was the topic of talks between military commanders last weekend.

Huang's article published in thepaper.cn is a rare critique of an Indian Army wing in Chinese media, which usually takes the more nationalistic tone of brandishing its own capabilities along the border with India.

Huang's take was nuanced.

"Mountaineering is an essential skill for almost every member of the Indian mountain army. To this end, India even recruited a large number of professional mountaineers from the private sector", Huang wrote.

"With more than 2,00,000 troops in 12 divisions, the Indian mountain force is the largest mountain fighting force in the world", Huang wrote.

He said that since the 1970s, the Indian military has established and expanded the size and personnel of the mountain army on a large-scale and also plans to create a mountain strike force of more than 50,000 troops.

Giving the example of the Siachen Glacier, , Huang wrote : "The  Indian army has set up hundreds of outposts in the Siachen Glacier area with an altitude of more than 5,000 mts, with 6,000 to 7,000 fighters stationed. The highest post has reached 6,749 metres".

Huang didn't mention the source of the information but went on to give a list of weaponry that the Indian army has deployed in the mountains suitable to high-altitude battles.

"In terms of equipment, the Indian military, through procurement from abroad and domestic research and development, has equipped a large number of main battle weapons adapted to the combat environment of the plateau and mountains".

"The Indian military has also spent heavily on advanced heavy equipment from the US including the M777, the world's lightest 155 mm-towed howitzer and the Chinook heavy transport helicopter that lifts the gun, to boost its fire support and anti-armour capabilities".

Huang also mentioned the high-calibre sniper rifles that Indian soldiers deployed at high-altitudes are now equipped with.

The author also listed shortcomings of the Indian army mountain troops including lack of self-sufficiency in weaponry and ammunition especially needed for western weaponry.

"In addition, there are many conflicts and differences between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. This has also led the Indian Army to decide to equip its own US-made AH-64E Longbow Apache attack helicopters instead of relying entirely on airfield support from the air force", Huang wrote.

Incidentally, India and the US signed an estimated $800 million contract in February this year, in New Delhi for the delivery of six Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to the Indian Army'Aviation Corps (AAC). 


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The third of Lekha's spectacles had to be fetched from the clinic nearby and copies of the 'house tax exemption forms' had to be made. On return, gave a form to my neighbour and fixed up for our date with the panchayat tomorrow.

Roy had come with the rewound motor which he'd to take back to the shop floor to remove a glitch, was finally reinstalled and run to my satisfaction. Phew! But I must say that the motor never gave us any problems during the lock down! If it had happened, things would have been tough!!