Game Changer????

Call it cynical,call it opportunistic, call it what you will.The disastrous floods can change things as drastically...."taken on the flood" they can  change  the whole national and international scene.The devastation is such that aggressive approach by the PM in rebuilding Kashmir in planned marathon effort can leave not just Kashmiris,not just Indians ,but the whole world gasping.It would, to start with,be a phenomenal development effort that would leave the decade long Gujrat model panting.So greatly stagger the separatists ,the pro -Pak elements,the ISI,probably the ISIS and the rest of the destructive outfits as to dismantle them.  A defining movement in the Indian history may make efforts at rewriting history redundant.  Pride in the present,may well eclipse the hankering for distant past ,an indolent yearning.
The motivation for all this could be noble as well as mundane and even base,Yet it will make no difference.
It could be personal aggrandizement,a result  of megalomania;ruthless ambition to win a place in history different from Hitler. It could be for a victory in election,it could be changing an image or even  a genuine effort at ameliorating human suffering or the bounden duty of any leader worth the name.Imagination boggles at the colossal expanse and extent to which it can strech .. A world of possibilities that may well provide  the world a role model of a leader and a nation that may be the balm that our age of angst is groping for.

   

Perspectives...
This is not the first time that the Armed Force are going about doing the arduous duties ,efficiently and effectively with little regard to the risks and dangers involved.Being so reasonably apolitical ,the ruling dispensation at the center makes no difference to their approach and attitude.As to how long will this continue is a moot point.They were as efficient during the floods at Uttarkhand.Eventhough, the Indian Armed Forces do a lot more in peace,it is only during the war when they die that some token note is taken by the powers that be. Natural calamities or made made disturbances,at the earliest possible opportunity the baton is passed on to the men in uniform...as if to say that ..we have messed up things and can do no more,now you sort things out.This time even the disaster management agencies were paralysed.
PM's prompt reactions were commendable.However,it must not forgotten that ,national calamities like foods devastate the state administrative set up and machinery as much as its people in the effected areas ,hence their response and reaction is sluggish.In any case they can not at the best of times match the planned,and organised efforts of the Armed Forces..way back in 1968-69 the Time magazine had put it simply and correctly as "the only disciplined and organised  section of Indian society."
Floods and the loss of life and property is indeed most unfortunate.It has however helped the much maligned Army in J&K to rehabilitate itself in the Kashmiri mind ,to some extent despite some acts of commission  and omission in that state.The floods have also hugely improved the chances the BJP 's chances in coming elections.Some floods are more "God "sent  than others??  

          Timely Floods?

PM prompt visit and active concern commendable.Here is a man in action.
All the rest of the credit goes to ,as usual the Armed Forces.The Armed forces that Govt. after Govt. have been dishing out raw deals since independence,almost used the expression "cheating".The men in uniform do not need to prove any thing .They have done it umpteen number of times before. However,the floods are God sent opportunity for the RSS,the BJP and PM to make the impact that changes/soften attitudes in J&K.Hearts and elections may be won.Whether the winning of hearts is a means to an end ,or the end itself is to be seen.Could the floods be the game changer?Will it change attitudes and stances all round?And will we find solutions to vexing problems or will it  lead to greater subjugation.
"there is a tide in the affairs of men(nations),which taken on the flood leads on to fortune" Shakespeare,please forgive the occasional lapse of memory.You did not live to seventy,or you would have known.

National Awards

 National Awards.
It is a closely guarded secret formula as to how it is decided as to who all will be nominated for these awards Year after year they leave us wondering as to why some were in the list and some missing.The illustrious Hockey wizard , Dayan Chand,    is only one amongst the many.Some ,not so well known ,that could not have been but noticed  by the powers that be.To mention but one or two.
Brigadier Usman ,is supposed to have lead an INDIAN ARMY Brigade in Kashmir ,in 1947-48,most valiantly ,to not only hold but drive back,the Pakistani intruders in a remarkable display of endurance ,determination,and unalloyed commitment to Indian Solidarity.At a time when the divided forces were still in the throes of reorganising.How many of this brave brigade including,it commander ,were recognised for their courage? I am at a loss to find any details.
A few decades ago, an adventure loving couple from Kolkata,
established a world record for circumnavigating the world by car,an Indian car.Fought a long  legal battle with the Guinness Book of Records,authorities,won the battle, waved the damages awarded,by the court to be paid by the Guinness Book for not declaring him world record holder,and made yet another attempt to beat a new record that had in the interim been created,by two RAF officers of Britain .The couple again battered the new world record of circumnavigating the world ,in 44 days by accomplishing it in 39 days.A record that will stand for all times to come, as it was found by subsequent attempts that it was too hazardous to be permitted to continue as a event.
To best of my knowledge,except for some mention in a few news papers and some token praise,nothing much was done to appreciate/commend this outstanding example of Indian persistence ,determination and courage.An act effort that would undoubtedly have encouraged /imbued the Indian youth with the spirit of adventure,
The couple is ,fortunately still amongst us ,is Mr.SALAHUDDIN CHOUDHARY  and Mrs .N. Choudhry.May his tribe increase and make the country proud,even if unsung.Incidentally,it was also an example of national integration....an inter community marriage, that created a different type of love jehad that few knew ,and was not as vociferously talked about as today s love jehad is. 
   

Acche din ,Kiske ?

Too short a period to make objective assessments....Japan initiative very sound,not talking to an ineffective neighbouring govt.right..foreign policy generally sensible....things looking up economically,partly by design ,partly as a result of some effort of the pre-100days activity of a rather cramped coalition ,rendered ineffective by a hostile opposition,indifferent allies,sluggish and corrupt bureaucrats.Internal situation alarming due to on coming elections. Demonising the Muslims to  polarise  with an aim to win election,ruthlessly effective as proved in the Gujarat lab..But then in demonising Islam ,BJP and RSS are in the"distinguished" company of Bagdadi,ISIS, al qaeda,.etc plus USA,Israel .Maligning a religion through its errant ,ignorant followers is an age old ruse in the competitive world of religions.The welfare of a minority ,in any form of good governance is the sole responsibility of the majority.Especially so in a democracy with a written constitution as lucid and humane as OURS.Especially so when a ruling dispensation has as decisive a majority as this one.One earnestly hopes that ,DECISIVE has not been misspelt as DIVISIVE.Not unexpected,knowing the dislike for foreign language.!