Zindagi ki ek khaufnaak sach ( A horrific truth about life)
Ek haadse mein anek be reham maut ne,
hamein zindagi ki ek khaufnaak sach se mila diya.
Sirf do hi pal pehle,
Hum zindagi ki ek khubsoorat ujale ki taraf dekh rahe the’
Magar un do palon mein ,
Sab kuch badal gaya.
Uss din ke ujaale mein woh tamam log,
Shaayad anginat sapne dekh rahe the’
Aur apni apni manzilon ki soch mein shaayad doobe huye the’.
Magar un sab ko kya pata tha,
Ki kuch palon mein hi,
Unka yeh safar un sab ko,
Kisi aur jahaan ki taraf hamesha ke liye le jayega.
Woh tamaam log mere kuch nahi the’ ,
Magar phir bhi naa jaane kyon,
Is ek haadse ne,
Mujhe maayusi ki kisi gehri jheel mein dubo diya,
Aur zindagi ki un tamaam khubsoorat ujalon ki kaamna karte hue bhi,
Aise kaufnaak sach ka saamna karne par bhi,
Hamein majboor kar diya.
Sach, iss zindagi ke ujaale khubsoorat zaroor hain
Magar saath saath kuch aise khaufnaak sach,
Dubo dete hain ham sab ko,
Mayusi ki kisi gehri jheel mein.
Translated
Tragic loss of lives in an incident,
Revealed a horrific truth about life to me.
Just two moments ago,
I was looking towards a beautiful dawn of life,
But in those two moments itself,
Everything changed.
During the dawn of that day, all those people,
Were perhaps involved with countless of dreams,
And perhaps were thinking about their respective destinations.
But what did they know,
That a few moments later,
This journey of theirs,
Would take them forever, towards another world.
All those people were no one of mine,
But still, for reasons unknown
This one incident
Drowned me into a deep lake of sorrow,
And despite aspiring for those beautiful dawns of life,
Compelled me to face such horrific truths as well.
Really, life’s dawns are beautiful,
But at the same time such horrific truths,
Drown all of us,
Into the lake of sorrrow.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
An Open Letter to Our Respected Home Minister
The following letter was authored by me as an expression of growing concern to the mindless loss of lives of our jawans, who too had loved ones back home, and the growing vulnerability of the Indian state to such security threats both internally and externally.
If you share these sentiments, and agree with what I have to suggest, then kindly share it with your friends etc. to build up a strong public opinion on the same.
Best Wishes
Navneet
Respected Chidambaram ji,
You have earned the respect and admiration of millions of we citizens, by owning up the responsibility behind the Dantewada massacre, and even offering to step down from the post of Union Home Minister.
You were certainly not off the mark in Lalgarh, where you stated that the "buck stops at the Chief Minister's desk" where tackling the Naxal menance was concerned. It is a common knowledge that the law and order is state subject, and hence it is the Chief Minister of the affected state/s, who has to shoulder the prime responsibility behind the same. Centre’s role in such matters should ideally be supplementary in nature.
Having said that, it is now high time for us to take stock of the situation, and face the reality which is confronting our nation today, despite the fact that the same may not be palatable to some of us.
A disclaimer - even though you have held to the high moral ground that the buck behind the Dantewada massacre stops at your desk, yet it would not be fair to hold only you personally accountable for the state of affairs as highlighted below. But yes, fortunately or unfortunately, since you have been occupying the "hot seat" which was literally thrust upon you in the aftermath of 26/11, you cannot escape such bitter truths which exist as on date. Furthermore, we citizens expect you to be on the forefront and muster all courage, skills, energy, while effectively discharging your responsibilities as the Union Home Minister.
The Times of India dated 7th April, serves a chilling reminder to the overall vulnerability of the Indian state, to both internal and external security threats, notwithstanding the fact that for nearly three decades now, we have been grappling with jehadi terrorism , and above all, over the past four decades or so our struggle with the naxal menance which by now has managed to evolve itself as the single biggest internal threat to our Nation, with the Dantewada massacre leaving no doubt whatsoever in anyone's mind about the same.
The front page of this issue of The Times of India highlights five incidents of Naxal violence on our men in uniform since 15th March ,2007 till 15th Feb 2010, in which more than 150 security personnel lost their lives. Alongside this newsitem is a statistic which suggests that while 133 people were killed by militants in J&K in 2009, 1134 died in Naxal violence.
On the bottom of this page a newsitem, " 26/11 killers quietly buried in January", though unrelated , yet served us a grim reminder of the fact that despite a tragedy like 26/11, our establishment is yet to learn every alphabet of the word "security", and imbibe the same in the overall psyche of our body politic.
Then the other headline on the frontpage itself, " Chinese hackers steal secret defence files" added that proverbial salt to our wounds, which are yet to be healed even decades after battling such internal and external threats.
