Inputs from the US regarding Covid Defence!

Two of my course mates from the NDA are now, permanent citizens out there. here are their feedbacks about the Covid defences out there. My daughter in Bombay and a friend's daughter in the US contracted covid at the same time.

(a) In Bombay, I got home Antigen test kit delivered to my door step within half an hour. The US friend has to do several visits to the pharmacy since there is a short supply of kits.

(b) Bombay - the home visit for RTPCR was done in an hour after phone booking.

USA - the patient has to personally go to a local CVS pharmacy to get the test done after fixing a prior appointment which is available after 4 - 7 days.

(c) Now comes the best part, Bombay RTPCR result within 10 hrs, US result after FOUR days.

Till then the covid positive patient is free to infect others.

(d) Bombay RTPCR  test costs $10, US $100.

Now you know why India has a much lower infection rate. And then they call us third world. Proud Indian.

The Counter

Factually not correct.

In my town, tests are by drive through at most pharmacies.

Vaccination is free of cost and is on first come first serve basis at the county fairgrounds.

In the beginning, they even paid $25 for test and $100 for vaccination.

Most states have $1 million lottery every month for vaccination.

Bad part, 50% population still refuse to get tested/vaccinated. Hence the large numbers.

Counter to the counter

* Normal testing is free but for travel RTPCR test one has to pay which is quite steep. About 20 days back my brother-in-law in Chicago, had to miss his flight to India due not receiving the report on time, though the sample was drawn within the airlines' stipulated time frame.

* No home visit for any test.

* Antigen testing kits not available.....all sold out.

* Vaccine of course is free but presently, wait time for booster in some states (eg. Maine) is quite long.

Even POTUS has admitted on TV that testing infrastructure is not up to the desired/required level, as nobody had anticipated the arrival of Omicron.

Situation may vary in different parts of the US.

My take.

And here, we blame Modi for anything and everything despite the fact that he's doing such a great job!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. 

Video chat with family. It was nice. 

A quiet evening!

 

Navy's top brass undergo self-punishment.

Commander-in-chief, Sattahip base commander pay for subordinate's misconduct.

The naval chief and the commander of a naval base have undergone self-punishment to uphold discipline and show responsibility after one of their subordinates committed a serious misconduct.

Admiral Somprasong Nilsamai, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and VAdm Narupol Kerdnak, Commander of the Sattahip Naval Base, last Thursday took the responsibilty for the actions of their subordinate, according to VAdm Pokkrong, Director-General of the Naval Civil Affairs Department.

Lt Alongkorn Ploddee, Director of the Real Estate Division of the Sattahip Naval Base, has been involved in quarrels and made false claims on various occasions, ruining the reputation of the navy as a whole, VAdm Pokkrong said.

Last Thursday night, he was caught on video verbally abusing Sattahip policemen who showed up at a restaurant for a routine inspection, saying they had ruined his happy time.

"You don't give me due honour", he said. He then threw a glass of liquor at them and said he could put them in trouble.

Lt Alongkorn said that the police should have known that Sattahip belongs to the navy and that he was a member of its Seals team of highly trained divers.

In the clip, Lt Alongkorn also claimed he was a friend of "Big Joke", a reference to Police Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, the assistant police chief.

VAdm Pokkrong said Lt Alongkorn had been summoned by the navy for disciplinary action. A committee had been set up to conduct an investigation into his alleged misconduct.

To show responsibility for the misconduct by the young Lieutenant, his bosses two levels up - VAdm Narupol and Adm Somprasong - had undergone self-punishment for seven and three days, respectively.

The self-punishment includes shaving heads, walking long distances with a backpack, running with weights, doing menial labour and three days in confinement.

- Courtesy Bangkok Post

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 6, the chores and had breakfast before my bath around a quarter to 10. Didn't want to delay Lekha.

Today's Kurup kochachhan's first remembrance day by the Malayalam calendar. Gopu, Kala and Kannan did the 'bali tharpanam' at Aswathy and later, had lunch at an old age home. A nice gesture! 

It was a quiet Thursday. Lekha and the maid had gone to the Ration Stand, around 10 o'clock, to buy rice, wheat and kerosene oil on the prodding of the shop owner, Thulasi, which would have lapsed otherwise after tomorrow.

 

Back at The Quarterdeck.

Waking up time was delayed slightly because my cousin was on an easy schedule as the court was in recess. She goes to her office everyday around a half past 9. Lekha had woken me up accordingly. Our initial plans to go to the naval canteen, was cancelled as I'd got the report that the end-of-the-month audit was on and consequently, the facility was not available! Rema had gone to the ophthalmologist for her first review after the surgery. Everything is okay and she will have to meet up with the doctor on 19 Jan.

Had called up Mohan, Mini and Sucy and weren't they thrilled? It was nice to catch up with them. Before leaving, my cousin had taken us to her neighbours staying immediately below to say our hi.

We left my cousin around a half past 10. The journey wasn't okay as there were plenty of vehicles on the road but could reach Guruvayur by a half past 2. Had lunch around a half past 2 - a thaali - that was more than adequate!

Earlier, we had an orange juice and a samosa, each, during stand easy at Angamali around a half past 11!

Lunch was at the Gokulam Sabari, and then, the buying of fruits and a visit to the department store became part of the itinerary. We reached The Quarterdeck and soon, it was teatime as we went through the last stretch of unpacking and disposal of stuff to their designated slots. 

A thrilled Kittu had fetched up and waited for Lekha to give him his food. Of course, his consort was also in attendance! It's interesting to note as to how he stays away from the food, to allow his sweetheart to partake it!

Helped Lekha in watering the plants. 

A short and sweet trip!

Tailpiece. 

Continued with our work and got the dhobhi basket full and the clothes, ready for pressing. Soiled clothes were organised in separate places so that they could be disposed off tomorrow morning. 

To be or not to be.

To be, or not to be, that is the 

question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to

suffer

The slings and arrows of

outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of 

troubles

And by opposing and them. To die -

to sleep,

No more; and by a sleep to say we

end

The heart-ache and the thousand

natural shocks

That flesh is heir to : 'tis a

consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to 

sleep;

To sleep, perchance to dream - ay

there's the rub :

For in that sleep of death what

dreams may come,

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause - there's the

respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

- William Shakespeare

Hamlet.

Tailpiece.

Got up around a quarter to 6, the chores and was ready by 9. We left home by 10 and was at Shenoy Care by a half past 10. The doctor was pleased with Lekha's test readings and her progress. He said quite a few nice words about the unveiling of Muthachhan's statue, wished us a happy new year. Will meet him, now, on 29 Mar, next year! 

We left the premises by a half past 2 and had lunch at the Aryaas at Panampilli Nagar. 

Satish Bhat was, as usual, talkative and has said that we'd meet again on 28 Jan. 

We went to Nilgiris, after that, as Lekhs wanted to buy a few things from there. Reached my cousin's office by 1700 hrs for tea. Returned home soon after. Meera and Sidharth came by for dinner and it was wonderful to meet them. 

At Kochi.

Had got up around 6, the chores and The Quarterdeck was shut down systematically. There was a poignant moment as I went around closing the windows from outside the house to make it easier for me. Kittu was watching me rather intently as he realised that we were off on yet another jaunt. I told him that we'd to go meet up with Lekha's doctor and would be back on the 29th. Wonder whether he has registered my conversation. He had his morning food prepared by Lekha and was not seen around even as we were leaving.

Ramakrishnan, the newspaper boy had to be told about holding back our newspapers of the next two days and recommence dropping the newspapers from Thursday onward. He was late, this morning and had fetched up finally, around 8.

Breakfast was around a half past 9 and we finished up the packing subsequently. The maid had left by about 12 o'clock and we'd our lunch soon after. By the time we had kicked off on our journey, it was 1. Our first stop was at the Rajah Petrol Pump nearby, where I'd the tyre pressure checked. Realised that it was good that Id checked it because the pressure was less in all of them.

And we, then, took off towards Kunnamkulam as the route to Thrissur, these days, has been diverted because of the commencement of work on the new flyover at the kizhakkenada! The drive to Kochi was okay but the traffic was heavy, wonder why? After telling my cousin, I'd driven the Chevy straight to Gandhi Nagar and parked it there in a vacant slot. 

The time was 4 PM. Caught an auto rickshaw from there to the Kadavanthra Metro station, bought our tickets to Pettah and was at Rema's house before 5. She's recouping after the cataract surgery, Padmakumar was away on an errand and Karthika was busy with her 'work at home', after having joined Ernest and Young last week. Padmakumar had returned soon after.

