Kashmir - O - Kashmir

During the ancient and medieval periods, Kashmir was an important centre for the development of a Hindu-Buddhist syncretism, in which Madhyamaka and Yogachara were blended with Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta. The Buddhist Mauryan emperor Ashoka is often credited with having founded the old capital of Kashmir, Shrinagari, now ruins on the outskirts of modern Srinagar. Kashmir was long a stronghold of Buddhism. Drafted by a treaty and a bill of sale, and constituted between 1820 and 1858, the Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu (as it was first called) combined disparate regions, religions, and ethnicities: to the east, Ladakh was ethnically and culturally Tibetan and its inhabitants practised Buddhism; to the south, Jammu had a mixed population of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs; in the heavily populated central Kashmir valley, the population was overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, however, there was also a small but influential Hindu minority, the Kashmiri brahmins or pandits; to the northeast, sparsely populated Baltistan had a population ethnically related to Ladakh, but which practised Shia Islam; to the north, also sparsely populated, Gilgit Agency, was an area of diverse, mostly Shiʻa groups; and, to the west, Punch was Muslim, but of different ethnicity than the Kashmir valley.

On June 17, 1822, Ranjit Singh after attending their father’s funeral gave the family the Chakla jagir in Jammu. Soon, they were elevated as Rajas – Dhyan got Poonch and Suchet Ramnagar. But the warrior Gulab proved different. He stayed put in Jammu unlike his brothers and crushed rebels like Mian Dido. He started consolidating his possession and expanding it using sheer power or petty tricks. Gulab was not so unfriendly with the East India Company. In 1841 he helped the British army to pass through Punjab and helped them in supplies. In the 1845-46 war between British and Sikhs, Gulab stayed away and, after Sikhs lost it, became an arbitrator. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, in which Kashmir sided with the British, and the subsequent assumption of direct rule by Great Britain, the princely state of Kashmir came under the suzerainty of the British Crown.

Promoted by Khalisa Durbar, Gulab Singh allied with the East India Company, and eventually raised loans to purchase Kashmir in instalments. But Gulab Singh, the ruthlessly ambitious maverick who founded J&K state, shall remain an enigma throughout history for cobbling a heterogenic state that defies logic but still exists 157 years after his death. The sale of Kashmir by East India Company in March 1846 continues to be the most discussed sale of a nation ever. Nearly 170 years later, this Rs 75 lakh purchase still haunts Kashmir nation’s core conscience. Key to its tensions and instability, Kashmir is still groping to find a way to stop devouring generations. The March 16, 1846, Treaty that sold Kashmir, “their fields, crops, streams, even the peasants…” – as poet Iqbal lamented later, was signed more than 500 km away from Srinagar, in Amritsar. “On this occasion, Maharaja Gulab Singh stood up and with joined hands, expressed his gratitude to the British Viceroy – adding, without, however, any ironical meaning,” recorded Captain Joseph Davey Cunningham, an East India Company official, in his celebrated History of Sikhs. “That he was indeed the zar-kharid or gold-boughten slave!” In lieu of one crore rupees of indemnity, East India Company took over hill countries between Beas and Indus rivers including Kashmir and Hazara on March 9, 1846, and later under Treaty of Amritsar on March 16, Gulab Singh paid Rs 75 lakh and took over the possession of Kashmir, Chamb, Ladakh, Jammu and Baltistan. The amount was paid in four instalments, the last one on March 14, 1850. There were murmurs of a mistake in giving Kashmir to a “ruler of a different race” but Company’s Board of Directors justified the decision for the fear of managing distant Kashmir at huge costs at a time when defraying war costs was a priority. Soon after the Treaty, Lord Hardinge visited Kashmir for 10 days in 1846 spring. Gulab Singh moved into Kashmir as a sovereign on November 9, 1846, at 8 am. British agent Colonel H K Lawrence accompanied him. He was, in fact, Khalisa Durbar’s Kashmir architect from day one.