The reasons are not hard to find. The passing of the buck between at the high echelons of our political leadership, which preceded before the Dantewada massacre, made a complete mockery of the seriousness among the distinguished parliamentarians of our country, where our fight against the Naxal violence is concerned.
This coupled with a report in this very edition of The Times of India, :
" With polls due later this year , Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is reluctant to engage in any major offensive , Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren has always been slippery on Maosists, and West Bengal CM Buddadeb Bhattacharjee is squabbling with the Centre. It is only off late that Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik has joined the anti Naxal operations and began to get after the ultras in his state..." leaves no room for any doubt whatsover that vested political interests are the biggest threat, not for our politicians and powers that be who are in any way well protected with A-Z class security cover at we taxpayer's expense, but rather the threat is for we the common citizens, and those of our loved ones who have had the courage to join the various security forces, with the noble objective of securing our motherland and we citizens, from such threats.
While reams and reams of paper and tonnes of ink could be wasted in analyzing the genesis and root cause behind such threats alongwith the suggested options, which could also include the opinions of some sympathizers of the Naxals, two questions which should now be on the uppermost in our minds are:
"How many more lives have to be sacrificed just for the sake of some vested political interests and an indifferent bureaucratic set up which seems to be immune to such sacrifices of our valiant loved ones?" and
" Is it worthwhile for our loved ones to opt for a career in the security forces,being fully aware of the fact that while they may be able to vanquish their adversary, but not even God would be able to save them from the vested political interests and the relative indifference of the powers that be?"
The revelation by the media of the sub human and dangerous conditions of the camps where our jawans are put up, and are expected to put their lives at risk at the drop of a hat during anti Naxal operations , were truly appalling to say the least, and should make our heads hang in shame. Apart from Naxals , they have to face the omnipresent threats from malaria and poisonous reptiles, besides craving for adequate food and drinking water. What a tragic tale of government apathy towards all those who chose a profession which called for supreme sacrifice!
As on date our political leadership is yet to decide on using the airpower in anti Naxal operations. The reasons advanced sound noble theoretically, as offensive airpower is ideally meant for enemy across the border.
But one question which begs an answer till date is:
" How many more jawans with loved ones back home have to be sacrificed at the altar of an indecisive, soft, and indifferent leadership and bureaucratic apparatus which seems to be woefully divorced from the ground realities, and seem to be confined to their secure air conditioned environments to take bold, practical, and timely decisions?"
Yes, the use of airpower need not necessarily imply carpet bombing of the Naxal affected areas, rather it could be used to effectively track down the Naxals in those difficult terrains, and help in mounting the right offensive at the earliest.
Respected Chidambaram ji, mercifully enough, the opposition has been very responsible in its reaction post the massacre, and have pledged their support to you. Capitalizing on this opportunity to forge a political consensus, cutting across party lines and political ideologies, to use the right strategy, right technology, and right weapon systems, against the single biggest threat facing our nation, is something which is now only too obvious to merit any mention.
And finally, given our poltico bureaucratic culture, those in the lowermost ranks of our security apparatus are often ignored while taking crucial decisions on such operations. Yet tragically enough, it is these very personnel from the lowermost ranks who lead in making the supreme sacrifices during such operations.
If we are really serious about tackling the various internal and external threats confronting our nation today, and do believe that a highly motivated security apparatus is the need of the hour where each jawan is convinced that he has the complete backing of the state, then we would have to imbibe a new work culture in this entire politico bureaucratic set up, where all crucial decisions are primarily centered around if not dictated, by the various professional and logistics related needs of those, who are expected to be the first to put their lives at stake for our security.
To be specific, their security and professional efficiency should be the twin objectives, central to any crucial decisions relating to such operations.
Yes, this would call for out of box thinking, greater coordination and cooperation between various agencies directly or indirectly involved in our security, but then there is no other alternative.
As a footnote, let us not forget that the day a realization dawns among our jawans that:
“Is it worthwhile for us to risk our lives when our powers that be are ignoring us, and is it worthwhile to leave our loved ones to grieve our loss all their lives?" that day we would face an insurmountable challenge which can take the winds off our sails.
We are confident the despite such challenges confronting our Nation today, you would not disappoint we the people of India, and leave an indelible mark later on , by virtue of your extraordinary accomplishments as our Union Home Minister.
Most Respectfully,
Navneet Dhawan
New Delhi.
If you share these sentiments, and agree with what I have to suggest, then kindly share it with your friends etc. to build up a strong public opinion on the same.
Best Wishes
Navneet
Respected Chidambaram ji,
You have earned the respect and admiration of millions of we citizens, by owning up the responsibility behind the Dantewada massacre, and even offering to step down from the post of Union Home Minister.
