Am I right in thinking so?

Before I go ahead with my thoughts for the day, here are certain postulates that need to be considered:-

  * I belong to a generation where things never looked complicated, during our younger days.
  * We were brought up by our grandparents and parents to speak the truth always and shun
     falsehood at all costs, in fact, with the best of values and traditions.
  * We were, therefore, lucky to have been brought up in a free environment and to be provided with
     a liberal education.
  * We were lucky to have teachers, who not only looked after our studies in the classrooms but also
     guided and encouraged us on the sports and games fields and helped us in our extra curricular
     activities......they seemed to have time for us, all through the day, till bed time!

Me and my friends from school and the Academy have a wonderful relationship. However, things seem to have changed overnight. If I were to put it, it all started in May '14 when there was a regime change in New Delhi and Narendra Modi had become the Prime Minister.

I suddenly began to feel that the entire lot of Indians had got divided into two groups - the ones who supported Modi and the others, who simply hated him. When one approved of his governance and the right decisions - and there were plenty of them, mind you, in the course of his first five years in office - one was labeled his 'bhakt'.

I was quite sure that it was a way of thinking that was in passing and didn't give it a second thought. My refrain to my close friends was that since he has been given a mandate by the people, we needed to take heed of the majority's choice and allow him to rule the country for the mandatory five years. If he didn't deliver, the very same people would ensure that he didn't get a second chance and you, too, could cast your votes as dictated by your conscience.

The results of the general elections of May '19, as we are aware, was a massive win for Mr. Modi and an approval for his work. The Indians had given him a second term, to rule over them, without inhibitions. His sustained work on the ground was ample testimony for them that he meant well and worked for the overall development of the country.

It was consequent to it that I'd sensed a massive change in attitudes among people - especially while interacting with a wide cross section of people during my social interactions - but what pained me was the way some of my friends had changed overnight. Previously, we used to talk about politics and have a good laugh at the fickle-minded politicians who changed their opinions at the drop of a hat. I mean, we never let our political affiliations creep into our friendship or relationship to ever mar it.

Alas, all those are a thing of the past. Just to give an example, a classmate and good friend of mine - we used to even stay at his house during our numerous forays to that city - used to put up vituperative posts about Modi and his work, on his FB wall. Frankly, reading them, I was shocked and had called him up to ask him about his pungent opinions. Observing the viciousness, I'd even asked him as to how his life had changed during Modi's rule. He was candid enough to reply that his life was not affected at all but the poor were being affected badly, for which he had no proof.  His answers were ample enough to prove that he was hostile towards me because I supported Modi. In fact I've made this clear, among my classmates' and even my course mates' through our What'sApp groups, that I liked the Prime Minister.

I endorse the point that in politics there should be a credible opposition which should be able to pin the treasury benches when they make mistakes but what amazes me is that a hostile opinion is deliberately chosen, by quite a few, to show their intense dislike towards the PM. Citing this one example of the abrogation of Article 370, after hearing many from the people who have been stunned with the government's decision, one gets a feeling that they would like 'the status quo ante' to remain in Jammu and Kashmir. What they forget is that the frequent terror attacks resulting in civilian deaths and the loss of lives of thousands of security forces over the years, have been arrested with this single stroke.

Rather than lauding the government's efforts and supporting it to bring back normalcy within a reasonable time frame, many are playing into even Pakistan's hands through their irresponsible public statements! Is the opposition and its supporters so unhappy that Modi has come back with a thumping majority and that many of them have, consequently, been rendered irrelevant and insignificant on the political firmament, that they've lost their objectivity?

The list is endless. There's a slowing down of the economy and they jump up in glee. The ex-CPM politburo member from Kashmir, Mr.MY Tarigami says that Kashmir has been locked out and Yechuri says that he'll go to the Supreme Court to bring back Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Ain't they anti-national? The states ruled by the opposition, in toto, refuse to implement the new Motor Vehicle Act. Aren't these signs of anti-federalism, a few BJP ruled states following them, notwithstanding!

I would like to wind it up with this episode, a friend and classmate was trying to tell us in our 'group' that, currently, things are bad in Jammu and Kashmir and to prove his point, he quoted a Pakistani twitter handle! He believes and prefers Pakistani propaganda to prove his point! Hasn't the liberal education that he had undergone, with us, turned out to be a total waste? Sad!

Am I right in my perceptions?


Tailpiece.