Finally succeeding in creating a state, not so smaller than England, Gulab Singh could rule for slightly less than 11 years. But he managed it as more of a fief than a state. Chilling accounts exist about his governance, exploitation and cruelty. In anticipation of his death, he had anointed his son Ranbir as his successors in February 1856. His family tree goes thus:

Family tree of The Dogra dynasty (or Jamwal dynasty) was a Hindu Dogra Rajput dynasty that formed the royal house of Jammu and Kashmir.
I. Gulab Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir (1792–1857; Maharaja: 1846 (abdicated 1856))
II. Ranbir Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir GCSI, CIE (1830–1885; r. 1856–1885)
III. Pratap Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir GCSI, GCIE, GBE (1848–1925; r. 1885–1925)
Raja Amar Singh KCSI (1864–1909)
IV. Hari Singh, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir GCSI, GCIE, GCVO (1895–1961; r. 1925–1947; titular Maharaja: 1952–1961)
V. Karan Singh, President of Jammu and Kashmir (b. 1931; Regent of Jammu and Kashmir: 1949–1952; Sadar-e-Riyasat (President) of Jammu and Kashmir: 1952–1965; Governor of Jammu and Kashmir: 1965–1967;
Vikramaditya Singh (born 1964)
Martanday Singh (b. 198?)
Ajatshatru Singh (born 1966)
Ranvijay Singh (born 1993)


Since 1947 - Kashmir had always been a delicate issue. The intractable problem of the lovely vale of Kashmir was disputed during this time. Kashmir's Hindu Maharaja Hari Singh wanted an independent state. Mountbatten warned that they would end up becoming a battlefield. Mountbatten tried to convince the Maharaja to be part of Pakistan, as they had a majority of muslim population. Also the name 'Pakistan - The Land of the pure' suggested by Rahmat Ali on 28th January 1933 was keeping in mind - Punjab, Kashmir, Sind, The Frontier and Baluchistan. Soon after independence, Pakistan wanted them to join their country, but Hari Singh had no intentions, which Jinnah the founder of Pakistan could not tolerate. Pakistan had three plans in place:

1) Outright invention - but was not ready for an adventure that could lead to a war with India.
2) Col. Akhbar Khan, with a taste for conspiracy presented the idea that Pakistan supply the arms and money to foment an uprising of Kashmir's dissident Moslem population. This would require several months.
3) Chief Minister of North west Frontier province governing the most troublesome and feared Pathan's agents of the kings of Afghanistan was arousing the tribes seeking their support for the expansion of his kingdom to Peshawar and the banks of the Indus. Sending those dangerous hordes to Srinagar had considerable appeal. Tribes'men where given the opportunity to loot the bazaars of Kashmir, thus saving the bazaars of Peshawar as well.

They opted for the third and send the Pathan tribesmen who organized and armed Srinagar later in that autumn. Looting the bazaars became the troops priority, giving time to the Kashmir Maharaja to seek support, which otherwise would have fallen swiftly and become part of Pakistan.

Singh sent out an SOS for help to New Delhi. That was not possible unless the Maharaja signed a formal act accending to India. Singh did sign it in great haste and Indian troops were airlifted to Kashmir. The Instrument of Accession is a legal document executed by Maharaja Hari Singh, ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, on 26 October 1947. By executing this document under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh agreed to accede to the Dominion of India. He originally maneuvered to maintain his independence by playing off India and Pakistan against each other. If Kashmir, is still a part of India, it was Maharaja Hari Singh's gift.

Indo-Pakistani War thus started in 1947 over Kashmir. There was UN mediation, Dixon Plan suggested Dixon agreed that people in Jammu and Ladakh were clearly in favour of India; equally clearly, those in Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas wanted to be part of Pakistan. This left the Kashmir Valley and 'perhaps some adjacent country' around Muzaffarabad in uncertain political terrain. Pakistan did not accept this plan because it believed that India's commitment to a plebiscite for the whole state should not be abandoned.

Sheikh Abdullah took oath as Prime Minister of the state on 17 March 1948. In 1949, the Indian government obliged Hari Singh to leave Jammu and Kashmir and yield the government to Sheikh Abdullah. Karan Singh, the son of the erstwhile Maharajah Hari Singh was made the Sadr-i-Riyasat (Constitutional Head of State) and the Governor of the state.