You were certainly not off the mark in Lalgarh, where you stated that the "buck stops at the Chief Minister's desk" where tackling the Naxal menance was concerned. It is a common knowledge that the law and order is state subject, and hence it is the Chief Minister of the affected state/s, who has to shoulder the prime responsibility behind the same. Centre’s role in such matters should ideally be supplementary in nature.
Having said that, it is now high time for us to take stock of the situation, and face the reality which is confronting our nation today, despite the fact that the same may not be palatable to some of us.
A disclaimer - even though you have held to the high moral ground that the buck behind the Dantewada massacre stops at your desk, yet it would not be fair to hold only you personally accountable for the state of affairs as highlighted below. But yes, fortunately or unfortunately, since you have been occupying the "hot seat" which was literally thrust upon you in the aftermath of 26/11, you cannot escape such bitter truths which exist as on date. Furthermore, we citizens expect you to be on the forefront and muster all courage, skills, energy, while effectively discharging your responsibilities as the Union Home Minister.
The Times of India dated 7th April, serves a chilling reminder to the overall vulnerability of the Indian state, to both internal and external security threats, notwithstanding the fact that for nearly three decades now, we have been grappling with jehadi terrorism , and above all, over the past four decades or so our struggle with the naxal menance which by now has managed to evolve itself as the single biggest internal threat to our Nation, with the Dantewada massacre leaving no doubt whatsoever in anyone's mind about the same.
The front page of this issue of The Times of India highlights five incidents of Naxal violence on our men in uniform since 15th March ,2007 till 15th Feb 2010, in which more than 150 security personnel lost their lives. Alongside this newsitem is a statistic which suggests that while 133 people were killed by militants in J&K in 2009, 1134 died in Naxal violence.
On the bottom of this page a newsitem, " 26/11 killers quietly buried in January", though unrelated , yet served us a grim reminder of the fact that despite a tragedy like 26/11, our establishment is yet to learn every alphabet of the word "security", and imbibe the same in the overall psyche of our body politic.
Then the other headline on the frontpage itself, " Chinese hackers steal secret defence files" added that proverbial salt to our wounds, which are yet to be healed even decades after battling such internal and external threats.
The reasons are not hard to find. The passing of the buck between at the high echelons of our political leadership, which preceded before the Dantewada massacre, made a complete mockery of the seriousness among the distinguished parliamentarians of our country, where our fight against the Naxal violence is concerned.
This coupled with a report in this very edition of The Times of India, :
" With polls due later this year , Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is reluctant to engage in any major offensive , Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren has always been slippery on Maosists, and West Bengal CM Buddadeb Bhattacharjee is squabbling with the Centre. It is only off late that Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik has joined the anti Naxal operations and began to get after the ultras in his state..." leaves no room for any doubt whatsover that vested political interests are the biggest threat, not for our politicians and powers that be who are in any way well protected with A-Z class security cover at we taxpayer's expense, but rather the threat is for we the common citizens, and those of our loved ones who have had the courage to join the various security forces, with the noble objective of securing our motherland and we citizens, from such threats.
While reams and reams of paper and tonnes of ink could be wasted in analyzing the genesis and root cause behind such threats alongwith the suggested options, which could also include the opinions of some sympathizers of the Naxals, two questions which should now be on the uppermost in our minds are:
"How many more lives have to be sacrificed just for the sake of some vested political interests and an indifferent bureaucratic set up which seems to be immune to such sacrifices of our valiant loved ones?" and
" Is it worthwhile for our loved ones to opt for a career in the security forces,being fully aware of the fact that while they may be able to vanquish their adversary, but not even God would be able to save them from the vested political interests and the relative indifference of the powers that be?"
The revelation by the media of the sub human and dangerous conditions of the camps where our jawans are put up, and are expected to put their lives at risk at the drop of a hat during anti Naxal operations , were truly appalling to say the least, and should make our heads hang in shame. Apart from Naxals , they have to face the omnipresent threats from malaria and poisonous reptiles, besides craving for adequate food and drinking water. What a tragic tale of government apathy towards all those who chose a profession which called for supreme sacrifice!
As on date our political leadership is yet to decide on using the airpower in anti Naxal operations. The reasons advanced sound noble theoretically, as offensive airpower is ideally meant for enemy across the border.
But one question which begs an answer till date is:
" How many more jawans with loved ones back home have to be sacrificed at the altar of an indecisive, soft, and indifferent leadership and bureaucratic apparatus which seems to be woefully divorced from the ground realities, and seem to be confined to their secure air conditioned environments to take bold, practical, and timely decisions?"
Yes, the use of airpower need not necessarily imply carpet bombing of the Naxal affected areas, rather it could be used to effectively track down the Naxals in those difficult terrains, and help in mounting the right offensive at the earliest.