The month of Chingam and Onam are behind us and today is the first of the Malayalam month, 'Kanni. The 'aarathi' of Lekha was carried out and the coin was deposited in the box kept for the purpose. It was another quiet day when I did anything worthwhile!           

The real story comes out.

The truth about the transfer of Madras High Court Chief Justice Vijaya K Tahilramani as told by Justice Markandeya Katju.

He argues, why it is unfair to blame SC Collegium on this issue.

"The real reason for Chief Justice Tahilramani's transfer, as I was informed in my conversations, was that she was hardly working in the Madras High Court. She would sit only till 1200 or 1230 hrs, but not in the post-lunch session. Following her example, many other Justices of the Madras high Court would also not sit in the post-lunch session.

Even when Chief Justice Tahilramani would sit in Court, she would at most pass Interim Orders and adjourn cases and hardly gave any final judgement.

While there are many outstanding Justices in the Madras High Court, the behaviour of the Chief Justice - who is expected to lead from the front - was having an adverse effect on the working of the court.

Hence, Chief Justice Tahilramani was transferred to a High Court that had relatively little work.

The Madras High Court is a Chartered High Court and one of the premier High Courts in the country with a great reputation. It has a large number of cases pending, with tremendous pressure on Justices to decide those cases. I know this from personal knowledge, as I was the Chief Justice there. If the Chief Justice is indolent and lackadaisical, he/she has no business to be in that court".

       *                          *                             *

CRZ-violator builder - with a project on the verge of demolition in Maradu as per the Supreme Court order - is Kerala Government's partner in its low-cost-housing project. 

296 flats being built for the very low income group/homeless - under the 'Janani Project' at Perumbavoor - is being handled by the Holy Faith builders! 

No wonder then that the builders have been studiously kept away, from the situation arising out of the Supreme Court order on demolition, by the state government.

The Chief Secretary who'd made a big show of visiting the affected flats at Maradu, the other day, was the Director of the Janani Project when it was approved in '17.

What a drama? Just another instance of misleading the general public!

      *                            *                            *

Heard Shashi Tharoor say that he has been slapped with three cases because he has been speaking the truth.

Wonder what is the truth, that he has uttered, for which he is being castigated as he claims?

First, Mr. Tharoor come clean about your wife, Sunanda Pushkar's mysterious death and then, continue with your politics. Aren't you aware of the fact that people are sniggering at you and your weaknesses? Mind you, it was your party men who were the first to disown you with your newfound love for PM Narendra Modi!


Tailpiece.

Had gone across to the service station to hand over my car for its servicing. The traffic snarl was bearable and I could turn in at Puzhakkal, where the culvert work is reaching its final phase. Phew! Just prior to that, Pramod had set the puncture right on the spare tyre. Otherwise, it was a quiet day!! As the rain seems to have receded, the heat has gone up.

Happenings that baffle me!

The recent happenings taking place in our country have never stopped baffling me by their sheer stupidity and the audacity of the people who stand by them. The events that I'm gonna touch upon are the following:-

    (a) The clamour for reducing the steep fines as per the new Motor Vehicles Act.
    (b) The craze for the use of hoardings
    (c) Income Tax of the CM and the ministers being borne by the UP government.

(a) The Clamour for Reducing Steep Penalties.

      Some of these statistics reveal a lot about the trends in road traffic accidents:-

      * Speeding was responsible for causing 73% of all road accident injuries in '17.
      * Most of the steps taken in the past focused on the victims of road accidents instead of the errant
         drivers. So, from last year a 3-yr insurance policy for cars and a 5-yr insurance policy for two-
         wheelers have been introduced. Further, a scheme to set up trauma centres at every 100 kms on
         the highways has been launched. A 'Good Samaritan law' has been put in place so that people
         will readily help the victims. The new Motor Vehicles Act is an attempt to tackle the cause of
         the problem of road accidents - bad drivers!
      * The fear of fines seem to be working. There has been a rush to buy insurance. Sale of helmets
         has gone up and compliance with traffic rules has become better but it, still, has to go a long
         way.

      Many states have urged the centre to have a rethink in the imposition of high penalties. And mind
      you, all these states are coming up for Assembly elections in the coming months and they fear a
      drop in their electoral performance because the public is unhappy about the new law. Sad!

      It's my hope that the union government takes a tough stance on the issue and ensures that the high
      penalties for traffic offences are introduced without fear or favour, in all the states!

 (b) The Curse of the Hoardings.

