The Canadian Plumber !

 

The Canadian Plumber !

CIA has had many successes to its credit. One that really stands out is its creation of "Taliban". A rabidly fanatic, motivated Islamic religious extremist group fully trained, funded and equipped by the US. Undoubtedly they were instrumental in the demise of Soviet Russia. We all know how that actually panned out in the long run. Apart from the world trade centre mayhem that literally changed the world as we knew it ;we can safely hang on it the pitiable condition of women in Afghanistan; military dictatorship and namesake democracy in Pakistan; massive influx of drugs and automatic weapons in the region; terrorism and holocaust of Kashmir's Hindus in India; strengthening of mullahcracy and fundamentalism in Iran and  destabilization of the entire middle east to name just a few. This support to Taliban has cast an ominously dark shadow on the world events and  I can not point to a single encouraging sign readily.

Break up of the soviet union has not made Europe or the western world any safer. Breakaway republics have pushed the boundaries of the Russian heartland inwards that makes them less secure in the Russian eyes giving rise to new conflicts and jostling for strategic advantage.    We recently witnessed an ICBM fired in anger, flying in the Ukrainian sky. Things could become a lot worse with several European cities within range.Of course neither is Israel any closer to avoiding a precarious existence. All of this is a going concern for the world and it goes without saying that it is costing dearly to avoid a major catastrophe. If US could turn the clock back I am certain knowing what they know now ,They would play a different card than Taliban! Using terrorism as statecraft has very limited use and a definite blow back that can be hard to absorb.

What  can Canada learn from the past? Air India flight 182 was bombed by the Canadian khalistani terrorists in 1985. It killed 268 Canadian, 27 British and 22 Indian nationals. If there is one single moment in history that was the page turner ; this was it. Canada needed to wake up and get cracking ! Sadly  Canada dropped the ball entirely. A few arrests were made  halfheartedly and One , repeat one single individual was convicted of manslaughter who was let out after a few years. This is for the biggest mass murder in the Canadian history and the most lethal act of aviation terrorism in the world at that time since World trade centre in New York had not happened yet !

Incompetence and apathy are very mild words. This is what Treason looks like in my books.

How I wish I could forewarn and tell them that ignoring and making light of this incident will have bad consequences for Canada, only it has already happened. If we dial forward to the present times we have recently seen attacks on a Hindu temple by Khalistan goons ; we have seen them proudly celebrating in the streets of Canada  murder of an elected women prime minister with complete immunity. We have seen hordes rioting in support of Hamas terrorists  and threatening Jewish entities. We have seen excuses for these act provided by people in power.  Extremists just love Canada! How in hell have these elements emboldened themselves? Canada has become a bad joke!

Canada is in north America. This can not change. Her natural alliance and interests lie with USA. Despite who is in office the facts are that Canada's external policy can not be far removed from the US. That means Canada will have an adversarial relation with Russia and will be in direct confrontation with China for the foreseeable future. That is 1/2 of the world against Canada. How intelligent was it to pick a reckless fight with a rising economic power and a democracy-India?  That made it 3/4th of the world! It may be post colonial arrogance or sheer stupidity;likely both in equal measure. Especially when you either do not have proof or can not provide proof in the murder of one Canadian plumber who actually entered the country on false documents and was running from the law with a red corner notice since 2014. A simple search on the internet will show his picture with assault weapons.  A model Canadian plumber or a typical khalistani extremist? It kind of boggles the mind that Canada shielded him by putting him on a no fly list; effectively stalling his extradition!  Political compulsions are no justification for white washing the facts . How did his citizenship get approved in the first place?

 There has been some scaling back recently and a recent shooting of another Canadian plumber; successor of the murdered plumber was not blamed on the Indian prime minister. That is real progress from the previous Canadian actions ! I was amused to see in the media how people got offended by Canada getting equated with Mexico with reference to the Chinese goods and illegals  entering the United states. This offence will look like high praise because Canada is this close  to being equated with Pakistan with reference to giving shelter , legitimacy and political space to extremism.  Be aware it is a slippery path direct to a bottomless pit.