Respected Chidambaram ji, mercifully enough, the opposition has been very responsible in its reaction post the massacre, and have pledged their support to you. Capitalizing on this opportunity to forge a political consensus, cutting across party lines and political ideologies, to use the right strategy, right technology, and right weapon systems, against the single biggest threat facing our nation, is something which is now only too obvious to merit any mention.
And finally, given our poltico bureaucratic culture, those in the lowermost ranks of our security apparatus are often ignored while taking crucial decisions on such operations. Yet tragically enough, it is these very personnel from the lowermost ranks who lead in making the supreme sacrifices during such operations.
If we are really serious about tackling the various internal and external threats confronting our nation today, and do believe that a highly motivated security apparatus is the need of the hour where each jawan is convinced that he has the complete backing of the state, then we would have to imbibe a new work culture in this entire politico bureaucratic set up, where all crucial decisions are primarily centered around if not dictated, by the various professional and logistics related needs of those, who are expected to be the first to put their lives at stake for our security.
To be specific, their security and professional efficiency should be the twin objectives, central to any crucial decisions relating to such operations.
Yes, this would call for out of box thinking, greater coordination and cooperation between various agencies directly or indirectly involved in our security, but then there is no other alternative.
As a footnote, let us not forget that the day a realization dawns among our jawans that:
“Is it worthwhile for us to risk our lives when our powers that be are ignoring us, and is it worthwhile to leave our loved ones to grieve our loss all their lives?" that day we would face an insurmountable challenge which can take the winds off our sails.
We are confident the despite such challenges confronting our Nation today, you would not disappoint we the people of India, and leave an indelible mark later on , by virtue of your extraordinary accomplishments as our Union Home Minister.
Most Respectfully,
Navneet Dhawan
New Delhi.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A faux pax at the World Bank ?
According to a newspaper report, our Executive Director to the World Bank Mr. Pulok Chatterjee, at an internal meeting of the World Bank in Washington DC on the 12th February, which was attended by Executive Director China - Mr. Shaolin Yang, World Bank General Counsel (legal) and Vice President South Asia Division, had verbally conveyed to the Bank, that no Arunachal Pradesh specific projects would be posed to it for financing.
“I also took the liberty to say that the names of the individual states would not be mentioned anywhere in the project document, and that the Government of India would not be posing any Arunachal Pradesh specific project to World Bank.” Mr. Chatterjee informed the Finance Secretary Mr. Ashok Chawla, in a letter written soon after the World Bank meeting. This letter is reportedly in the possession of that newspaper.
Quite expectedly, Mr. Shaolin Yang wanted operationalisation of this statement.
According to our Minister for External Affairs - Mr. S.M. Krishna, while defending the decision not to seek World Bank assistance for projects in Arunachal Pradesh, stated that “necessity arises when we are starved of funds for technical projects in our Country, which is inclusive of Arunachal Pradesh. As of now, for every project in Arunachal Pradesh, we have been able to tie up internal resources.”
But on its part, the Finance Ministry said that India had not made any commitment to the World Bank that it would not pose any Arunachal Pradesh specific projects. “ No such discussion or dialogue can be termed as a conclusive official stand or commitment till it has been formally approved by the government,” a statement from the Finance Ministry said.
Assuming the authenticity of these facts as reported in the newspaper, one wonders:
1. Who gave Mr. Chatterjee the authority or directive to give such kind of a verbal commitment to the World Bank officials, by specifically mentioning Arunachal Pradesh, and that too in the presence of Executive Director China - Mr. Shaolin Yang who later pressed for the operationalisation of this verbal statement ?
2. If Mr. Krishna’s defense of this decision by Mr. Chatterjee is to be accepted, then one wonders if stating such obvious facts was really called for ? Have other countries made similar kind of statements verbally or otherwise in such forums of the World Bank?
3. Would Mr. Krishna be kind enough to clarify if, as of now, are we funding all the technical projects in our country, from our own internal resources, or it is just confined to Arunachal Pradesh?
4. If we are indeed funding all the technical projects in our country as of now from our own internal resources (which would be truly amazing), then do we not reserve the right to approach the World Bank any time in the future, for funding requirements of any technical projects in any integral part of our country, including Arunachal Pradesh as well?
5. If we do reserve the right to approach the World Bank in the future, for funding requirements of technical projects in Arunachal Pradesh as well, besides others, then the verbal commitment given by Mr. Chatterjee, as accepted by him in his letter to the Finance Secretary Mr. Chawla, falls flat on his face, and should he be allowed to continue being our representative in the World Bank? and
6. If only the technical projects in Arunachal Pradesh are being and would be funded through our internal resources, then what reservations do we have in operationalising this statement of Mr. Chatterjee, as demanded by Mr.Yang?