We left Rema's by a quarter past 7, caught an Uber and had reached my cousin's place half an hour later!

And then, it was yakkittiyak all the way, as we caught up from where we had left last. We're here for the first time after Ramakrishnan's passing away. Missed him!

Tailpiece.

Tomorrow is the meeting with the doctors. Hope everything goes smooth.    

A true hero! (2)

........contd.

Nair faced a suit against a British man in a British court, presided over by a British judge and a British jury. All cards were stacked against him - yet he fought valiantly. The trial was the longest civil case London had seen until that time and lasted five and a half weeks. It laid threadbare the British atrocities in India and got extensive press coverage, something neither Nair nor O'Dwyer could have imagined. The British public, for the first time, understood that the call for Indian Swarajya wasn't rebellious or seditious.

Sadly, Nair lost the case 11 to 1 and had to pay a fine of 500 pounds. O'Dwyer said he would forgo that amount if Nair apologises to which Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair said, "I would rather pay 500 pounds than say something I don't believe in. Besides what's the guarantee that the next 12 shopkeepers in a British court wouldn't side with their own?

His fearless nature ensured that people all over the world heard about Jallianwala Bagh massacre. From New York to Paris, from Berlin to Moscow, Nair shook the image of the mighty British Empire, if only for five weeks.

Some battles aren't fought to be won but to show the world that a man stood his ground on the battlefield. The greatest tragedy such a warrior can face is being forgotten, erased from the history books of the very nation he fought for. The least we can do to correct such historic wrongs is to tell our children about the courage and conviction of our heroes. 

.....concluded. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, the chores and we were ready well before 7 to receive the Rajah Medical team that was coming to collect our samples. The post prandials were carried out after two hours of the initial draw.

By evening, we'd instructed Selvam, the dhobhi, to come by in the morning to press a sizeable number of clothes. Helped Lekha water the plants and we washed down the Chevy.

A quiet evening thereafter. 

A true hero! (1)

While every Indian knows about Jallianwala Bagh massacre, few of us think about the reactions of the British public to the event. The massacre itself was blacked out by the government in India and martial law was in place. When news got out, the British tabloids referred to Jallianwala Bagh massacre as the "Amritsar affair" - in an obvious use of minimising language.

How could the "affair" change the attitudes of the British public if they were denied the truth? The answer lies, as often, in the efforts of one man. A man whose origins are as far away from Punjab as one can imagine.

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was born in an aristocratic family in 1857 in Palakkad district of Kerala. His strong sense of fairness and justice, drove him to pursue law. Nair was an iconoclast and defied the dictates of the Vakil association, which said no Indian would work under a British barrister. His reason : his clients had the freedom to choose their lawyer. To him justice mattered more than the colour of the lawyer's. To him justice mattered more than the colour of the lawyer's skin. He was a vociferous advocate of social reforms.

As Madras High Court judge, he ruled that those who converted to Hinduism cannot be treated as outcastes. He also supported inter-religious marriages and was clearly ahead of his time. He became the youngest leader of the Indian National congress. When the Montague Chemsford reforms were introduced in 1908, he called out the act as being partial. Even though Sir Rdwin Montagu called him an "impossible man", the British respected his moral rectitude and knighted him in 1912. In 1915 Nair became a member of the powerful Viceroy council and was given the education portfolio.

Then Jallianwala Bagh happened, 

Nair resigned from the Viceroy council in protest - something unheard of, at that time. He wrote "Gandhi and Anarchy" in which he openly accused the Punjab Governor Michael O'Dwyer (the man who would be later shot by Shaheed Udham Singh). In response, O'Dwyer filed a defamation suit against Nair. 

....to be continued.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 6, the chores, had breakfast and bath before 1200 hrs. Moideen brought the chicken from his shop, about 2 kms from our house. The second round of washing-machinex with bed-linen was over much before 10.

A quiet evening thereafter.

Back at The Quarterdeck!

Was on the road, speeding towards Guruvayoor, with Biju behind the wheel. He's a good driver and of course because he's a driver in the state road transport road corporation and currently, does his duty on the Kayankulam - Punalur road. 

It was nice to see the churches and the associated buildings with a fresh slap of paint and adorned with good-looking lights and buntings. The traffic was heavy and I realised that the crowd was headed for their homes for the long weekend. The streets and the dwelling units were brightly lit up! The roads were teeming with people and the villages and towns were all agog with excitement, despite the late hour and the prevalent restrictions courtesy, the Omicron.

We reached Thrissur by a half past 1. Navigated through the areas with ease, and got onto the Guruvayoor - Kunnamkulam road - our last leg of the journey and reached The Quarterdeck by a quarter past 2 and made a note of the  time as it was the 'latest time of arrival' for us, after a journey. Upon hearing our car, Kittu arrived at the scene and made noises to register his glee at having us back. He left only after having eaten the fish-and-bread-combination made by Lekha, that he's fond of!

The unpacking was left for tomorrow morning and it was by a quarter to 3 that we hit the sack but was up at 5, to see off Biju and the car!

The day began at a busy schedule with unpacking, opening up of the house and the soiled clothes were pulled out from mine and Lekha's bags and suitcases and put into the washing machine. Thus, had breakfast before bath so that, I didn't delay Lekha.

Another of those quiet days.

Tailpiece.

Helped Lekha water the plants and the vegetable garden, in the evening.

 

Muthachhan's statue is unveiled.

Got up around a quarter past 3 to recite my prayers and turned off to sleep yet again. Maman woke me up at 5, went through my chores, finished packing and was ready well in time. We left home by 7 and enroute, I'd gone along with Lekha of the Foundation to the Mayor's residence to handover the minute-to-minute programme of the Rashtrapathi ji's day with us. 

Her behaviour was very rude as she kept us waiting and then told me that our invitation card had flaws. I had insisted upon knowing about them and she found fault with the quote from the late Dr Sukumar Azhikode. She said that it implied belittling the Education Minister and that there were much better quotes! She went on to say that she'd convey her opinions on suitable forums, subsequently.

Left her place thoroughly dejected. Reached the Foundation and had a tense wait for Lekha as the driver had lost his way thanks to the wrong directions given by the traffic policemen, they'd come by. On their arrival, transferred my baggage into her car's boot. We set off for Poojappura a trifle after 9, had us dropped at the Saraswati temple from where we went through the security check and I'd Lekha occupy a seat in the family enclosure. 

After which I took Kuttu, Ayaan and Naina to the main gate to position them at the dais for handing over books to the VVIPs as a token of our welcome. 

The President arrived around a half past 11 and the function began without much ado. The unveiling of the statue followed by the public meeting in the air-conditioned tentage went off like clockwork. And soon, it was all over. The speeches given by all were good.

We, then, waited for the security cordon to come down, when we posed for photographs with Muthachhan's statue as the backdrop. The staff of the Foundation, too, had joined us. The whole 39 of us, then, settled down at Hotel Maurya International for lunch. After the gaiety and bonhomie at lunch, we felicitated Maman for his tremendous work in keeping the memory of PN Panicker live all these years, after his passing into the mist of time. A zaried shawl was draped over him.

We left soon after, with Biju at the helm, as we drove on the MC Road through the evening..

Tailpiece.

There has been a lot many complaints about the Mayor for her immature behaviour. I think her early rise to the chair of the Mayor has given her all the wrong ideas!  

        

D minus 1.

It's just another 24 hours from now. Muthachhan's statue that has been covered and kept standing in the middle of the Poojappura traffic cycle is finally gonna get liberated, once for all, tomorrow when the Rashtrapathi unveils the bronze life-size statue of PN Panicker!

Remembering dad

Today's dad's 9th Remembrance Day, as per the Malayalam calendar. Had got up at a half past 4, washed up and recited my prayers. Had turned of to sleep on completion. Got up at a half past 5, went through the chores and was ready by a half past 6. Maman had given me one of his single dhothis and angavastram for the ceremony at the Parasurama temple at Thiruvallam, his car and Chambu, to accompany me.

We left soon after, but the road was blocked enroute as work was going on and therefore, had to take a detour. Staved off disaster by a whisker when we'd entered a narrow alley as Chambu had misinterpreted the directions given by a gentleman at the roadside! And finally, laboured into the Parasurama Temple at Thiruvallam by 0800 hrs.