 

 Christmas Dinner !

"Religion is poison! Protect your children!" reads Soviet poster; with the church on the child's left, and the school on her right. (1930)

 Faith is  integral to religion although it can thrive without it as well. Agnosticism - absence of all  faith is actually another faith. We all believe in something or the other. Problem only arises when faith plays second fiddle to organized religion,  because then rituals take precedence and everyone believes they have a patent on the correct path. That has always generated conflict and always will.

Soviets tried to get rid of faith by banning religion but only managed to replace God by State. Kind of why pray to God when you can pray to the State! Long time ago I was in Soviet Russia and was surprised to see a very well attended  church Sunday service despite the obvious KGB types taking pictures and noting down details of the attendees. Not all of them were old babushka's either! It was Clear that soviet war on faith was not going very well.

It is safe to assume that faith makes one mentally strong, gives one a purpose and a focus. It ought to make one a better human and it does too ; except when religion interferes ! According to genetic studies Jews and Palestinians are closer to each other than the Jews are to their host countries. I know I am oversimplifying a complex, multifaceted issue but there should be no reason for them to be anything but friends! You do not need me to tell you that Jews are  facing a running war of extinction and dishing out more grief than they are getting in return. Religion is a huge factor in that violent imbroglio and according to some analysts it is the only factor .

Even within the Islamic nations there is a clear Shia / Sunni divide. Saudi Arabia and Iran have not seen eye to eye for about 1000 years. First gulf war between Iraq and Iran raged on for eight years from 1980 to1988. In comparison Second world war between the years 1939 to1945 was shorter.  About one million Roma and six million Jews were massacred during the second world war by a misplaced sense of false Nazi superiority that  had a large dollop of religious element embedded in.

Nobody likes to talk about it any more but a communist china occupied by force a Buddhist Tibet  on very flimsy grounds in 1950's. Just because some ancient Chinese dynasty had ruled over it. Weird logic indeed! By the same logic Britain can claim entire USA/ Canada and half of the rest of the world!   Unkindest cut is that the Chinese occupation of Tibet has been normalized by an acquiescing world. It is another matter that the same Communist regime is now brutalizing Uighur a Muslim group for being Muslim ! 

Ireland's division into a protestant north and a catholic south with the violence it precipitated is rather well documented. A semblance of peace and acceptance of status quo was only achieved in late nineties after decades of serious disturbances.The rumblings for reunification are still simmering under the surface.

Pakistani's and Indians are exactly the same people. With exactly the same DNA, ancestors, history and family names. You would not know it though If I did not tell you. First the country got divided on religious grounds and then they promptly went to war. Several times in fact; over the region of Kashmir. All because Kashmir has more Muslims ! 

Al Qaeda terrorists that flew a plane full of passengers into the world trade centre NYC, killing thousands of innocents 23 years ago actually changed the entire world for ever. There were pointers before that eventful day 39 years ago when khalistani terrorists detonated a bomb mid flight killing 329 mostly Canadian passengers onboard the aircraft. Poor victims that had absolutely nothing to do with whatever grievance these vile perpetrators had. Religious frenzy and fanaticism has nothing  to do with piety and faith.

Of course there are wars that have reasons other than religion, like the Russian - Ukrainian war. According to a census 17% of the entire population of Ukraine is Russian and nearly 2 million Russian residents identify themselves as Ukrainian. The data does predate the current war but you can imagine how absurdly silly and mindless these wars are.

There is this concept of six degrees of separation, meaning all people  are six or fewer social connections away from each other and we are all related! Then there is an ancient Indian philosophy Of "Vasudev Kutumbakam"; meaning "All world is one family". 

Talking about family think of a Christmas dinner where the entire clan gets together. Does every body agree with everybody else? Are there no tantrums , no drama , no arguments? Are there no imagined or real past hurts that come to fore?  All of the above happens but really how achingly beautiful it is when everyone does sit down and  enjoy together whatever the table has on offer! Think about it!