       23 year old, R Subhashri fell on the arterial Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam road after a huge
       hoarding, erected on the median crashed on her and a water tanker that had come from behind
       ran over her and she was declared 'brought in dead' at a nearby hospital. She was returning home,
       after completing her shift in a software firm, when she met with her gory end.

       There are enough court orders restricting the erection of hoardings at highways and
       thoroughfares as they cover key traffic directions and are distracting. However, all the political
       parties without exception, have ignored the orders and have been erecting them with a gay
       abandon. The particular hoarding was put up by an AIADMK ex-councillor, on account of his
       son's wedding!

       RIP Subhashri! My tears and prayers. Here's me wishing that your near and dear ones have the
       strength to tide over your irreplaceable loss.

 (c) Income Tax of the UP Cabinet Paid from Government Coffers!

      Uttar Pradesh Ministers' Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Act was passed in 1981 when
      VP Singh was the chief minister. When the Bill was being debated in the state assembly, he had
      said that most of the ministers were from a poor background and got meagre salaries.

      The state has seen 19 CMs and almost 1,000 ministers since the Act was passed in '81. This year,
      the state council of ministers' total income tax bill, picked up by the state treasury, worked out to
      be Rs.86 lakhs!

      This practice has been brought to an end, now, by the Yogi Adityanath government. Thank God
      for minor mercies!


Tailpiece.

The Krishnanattam went on till 0145 hrs and by the time we turned in to bed it was a half past 2. The story was the 'swayamvaram' of Sri Krishna with Rugmini and Sathyabhama. Rema and Padmakumar were dropped at the private bus stand from where they got a bus to the Vyttila hub by 7, this morning, as they had a function to attend at Thrippunithura, around lunch time.

               

Sabotage?

Shockingly, from the commonality of failure pattern while descending on to moon surface suffered by both BERESHEET lander of Israel on 11 Apr '19 and VIKRAM lander of ISRO on 07 Sep '19, both the space agencies are now convinced that there is a possibility that something common has occurred in both(Chandrayan-2 and Beresheet) going awry.

At least two ISRO scientists familiar with the space agency's plans have told that after ISRO's failure analysis committee concludes its inquiry into how and why lander Vikram lost the communication link with the master control room, ISRO and SpaceIL of Israel plan to put their heads together and exchange notes to pinpoint common factors in the powered descent of both the landers which caused them to lose communication links in the last few moments of the landing process.

The key suspect in Vikram lander of Chandrayan-2 is a "Laser Retro-Reflector Arrays Package" of NASA carried as a psassive experimental module, for US scientists to 'take accurate measurements of the distance between the Earth and the Moon'. The instrument, which has been attached to the lander, is also able to precisely mention the location of the lander near/on the Moon's surface. Coincidentally, Beresheet lander of Israel also carried the same laser retroreflector arrays package from NASA.

During the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held at Texas, US, in Mar '18, NASA had confirmed that Chandrayan-2 lander Vikram and Israeli lander Beresheet, would carry these NASA owned laser retroreflector  arrays.

This lead to the suspicion as while there are many such laser reflectors left on the Moon surface by previous unmanned and manned Moon landings for the purpose of measurement of the distance between the Earth and the Moon and that now no more measurements are left to be done, as enough measurements have already been done, then why is this initiative from NASA on the two novice moon landing attempts being made?

The possible answer is not to let them succeed(!) for many reasons known and unknown, by knocking them out at the fag end of descent by "Laser Target Illumination" from Earth on to the "Laser Retro-Reflector Arrays" and pumping high power laser from its space roving secret laser weapon platform. By this way there will be no suspicion as the laser illumination and laser pumping cannot be detected by any means until human(s) physically go on to the Moon surface to the ill fated landers to investigate the cause of failure, which never will happen!

What is this secret space based laser weapon being accused about here? It is the US Air Force's X-37B military space plane that has been circling Earth, the robotic X-37B launched on its fifth and latest mission, is also known as Orbital Test Vehicle 5 (OTV-5). This is a reusable spacecraft, which looks like a miniature version of NASA's space shuttle, has been zipping around our planet and exactly what the X-37B is doing up there remains a topic of much speculation. Although the Air Force has disclosed some of the payloads that have flown to orbit on the X-37B, most of the space plane's on board gear is classified, as are the details of its orbital activities. This secrecy has led to some speculation that the vehicle is some sort of space based laser weapon, perhaps one designed to take out enemy satellites. However, the Air Force has always denied this notion, insisting that the X-37B is just testing out technologies for future spacecraft and carrying various experiments up to space and back.