After taking the tickets for the 'balitharpanam' and the 'thilahomam', went into the temple's premises and participated in the ceremony with about a crowd of about 100 people and 'karmi' gave us directions with the help of a megaphone. On completion, we headed straight back to the Foundation.

While going through the ceremony, remembered each and everyone of our family who have passed into the mist of time - and it was an emotional moment! Remembered those wonderful days with each of them......and their unconditional love towards me. Went through the temple's innards after completion of the 'balitharpanam'.

The return trip was okay and we had tea and snacks at a coffee bar next to the Amman kovil at Thycaud. Reached the Foundation, washed and changed into the rig of the day and got along with the work slated for the day. Went to the DC Books and Modern Books and picked up books to be presented to the dignitaries, at the dais, tomorrow - a job that I enjoyed thoroughly, albeit for a very short while!

We'd secured after 10 and by the time we reached home, I was totally pooped.

Tailpiece.

A long day, phew! Tomorrow, it's gonna be a long day!!   

   

A packed schedule!

Dateline 21 Dec......

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 8. We went to the Pazhavangadi Ganesh temple and broke three coconuts. It's maintained by the Pangode Military Station and has been renovated well. Suddenly, the place looks more roomy. Manu had, then, taken us, to the Sreekandeswaram Siva temple which was fairly quiet by the time we had reached there. My visit to the place was after many years and the premises looked spick and span, freshly painted as the annual festivities were going on.

We reached the Foundation by a quarter past 9 and soon after, had left for the clinic to get Maman's rtpcr done. There was hardly any crowd and we could leave the place within no time. Seena ma'am had done the liaison work and therefore, no time was wasted! On our return, we'd visited the site where feverish activity was going on.

Thampi sir had dropped by. In his 80s, he now had a host of problems. Walking was making him weary and tired. He continues to dress flamboyantly - today he'd a 'zaried' veshti held in place by a belt. There was that sheer delight that I saw on his face, when he met Maman, me and Chambu and he was very appreciative about the location and the overall get up of the building.

He wants to come by for the unveiling of the statue but David, his chaperone, said that it wasn't possible as Thampi sir has difficulty in walking and since he had an excess weight, maintaining balance has become a problem. As he took leave of us, reached the car - I was holding him by the left side - his drawers had come slipping down which was retrieved by David.

One only felt bad that his physical condition had deteriorated so drastically!

There were many, many visitors but young Kamala Laxmi - daughter of Omana chechi - had dropped by to explain about her prayer and the children who were gonna sing the national anthem. 

Saw the serials from 1900 to 2030 hrs.

And all too soon, it was supper time and it was me, who'd treated the team.

By the time we got back home it was past 2315 hrs.

Tailpiece.

It was nice interacting with Kamala Laxmi. She's a gutsy girl and very proficient on the veena.

And tomorrow is gonna be a long day!

It was a boisterous lunch and interesting with conversation and bonhomie.

Laws of Physics may be changing.

Dateline 20 Dec

The only thing constant is change. Scientists say the Laws of Physics may be changing!

But we'd wager most people don't think that line applies to the actual rules of the universe itself. As it turns out, though, researchers at Microsoft, along with scientists at Brown University and even one expert who consulted for Disney's "Wrinkle in Time" think the laws of physics might actuallybe slowly changing, complicating our quest to understand the cosmos.

Popular Mechanics published a lengthy explainer this week about a paper, titled "The Autodidactic Universe" and published earlier this year, in which the team argued for that precise mind-bending hypothesis. An autodidact, o course, is someone who learns without a mentor or teacher - and, these researchers say, the universe itself itself may be one.

"We ask whether there might be a mechanism woven into the fabric of the natural world, by means of which the universe could learn its laws", the authors wrote in the paper, which has not yet been peer reviewed.

Over time, the theory goes, the universe has sought stability. PopMech draws parallels to animal evolution, too. There are no trilobites or dinosaurs anymore but cats and dogs have survived because they adapted to the environment around them - and the cosmos may have done the same.

In an early version of the universe, for example Newton's laws of gravity - that all matter in the universe attracts other matter with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers - might not have been true yet.

"Over time, that system will teach itself and some fundamental laws will arise and that's really what they're talking about (in the paper)", Janna Levin, a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University who wasn't involved in the research, told PopMech. "If the universe can compute with a given set of algorithms, then maybe it can do the same kind of thing we see in artificial intelligence, where you have self-learning systems that teach themselves new rules. And by rules, in cosmology we mean laws of physics".

The paper's authors also acknowledge their own skepticism and wrote their conclusions with caution, warning that their work is only a baby step in the formation of a new theory and requires additional research.

"Of course, this is just a first step", the authors write. "There are varied potential spin-offs from our approach".

It's mind-bending to imagine that the laws of physics might learn and adapt over time. But it reminds us that the universe is stranger than we'll ever know.

- Abby Lee Hood in Off World

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, said my prayers and turned off to sleep. Woke up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 8. To the IAF Technical Area for the advance briefing regarding the forthcoming President's visit.

To Poojappura for on-the-site observations.

Dinner at the Foundation with everyone. Helped Maman with his speech preparation.

Whither Covid-19?

Omicron may push Covid to turn endemic. The rise of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 could be a significant step in transformation of Covid-19 from a pandemic to an endemic disease.

Tutoring online

Researchers and geneticists believe that if the present projections of the spread of the Omicron virus hold up, then in the coming years, the SARS-CoV-2 virus could become an endemic disease just like flu and common cold.

When viruses become highly transmissible but at the same time less severe, then many epidemiologists and researchers believe it's heading from an epidemic stage to an endemic stage. In case of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, there are clear indications that the virus is more transmissible than the Delta variant and at the same time, early data has indicated that it is less severe, which are ideal conditions for any virus to transform from an epidemic to endemic stage.

So, does the advent of Omicron variant a clear indication of the Covid-19 becoming endemic in India?

"Because Omicron variant is highly transmissible and initial reports have indicated that it is less severe than Delta, there could be a possibility that eventually, the impact of the virus becomes less and even less over a period of time", says a former Director.

Eventually, this is the ideal road or a path for any virus to become endemic or even a seasonal disease, he points out. "If the current projections hold, then Omicron could be on the road to become an endemic disease and every year people might have to deal with it just like cough and cold. At least this is what the hope is. Still, these are very initial stages and we need to wait for more data", says another doctor. However, he pointed out that because of its high transmissibility, people must be very cautious.

"People must realise that there is no need to panic. Based on the early data, the burden on healthcare

facilities should be less, when compared to the second wave. I anticipate even less dependency on medical oxygen and ICU support when compared to the second wave", Dr Mohan Rao said.

Acknowledging that vaccine evasion and reinfections by the Omicron variant could pose a challenge, he added, "There were many instances of reinfections and breakthrough infections during the Delta variant. However, this time around, the breakthrough infections and reinfections seems to be a bit more than the second wave, which could be a matter of concern. However, at this point, we don't know the exact distribution of these breakthrough infections and exact data is not available".

Not new

A zoonotic disease with foreign origins eventually becoming an endemic is not new in Telangana. Swine flu, which was first reported in Hyderabad way back in 2009, eventually became seasonal influenza, as people in the community developed immunity.

What is endemic disease?

Endemic diseases are describe as an outbreak of diseases that are often limited to a particular region. For instance, diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya and seasonal influenza are endemic diseases in Telangana and across the country. Endemic diseases will have stable number of cases in a particular season with very rare instances of surges.

- M Sai Gopal

in Telangana Today. 

My take

Opinions are veering around to this reasoning.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 3, washed up and recited my prayers. Turned off to sleep. Got up at 7, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Work in the Foundation went on despite being a Sunday.

Pappi kunjamma, Sindhu, Reshmi and of course, Gopu had come by.

Visited the site and saw the commencement of the air conditioned hall, coming up!

 

I am stupid.

During a prank at College, a student stuck a paper on his classmate's back that said "I'm stupid"; he asked the rest of the class not to tell him. Thus, all students began laughing throughout the day. Shortly after, Maths class started and their Professor wrote a difficult question on the board.

No one was able to answer it except that student. Amid the slight laughs, for he didn't know why, he walked towards the board and he solved it. The teacher asked the class to clap for him and remove the paper on his back. He told him "It seems that you don't know about the paper on your back that one of your classmates put and the rest of them kept it as a secret".

Then he faced towards the rest of the class and said "Before I give you a punishment, I will tell you two things : Throughout your life, people will put labels on your back with many bad things written on it to stop your progress.