The assertion of the Finance Ministry, that no such discussion or dialogue can be termed conclusive official stand or commitment, till it has been formally approved by the government, contradicts the stand taken by Mr. S.M. Krishna, and also puts a question mark on the credibility of Mr,. Pulok Chatterjee, who is after all a representative of the Indian Government at the World Bank.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Finance Ministry seem to be contradicting each other in such a serious matter, which concerns the very integrity of our country. Assuming the authenticity of the above statement of the Finance Ministry, what if the Government of India overrules the verbal statement of Mr. Chatterjee, then would it not imply losing confidence in him besides contradicting our Minister of External Affairs Mr. Krishna as well?
With the Sharm El Shaikh disaster still fresh in our minds, this yet another possible faux pax concerning a troubled spot in our bilateral relationship with China, would be too much for us to bear.
While verbal denials , twisting of the words, playing upon the various possible interpretations, as is done usually by the spokespersons, might come in plenty, yet nothing short of rolling at least one head, should be the right action to send across a message, that when it comes to our territorial integrity, there can be and will be no compromise.
No prizes for guessing, whose head that should be.
“I also took the liberty to say that the names of the individual states would not be mentioned anywhere in the project document, and that the Government of India would not be posing any Arunachal Pradesh specific project to World Bank.” Mr. Chatterjee informed the Finance Secretary Mr. Ashok Chawla, in a letter written soon after the World Bank meeting. This letter is reportedly in the possession of that newspaper.
Quite expectedly, Mr. Shaolin Yang wanted operationalisation of this statement.
According to our Minister for External Affairs - Mr. S.M. Krishna, while defending the decision not to seek World Bank assistance for projects in Arunachal Pradesh, stated that “necessity arises when we are starved of funds for technical projects in our Country, which is inclusive of Arunachal Pradesh. As of now, for every project in Arunachal Pradesh, we have been able to tie up internal resources.”
But on its part, the Finance Ministry said that India had not made any commitment to the World Bank that it would not pose any Arunachal Pradesh specific projects. “ No such discussion or dialogue can be termed as a conclusive official stand or commitment till it has been formally approved by the government,” a statement from the Finance Ministry said.
Assuming the authenticity of these facts as reported in the newspaper, one wonders:
1. Who gave Mr. Chatterjee the authority or directive to give such kind of a verbal commitment to the World Bank officials, by specifically mentioning Arunachal Pradesh, and that too in the presence of Executive Director China - Mr. Shaolin Yang who later pressed for the operationalisation of this verbal statement ?
2. If Mr. Krishna’s defense of this decision by Mr. Chatterjee is to be accepted, then one wonders if stating such obvious facts was really called for ? Have other countries made similar kind of statements verbally or otherwise in such forums of the World Bank?
3. Would Mr. Krishna be kind enough to clarify if, as of now, are we funding all the technical projects in our country, from our own internal resources, or it is just confined to Arunachal Pradesh?
4. If we are indeed funding all the technical projects in our country as of now from our own internal resources (which would be truly amazing), then do we not reserve the right to approach the World Bank any time in the future, for funding requirements of any technical projects in any integral part of our country, including Arunachal Pradesh as well?
5. If we do reserve the right to approach the World Bank in the future, for funding requirements of technical projects in Arunachal Pradesh as well, besides others, then the verbal commitment given by Mr. Chatterjee, as accepted by him in his letter to the Finance Secretary Mr. Chawla, falls flat on his face, and should he be allowed to continue being our representative in the World Bank? and
6. If only the technical projects in Arunachal Pradesh are being and would be funded through our internal resources, then what reservations do we have in operationalising this statement of Mr. Chatterjee, as demanded by Mr.Yang?
The assertion of the Finance Ministry, that no such discussion or dialogue can be termed conclusive official stand or commitment, till it has been formally approved by the government, contradicts the stand taken by Mr. S.M. Krishna, and also puts a question mark on the credibility of Mr,. Pulok Chatterjee, who is after all a representative of the Indian Government at the World Bank.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Finance Ministry seem to be contradicting each other in such a serious matter, which concerns the very integrity of our country. Assuming the authenticity of the above statement of the Finance Ministry, what if the Government of India overrules the verbal statement of Mr. Chatterjee, then would it not imply losing confidence in him besides contradicting our Minister of External Affairs Mr. Krishna as well?
With the Sharm El Shaikh disaster still fresh in our minds, this yet another possible faux pax concerning a troubled spot in our bilateral relationship with China, would be too much for us to bear.
While verbal denials , twisting of the words, playing upon the various possible interpretations, as is done usually by the spokespersons, might come in plenty, yet nothing short of rolling at least one head, should be the right action to send across a message, that when it comes to our territorial integrity, there can be and will be no compromise.