Karl Marx did say that religion is the opium of the people. Soviets were off the mark about many things but they were spot on about religion being 'poison'. Faith on the other hand is completely another matter altogether. Let us never confuse the two!

 

 

Seize The day!

 

Congress is a political party with a long history. It is without argument that they have had the most number of illustrious and politically important  personalities in history. They have also held power several times after independence. Actually they have formed government for the longest time as compared to any other political party. 

 

Lately however they have lost one election after another and increasingly failed at the hustings in the last two  consecutive polls. There are several reasons for it , but we are not going into that analysis today. We will only focus on one area.

India is a parliamentary democracy , however all the recent elections have been about personalities rather than policies. Congress's illogical infatuation with the Gandhi family has ensured that a "Gandhi" enters the ring  on their behalf. Unfortunately for them their fighter has so far always flattered to deceive. He is under prepared, inexperienced, lacks intellect and suffers massive public perception issues. obviously the results for the hallowed party have been disastrous to say the least. As soon as you decide that they have finally bottomed out, they dive lower and then lower again!

 

Personally I do not consider their political marginalization a good thing. I would prefer an even contest where the voters have at least two good choices if not more. A potent opposition is as important as an empowered government. In an ideal world all elections would be about policies and governance records. You do not need me to tell you that we  live in an imperfect world and an election is round the corner too! What on earth can congress do ?

Congress has never found the courage to show a mirror to the Gandhi family. However the  election Gods are blessing them this time! I am serious! Thanks to the judiciary Rahul Gandhi is no longer a member of the parliament and if congress men sincerely pray very hard, he will not be able to contest elections for the next eight years. Heaven's be praised; that is exactly what the doctor ordered for a complete recovery. This is a windfall of gargantuan proportions! Congress can finally find a deserving candidate to take the field in '24. They are not short on talent either. They may still not breach the defences but if they seize the day they will live to fight again in a stronger and better position.

My nightmare is that a spineless congress will give in to their death wish; push Mrs. Vadra forward, destroying this God sent opportunity and finally burying the party forever. That will only make one Mr. Kejriwal very pleased. Now that is terribly terrifying indeed! Isn't it?

 

Taliban- Old wine , New bottle!

 

Taliban are back! That is if you believe they had ever gone away in the first place. They are who they are and it is simply futile to expect them to have changed in the intervening years that American forces were keeping them in check. US policy of first creating and supporting Taliban against USSR to failing in delivering them a decisive defeat; is quite another discussion altogether.

 

For now we will focus on what we can expect now. Firstly let us look at some comforting thoughts.Back in the heydays of Taliban, they were supported by almost the entire 57 Islamic countries including the very powerful and rich Saudi Arab. They had access to funds, technology, communications and state of art military equipment. Who can forget their use of heavy field guns to destroy massive Bamiyan Buddha world heritage site. Things in the world politics are no longer same. 9/11 has changed American thinking forever. House of Saud is shaky and power has shifted to the crown prince MBS. He has his own compulsions and plans that will find accommodating Taliban very very difficult. Turkey  other Islamic nations also will find it tough to provide Taliban anything more than a sound bite hard to sustain.

 

Iran, the other theocracy has had an uneasy relationship with Taliban. They are happy at US exit from the area but wary of a resurgent Taliban. Iran is not looking for trouble but is not going to give Taliban a free pass either. China has major plans for its economic corridors that dot the areas impacted by these reemerging forces. Moreover China is worried sick about the fallout of Islamic extremist forces getting control right next door to its suppressed Muslim Uighur population. China is completely untrustworthy but unlikely to put all its eggs in the Taliban basket.

 

USSR is no more. Russia however is not exactly a lightweight pushover! She has a  permanent and continuing interest in  her former Asian republics. Under Putin Russia will aggressively defend her turf.They are big players in the area and Taliban are already trying to keep  them in good humour. It will have a calming influence. 