In 1950 there was military standoff, The Commonwealth had taken up the Kashmir issue in January 1951. Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies suggested that a Commonwealth force be stationed in Kashmir; that a joint Indo-Pakistani force be stationed in Kashmir and the plebiscite administrator be entitled to raise local troops while the plebiscite would be held. Pakistan accepted these proposals but India rejected them because it did not want Pakistan, who was in India's eyes the 'aggressor', to have an equal footing. The UN Security Council called on India and Pakistan to honour the resolutions of plebiscite both had accepted in 1948 and 1949. The United States and Britain proposed that if the two could not reach an agreement then arbitration would be considered. Pakistan agreed but Nehru said he would not allow a third person to decide the fate of four million people. Korbel criticised India's stance towards a ″valid″ and ″recommended technique of international co-operation.″

Nehru's pledge of a referendum to people of Kashmir did not come into action. Sheikh Abdullah advocated complete independence and had allegedly joined hands with US to conspire against India. On 8 August 1953, Sheikh Abdullah was dismissed as Prime Minister by the Sadr-i-Riyasat Karan Singh on the charge that he had lost the confidence of his cabinet. He was denied the opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the house. He was also jailed in 1953 while Sheikh's dissident deputy, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was appointed as the new Prime Minister of the state

Article 370 was drafted in 1954 by the Indian constitution granting special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, as per Instrument of Accession. This article specifies that the State must concur in the application of laws by Indian parliament, except those that pertain to Communications, Defence and Foreign Affairs. Central Government could not exercise its power to interfere in any other areas of governance of the state.

From all the information I have, 95 per cent of Kashmir Muslims do not wish to be or remain Indian citizens. I doubt therefore the wisdom of trying to keep people by force where they do not wish to stay. This cannot but have serious long-term political consequences, though immediately it may suit policy and please public opinion.

— Jayaprakash Narayan's letter to Nehru, May 1, 1956.

In 1962, troops from the People's Republic of China and India clashed in territory claimed by both. China won a swift victory in the war. Aksai Chin, part of which was under Chinese jurisdiction before the war, remained under Chinese control since then. Another smaller area, the Trans-Karakoram, was demarcated as the Line of Control (LOC) between China and Pakistan, although some of the territory on the Chinese side is claimed by India to be part of Kashmir. The line that separates India from China in this region is known as the "Line of Actual Control".
Then there was Operation Gibraltar, 1965 Indo-Pakistani war and 1971 Indo-Pakistani war and Simla Agreement. The Simla Agreement also stated that the two sides would meet again for establishing durable peace. Reportedly Bhutto asked for time to prepare the people of Pakistan and the National Assembly for a final settlement which never happened. The countries resolved to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations and to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control. Multilateral negotiations were not ruled out, but they were conditional upon both sides agreeing to them.

Jammu and Kashmir today is the southeastern portion of the larger Kashmir region; western districts, now known as Azad Kashmir, and northern territories, now known as Gilgit-Baltistan, are administered by Pakistan. The Aksai Chin region in the east, bordering Tibet, has been under Chinese control since 1962.

1954–1974 is considered to be a period of integration and rise of Kashmiri nationalism ; 1975 to 1983 was the revival of National Conference. 1984 to 86 saw the Rise of the separatist movement and Islamism and Post-1987 there have been insurgency in Indian administered Kashmir.

In 1989, a widespread popular and armed insurgency started in Kashmir. After the 1987 state legislative assembly election, some of the results were disputed. This resulted in the formation of militant wings and marked the beginning of the Mujahadeen insurgency, which continues to this day. India contends that the insurgency was largely started by Afghan mujahadeen who entered the Kashmir valley following the end of the Soviet–Afghan War. The Pakistani government calls these insurgents "Kashmiri freedom fighters", and claims that it provides them only moral and diplomatic support, although India believes they are Pakistan-supported terrorists from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Due to rising insurgency and Islamic militancy in the Kashmir Valley, Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee the valley. They were targeted by militant groups such as the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. On 4 January 1990, Srinagar based newspaper Aftab released a message, threatening all Hindus to leave Kashmir immediately, sourcing it to the militant organization Hizbul Mujahideen.