If he had known about the paper, he would not have answered the question.

"All you have to do is ignore it. Ignore the labels people give you and use every chance you have to progress, learn and improve yourself". 

"The second thing is that it's clear that he doesn't have any loyal friends among you all to tell him about the paper stuck on his back and to remove it. It does not matter how many friends you have, it is the loyalty and care between you and your friends that matters".

Debrief

There will be people who will never approve the way you are or the unique things that you do. But that shouldn't slow you down or discourage you.

Even if you have only one person who stands beside you, while the whole world is against you, it's enough to have that one true friend rather than 100s of fake friends on social network.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 3 to go to the rest room. Washed and settled down to recite my prayers and I'd completed it within 45'. Woke up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 8. 

Off to the Foundation. Work went on at a steady pace, drew and redrew mail; pumped them out.

Girija served us lunch. 

Participated in the 547th episode of the Aazhchakkoottam - "Covid 19 - The spread of Omicron" by Dr John Panicker, CEO, National Expert, ENT, Santhwanam Hospital.

 

 

Quotable quotes.

Indian Army's 10 best precious words : must read. Reading these gives a feeling of true pride.....

1. "I'll come back waving the tricolour or wrapping myself in the tricolour but I will definitely come back".

- Captain Vikram Batra, PVC

2. "The extraordinary adventure of a lifetime for you is our everyday life".

- Signboard (Indian Army) on Leh-Ladakh Highway

3. "If I die before I prove my bravery then I swear I will kill death".

- Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC

   1/11 Gurkha Rifles 

4. "Our flag does not fly because the wind is blowing, it flies with the last breath of every young man who sacrifices his life to protect it".

- Indian Army

5. "You have to be good to get us, you have to be fast to catch us but you've to be a kid to win us".

- Indian Army

6. "May God have mercy on our enemies because we will not".

- Indian Army

7. "Our life is our coincidence, our love is our choice, our killing is our business".

- Officers Training Academy, Madras

8.  "If a person says that he is not afraid of death then he is either lying or he is a Gurkha". 

- Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

9. "It is God's job to forgive terrorists but it is our job to get them to meet God".

- Indian Army

10. "We regret that we have only one life to give our country".

- A defence service personnel's ethos

Tailpice.

Got up at 4 thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm. Went about our chores and we were ready well in time. Shelji came at a half past 6 and we kicked off on our long journey without much ado. Kittu saw us off, as usual but this time he wasn't sad as he was during the last time! He was feasting on the food Lekha had given him. Pulled out money and set our course southward. Lekha and I shared a Combo at the Ananda Bhavan, at Kalady. Had lunch at Letha's place at Kottarakkara. Lekha has finally settled down with her Rajan chittappan and Syamala kunjamma at PTP Nagar.

Reached the Foundation by a quarter past 5 and got into the grind, without loss of time. Interacted with the members of the staff viz. Sudha ma'am, Lekha, Shekhar, Guttu, Bijumon sir, Aji and Manu, who'd come to pick me up from the bus stand. Gopu and Kuttu were there and it was nice to interact with them after a long while! 

Secured by a quarter to 10 and settled down to a quiet evening at Maman's place. Saw Muthachhan's wrapped statue at Poojappura and was glad that the long period of wait is over! 

Vijay Diwas.

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Vijay Diwas when on this day, ie. 16 Dec 1971, the Indian Armed Forces achieved three things :-

   (a) It won over the Pakistani forces hands down, both on the eastern as well as the western sectors.

   (b) The outcome gave birth to a new country viz. Bangladesh and

   (c) It had accepted the abject surrender of 93,000 Pakistani army men who were involved in the loot,

         rape and murder of men and women of the erstwhile East Pakistan.

The celebration of this great day invokes positive national reactions and the Indians are only too happy to celebrate it to the hilt. Such a war and its decisive outcome is rare in world military history. The men of the Indian defence forces can surely be proud of their countrymen's whole hearted support and the great faith that they have in their ability to win any war for them under the most trying conditions!

The scale of the celebrations seems to be on the rise as the years go by.

     *      *      *

At Guruvayur, a small crowd of ex-servicemen from all the three services had gathered at the 'Manjulaal' - the old peepul tree - about 600 mts from the eastern entrance of the famous temple. The chairman of the municipal corporation was the chief guest, Brigadier Subramanian (retd), Advocate Ravi Chankath of the Paithrukam Foundation, the acting ACP and Mr Narayanan, my ex-colleague at the NHQ were the organisers. It was a short ceremony of one hour, where each one of us lit 50 earthenware lamps, during the course of the program and as the speeches were on.

I was the guest of honour as they felicitated me for being a recipient of the Naosena Medal (Gallantry) for my IPKF exploits. 

As I looked around, I seemed to know most of the people who had gathered for the event which spanned between 1000 to 1100 hrs. Sobhini and her daughter, Sheena - they had provided ayurvedic treatment to my mother, Indira and her husband, Major Gopalakrishnan, who took an instant liking towards Lekha, Ramakrishnan PO whom I'd befriended, way back during my walks, Ramunni MWO.....the list goes on.

It was another quiet day, otherwise.

Tailpiece.

The Quarterdeck was progressively shut down as we go to Thiruvananthapuram to attend the unveiling of my Muthachhan's statue installed at the Poojappura traffic circle. The Rashtrapathi will do the honours on the 23rd.

Today's the 1st of the Malayalam month of Dhanu. Special 'aarathi' was carried out.

   

      

The Many Wines.

God has given us a dark wine so potent that, drinking it, we leave the two worlds.

God made Majnu love Laila so much that just her dog would cause confusion in him.

There are thousands of wines that can take over our minds.

Don’t think all ecstasies are the same. Jesus was lost in his love for God. His donkey was drunk with barley.

Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight. Be a connoisseur and taste with caution.

Any wine will get you high. Judge like a king and choose the purest not the ones adulterated with fear or some urgency about “what’s needed “.

Drink the wine that moves you as a camel moves when it’s been untied and is just ambling about.

- Rumi

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Carried out the Wednesday 'aarathi' of the house.

Ravi Chankath, Adv formally invites me for tomorrow’s function and gives me a brief about the programme.

Helped Lekha in watering the plants.

Can one realise one's own divine nature?

Today is Guruvayur Ekadasi. There has been an unprecedented crowd at the temple despite the scare of the spread of Omicron! The temple has been open since yesterday morning and it will be closed only tomorrow by 9 AM.

Bhagavan has given the message to the humanity that man is essentially divine in nature. But the propensity of the animal nature, for acquisition and enjoyment of pleasurable things clouds that divinity within; partly by one's own lower prakriti characterised by ego and partly by the divinity itself hiding behind its own higher nature called Maya.

Bhagavan's message was that man can realise his own divine nature by subjecting his natural tendencies to Dharma. But even that Dharma gets distorted over a period of time and so Bhagavan takes up a suitable form to re-establish Dharma from time to time.

For the soul to get purified it takes many births since the soul's presence in the body or its departure cannot be subjected to free will.

Bhishma Pitamah was one soul whose departure from the body was at free will. Such a soul can eradicate all karma before leaving the body and there is no more need for another birth. So, the Pitamah inflicts punishment on self to work out his karma in this body itself and attain his divine nature.

So, if you live long enough, consider yourself lucky, that you have an opportunity to realise your own divine nature.

Tailpiece.

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

Muthachhan's statue will be unveiled at 1100 hrs on 23 Dec.

Our Christmas celebrations have begun. Lekha helped me put our star on the top right corner of 'The Quarterdeck', all swathed in red as I've put a red bulb within the golden spangled star!

The makings of a military wife.

A 24 Carat ode to The Emotional Anchor of military life who is an intrinsic motivator and a force-multiplier.

The good Lord was creating a model for military wives and was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared. She said, "Lord, you seem to be having a lot of trouble with this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"

The Lord replied, "Have you seen the specs on this order? She has to be completely independent, possess the qualities of both father and mother, be a perfect hostess to four or forty with an hour's notice, run on black coffee, handle every emergency imaginable without a manual, be able to carry on cheerfully, even if she is pregnant and has the flu and she must be willing to move to a new location 10 times in 17 years. And, oh yes, she must have six pairs of hands".

The angel shook her head. "Six pairs of hands? No way".