 

So what of the bad boy in the neighbourhood - Pakistan? They are in an unenviable bind if you ask me! On one hand they are licking their chops and salivating at their mouths at the very thoughts of their handpicked boys coming to power in Afghanistan; on the other hand they are shaking in their boots at what it means for their society in terms of drugs, crime and security. Pakistan has already a black mark against them in the bin laden case. Any more monkey business will land them in a very serious hot soup. Their neck is already under the FATF guillotine.Then there is India which has made deep inroads in the Afghan polity by providing extensive infrastructural  help by building  Hospitals, Dams, parliament etc.. They have rather bad history with Taliban but Taliban realizes the salubrious impact such altruistic projects have had on Afghan society. How much of this goodwill will hold is not very clear. Active diplomacy is needed to tell them of Indian Red lines and the fact that It is not the same India of Kandahar hijack days.

 

Afghanistan has a government that can justifiably be said to be broad based. Hamid karzai and now Ashraf Ghani has tried to include different sections in the governance that gives them local and international acceptability. The government also commands about 300000 trained troops. If and it is a big if, Taliban numbering between 50-75,000 do not get any external support and the Afghan national government does; how are they toppling the government?

That does not mean that they can not. It also means that Taliban has immense capacity to cause severe multi level stress on the governance and the security situation.What is important in this situation is to realize that Taliban are Afghan too. It is imperative to engage them across a table or you will be engaging them in a door to door battle. Secondly with Foreign forces leaving the Afghan soil, there is no 'enemy' left. Taliban have absolutely no reason to resort to violence and force their point of view. Let Afghans vote and decide what shape the nation's government will take. 

It is Taliban 2.0. Same Islamic supremacist, misogynistic , medieval ideology  albeit without access to stinger missiles and heavy artillery. They will have a different approach to grabbing power. it is up to us to ensure that Taliban are coaxed back into 21st century rather than they plunging the whole  world back to sixth!

 

 

पुश्तखार ! Back Scratcher !

Portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne by Amedeo Modigliani, Oil on canvas,1919

collection of

Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA, US

 

जिंदगानी  जितनी भी पड़ी है;

बातें सारी खत्म हो गयीं । 

फ़सल इश्क़ की अब बोओगे;

जब बरसातें खत्म हो गयीं!

 

हसीं रात आयी कि न आयी; 

सब मुलाकातें खत्म हो गयीं। 

पंहुचे बेसब्रे मयख़ाने कि वो बोले;

अभी ही सारी खत्म हो गयी।

 

दवा मांगते उनसे क्योंकर;

 तीमारदारी ख़त्म हो गयी। 

दर्द अभी रह रह के उठेगा; 

कोई बीमारी ख़त्म हो गयी ?

हाथ झटक दे ऐसा कब था; 

 कुछ नेक दुआएँ ख़त्म हो गयीं। 

निकला सही हर इक अंदेशा; 

क्या रात  ए  क़यामत ख़त्म हो गयी ?

 

तूफां ए  तम्मना  में पर तो  तोले; 

 कुछ जल्दी बारी ख़त्म हो गयी। 

हुआ हैरां  अक्स देख के अपना;

 कब ये जवां पारी ख़त्म हो गयी ?

 

शान में उसकी क्या क्या पढ़ते;

नातें सारी खत्म हो गयीं।

मिन्नतें ज़ाया गयीं सो अलग ;

फिर खुद्दारी ख़त्म हो गयी। 

 

देखते यूँ थे कि जाने ही न देंगे;

मुड़े कि सदाएं खत्म हो गयीं!

पुश्तखार भी सीने से लगा रखेगा कोई ;

यूँ  पीठ दिखाई, वो हाज़त ख़त्म हो गयी! 

 

सदा दूर से आती है, वो सुन ;

इक बिनाई ख़त्म हो गयी। 

खट्टी,तीख़ी, फ़ीकी, खारी;

मीठी सारी ख़त्म हो गयी। 

Roman script follows:

Jindgani jitni bhi padi hai;

Baten sari khatm ho gayi.