On 21 January 1990, two days after Jagmohan took over as governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Gawkadal massacre took place in Srinagar when the Indian paramilitary troops of the Central Reserve Police Force opened fire on a group of Kashmiri protesters in what has been described by some authors as "the worst massacre in Kashmiri history" (along with the Bijbehara Massacre in 1993). At least 50 people were killed, with some reports of the deaths reaching as high as 280. In the aftermath of the massacre, more demonstrations followed, and in January 1990, Indian paramilitary forces are believed to have killed around 300 protesters. As a Human Rights Watch stated in a report from May, 1991, "In the weeks that followed [the Gawakadal massacre] as security forces fired on crowds of marchers and as militants intensified their attacks against the police and those suspected of aiding them, Kashmir's civil war began in earnest." The mass exodus began on 1 March 1990, when hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits left the state; of the approximately 300,000 to 600,000 Hindus living in the Kashmir Valley in 1990, only 2,000–3,000 lived there in 2016. Kashmiri Pandits Holocaust on 19 January 1990..Prove they have been working on their plan 2 above, and their slogan at the time of Partition - 'Hamkelya Pakistan, Larkelinge Hindustan' meaning - We got Pakistan by laughing, we'll get India by fighting. In 1990 , it seems Kashmiri Pandit's were given a choice, 'Raliv, Galiv ya Chaliv'; means convert, die or leave Kashmir. Was that a choice at all?

In mid-1999, alleged insurgents and Pakistani soldiers from Pakistani Kashmir infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir. During the winter season, Indian forces regularly move down to lower altitudes, as severe climatic conditions makes it almost impossible for them to guard the high peaks near the Line of Control. Fears of the Kargil War turning into a nuclear war provoked the then-United States President Bill Clinton to pressure Pakistan to retreat.

US officials believed that Al-Qaeda was helping organise a campaign of terror in Kashmir to provoke conflict between India and Pakistan. Their strategy was to force Pakistan to move its troops to the border with India, thereby relieving pressure on Al-Qaeda elements hiding in northwestern Pakistan. US intelligence analysts say Al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives in Pakistan-administered Kashmir are helping terrorists trained in Afghanistan to infiltrate Indian-administered Kashmir. Fazlur Rehman Khalil, the leader of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, signed al-Qaeda's 1998 declaration of holy war, which called on Muslims to attack all Americans and their allies. In 2006 Al-Qaeda claim they have established a wing in Kashmir, which worried the Indian government. In June 2011, a US Drone strike killed Ilyas Kashmiri, chief of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, a Kashmiri militant group associated with Al-Qaeda. In April 2012, Farman Ali Shinwari a former member of Kashmiri separatist groups Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, was appointed chief of al-Qaeda in Pakistan.

The 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election was held in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in five phases despite of repeated protest from Hurriyat leaders (a alliance of 26 political parties)

An attack by four militants on an Indian Army base on 18 September 2016, also known as the 2016 Uri attack, resulted in the death of 19 soldiers as well as the militants themselves, it was belived to be done by(Jaish-e-Mohammed (literally "The Army of Muhammad", abbreviated as Jem is Islamic Jihadis formed on 9 March 1993).

In the deadliest incident since 2016, Kashmir separatist terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) carried and claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack on a military convoy that killed over 40 Indian soldiers on 14 February 2019.In retaliation on 26 February 2019, 12 Indian Mirage 2000 fighter jets dropped bombs on a “terrorist camp” in Pakistan-controlled territory of Kashmir, allegedly killing around 350 members of the JEM. As India trespassed Pakistan's air space, the incidents escalated the tension between India and Pakistan starting the 2019 India–Pakistan standoff

Ajatshatru Singh had served with the NC as a minister in the Jammu and Kashmir Government from 1996 to 2002. In 2014 he quit the NC to join the BJP, stating that he had done so to satisfy the "people’s desire to have a corruption and dynasty-free government"

After the Government of India repealed the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 in August 2019 with immediate effect; which was introduced in 1954 on a temporary basis, for transition, giving special status and abolished by the Indian constitution, the Parliament of India passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which contained provisions that dissolved the state and reorganised it into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir in the west and Ladakh in the east, with effect from 31 October 2019.