The Lord continued, "Don't worry, we will make other military wives to help her. And we will give her an unusually strong heart so it can swell with pride in her husband's achievements, sustain the pain of separations, beat soundly when it is overworked and tired and be large enough to say 'I understand' when she doesn't and say 'I love you' regardless".

"Lord", said the angel touching his arm gently, "Go to bed and get some rest. You can finish this tomorrow".

"I can't stop now", said the Lord. "I am so close to creating something unique. Already this model heals herself when she is sick, can put up six unexpected guests for the weekend, wave goodbye to her husband from a pier, a runway or a depot and understand why it's important that he leaves".

The angel circled the model of the military wife, looked at it closely and sighed, "It looks fine but it's too soft".

"She might look soft", replied the Lord, "but she has the strength of a lion. You would not believe what she can endure".

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Lord's creation. "There's a leak", she announced. "Something is wrong with the construction. I am not surprised that it has cracked. You are trying to put too much into this model".

The Lord appeared offended at the angel's lack of confidence. "What you see is not a leak", he said. "It's a tear".

"A tear? What is it there for?" asked the angel. 

The Lord replied, "It's for joy, sadness, pain, disappointment, loneliness, pride and a dedication to all the values that she and her husband hold dear".

"You are a genius!" exclaimed the angel.

The Lord looked puzzled and replied, "I didn't put it there".

- Ann Landers in her column in the Orlando Sentinel on Sunday, the 24th of Feb 1991

My take

Fully subscribe to the sentiments portrayed about a military wife because I've seen a whole lot of them during my life in the Indian Navy!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Suma, the maid was on leave. 

Went to town at about a half past 11, first to Harisree, the department store and then, to buy fish for Kittu.

Mithun, came by about a quarter past 8 in the evening to drop the grocery. 

Today is a great day for all Indians. Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu is the new Miss Universe. It's my fond hope that India makes a clean sweep of the beauty titles by bagging the Miss World and Miss Earth titles too like Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and Dia Mirza had done it not long ago!

50 years ago......

A Nugget in History

50 years ago, this week in 1971, the USA threatened India to stop the 1971 war. An alarmed India sent an SOS to the Soviet Union. A story that has been nearly erased from Indian history books. #History

When Pakistan's defeat in the 1971 war was imminent, Kissinger spurred Nixon to send the US 7th Fleet's Task Force, led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, to the Bay of Bengal. The USS Enterprise, at 75,000 ton, was the world's largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the 1970s with more than 70 fighter aircraft. A monster. The Indian Navy's fleet was led by the 20,000-ton aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, with 20 light fighter aircraft.  

The USS Enterprise was being dispatched to secure American citizens in Bangladesh was the official American statement. Unofficially it was to threaten the Indian forces and prevent the liberation of East Pakistan. India soon got another bad news.

Soviet intelligence reported to India that a powerful British naval group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Albion, several destroyers and other ships were approaching India's territorial waters from the west, towards the Arabian Sea. The British and the Americans planned a coordinated pincer attack to intimidate India : the British ships in the Arabian Sea will target India's western coast, while the Americans would make a dash to Chittagong. Caught between the British and the American ships was the Indian Navy.

It was December 1971 and the world's two leading democracies were now threatening the world's largest democracy. An SOS from Delhi was sent to Moscow. The Red Navy soon dispatched 16 Soviet naval units and six nuclear submarines from Vladivostok to block USS Enterprise.

Admiral N Krishnan, the chief of the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy, wrote in his book, "No Way But Surrender" that he was afraid that the Americans will reach Chittagong. He mentions how they even thought of attacking Enterprise, in a do or die move, to slow it down.

During the 2nd week of December 1971, the US 7th Fleet's Task Force, led by the monstrous USS Enterprise arrived in the Bay of Bengal. The British fleet was arriving in the Arabian Sea. The world held its breath.

But, unknown to the Americans, the submerged Soviet submarines had overtaken them.

As USS Enterprise moved towards East Pakistan, the Soviet submarines surfaced without any warning. The Soviet subs were now standing between India and the US naval force.

Admiral Gordon told the 7th American Fleet Commander : "Sir, we are too late. The Soviets are here!"

Both the American and British fleets backed off. Today, most Indians have forgotten about this colossal naval chess battle between the two superpowers in the Bay of Bengal.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. It was a quiet Sunday. The days are getting to be warmer.

Sent my photograph and a write up to Narayanan towards my felicitation on 16 Dec by the Guruvayur Municipality.

 

Knowledge vs Wisdom.

Is it better to have wisdom or knowledge? Can you have one without the other? And which comes first? If you've ever searched for acumen into these two brainy terms, we're here to help break them down.

Wisdom and knowledge have quite a bit in common. Both words are primarily used as nouns that are related to learning. They are listed as synonyms for one another in Thesaurus.com and in some cases they may be used interchangeably but there are some important differences between the two which we'll get to shortly.

First, though, let's take a deeper look at each word.

What does knowledge mean?

The word knowledge is defined first as the "acquaintance with facts, truths or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition. It is recorded at least by the 1300s as the Middle English knouleche which combines the verb know (a verb that means "to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty") and leche, which may be related to the same suffix we see in wedlock and conveys a sense of "action, practice or state".

Knowledge is typically gained through books, research and delving into facts. Knowledge can also be gained in the bedroom (hubba hubba!), as the term is sometimes used, albeit archaically, to describe sexual intercourse. As: they had carnal knowledge of one another.

What does wisdom mean?

Wisdom is defined as "the state of being wise", which means "having the power of discernment and judging properly as to what is true or right: possessing discernment, judgement or discretion. It's older (recorded before the 900s) and joins wise and -dom, a suffix that can convey "general condition", as in freedom. Wisdom is typically gained from experiences and acquired over time.

While wisdom and knowledge are synonyms, the other synonyms for each word, respectively, don't overlap much. And they give more hints at each word's unique meaning.

For example, other synonyms for knowledge include:

* ability

* awareness

* education

* expertise

* familiarity

* grasp

Other synonyms for wisdom include:

* caution

* experience

* foresight

* judgement

* prudence

It's all about perspective

The primary difference between the two words is that wisdom involves a healthy dose of perspective and the ability to make sound judgements about a subject by reading, researching and memorizing facts. It's wisdom, however, that requires more understanding and the ability to determine which facts are relevant in certain situations. Wisdom takes knowledge and applies it with discernment based on experience, evaluation and lessons learned.

A quote by an unknown author sums up the differences well: "Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing when to say it".

Wisdom is also about knowing when and how to impart it to others. For example, you may be very knowlegeable about how to raise a baby after reading countless books, attending classes and talking to wise friends and family members. When that precious little person comes home, however, most new parents would kill for an ounce of wisdom to help soothe their screaming baby......and their fears.

To put it another way, there is this simple fruit salad philosophy: "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in the fruit salad".

Is knowledge the chicken or the egg?

So, which comes first, knowledge or wisdom? There's no chicken-egg scenario here; knowledge always comes first. Wisdom is built upon knowledge. That means you can be both wise and knowledgeable but you can't be wise without being knowledgeable. And just because you're knowledgeable doesn't mean you're wise......even though your teenager may feel differently.

As for how long it takes to achieve wisdom and how you know when you have achieved it, that's where things get murkier. Albert Einstein famously said, "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it". So yeah, it's one of those journey-not-destination things. There's no limit to wisdom, however, and you can certainly gain degrees of it along the way.

So, there you have it. Have you wised up to the differences between the two words yet?

- Published in DICTIONARY.COM on 20 Jan 2020

My take

My doubts have been cleared!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. A quiet Saturday.

Participated in the 546th session of the Aazhchakkoottam : "Spirituality and Science" by Dr VP Joy, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Kerala from 1600 - 1715 hrs. An interesting interaction. 

'Masalchi' in Army life.

In my early days in the Army, I was once detailed as a member of a Board to carry out a review of the existing TO & E (Table of Organisation and Equipment). It was quite an education because I came to know the complete details of manpower, equipment and weapons authorised to a Field Artillery Unit. However, I could not understand the logic of having a "Masalchi" in the Officers Mess whereas the cookhouse for other ranks, which catered for a very large dining strength did not have a "Masalchi"!

I asked a few colleagues and some seniors but everyone said, "One Masalchi less or more does not effect the combat efficiency of a unit - so just forget it".

This nagging thought stayed with me till I retired from the Army. Then, one day as I was going through a novel, "Ravi Lancers" by Brig John Masters (Retd), I came across a passage in which, the Mess Sergeant, in preparation of a Dinner for the General Officer Commanding, tells the "Mashalchi" to have all the Kerosene lamps filled with fragrant oil as well as fix new wicks.