Fasal ishq ki ab bovoge;

jb barsaten khatm ho gayi!

 

Hasin raat aayi ki n aayi; 

Sab mulakaten khatm ho gayi.

Pahunche besabre mykhane ki vo bole;

Abhi hi sari khatm ho gayi.

 

Dawa mangte unse kyonkar;

Teemardari khatm ho gayi.

Dard abhi reh freh ke uthega; 

Koi beemari khatm ho gayi?

Haath jhatak de aisa kab tha; 

Kuch nek duayen khatm ho gayi.

Nikla sahi her ik andesha; 

Kya raat e kayamat khatm ho gayi ?

 

Toofan e tamanna me pr to tole; 

Kuch jaldi bari khatm ho gayi.

Hua hairan  aks dekh ke apna;

Kab ye jawan pari khatm ho gayi ?

 

Shan me uski kya kya padte;

Naaten sari khatm ho gayi.

Minnate zaya gayi so alag ;

Fir khuddari khatm ho gayi.

 

Dekhte yoon the ki jane hi n denge;

Mude ki sadayen khatm ho gayi !

Pushtkhar bhi seene se laga rakhega koi ;

Yoon peeth dikhai,vo hajat khatm ho gayi! 

 

Sada door se aati hai vo sun;

Ik binai khatm ho gayi.

Khatti,Teekhi,Feeki, Khari;

Meethi sari khatm ho gayi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deoxyribonucleic Acid !

Just the other day I saw my brother's picture. Nothing unusual, but suddenly I felt like I am looking at myself in a mirror! Now that is strange because my brother does not look like me. He is way  smarter, much taller, fairer, years younger,has different hairline and a different jawline with an immensely better fashion sense. I am afraid we are as different as it could be in other aspects as well. Personal habits; F&B choices; education; profession ; you name it, nothing matches. Even our names do not rhyme. Life has dealt us different set of cards to boot. Yet it is uncanny how I can see myself in him!

Science has an easy answer, DNA ! Without getting too technical; Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)is a molecule that contains the biological instructions that make each species unique. DNA, along with the instructions it contains, is passed from adult organisms to their offspring. Simply speaking we have the same set of parents and thus similar DNA. We also grew up in the same household  and have learned same  lessons that make us similar even when we are different.

 So why am I telling you this today? Well The reason is Suresh Kalmadi ! Yeah! The same disgraced out on bail politician who embezzled millions from the Commonwealth Games kitty and has been a state guest at Delhi's Tihar jail for 10 months. More than 50 cases amounting to INR 700 crore are still pending trial.

I was reminded of him because of another political luminary, Anil Deshmukh;the home minister of Maharashtra who was recently charged(not yet proven) by his own hand picked police chief  with shaking down INR100 Crore every month from Mumbai restaurant and bars. Deshmukh is treating this charge as flippantly and nonchalantly as  Kalmadi did before he was sent to Tihar; became the poster boy of Congress corruption and decimated his own UPA government.

Kalmadi of course belongs to congress and Deshmukh is from NCP of Sharad pawar. This 'defence attorney' for Deshmukh is an erstwhile congress stalwart who missed becoming the prime minister by a whisker.

Let us go  east for a little bit. Calcutta to be exact and Mamta Banerjee. She has her own party now but she earned her political chops in the congress. Where she was a cabinet ranked minister in the centre, no less. Does it come as a surprise that during her reign in the state of west Bengal several scams like coal scam have come to the fore. In the most brazen misuse of power, an organized grass roots extortion racket called 'tolabaazi' has been institutionalized ? This racket shakes down every body, period! You need a birth certificate- pay them; you need a death certificate- pay them; you need to paint your house- pay them and hire their chosen contractor... or else! O.K. you get the picture!