No prizes for guessing, whose head that should be.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Getting Our Priorities Right
The sustained campaign by the entire media including the digital, print, and online, for Shahrukh Khan and his film ‘My Name is Khan’ till just a few days ago, kind courtesy the questionable tactics employed by messers Shiv Sena, has been totally unprecedented.
While there was certainly some merit in opposing the public stand and tactics employed by messers Shiv Sena to oppose Shahrukh Khan and his film, yet the virtual monopolization of the entire media made one wonder, “ Was it akin to a national catastrophe or a question of our very survival, that the entire media literally went head over heels in such a sustained campaign, while relatively disregarding other events, which could have grave implications for our national integrity and security?”
The tragic killing of a Kashmiri teenager Zahid Farooq Sheikh by a BSF constable , near the Dal Lake on the 5th of February this year , is one such incident, which was a casuality in the media caught in the frenzy of SRK and MNIK. No doubt there was a mention of the same, but the news was soon overshadowed by the SRK and MNIK wave.
This tragic killing triggered off a wave of protest throughout the valley, so much so that the picture of a Kashmiri teenager aiming a stone at the security forces which was flashed in a leading newspaper, spoke volumes of the kind of deep embedded hatred in the psyche of an average Kashmiri against a very important symbol of the Indian state. Surprizingly and amazingly indeed, that photograph failed to capture the imagination of the media for obvious reasons as mentioned above.
The accused BSF constable has been arrested, and the law would take its own course, but then one question which should haunt our consciousness is, “ Are we really serious about retaining our side of Kashmir, not a yet another piece of land, but as a well integrated part of the Indian Republic?”
Twenty years have passed since the uprising in Kashmir began, thanks to the rigged elections of 1987, which gave Pakistan an opportunity to forment trouble and put the ‘K’ word on the center stage vis a vis India. Even though much water has flown since then, and countless lives have been lost unnecessarily, notwithstanding the psychological damage suffered by the Kashmiris who have had to pay a heavy price both in terms of bereavement, and having to live each day in fear and threat, we seem to be caught in an endless challenge, where Kashmir is concerned.
We seem to be nowhere to a permanent solution to this menance which reared its ugly head twenty years ago. To be fair to the security forces too, it must be admitted that due to the intense pressures on duty including the omnipresent threat of being shot by a terrorist’s bullet, some of them are indeed prone to taking leave of their senses and committing such disastrous acts like the tragic killing of Zahid Farooq Sheikh.
Such acts only serve to further alienate the Kashmiri population from the Indian state, which in turn would provide an excellent fodder to Pakistan to up their ante against India.
If we are indeed serious about retaining Kashmir as a well integrated part of the Indian Republic, then its high time that we the people of India , ably assisted by our media and online communities, moved heaven and earth to sensitize our political leadership and opinion makers of the need for drastic measures required to address this issue once in for all before it is too late. Specifically, apart from the appropriate confidence building measures in the valley, we need to equip our intelligence and security forces with state of art equipment to enable them foil all attempts to create mayhem both from across the LoC and within the valley.
It is here that the media can unleash a sustained campaign to ensure that it is done.
And finally, it would not be out of place to mention here that the blast at German Bakery in Pune, is yet another reminder of the fact that we still need to get our act together. This was one of the spots recced by David Headley, a fact known to all since quite some time.
The statement by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra , Shri Ashok Chavan, “ I will find out why no adequate steps and security was taken, “ when asked why the state had failed to react in advance to the security warnings issued by the Union Home Ministry says it all.
Initiatives like 'Aman Ki Asha' and a sustained campaign for issues like MNIK may have their own merits and are welcome. But however, they look out of place when our very existence and integrity is under threat, chiefly because of the sustained initiatives from across the border.
While there was certainly some merit in opposing the public stand and tactics employed by messers Shiv Sena to oppose Shahrukh Khan and his film, yet the virtual monopolization of the entire media made one wonder, “ Was it akin to a national catastrophe or a question of our very survival, that the entire media literally went head over heels in such a sustained campaign, while relatively disregarding other events, which could have grave implications for our national integrity and security?”
The tragic killing of a Kashmiri teenager Zahid Farooq Sheikh by a BSF constable , near the Dal Lake on the 5th of February this year , is one such incident, which was a casuality in the media caught in the frenzy of SRK and MNIK. No doubt there was a mention of the same, but the news was soon overshadowed by the SRK and MNIK wave.
This tragic killing triggered off a wave of protest throughout the valley, so much so that the picture of a Kashmiri teenager aiming a stone at the security forces which was flashed in a leading newspaper, spoke volumes of the kind of deep embedded hatred in the psyche of an average Kashmiri against a very important symbol of the Indian state. Surprizingly and amazingly indeed, that photograph failed to capture the imagination of the media for obvious reasons as mentioned above.
