The Balakot strike - its aftermath.

Background.

1. On 14 Feb '19, a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel on the Jammu - Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora in Pulwama district killing 46 CRPF personnel. The PM had made a vow that Pakistan - the cradle of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group that had claimed responsibility for the dastardly attack - will be avenged for this misadventure and gave the armed forces a free hand to decide on the retaliation.

The Balakot Strike.

2. Exactly 12 days later, in the wee hours of 26 Feb, the airstrike was carried out by the IAF's Mirage 2000s armed with Spice 2000 and Popeye precision guided munitions dropped the bombs in the vicinity of the town of Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, several miles inside the province's boundary with PoK.

  (a) The Mirage 2000s were supported by 4 Su-30 MKIs, Netra and Phalcon Airborne early Warning

        and Control System aircraft(AWACS), an IAI Heron UAV and 2 IL-78 aerial refuelling aircraft.

  (b) 4 Su-30 MKIs, tasked as decoys, 'presumably' headed for Bahawalpur, successfully drew the PAF

        fighters south of the main attack force.

  (c) Pakistan military, the first to confirm the airstrike in the morning of 26 Feb described the Indian

        aircraft as dropping their payload in an uninhabited, wooded hilltop area near Balakot.

  (d) India, confirming the airstrike, later the same day, characterised it to be a pre-emptive strike

        directed against the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist training camp causing the deaths of a large

        number of terrorists (Close to 300!)

The Cacophonics Begin.

3. The entire opposition had been taunting the PM that his 56" chest could not put an end to

    Pakistan and its shenanigans - a taunt, pulled out from one of his election speeches of 2014 - and

    certain sections of the Indian media wanted proof of the attacks, bolstering their arguments from

    articles that were quoted from certain dubious foreign agencies.

4. Fake news were quick to follow and even to this day, the opponents and critics of Modi and his

    government have refused to accept that the Balakot airstrikes were, indeed, successful.

My take.

To all the doubting Thomases, my question is this. "If the airstrikes were totally off the mark and that no casualties had been inflicted, wouldn't Pakistan have taken the entire lot of the foreign diplomats and the international press, stationed within it, the very next day to Balakot to show the 'botched up' attempt by India and had a mighty laugh at our expense?"

And to the same doubters, my advice would be, "Do not doubt your armed forces and the government just because you hate Narendra Modi. Such negative attitude can have far reaching repercussions". 

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, despite it being a Sunday. Went through our chores and were ready well in time. It was a quiet day.     

  

News from here and there.

Going through a few of the news articles that caught my attention. There's nothing much to amplify on any of them but it's important to understand as to which direction the wind is blowing. So, here I go:-

 (a) They've Made This Appeal.

       Naseeruddin Shah, Mahesh Dattani, Amol Palekar, Lillette Dubey, MK Raina, Makarand
       Deshpande, Konkona Sen Sharma along with other theatre and film artistes numbering about
       600 have urged people not to vote for the BJP and its allies. Whether the general public heeds
       their advice needs to be seen.

 (b) IITians to Fight in Bihar.

       Ten of the forty parliamentary seats of Bihar will see the alumni of the IIT take on seasoned
       politicians in the Lok Sabha elections this time. Their party is called the Bahujan Azad Party
       (BAP).

 (c) Russia Stakes Claim on the Arctic.

       Missile launchers ply icy roads and air defence systems point at the sky at a Russian military
       outpost - a key vantage point - to project its power over the resource rich polar region. The base
       named 'Severny Klever'(Northern Clover) is painted in the white, blue and red colours of the
       Russian national flag. It has been designed so that soldiers can reach all of its sprawling
       facilities without venturing outdoors - a useful precaution where temperatures often plunge to
       -50 degrees Celsius during winters and the nights of the short Arctic summers. About 250
       personnel man the post to monitor the airspace and the northern sea route. Russia is not alone
       in exploring options of resource location and new shipping lanes but the US, Canada, Denmark,
       Norway and China are in the fray. The region is believed to hold up to a quarter of the Earth's
       undiscovered oil and gas.



Tailpiece.