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Well this is a time, when all across the border - Immigration has become one of the major environmental issue.


By Anitha Kamak

True. The first time I went to Kashmir it didn't feel like India. Gushing streams, icy mountains, crystal clear lakes, cold deserts.. it was hard to believe such a beautiful land was part of our country. That those demure people who avert their eyes are not Kashmiris but Indians too. Who knows how much pain those eyes want to hide? I am not qualified to analyze the multiple dimensions of the troubles that have harrowed this land for many many years now. But those Kashmiris do not deserve such suffering. It is not only the weather that is brutal but so are the living conditions amidst army and militancy. What is your life like when for years you are under crossfire for no reason of yours? Imagine being alienated in your own home town, being watched with suspicious eyes wherever you go, your children growing up without a childhood, life on a chaos without a certainty for the future and years of such miserable life... What would it do to your psyche? How would you feel a sense of belonging? You might be of any religion, of any political agenda, but how could you be a silent spectator to an audacious blanket rule by the government in the name of any legislature? By not voicing out don't we give more reasons for the Kashmiris to feel more isolated? Is this the right way to make them feel like they are integral to us?

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Kashmiris bear an 'acute sense of grievance' that they were not in control of their own fate for centuries. It has been ruled in succession by the Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs, Dogras and, lately, the Indian government. The issue was not started in 1947 and will not end with the revokation of Article 370.

The question we need to ask instead of “What about the Kashmiri Pandits” is this: Do we wish to extend lives of trauma and oppression for all Kashmiris, or to pivot back, lending our faith to a Kashmir where they all live with dignity?

https://thewire.in/rights/kashmiri-pandits-exile

The question remains - If ethical principles deny our right from doing evil that good may come, is it justifiable to do good that the consequence is evil?
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India's Rajiv

"To be kind to those who are unkind to you; to know that life is fair, no matter how unfair you imagine it to be; to keep walking, no matter how dark the skies or fearsome the storm; ..To nurture a strong heart, and fill it with love no matter how great it’s sorrows; these are the gifts of my father’s life" - Priyanka Gandhi....

There is this wonderful interview of "India's Rajiv" in a series of three parts taken by Simi Garewal covering the entire entire span of his life; from his birth to his tragic assassination...Beautiful, Memorable, Excellent, it takes us through India's Rajiv. "Blessed with great beauty of person, the Jealous God robbed him of one gift, the gift of Time.. So few for one, so faithful and brave."

You can view it here in full: http://simigarewal.com/indias_rajiv.html

Part I is about ‘The Person’ (1944-1984)

Covering his family, his childhood, Sanjay, his mother, Sonia whom he met at Varesity a Greek Restaurant, his children and other personal things. It wasn’t a Prime Minister talking - just a regular, loving husband and father very soft spoken, voice gently prodding, elegant, graceful and aristocrat. For a man who initially resisted stepping into politics, he was a far-thinking with modern progressive ideas..The film opens with the assassination of Indira Gandhi - Sikh security men pumping 16 bullets on her - She served India to her last blood literally indeed and the events led to Rajiv becoming the Prime Minister; when the world first saw him, he was shattered in tragedy, in the video we can also see Rahul crying inconsolably.