It then dawned on me that the "Masalchi" was actually "Mashalchi" whose task in the pre-electricity days was to account for and maintain all the lamps in the Officers Mess. The lamps gave way to modern era electric lights and the "Mashalchi" became "Masalchi" and continues till today!

Interesting, isn't it?

    *      *      *

Lady, You are Power

A moment which a soldier never wants to be part of ie. to bid adieu to your chief one last time. Attended last rites of Gen Bipin Rawat and Madhulika Rawat and found all eyes around moist yet filled with pride.

But what I found and reason of sharing here is the courage which I have never witnessed in my life.

Two Veer Naris, Mrs Lidder and Mrs Harjinder.....having suffered the biggest loss of their lives attended the last rites of Mrs and Gen Rawat.

Mrs Lidder having cremated her husband in the same Brar Square 5 hours back were standing solid, unshaken to be a support to the General's daughters.

Mrs harjinder whose husband's mortal remains are still in R&R Hospital for identification have preferred to be a support system for the General's daughters from the last two days knowing well that her entire world has collapsed.

I have never witnessed such courage in my soldiering life.

Only a 'fauji' wife can do it!

With deep respect!

Tailpiece.

Lekha had got up at 5 to rustle up packed breakfast for Suma kunjamma and I followed her, 10' later. We left the house by a quarter past 6 and Kittu made sad meows thinking that we were out on yet another journey. He realised his misgivings when Lekha told him that she wasn't accompanying us!

The Ernakulam passenger, was on the second platform and I bid farewell to my Ma'asi and returned. She got the Jan Shatabdi bound for Thiruvananthapuram, from Thrissur, at a half past 8.

Monitored the live coverage of the final journey of the Rawats on television.

Another quiet day. Helped Lekha in watering the plants in the evening.  

The roles we play.

In our relationships with others, we play a variety of roles. We might be a parent, partner, professional and party clown all rolled into one. If our personality is integrated, our roles flow smoothly without too much strain.

But if the aspects of our personality are not cohesive and assimilated, we often force ourselves to wear masks in our dealings with others and this can be exhausting.

First we have to calculate what kind of face will have the desired effect and then we have to wear it, even if it doesn't reflect who we really are deep inside. We become prisoners of our images, unable to express the simple truth of who we are.   

A few years ago, I was privileged to experience the gentle humour of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu at an interfaith breakfast in Seattle. Like innocent children, the two luminaries joked and bantered with each other and broke into prolonged peals of laughter. Suddenly, Archbishop Tutu became serious and said to the Dalai Lama, "Your holiness, this laughter must stop! After all, our guests think we are holy people. We have an image to uphold". At that, we all roared with laughter.

- Imam Jamal Rahman

     *       *       *

Deliverance is not for me in renunciation. I feel the embrace of freedom in a thousand bonds of delight.

Thou ever pourest for me the fresh draught of thy wine of various colours and fragrance, filling this earthen vessel to the brim.

My world will light its hundred different lamps with thy flame and place them before the altar of thy temple.

No. I will never shut the doors of my senses. The delights of sight and hearing and touch will bear thy delight. Yes, all my illusions will burn into illumination of joy and all my desires ripen into fruits of love.

- Rabindranath Tagore

Gitanjali, verse 73

Tailpiece.

Got up around 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The courier for me had fetched up around a half past 10. We, then, went by Unnikkuttan's auto rickshaw to the town for sundries.

On our return, Suma kunjamma was waiting at The Quarterdeck, after having arrived about 10' before us. A boisterous lunch.

In the evening by around a half past 5, Suma kunjamma and Lekha had gone to the Guruvayur temple and the Thiruvenkidam temple. They had returned by a quarter to 8.  

 

Crisis in Nagaland (2).

.........contd.

Dirty coalition of insurgents and politicians

In Nagaland, insurgents and politicians have a kind of symbiotic agreement between them. All this revolves around money and power. While politicians ensure flow of money to insurgents, the unlawful ensure that the politicians come to power by rigging elections, bogus voting and all possible means. Currently Armed Forces have powers to search and in every election, they recover huge stashes of money from various political parties. In case AFSPA is repealed this coalition will have a free hand not only in Nagaland but also in neighbouring states.

Unlawful activities of insurgents

Today almost every insurgent organisation runs parallel business of extortion, kidnapping, drugs and robberies. Each of the organisation is connected to international drug peddlers in some or the other way. Presently there is some check because security forces are on a vigil and keep carrying out routine checks. They have been recovering goods too. In case of repealing of the AFSPA, there will be no one to stop them and there will be a serious law and order situation in the state.

Human rights groups in Nagaland

Prior to the suspension of Operations, the prime excuse behind the demand of repealing AFSPA was human rights abuse during search operations of the security forces. This is not the case now. There is hardly any case of Human Rights abuse reported from the state now a days. The Mon incident has once again activated these groups who claim it as a human rights issue to demand the repealing of the AFSPA. Most of these so-called Human Rights groups are connected to some or other insurgent organisation and have been acting as their shield in the past.

Impact of terrorism in neighbouring states

Although there is a relative peace in Nagaland, terrorism is witnessing its worst form in some of the neighbouring states especially Manipur. In 2015, Indian Army's convoy was ambushed near Pallel, Manipur where involvement of a Nagaland based group was proved beyond doubt. Similarly, in a recent event where the Commanding Officer of an Assam Rifles unit was killed along with his wife, innocent kid and other soldiers, indirect involvement of some of the Nagaland based groups was suspected. In case AFSPA is repealed from Nagaland, it will become a safe haven for not only insurgents of Manipur but terrorists and criminals from other states will also use it as a safe haven.

Nagaland's connection with Naxalites

It has been established well in the past that some of the Naga insurgent groups have been supporting Naxalites with weapons, training and other kinds of logistics support. Here, there is a direct link to the repealing of the AFSPA. If armed forces lose their powers in the state, it may become not only a haven for Naxal cadres but can also become a training hub for these anti-national elements. Somehow government has been able to contain Naxalite movement to some extent, this will open new frontiers and challenges for the union government.

In addition to these points, there are other beneficiaries too who are directly or indirectly linked to various insurgent groups of Nagaland. It is said that, "In Nagaland, everything revolves around money". While it is the duty of the state and central governments to maintain law and order in the state, they must also ensure that justice is delivered and the true colours of the people dending repealing of the AFSPA be uncovered. At the same time, a final resolution of the Naga Problem, disarming the insurgent groups and bringing peace to the state should be of utmost importance to the government.

........concluded.

- Courtesy india.com  

My take

The media has also been playing its game and must keep off from playing with fire. They are giving their own twist to the news stories.

                         ADIEU GENERAL BIPIN RAWAT, CDS

Today, around 1220 hrs, the MI 17V5 IAF chopper carrying the CDS, his wife and twelve others as part of his entourage while on its way to Wellington, Coonoor crashed into a tree on the hills - under a cloak of heavy mist - lost control  and tumbled down the hillside, catching fire almost instantaneously resulting in the death of 13 passengers while one lone survivor is still battling for survival. The General was on his way to the DSSC, Wellington to deliver a Guest Lecture.

Going back many, many years in time, Bipin Rawat was a first termer (53rd Course) in Charlie Squadron while I was a fifth termer (49th Course) in Hunter Squadron, at the National Defence Academy during Spring '75. And no, I didn't know him, this was just to show our time lines.

Adieu Bipin, Madhulika and the eleven brave hearts who lost their lives in the crash. Om Shanti! Sadgati. My tears, prayers and salutes. Here's wishing that your near and dear ones have the strength to tide over these stressful times.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 6, the chores. Sajish had fetched up by a quarter to 7 to give me my monthly haircut. The Wednesday 'aarathi' of the house was carried out and I was ready by 10.

It was a quiet day until the news of the horrific air accident started breaking in. 

  

Crisis in Nagaland (1).

The Mon tragedy leaves several unanswered questions. 

The demand to repeal AFSPA has gained momentum post the unfortunate killing of six civilians in Mon district of Nagaland. However, there are several questions that need to be answered if one has to establish the real cause and events leading to the unfortunate killings. It has been three days since fifteen lives were lost in Oting area of Mon district on the unfortunate evening of 04 Dec. The government immediately sprang into action with a high level Special Investigation Team (SIT) and set up a team led by a senior Inspector General of Police Limasunep Jamir. Union Home MinisterAmit Shah issued a statement in the Parliament and Indian Army has also appointed a high-level Court of Inquiry led by a senior Major General to ascertain the events leading to the unfortunate incident.