The accused BSF constable has been arrested, and the law would take its own course, but then one question which should haunt our consciousness is, “ Are we really serious about retaining our side of Kashmir, not a yet another piece of land, but as a well integrated part of the Indian Republic?”
Twenty years have passed since the uprising in Kashmir began, thanks to the rigged elections of 1987, which gave Pakistan an opportunity to forment trouble and put the ‘K’ word on the center stage vis a vis India. Even though much water has flown since then, and countless lives have been lost unnecessarily, notwithstanding the psychological damage suffered by the Kashmiris who have had to pay a heavy price both in terms of bereavement, and having to live each day in fear and threat, we seem to be caught in an endless challenge, where Kashmir is concerned.
We seem to be nowhere to a permanent solution to this menance which reared its ugly head twenty years ago. To be fair to the security forces too, it must be admitted that due to the intense pressures on duty including the omnipresent threat of being shot by a terrorist’s bullet, some of them are indeed prone to taking leave of their senses and committing such disastrous acts like the tragic killing of Zahid Farooq Sheikh.
Such acts only serve to further alienate the Kashmiri population from the Indian state, which in turn would provide an excellent fodder to Pakistan to up their ante against India.
If we are indeed serious about retaining Kashmir as a well integrated part of the Indian Republic, then its high time that we the people of India , ably assisted by our media and online communities, moved heaven and earth to sensitize our political leadership and opinion makers of the need for drastic measures required to address this issue once in for all before it is too late. Specifically, apart from the appropriate confidence building measures in the valley, we need to equip our intelligence and security forces with state of art equipment to enable them foil all attempts to create mayhem both from across the LoC and within the valley.
It is here that the media can unleash a sustained campaign to ensure that it is done.
And finally, it would not be out of place to mention here that the blast at German Bakery in Pune, is yet another reminder of the fact that we still need to get our act together. This was one of the spots recced by David Headley, a fact known to all since quite some time.
The statement by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra , Shri Ashok Chavan, “ I will find out why no adequate steps and security was taken, “ when asked why the state had failed to react in advance to the security warnings issued by the Union Home Ministry says it all.
Initiatives like 'Aman Ki Asha' and a sustained campaign for issues like MNIK may have their own merits and are welcome. But however, they look out of place when our very existence and integrity is under threat, chiefly because of the sustained initiatives from across the border.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saath Saal Ab Hua Hai Saara...
A poem dedicated to our Republic on completing Sixty Years!!!!
"Saath saal ab hua hai saara,
Yeh pyaara gantantra Hindustan hamaara.
Hamein garv hai apni iis kamayabi par,
Jiski khabar hai ab duniya ke har kone kone par.
Rajpath par sajavat hai aaj kai jhalkiyon ki,
Hamare vibhinn pranton (various regions) ki,
Hamare kamayabi ki, khubsoorti ki,
Aur hamare taakat ke kai pehluon ki.
Jise' dekh rahe' hein aaj anginat log,
Yahaan bhi, aur duniya ke har kone par bhi."
Yeh Hindustan hai hamaara,
Dekhkar phir samajh rahe hein aaj hum bhi,
Aur duniya ke yeh anginat log sabhi."
Jai Ho !!!!
"Saath saal ab hua hai saara,
Yeh pyaara gantantra Hindustan hamaara.
Hamein garv hai apni iis kamayabi par,
Jiski khabar hai ab duniya ke har kone kone par.
Rajpath par sajavat hai aaj kai jhalkiyon ki,
Hamare vibhinn pranton (various regions) ki,
Hamare kamayabi ki, khubsoorti ki,
Aur hamare taakat ke kai pehluon ki.
Jise' dekh rahe' hein aaj anginat log,
Yahaan bhi, aur duniya ke har kone par bhi."
Yeh Hindustan hai hamaara,
Dekhkar phir samajh rahe hein aaj hum bhi,
Aur duniya ke yeh anginat log sabhi."
Jai Ho !!!!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Are We So Insensitive and Selfish?
The TV visuals of a decorated cop R. Vetrivel - a member of the team that gunned down Verrappan in 2004, bleeding profusely and crying for help, before succumbing to his injuries, should stir the conscious of every individual of this country.
What is really disgusting is the fact that two ministers and their covoy who were a witness to this tragedy, did not have that much of sense to rush him immediately to a nearby hospital, where he might have been saved.
To have expected such a maganimity from our political class is like expecting the moon, but then what holds us back from such moral obligations of ours ?? The convoy had some other individuals as well, who could have acted in time and made that critical effort, which might have made all the difference.
We are the ones to expect the world out of our valiant fellow citizens, who have joined the security forces, as and when our lives and property are threatened, but then how many amongst us even have that much of virtue in us to reciprocate our moral obligations to these very fellow citizens of ours, when they need our help???