Lets stay east and look at a congress associate for a change - Lalu yadav! I know you are immediately reminded of the fodder scam. INR 4.5 billion corruption case for which he is behind bars. His wife and all of his children are facing multiple corruption cases too. I can go on and give more examples from all corners of the country but just listing all of them will need a 800 page report... and I am no kejriwal to wave blank papers at you!

What in the blazes is wrong with these guys? Actually the question is what is common among all of these corrupts? Simple answer is DNA - congress DNA! They all received their diploma in  politics and models of governance from the  University of Congress, 24 Akbar road, New Delhi 110001. A lot of them taught there too!

Congress got India on a platter! There was no political challenge to its power for a very long time. As some opposition started forming Congress realized it can easily hold on to its power by doling out  different sops to different groups. Which they did irrespective of costs to the exchequer or any smidgen of actual benefit accruing to the intended group. As long as they continued voting them in. It perfected minority appeasement to create voting blocks. It mainstreamed granting of business licences and permits for massive cash  considerations. It generated astronomical election funds by shaking down industry, land developers and government contractors. It invented the concept of "first family" of politics. Nothing was taboo if it strengthened their power base. Worst cut of all was that Congress criminally made all of these corrupt practices look like the standard operating procedure of governance. They never  ever paused to consider how perpetuating this massive scale corruption  at the top will corrode the very foundations of the society. Now that you see a similar pattern echoing across the entire political spectrum irrespective of the current party affiliations, you should also know who to thank!

This is where we are today. If  the beat  constable asks  for an INR 100 bribe from a pavement bangle seller, consider the fact that the police station he is attached to got sold to the highest bidding Sub Inspector for millions. it did not go to the most deserving.  He has to recover his costs and ROI; and same goes for the DSP he reports to ;and same for his boss and his boss's boss.... It keeps going up,up and getting bigger and bigger. Till all we  end up  with is Deshmukhs on our hand!

I am telling you, this Deoxyribonucleic Acid thing - it is revoltingly nauseous!

 

तैराक! Tairak!

"DEEP END " by Ashutosh kaul,completed 2020, 80X100 cm,  Oil on Canvas,

तैराक 

उफ़नती नदिया,फटता बादल औ तूफां ही मंज़िल का पता दें !

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है। 

कब से क्या ढूंढ़ते हो, खबर मिली नही क्यों; "रुकावट के लिए खेद  है"!

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है। 

ऐसे किसी और जन्म  मिलेंगी फिर हसरतें; अब सम्बन्ध विच्छेद है!

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है।  

ख़ुदी से ख़ुद के बिछड़ने का ग़म कैसा; तो है मतभेद है,मनभेद है ! 

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है।  

गुज़रे वक़्तों की ख़ुमारी में हर वक़्त धुत; धत, हर नशा निषेध है !

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है।  

रातें तबाह हैं जिनसे;सपन गुलाबी स्याह सच. मेरी दुनिया में क्या रंगभेद है !

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है। 

 गल चुकी बर्फ़ बहार आयी बस, कलेजा चीर  रख; ख़ून फिर सफ़ेद है! 

तैरना सीखा जो नही, पुल जल चुका - नाव में छेद है।  

Roman script follows 

Tairak(Swimmer)

Ufante nadiya, Fattaa badal o toofan hee manzil ka pata de !

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai.

Kab se kya doondte ho,khabar mili nahi kyon; "rukawat ke liye khed hai"!

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai.

Aise kisi aur janam  milengi fir hasraten; ab sambandh vicched hai!

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai.

Khudi se khud ke bichadne ka gum kaisa; to hai matbhed hai,manbhed hai ! 

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai. 

Guzre waqton ki khoomari me har waqt dhut; dhat, her nasha nishedh hai !

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai.

Raten tabah hain jinse; sapan gulabi syah such. Meri duniya me kya rangbhed hai !

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai.

Gal chuki barf bahar aayi bus, kaleja cheer rakh; khoon fir safed hai! 

Tayirna seekha jo nahi, pull jal chuka - nav me cheed hai.