While we have no options but to wait for the outcome of these inquiries, a widespread agitation has engulfed entire Nagaland where mob has started attacking the posts of Assam Rifles, a force which was not at all involved in the incident and has been working in Northeast India for over 100 years. Hidden in the agitation is the demand of repulsion of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) by various stake holders of the society and government.

There are serious questions on the entire sequence of events. Firstly, are specialised operatives of Special Forces supposed to carry out routine checking in a disturbed area? Secondly, what was the intelligence and how was it corroborated? Thirdly, how the entire operation was carried out? Fourthly, why local police did not reach at the spot even after 3-4 hours of the incident?

While the SIT has been given a deadline to submit its report within a month, Army Court of Inquiries are generally fast and it is assumed that they will also complete their investigation within this time frame only and it is unjust on the part of everyone to react lawlessly till the facts are revealed. In the pursuit to explain the sequence of events, everyone is coming out with a different theory but no one is ready to explain why so many insurgent groups have been allowed to operate in the state? Why government has been lingering for the so-called peace talks for over 25 years and why all politicians irrespective of their party, line up in support of unlawful elements so helplessly?

Nagaland has been a hotbed of insurgency ever since India got independence in 1947. Various groups have been active for over three decades till government of India signed Suspension of Operations with one of the leading groups in 1997. Since it was not possible for the insurgents undergrounds (as they are told in the local language) to carry out armed actions, they have changed their way of operation and are mainly resorting to extortion, robberies, kidnappings, drug business, influencing political and keeping the government involved in so called peace talks. Everything moves around the huge flow of money.

The groups are also facilitating and helping other insurgent groups of Northeast India and Naxalites of Central India with training, selling weapons and other type of logistics to get more money. The entire system is rolling over the money made by the leaders of these so-called groups.There is so much money involved that severe infighting started among the group members in the last two decades and while there used to be one main insurgent organisation in Nagaland till 1988, there are more than a dozen now. Each one of them claiming to have their own government ruling over Nagaland, own so called Naga Army and a structure of government officials and ministers. Imagine a state having so many governments issuing ;etters, orders and instructions to the people. Anyone not falling in line is punished severely so public has no option. That is why it is said about Nagaland that the local people are suffering because of the "Perils of recognising too many governments".

The entire fiasco of Mon-Nagaland was not only unfortunate but has opened another plethora of demands. While we must wait for the inquiries to get over to know the truth and provide justice to the departed souls, political echelons in the state are speaking of the repulsion of the AFSPA with even the Chief Minister himself advocating it now. This is the most important aspect of the entire event. Imagine a state where more than a dozen insurgent groups are operating freely and the politicians are demanding its repulsion every now and then. We must understand the reason behind it and that who will be the ultimate beneficiary if the AFSPA is removed from the state? Here are my five points.

........to be contd.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Suma kunjamma was to reach by teatime in the evening but called up after lunch, to say that she would be coming by either tomorrow or the day after.

Mithun from the National Supermarket came by with the grocery. Tomatoes have become costly @ Rs.108/- per kg! He'd a hearty laugh at my PJ, when I suggested to Lekha about buying 10 kg of tomatoes to keep it in  the bank vault.   

Why is 04 Dec the Navy Day?

"Operation Trident had tied up the Pakistani Navy inside the harbour. Operation Python ensured that every Pakistani merchant ship and aircraft started seeking permission from New Delhi to move in and out of Karachi, resulting in an effective blockade of Karachi, without a single Indian Naval unit being in the vicinity!" - Commodore Vijay Jerath, VrC.

Dedicated to Operation Trident, commenced on 04-05 Dec 1971, that decimated the Pakistani Navy on the western front.

The port of Karachi was the headquarters of the Pakistani Navy where almost all of its fleet was housed. Karachi was also the hub of Pakistan's maritime trade. Hence, with the outbreak of the war on 03 Dec 1971, it was clear that to decimate the enemy's capabilities of fighting in the waters, Karachi harbour needed to be burnt and blockaded. Also, Pakistan's economy would face disastrous consequences if the Karachi port was decimated.

Hence, recon was collected regarding the port. It was clear that the port was meant to be defended against air and naval assaults. The port's air space was also defended by Pakistani strike aircrafts.

Admiral Nanda decided that the offensive spirit against the enemy would be solidified with the use of Missile Boat strikes on the port. Hence, with planning done by Captain GM Hiranandani, a Strike Group was formed, under the command of Commodore BB Yadav, employing 5 Vidyut class missile boats being covered by 2 Arnala class anti-submarine corvettes and a fleet tanker, which were already serving in Okha. These boats were commanded by LCdr BN Kavina, LCdr IJ Sharma, LCdr MO Thomachan and LCdr OP Mehta, commanding INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer. The Strike Group was named as the 25 Missile Boat Squadron. It was decided that the strike would commence on the night of 04-05 Dec, as the PAF, who might move in to intervene in the assault didn't have night assault capabilities,

The Missile Boats which were chosen for the operations were ex-Soviet Missile boats armed with the powerful Styx P-15 missiles. The training on these boats commenced from 1969, with 100 officers and 200 sailors from the IN being trained by the Soviet Navy.

With Pakistan launching massive air assaults all along the western border, the IN was given the green light for the operation.

By the 4th of Dec 1971, the Strike Group closed in towards the Karachi port by 250 nautical miles, still outside the surveillance range of the PAF. At 2230 hrs, they were barely 70 nautical miles away from the port.

It was INS Nirghat, who fired the first Styx missile on the Pakistani vessel named PNS Khyber. It was a Battle-class destroyer and seeing the missile closing in, it assumed that it was probably fired from an IAF aircraft, engaging its own anti-aircraft defences. But the missile hit, blowing up the right side of the destroyer, exploding below the galley in the electricians' mess deck and leading to an explosion in the boiler room.

The PNHQ went crazy when it received the transmission from the Khyber, stating - "Enemy aircraft attacked in position 020 FF 20. No.1 Boiler hit. Ship stopped!"

INS Nirghat fired another missile, destroying the Khyber completely. The second boiler room exploded and the ship started sinking. It killed 222 Pakistani officers and sailors on board.

At 2300 hrs, INS Nipat fired 2 Styx missiles at the MV Venus Challenger and the PNS Shah Jahan was a C-class destroyer, escorting the MV Venus Challenger which was carrying weapons and ammunition and after the missile hit, there was one of the biggest blazes to be seen on the waters of the Arabian Sea! The MV Venus Challenger sank some 23 nautical miles away from the port of Karachi.

Meanwhile, at 2330 hrs, INS Veer fired a Styx missile at the PNS Muhafiz - an adjutant minesweeper. It sank almost immediately, killing 33 sailors on board.

INS Nipat continued its advance through the waters of the Arabian Sea towards the Keamari oil storage tanks, firing two missiles. Unfortunately, one of the missiles misfired but one of them flew and blew up the oil tanks, setting up another big blaze at nigh! The near destruction of the Keamari oil fields caused a devastating fuel crisis in Pakistan.

And after the successful operation, the missile boats and their escorts returned to Okha, taking no losses. This successful operation and especially, with the destruction of the Pakistani fleet's fuel tankers, the commencement of Operation Python became easier, which would further devastate the Karachi harbour.

For this successful operation, Captain Hiranandani was awarded the Nao Sena Meda. Strike Group Commander BB Yadav was awarded the MVC, while VrCs were awarded to the respective commanders of the Missile Boats. Master Chief MN Sahgal of INS Nirghat was awarded the VrC as well.

Hence, in the honour of this successful Naval operation, the Indian Navy celebrates the 4th of December as Navy Day.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Had by then come up with the painful decision of cancelling my trip to Gwalior and towards that end, called up the following :-

  * Sajish  - so that he could get another customer for the airport run, in my place.

  * Daljeet - to inform him about my no show.

  * Shekhar @ PNP Foundation - to cancel my tickets.

  * Viresh - to cancel the vehicle that he'd arranged for me at Gwalior. 

There was no point in moving around with the scare of the spread of Omicron.

  

Padma Sri Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat.