If the facts are put together, dotting the 'i'(s) and crossing the 't'(s), both the ill-fated landers which have been forcibly fitted with these retrolaser reflectors arrays package by NASA on the pretext of of Earth-Moon distance measurement, both landers having faced similar failure during final descent phase, known history of US going to any extent to maintain its technology dominance and be the first to test its latest weapon systems, likely vested interest in the rare resources of the Moon and many other reasons; only time will reveal.......it is possible that both the landers are victims of US clandestine attack with its prototype space based latest laser weapon system!

Note. Adapted from What'sApp.

My take.

Fact or fiction?


Tailpiece.

The rain seems to be over, at least for now. The sun was bright making it warm and humid. Rema and Padmakumar had fetched up by a half past 10. They are one of the sponsors of the 'Krisnanattam' this evening and the subject is 'Swayamvaram'!  

Literary sense of humour.

"Lexophile" is a term used to describe those who are clever with words, such as "you can tune a piano" but you can't tuna fish" or "to write with a broken pencil is pointless".

 (a) A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
 (b) The batteries were given out free of charge.
 (c) A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.
 (d) A will is a dead give away.
 (e) A boiled egg is hard to beat.
 (f) Police were called to daycare centre, where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
 (g) Did you hear about the fellow whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
 (h) A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
 (j)  The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine is now fully re-covered.
 (k) He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
 (l)  When she saw her first strands of grey hair thought she'd dye.
 (m)Acupuncture is a job well done. That's the point of it.

   *                             *                             *

The great "Pun"dits say........

 * The person who invented the door knock.........won the No-bell prize.
 * I couldn't work out how to fasten my seat belt........then it clicked.
 * Thieves had broken into my house and stolen everything except my soap, shower gel, towels and
    deodorant..........dirty fellows.
 * I can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory.....all I did was to take a day off.
 * To the guy who invented Zero.......thanks for nothing!
 * Singing in the shower is all fun and games until you get shampoo in your mouth.......then it just
    becomes a soap opera.
 * Want to hear a construction joke?.......I'm working on it.
 * A prisoner's favourite punctuation mark is the period......it marks the end of his sentence.
 * I have a few theories about unemployed people.....but never mind; none of them work.
 * Two antennas met on a roof and got married.......the wedding was okay but the reception was
    incredible.
 * Sleeping comes so naturally to me.........I could do it with my eyes closed.
 * A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to the hospital. When his grandmother
    telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said......."No change yet".
 * There was once a cross-eyed teacher.........she just couldn't control her pupils.
 * I am selling my guitar..........no strings attached!
 * I usually take steps........to avoid elevators.


Tailpiece.

Rains seem to have receded. It was sunny though the sun didn't shine very enthusiastically! Had made a trip to the town to buy us some fruits. Sijo was my sa'arthi.

Lighter moments.......

When you have nothing better to do, just try answers for these!

  (a) If poison expires, is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous?
  (b) Which letter is silent in the word "scent", the S or the C?
  (c) Do twins ever realise that one of them is unplanned?
  (d) Why is the letter W, in English, called double U? Shouldn't it be called double V?
  (e) Maybe Oxygen is slowly killing you and it just takes 75-100 years to fully work.
  (f) Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty.
  (g) The word "swims" upside-down is still "swims".
  (h) 100 years ago everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today everyone has cars
        and only the rich own horses.
  (j) If you replace "W" with "T" in "What, where and when", you get the answer to each of them.

Four great confusions still unresolved...

  (a) At a movie theatre, which arm rest is yours?
  (b) If people evolve from monkeys, why are monkeys still around?
  (c) Why is there a "D" in fridge, but not in the refrigerator?
  (d) Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made?

Vagaries of English language!

  (a) Wonder why the word funeral starts with FUN?
  (b) Why isn't a Fireman called a Water-man?
  (c) How come Lipstick doesn't do what it says?
  (d) If money doesn't grow on trees, how come Banks have Branches?
  (e) If a Vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a Humanitarian eat?
  (f) How do you get off a non-stop Flight?
  (g) Why are goods sent by ship called CARGO and those sent by truck called SHIPMENT?
  (h) Why do we put cups in the dishwasher and the dishes in the cupboard?

A Few Proverbs Revisited.

  (a) Swedish. The pillow is the best advisor.
        Meaning. Sleep over a problem and see how you feel in the morning.