Got up with the alarm, went through the chores and were ready well in time. There were calls from unexpected places but pleasant news-carrying ones, though! Raj Nivas has a water problem because one of the feeder canals has been closed and consequently, stopped the water flow into the stream that is our northern boundary. The result is that the water in the well at our backyard has reduced!! 

The Middle Path.

Budha's teachings are also called 'Madhyamika' or Middle Path.

Middle of what?

At the time of Budha there were many
philosophies. On one side were the
six schools of thought owing their
allegiance to Vedas and talking about
the soul and life after death.

On the other extremity were the
Charvakas who believed that the
purpose of life was only to eat, drink
and dance.

Budha propounded the middle path.
He steered clear of all metaphysical
questions. He taught that Nirvana
should be the highest goal. But never
answered what it is like.

He accepted the theory of karma
and transmigration and taught that
virtuous living is good enough to
attain Nirvana.

He allowed even the Kshatriyas
to take to sanyasa (Which was
prohibited by Sri Krishna in Gita). But
for that he is criticised for having
destroyed the kshatriya valour and an
open invitation to invaders.

In fact, Budha has value added Vedic
religion for export. And it has all been
exported out.

In Gulliver's Lilliput island there
were the big enders and the little enders.

Today, we have the capitalists and the
communists.

The APL and the BPL.

But then we have found a middle path.   


Tailpiece.

Got up with the alarm, went through our chores and were ready on time. The day was warm. Bibin, from the Pest Control of India (PCI) came in for providing the quarterly cover - he's, incidentally, sincere and hardworking. After a quick lunch, we were off to the Jayasree Cinema to see Mohanlal's 'Lucifer', directed by Prithviraj. An okay movie...nothing spectacular about it! 

Love gone sour?

22 year old, Neethu Krishna Kumar, an engineering student was stabbed and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, Nidhish Kallukadan, in the morning, at Chiyyaram in Thrissur.

Salient points of the case.

 (a) Neethu's mother had passed away when she was just two years old. Her father left her soon after.
       She was brought up by her maternal grandmother and uncle.

 (b) The two had befriended each other on Facebook three years ago.

 (c) Nidhish works in a private firm at the IT park in Kochi.

 (d) Both the families were aware of the couple's friendship.

 (e) The boy had approached her family last year, to talk of marriage. It, however, did not turn out 
       to be successful and the relationship had gone sour.

 (f)  When there was no communication from the young lady, the man thought that she was into a
       fresh relationship.

 (g) This morning, around 6, after parking his mobike in front of the house, he'd entered the girls'
       house through the rear door. There was a verbal altercation between the two of them which
       ended in her being stabbed twice - on her throat and her stomach. He'd, then, emptied two
       bottles of petrol that he was carrying, on to her body and lit her.

 (h) The young lady was declared "brought-in-dead" by the hospital nearby.

RIP Neethu. My tears and prayers to a young lady who lost a promising life, too early. May your family have the strength to tide over these stressful times.

My take.
        
  1. While starting a relationship through the social media like Facebook, What'sApp etc, one needs
      to be extremely careful. Intimacy of any sort must be avoided because the personal profiles are
      hidden to a large extent and it's very difficult to understand the background and the attitude of
      the partner or even as to whether he/she is queer.
  2. In such relationships, the endeavour from both sides would be to put their best foot forward
      which might be markedly different from their actual personalities.
  3. If love/relationship goes sour, it's better to accept it in a sporting spirit and let go off the episode
      without wasting any time.
  4. On the other hand, carrying hatred and waiting for a chance to retaliate can have harmful
      consequences - in this case, the unfortunate girl had a violent end and the boy has spoiled his
      life forever. 

And why do people not accept a failure in their love life? Is it because they've got everything they'd wanted, from their homes, thanks to their over indulgent parents? Is there any meaning in enforcing a relationship that can never be smooth?


Tailpiece.

Got up with the alarm, went through our chores and we were ready well in time. Had gone to town to do a bank transfer to the caretaker in connection with the family temple's annual festivities, collect clothes/deposit soiled clothes from/at the drycleaners and to drop the credit card cheque for the month.

Both Bineesh and Sajeev played truant in taking care of the plumbing requirements!


       

What is right speech?

Do you maintain a decorum when you speak? Doesn't anger provoke you to say something, at the spur of the moment using forbidden language and matter, over which you repent at leisure? Isn't there a difference in the manner in which you speak with your elders and the youngsters. One is of deference while the other is of setting an example. 