Then there is this flashing back to the real beginning - The story of Rajiv began, even before the beginning, when Indira was 13, her mother collapsed and was unwell. An 18 year student came and nursed her.The student was Firoze Jahangir Gandhi. He proposed to Indira at 16, but Indira declined - this happened many times. Finally she agreed in Paris - the marriage of Kashmiri Indira and Parsee Feroze Gandhi in 1942 which was first opposed by Nehru who was in jail then. On 20th October 1944 Rajiv was born at 8.22 am in Bombay. Nehru - Nana- who could switch level quickly with children and people had the first glimpse when he was moving from one jail to another, Feroze and Indira took the baby and stood outside the prison. Nehru inculcated human values in him and Rajiv found it difficult to understand the complexity of religion. Rajiv was always gentle even when naughty, sober, and different from his brother. Their father taught them dignity of labour, to speak out; but died in 1960 at 48 due to heart attack, after their holiday of a month in Kashmir. First real death of a close person, sorrow remained with him. Indira found in Sonia a daughter she did not have and the bond grew between 1977 and 1980. They led a happy life as a family man and pilot. Never interested in politics or public life. He was happy with Sanjay doing that and leading a private life. It was in 1980 after his younger, politically ambitious brother passed away, he was dragged into the harsh glare of national publicity as his mother needed help. Sonia was not happy with the decision, she felt, she would loose Rajiv if he entered politics. What was difficult was what the children would have to go through. Giving adequate time for them was important. Finally on May 10, 1981 he resigned from Air force after one year of his brothers death, and filed nomination from Amity beginning a new chapter in his life. He toured across India, and once when away, heard of the tragic assassination of his mother.

With every end, there is a new beginning and a new hope.

Part II : The Prime Minister (1984-1989)

India, more diverse than the continent of Europe, embracing many religion, more than 200 million people voted for one person, an overwhelming mandate which even Nehru had not received - may be because of sympathy, change - youth, continuity - decent and sweet tempered, down to earth, normal human being, who do not waste time in the unnecessary with a dream for India to be fulfilled. It was on the new year's eve of 1985. He gave people a dream of a modern new world, and people were impatient to get there, under a leader of new generation, modern, secular with right instinct. A panel of India’s leading political observers, including newspaper editors and opposition leaders, analyse his term in office. His mothers successor, descendant of a political family, his tenure saw both triumph and controversy. He was persuaded to lead - and pressurized, was lavished with praise - and battered by criticism. Rajiv talks about the burdens and challenges of governing the world’s largest democracy - a job he was once reluctant to pursue. Once he assumed the role, he took it up with – Poise and confidence. He brought out many good policies. People saw what they wanted to see. Expectations were high, though it was difficult to meet all - there was stability in economy, and globally. Anti-defection policy signed, Punjab accord signed. Press had full freedom. He was a good person, but a politician -No – He was not manipulative, could not horse trade and was not aware of scheming, or manovoring. His skill in assessing of people was limited and never questioned their reliability. Hence he had an uncanny ability to get wrong advise. Could not see through other persons or hidden meaning, and was not equipped to see insincerity. Basically was not street smart. Mostly he took Sonia for all his tours. He had high regard to leaders of other countries as well including Benazir Bhutto. Both from similar background - Rajiv at Cambridge and Benazir at oxford, tough and ability to cope with difficulty with challenges at home; both from political family but from new generation. There was no leader in opposition, or there were too many opposition. V.P. Singh from his party, moved out was considered out, but people had egos and not sincere. During his five years, he learned a lot, he thought in substance he had learned a lot, especially in choosing people. Today a person of responsibility carry immense power and there is a heavy price for power. After he lost his election he was committed for working for people of India, and to make a place for India in the world. Leaving under public and terrorist treats, have never deterred him, though it created uneasiness - was ready to die for what he believed in. He had a dream for India to be back in leader of human civilization, social justice, poverty eradicated, dignity, human rights fully guaranteed, where human being and every human being matter, sending out message of tolerance, compassion and one humanity. Induced by his goals, there was no looking back. A dream to be realized, a destination to be reached, with hope that the time would do him justice.


Part III : The Politician: The End (1989-1991)

Over 4000 years ago, in 2500 B.C, the game of Chess was introduced in India. A game of strategy and skill. This ancient game is still played in modern India, the battle field is the Indian political arena. The Pursuit is power. The consequences - History.

This is the story of the last eighteen months of Rajiv's life..ending in his tragic assassination.