  (b) Kenyan. When elephants fight, it is the grass that gets hurt.
        Meaning. Fights of the powerful hurt only the little guys.

  (c) Ancient Roman. Hunger is the best sauce.
       Meaning. Everything tastes better when you are hungry.

  (d) Japanese. A frog in a well does not know the great sea.
        Meaning. There is more going on than you know, try and see the big picture.

  (e) Turkish. If the world is flooded, it would not matter to the duck.
       Meaning. Things that are bad for you, aren't always bad for everyone.

  (f) Filipino. Leave it to the batman.
       Meaning. Some problems require superheroes to solve.

  (g) Russian. To live with the wolves, you have to howl like a wolf.
        Meaning. In dangerous situations, try and blend in.

  (h) French. A hungry stomach has no ears.
        Meaning. You can't concentrate without food in your tummy.

  (j)  Kenyan. Slippery ground does not recognise a king.
        Meaning. Even the most powerful people are just human deep down.

  (k) Gaelic. A cat in mittens won't catch mice.
        Meaning. Being careful and polite doesn't always get things done.


Tailpiece.

It had rained all through the night and the morning had also begun wet. The sun, however, came out by 11 AM. Avittam(The third Onam) was a quiet day!
  

The US-Taliban deal is dead - for the moment.

The 'deal' negotiated with the Taliban, by Khalilzad (The Afghan-American diplomat), is humiliating for the US and deals a serious blow to American credibility. He misinterpreted President Trump's eagerness to leave Afghanistan before the 2020 US elections as a licence to agree to anything that the terrorist organisation, guided by the ISI, wanted.

Agreeing for Taliban to sign as representatives of the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' meant that the US has recognised Taliban as the de facto rulers of Afghanistan and its elected government as illegitimate. There was nothing in the deal that would enable the US to ensure compliance with the deal by the Taliban. Its NATO allies who have contributed so much over the last 18 yrs were rendered voiceless.

The American strategic community considers the deal nothing less than a surrender. That is the reason why the US Secretary of State refused to sign the deal negotiated by Khalilzad.

Quite a while back, President Obama had left Iraq prematurely and the US had to deal with the IS(IS).

Instead of controlling the IS and the Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, the Taliban would have incorporated them into their killer machine that would terrorise Shia Hazaras, Afghan women and spread terrorism in neighbouring countries. Since literally no country would provide financial aid to a terrorist entity, it would depend on growing more and more opium, creating a huge narco-terror problem for the world.

It's high time Russia, Iran, China etc realise that rather than undermining the Afghan government by dealing with the Taliban, they should join in an effort to strengthen it and support a deal that does not reward the killers as victors. The Pakistanis must be disgusted but for India, it's welcome as we will continue to have a regime, friendly to us and the continued American presence there will keep the terrorists on a tight leash! 

President Trump understands the perils of a humiliating deal that will endanger his re-election in 2020.

Note. An analysis by a dear friend of mine to which I subscribe!

      *                         *                          *

Buying a car vs. Hiring a cab

Any car in India costs at least Rs.6,00,000/-
Scrap value after 6 yrs  -  Rs.1,00,000/-
Net amount that goes in effective life of 6 yrs - Rs.5,00,000/-

Number of days in six yrs is 2,200 days.
So, Rs.5,00,000/- divided by 2,200 = Rs.230/- per day.

Yearly insurance Rs.15,000/- = Rs.41/- per day.
Daily fuel minimum = Rs.100/- per day.

After every 3 years tyre and battery change Rs.25,000/- ie. = Rs.23/- per day.

Yearly maintenance of car Rs.9,000/- ie. = Rs.25/- per day.

Plus interest loss on car buying amount @ 8% on Rs.6,00,000/- = Rs.131/- per day.

So, after buying a new car daily expenditure = Rs.850/- per day.

Until you pay Rs.850/- daily to hire a cab, you are effectively gain by travelling in a rented car.

OLA/UBER now available.

Above all:-
   
   * Driving cars on the Indian roads is full of risk coupled with mental tension/BP....
   * New hefty traffic challans not included.

Is this the real reason behind the recession in the Automobile Industry?


Tailpiece.

It was a partially wet Thiruvonam. Lekha had made an excellent 'sadya' for the two of us. Right in the morning, she'd made a beautiful 'rangoli' at the entrance with an assorted set of coloured leaves. Calls and messages continued to flood our telephones. Saw a very nice Malayalam movie, 'Uyare' in the evening!