The remarkable story of Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat, the founder of Lijjat papad will inspire many entrepreneurs. At a time no one talked about enterprise, Popat and her team of women not just created a brilliant business and a brand, they also create employment for women. 91-year-old Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat has been awarded the Padma Sri award by the country this year.

Popat's capital investment was just Rs.80/-. This too was borrowed from a social worker. Lijjat Papads became a household name. Not just that when people went to the market and asked for papads, they would say Lijjat papad no matter which brand.

The business was initially set up in Bombay's Girgaum area. The seven other women who helped Popat begin the business are Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundlia, Banuben Tanna, Laguben Amritlal Gokani and Jayaben Vithalani.

Gradually, seven became hundreds and currently, thousands of women are working in this huge industry. Along this successful journey, Popat trained and supported many women under her to achieve financial independence.

All the women including Popat used to make the papadson their house terrace. They had sold only four packets of papad to a businessman initially. 

Popat transformed a small home into a large cottage industry over the years. Today, Lijjat papads has over 60 branches and employs around 42,000 women.

Currently, the papad is sold all over the country as well as exported to other countries including England, the USA, Singapore, Thailand and the Netherlands.

Popat did not have any knowledge about running a business when she started. But she gathered up courage and perseverance to make a profit out of her business. Further, with hard work, her business grew so much that her papad brand is now a popular household name all over the country.

This women-centric business now has a turnover of over Rs.800 crores. But what is more significant is that it employs so many rural women who are illiterate but skilled. Now that's the real Women Power and not the rant of the pseudo feminists.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by 10. It was a quiet Sunday.

Got the 'rtpcr' certificate on my what'sapp, courtesy Sajish. Everything clear for the journey.

 

Get rid of negativity.

Easy tips to get rid of negative thoughts spiritually.

Negative thoughts can cloud your judgement, make you think of the worst scenarios, push you into a self imposed depression and it can become a never ending abyss. Yes you may need therapy but before that there are some tactics to eliminate negative thoughts on your own. Here they are :-

* Keep positive people around you

Negative company is hazardous as it pulls you down too. So make sure you are surrounded by more positive and cheerful people.

* Be positive

View things from a half glass angle and practice talking and thinking only the positive. Get into activities and hobbies that make you feel happy. Meditate daily and spend time with your family too. have positive conversations and try watching positive content if you are addicted to social media.

* Be forgiving

It serves no purpose if you hold on to grudges. Practice forgiveness and learn to let go. Move on and let Karma take its course.

* Help

Help people as much as you can. It makes you feel good and elevates your mood too. It simply adds to your positivity portfolio. When you volunteer to help people, it also helps in taking your mind off the umpteen worries. So practice helping those who need it.

* Working out

Do some sort of physical exercise. Be it dancing, working out in the gym, yoga etc. When you do so, it releases endorphins which put you in a good mental space. Besides that, exercise makes you fit so, there is nothing to lose.

* Don't indulge in gossip

Gossiping is for those who judge people and see mostly the negative in others. Destroy those thoughts in case you are getting any. Gossiping simply demeans the other and is nothing but a sort of negative thought you are putting out there into the universe.

Courtesy : TIMESOFINDIA.COM

My take

Easy to follow steps and you'll be clutter free!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Calls, smses and what'sapp messages were the hall mark of the day as today was my birthday by the Malayalam calendar. Mini, Achu and Ajith were the first among the lot to call. Lekha made it special by having a great lunch made.

Went with Sajish to take the 'rtpcr' test in preparation to my visit to Gwalior on Monday. Spent about a half hour in the queue at the Hyat Hospital. He has promised to collect the certificate tomorrow for me.

Participated in the 545th edition of the Aazhchakkoottam : "Azadi ka amrit mahotsav" by Ms AM Mayusha, Joint Director (News Division), AIR, Thiruvananthapuram from 1600 - 1645 hrs. It was quite informative.

Indira kunjamma called up around a quarter past 7 and we'd a long chat.

Frequent power interruptions were the the order of the day. Pathetic!

Kalle kalle!

A beautiful thought!

I was in Patiala, having this 'Aalu di tikki' (a tangy, mouth watering, deep fried, boiled potato snack, served with tamarind sauce, yummy thing served on dried tree leaves, with fistful of spices thrown in) when suddenly I get a big whack on my back, "Kalle kalle"! I turned around to find my childhood friend, smiling with mischievous eyes.

"Oye, Baandr nu vi ik dayyein" (Hello, give this monkey also one pattal tikki)!

And we engrossed in our nostalgia of the years spent around the same shop in school uniform.

Later, I tried to decipher the opening sentence, 'Kalle kalle'. Do we have its equivalent in any western language or culture? Just two words convey so much of love, affection, mischief and yaari (which can be poorly translated into camaraderie). 

Do we get the impact similar to this one in so less usage of words?

I think the richness of Punjabi language is in its enmeshed existence with the ethos of the people and culture. 

The culture says, you cannot enjoy anything alone. If you are doing so, you are infringing the collective edict of the community. So Kalle, kalle in a way accuses you of enjoying things which must be shared collectively. Enjoyment is through sharing. This is deeply ingrained in all of us and it reflects in the language. Sharing of everything, joy, sorrow, happiness and grief. We are taught, if everything is

shared, it gets double or half based on its bhav, nature. Joy shared is doubled, sorrow is halved. Mischief doubles joy, grief gets halved.....it's a very intricate web of emotions and collective existence.

So enjoy life.....but not "Kalle Kalle".

My take

Fully endorse though I'm a thoroughbred Mallu!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle after 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.

It was a quiet Friday. Had a long chat with Ajith (422) and it was an interesting one.

Called up George, who used to be our regular cab driver once upon a time. Had heard that he wasn't keeping well. It was his daughter-in-law who'd answered my call. Off late, he has been home bound due to two reasons and has a hearing problem :-

   

   (a) Fluid formation in his heart. It has been drained out and he's on medicines for it.

   (b) His Creatinine level was 5.1 and has now been brought down to 4.5 but eventually he'll have to undergo dialysis.

Sad! I'd always found him to be fit but there are trying times for him. Both his sons and their families are currently with him to celebrate Christmas. It's our fond hope that he bounces back to normalcy, at the earliest.

I remember those times when he used to drive us - Mom, Lekha and me - to Rema's house at Palakkad and those journeys evoke fond memories!

Fiercely Indian!

"I belong to an India where despite the back breaking work they have been doing all morning, at lunch time two labourers will buy food from the nearest roadside vendor and will proceed to eat it with relish and joy sharing the choicest bits with each other, laughing all the time. A meal that consists of coarse rice, thick roti, a couple of limp pieces of radish, all swimming in an unrecognizable curry of some kind.

I belong to an India where I have had conversations with auto rickshaw drivers about the state of the country and who are more informed about politics than many learned people I know. 

I belong to an India where the domestic help welcomes me like a personal guest and with a smile asks me, Aunty Ji Chai Laaoon even before my host does so.

I belong to an India where there are special seats for ladies in public transport and where men give up their own seat when they see a lady standing.

I belong to an India where every doctor's office has a female attendant to help women patients feel safe and comfortable and to hold their hand during painful exams/procedures.

I belong to an India where senior citizens are treated with respect and dignity and have a special place in the family and no important decision is taken without their advice.

I belong to an India where Family To The Rescue is the motto, regardless of any differences and disputes that may have taken place. Go Fund Me pages do not have to be created to pay for funerals.

I belong to an India where war veterans do not sit with placards asking for donations. Every single soldier if not compensated by the government has a village to return to, which he calls home.

I belong to an India where every visitor is greeted with folded hands and a 'Jee Aayan Nu', where all are welcome to one's home at all times, where people go to each others' houses on Diwali, Eid and Christmas regardless of their own religion.

But I'm sorry to say that I also belong to an India whose journalists, authors and intellectuals are systematically perpetuating the worst possible stereotypes about their country on an international level and in the process creating confusion in the minds of the Westerners who are only just beginning to realise and appreciate the diverse and rich cultural traditions and heritage of this great nation.

I will not say Bharat Mata Ki Jai because I do not want to start a controversy but like a true Fauji wife I will say Jai Hind!

- Mrs Vandana Walia w/o AVM AJS Walia from New Jersey on 17 Nov 2021.

My take.

This is true patriotic fervour! Take a bow, Vandana!!

Tailpiece.

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

Lekha and I had gone to town, after the maid had left, to buy our weekly fruit basket and grocery. Saw the Mammootty starrer, "Masterpiece" for the nth time.

A quiet evening thereafter.