The late R. Vetrivel was no one of ours, so let him fade into oblivion while we get going with our respective lives, and keeping our hopes and expectations high as ever from these very fellow citizens of ours.
But then dear friends, just pause to reflect, what would be our feelings if one of our own loved one, faces the same tragic end as Vetrivel, all due to the fact that no one even bothered to have made that critical effort to save him ???
I shudder to even think about it.
What is really disgusting is the fact that two ministers and their covoy who were a witness to this tragedy, did not have that much of sense to rush him immediately to a nearby hospital, where he might have been saved.
To have expected such a maganimity from our political class is like expecting the moon, but then what holds us back from such moral obligations of ours ?? The convoy had some other individuals as well, who could have acted in time and made that critical effort, which might have made all the difference.
We are the ones to expect the world out of our valiant fellow citizens, who have joined the security forces, as and when our lives and property are threatened, but then how many amongst us even have that much of virtue in us to reciprocate our moral obligations to these very fellow citizens of ours, when they need our help???
The late R. Vetrivel was no one of ours, so let him fade into oblivion while we get going with our respective lives, and keeping our hopes and expectations high as ever from these very fellow citizens of ours.
But then dear friends, just pause to reflect, what would be our feelings if one of our own loved one, faces the same tragic end as Vetrivel, all due to the fact that no one even bothered to have made that critical effort to save him ???
I shudder to even think about it.
Monday, December 28, 2009
A Poem Dedicated to the Memory of Ruchika Girotra
Uspar zulm hua tha barson pehle,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Uspar musibaton ka pahar toot pada tha barson pehle,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Woh jujhti rahi oos zulm and oon musibaton ke beech,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Ek din iis bereham zindagi se chutkara paakar,
Usne oos zulm aur oon musibaton se bhi chutkara paa liya,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Achanak aaj barson baad,
Uspar huye woh zulm aur oon tamam musibaton ko lekar,
Mujhe kisi darinde par nafrat hone lagi hai,
Aur oos nafrat ki junoon mujhmein ek baghavat jagane lagi hai,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Kaash! Barson pehle mein uske oos jung mein,
Ek jaanbaaz ki tarah sharik hua hota,
Aur kaash! Woh oos darinde par fateh paakar,
Aaj hum sab ke beech hoti.
Yeh chaahat ab mujhe satane lagi hai,
Mahar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Translated:
She was tormented long ago,
But she was no one of mine.
Mountains of trouble were heaped upon her,
But she was no one of mine.
She valiantly battled all the brutalisation and all the troubles,
But she was no one of mine.
One fine day, by relieving herself from this merciless life of hers,
She got a relief from all that brutalisation and all those troubles,
But she was no one of mine.
Suddenly now, after so long,
With all that brutalisation and troubles earlier heaped upon her,
I have developed a deep hatred towards a wretched person,
And this deep hatred in me is compelling me to revolt,
But she was no one of mine.
How I wish! Long ago in that valiant battle of hers,
I too had participated like a braveheart,
And how I wish! Today after vanquishing that wretched person ,
She was amongst all of us.
This desire is now really bothering me,
But she was no one of mine.
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Uspar musibaton ka pahar toot pada tha barson pehle,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Woh jujhti rahi oos zulm and oon musibaton ke beech,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Ek din iis bereham zindagi se chutkara paakar,
Usne oos zulm aur oon musibaton se bhi chutkara paa liya,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Achanak aaj barson baad,
Uspar huye woh zulm aur oon tamam musibaton ko lekar,
Mujhe kisi darinde par nafrat hone lagi hai,
Aur oos nafrat ki junoon mujhmein ek baghavat jagane lagi hai,
Magar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Kaash! Barson pehle mein uske oos jung mein,
Ek jaanbaaz ki tarah sharik hua hota,
Aur kaash! Woh oos darinde par fateh paakar,
Aaj hum sab ke beech hoti.
Yeh chaahat ab mujhe satane lagi hai,
Mahar woh meri kuch nahi thi.
Translated:
She was tormented long ago,
But she was no one of mine.
Mountains of trouble were heaped upon her,
But she was no one of mine.
She valiantly battled all the brutalisation and all the troubles,
But she was no one of mine.
One fine day, by relieving herself from this merciless life of hers,
She got a relief from all that brutalisation and all those troubles,
But she was no one of mine.
Suddenly now, after so long,
With all that brutalisation and troubles earlier heaped upon her,
I have developed a deep hatred towards a wretched person,
And this deep hatred in me is compelling me to revolt,
But she was no one of mine.
How I wish! Long ago in that valiant battle of hers,
I too had participated like a braveheart,
And how I wish! Today after vanquishing that wretched person ,
She was amongst all of us.
This desire is now really bothering me,
But she was no one of mine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)