So, what is right speech?

"Anudvegakaram vakyam satyam priya hitam".

One's speech should have four qualities.
Anudvegakaram - soothing (Non agitative).
Satyam               -  truth, which is verifiable and 
                              fit to be uttered. A truth which
                              is not fit to be spoken does 
                              qualify to be satyam.
Priyam               -  agreeable.
Hitam                 -  useful.

A 'Muni'(Sage) is one whose speech
contains all the 4 qualities. And not
the one who simply avoids talking).
Ramakrishna and Ramana Maharshi
are 'munis'.

One's own speech should contain at
least two qualities if not all four.
Most of our talk contains just one
quality ie. 'priyam'. And that is simply
gossip.

If it is just 'useful', nobody wants to
listen.

Most of the time we don't even know
what we say is worth speaking at all.

When we become abusive, we only
create agitation.

Corelate this with what we are daily 
fed by way of all news and views.

       *                        *                           *

Something that I had come across, the gist of the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita given in a single line 'amplifying the contents' of each.

Chapter 1.

Wrong thinking is the only problem in life.

Chapter 2.

Right knowledge is the ultimate solution to all our problems.

Chapter 3. 

Selflessness is the only way to progress and prosperity.

Chapter 4.

Every act can be an act of prayer.

Chapter 5. 

Renounce the ego of individuality and rejoice in the bliss of infinity.

Chapter 6.

Connect to the Higher consciousness daily.

Chapter 7.

Live what you learn.

Chapter 8.

Never give up on yourself.

Chapter 9.

Value your blessings.

Chapter 10.

See divinity all round.

Chapter 11.

Have enough surrender to see the Truth as it is.

Chapter 12.

Absorb your mind in the Higher.

Chapter 13.

Detach from Maya and attach to Divine.

Chapter 14.

Live a lifestyle that matches your vision.

Chapter 15.

Give priority to divinity.

Chapter 16.

Being good is a reward in itself.

Chapter 17.

Choosing the right over the pleasant is a sign of power.

Chapter 18.

Let go, let's move to the union with God.


Tailpiece.

Had got up with the alarm, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. It was a quiet day altogether.

Be happy!

At Harvard, a prestigious university, the most popular and successful course teaches you how to learn to be popular. The Positive Psychology class by Ben Shahar attracts 1400 students per semester and 20% Harvard graduates take this elective course. According to Ben Shahar, the class - which focuses on happiness, self esteem and motivation - gives students the tools to succeed and face life with more joy. This 45-year-old teacher, considered by some to be the "happiness guru", highlights in his class 15 key tips for improving the quality of our personal status and contributing to a positive life.

 (a) Tip 1. Thank God for everything you have.

       Write down 10 things you have in your life that give you happiness. Focus on the good things.

 (b) Tip 2. Practise physical activity.

       Exercising helps improve mood. 30 minutes of exercise is the best antidote against sadness and
       stress.

 (c) Tip 3. Breakfast.

       Some people miss breakfast for lack of time or not to get fat. Studies show that breakfast gives
       you energy, helps you think and perform your activities successfully.

 (d) Tip 4. Assertive.

       Ask what you want and say what you think. Being assertive helps you improve your self esteem.
       Being left and remaining silent creates sadness and hopelessness.

 (e) Tip 5. Spend your money on experiences.

       A study found that 75% of people felt happier when they invested their money in travel, courses
       and classes. While only the rest said they felt happier when buying things.

 (f)  Tip 6. Face your challenges.

       Studies show that the more you postpone something, the more anxiety and tension you generate.
       Write short weekly lists of tasks and complete them.

 (g) Tip 7. Put everywhere nice memories, phrases and photos of your loved ones.

       Fill your fridge, your computer. your desk, your room, YOUR LIFE with beautiful memories.

 (h) Tip 8. Always greet and be nice to other people.

       More than 100 inquiries state that just smiling changes the mood.

 (j)  Tip 9. Wear comfortable shoes.

       If your feet hurt you, you become moody, says Dr. Keinth Wapner, President of the American
       Orthopaedics Association.

 (k) Tip 10. Take care of your posture.

       Walk straight with your shoulders slightly backwards and the front view helps to maintain a good
       mood.

 (l)  Tip 11. Listen to music.

       It is proven that listening to music awakens you to sing, this will make your life happy.

 (m) Tip 12. What you eat has an impact on your mood.

        Do not skip meals, eat lightly every 3 to 4 hours and keep glucose levels stable. Avoid excess
        white flour and sugar. Eat everything! Healthy - vary your food.

 (n)  Tip 13. Take care of yourself and feel attractive.

        70% of people say they feel happier when they think they look good.

 (p)  Tip 14. Fervently believe in God.

        With him nothing is impossible!

 (q)  Tip 15. Develop a good sense of humour.

        Learn to laugh off matters, especially when things don't go right for you.

Happiness is like a remote control, we lose it every time, we go crazy looking for it and many times without knowing it, we are sitting on top of it.........

                      Have an unconditionally happy life!


Tailpiece.

Got up later than usual. The journey and the late night did have their effects, I suppose. Went about our chores and were ready a trifle after our usual time.

Interesting information that everyone ought to know!

1. How a nation can knowingly and deliberately destroy its own moral fabric?

    Government welfare programmes and freebies doled out to buy votes. Japan does not have any
    welfare programmes like free LPG etc. Their motto : Work for it or do without.

    These are possibly the five best sentences you'll ever read and all applicable to our Indian
    experiment:-

       (a) You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
       (b) What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without
             receiving.
       (c) The government cannot give to anybody that the government does not first take from
            somebody else.
       (d) You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
       (e) When half the of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half
             is going to take care of them and when the other half gets the idea it does no good to work
             because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of
             any nation.

     God and sane citizens should stop this mania.

2. Dangerous heat to intensify this week.

    The equinox phenomenon will affect us in the next five days. Please stay indoors and keep animals
    indoor or protected especially from 1200 hrs to 1500 hrs. The temperature will fluctuate and may
    reach 40 degrees Celsius. This can easily cause dehydration and sun stroke. This phenomenon is
    due to the sun directly positioned above the equator. Please keep everyone including yourself
    hydrated. Everyone should be consuming about three litres of fluid everyday. Monitor everyone's
    blood pressure as frequent as possible. Many may get heat stroke.

    Take cold showers as frequent as possible. Reduce meat, increase fruits and vegetables.

    Heat wave is no joke! Place a new unused candle outside home area or exposed area. If candle can
    melt, it's at a dangerous level.

    Always place a pail of water half filled in the living room and one each in every room to keep the
    temperature down.

    Heat stroke has no indicative symptoms. Once you faint, it's serious and dangerous as organ failure
    kicks in.

    Always check lips, eyeballs for moisture. Please inform the others.

3. Day, date and time.

    In the ancient Indian calendar, time was never identified by weeks and days. There was no
    mention of Sunday, Monday etc. These were later inclusions after contact with the Greeks and
    the Romans.

    For ancient Indians, time always had an astronomical significance. Time was defined as a mental
    frame in which they co-related events.

    So our forefathers identified time by co-relating positions of the sun, moon, the five principle
    planets (The ones which were easy to see with unaided eye like Venus and Mercury, the two inner
    most planets closer to the sun than the earth and can be seen in the early evening or in the
    morning. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn further away from the sun than the earth and can be seen at
    anytime of the night. The Earth, of course, is also a planet but the ancient astronomers did not
    perceive it so and therefore, did not count it in their list of planets!) and two nodes against the
    fixed starry background.

    That is why you will find all Hindu festivals are based on planetary positions.

    The present day measurement of time in days and weeks has no such astronomical standing. It is
    based on a linear scale and has to be supported by date, month and year, of which the year alone
    has astronomical significance.


Tailpiece.

Got up earlier than usual as I'd to accompany Lekha to attend her Valiachhan's funeral at Maannaar, despite my weakness. Rema, my sister was unable to make the trip and Lekha had carried idlis and two bottles of water to stand in for my lunch and supper. We reached there in time to see the ceremonies leading to the funeral and made a hasty departure around 1700 hrs after the pyre was lit and reached 'The Quarterdeck' by 2300 hrs. Sajid made good company.

Met Lekha's folks after a very long time.