By destiny and dynasty through democracy he was propelled to become the Prime Minister of India. 39 of 44 years this family was in power. November 1989 elections were announced. In August 1988, National Front was created, and V.P. Sing chalked out a war strategy. Rajiv's right hand man became his arch rival. Five years later, having lost the elections in 1989, he took on the mantle of Leader of the Opposition, it was a hung parliament. He was asked to form government, but he declined. Rajiv thought that people thought the change was not enough and wanted more development. There is a deep frustration in the system. Bofor's issue was not handled well, credibility was lost in the beginning. More frank they were, they got into more mess. VHP and BJP signed a document that they will have the shilaniyas only outside where the mosque was. He let the oppositions unite. People thought that there was a ring of security and distance between him and people. There was a dichotomy as a Prime minister and a politician. He created a good image to the world over as the Prime minister, but could not be manipulative and maniuvare as a politicain. He spoke with poise always.

Making of new PM was an action packed event when amazing and sometimes bizarre political events unfolded. Events that played like a political thriller and rocked the two governments that came to power.. Decision was taken to propose Devi Lal - he declined and nominated VP Sing. Chadrasekhar was maneuvered and betrayed. V.P Sing went about bofors issue in vindictive way. But nothing came out. So new issues had to be brought out. Thought of becoming leader of backward classes. Kindled and fished Mandel commission and reservation bill, which kindled public outrage and widespread contamination by the press. V.P Sing was warned. 'When you want change, you need to shed blood' said V.P. Sing. Caste-sim rekindled – prisoned by narrow domestic walls.

During this intense period of introspection Rajiv Gandhi ex-presses frankly his analysis of where he went wrong, the mis-takes that were made, the lessons that he learned and his plans for the future that lay ahead. Started travelling in second class, discussed things with people, and renewed contact with masses. When at home, he gave morning dharshan to the people. Kept only 3 security, even after 2 assassination attempts, consulted various leaders during the day. Vincent George remained Rajiv's faithful secretary. When free, he played with his dog. Day ended at 1 am in the morning. He realised education was important and reservations needed to be reconsidered. According to him state had no religion, taking the best and rejecting the bad making India a secular country. Democracy allows people to choose their own ways, being under one umbrella.

Secularisam means religious country, with full freedom for all religion to develop, propagate and prosper. With a population of 700 million hindus and 120 million Muslims. BJP felt threaten by VP Sing, and they galvanized into action. Shrewdly, cynically exploited communical and religious fervor - Nakedly political demonstration, the rath yathra was a Bandwagon – nakedly political demonstration – BJP wanted to buid temple where Ram was born– creation of Hindu Rashtra. In their scheme of things, Resentment of Minority – 100 million citizens will become second grade citizens. Religion and politics if mixed is explosive for anyone, anywhere in the world, so was Rajiv's view. Nov. 7, 1990 ; 11 months after being elected, V.P Sing was voted out of office, got hold by deception. VP sing said - He never made personal charge - Rajiv was always sophisticated.

The moment Chandrasekhar was waiting for had arrived. Rajiv repeated that he did not want to form government without mandate. Chandrasekhar was never a mass leader. But there was no working relationship. There was a breach of faith by putting surveillance on him and government, and Delhi police was also brought. President of India dissolved parliament. Second general election was called in 18 months.

Nothing is permanent, not loyalties, not enemies, not friendship, everything is transient, everything is expedient. Retribution is swift so is repercussion. Game was daring, players ambititous.

King mated, prawn crowned, bishop advanced. The prize was power. Country was divided like never before – with religion and caste. Power had extracted its price and nation had to pay. As India's man of destiny, the wheel was comming full circle. India was fundamentally secular and it was believed that it will not be drifted.

He was 46 years old. Time was on Rajiv's side, they said. And so it seemed....Fate, it seemed, beckoned Rajiv for the second time. And a new, wiser Rajiv responded. He was on the come-back trail...Time and history on side with sound instinct and sincerity. India had a great future with him. Vulnerable, trusting, nation watched silently as another brave child was brought home. There was so much to be done - First to bring country out of the mess. During the period Congress was working on policy measures. Rajiv plugged into the sea of humanity, which gradually engulfed him. In one brutal blinding crash he was gone into the silent darkness.

If it is to die for what I belive in, I don’t hesitate - Is what he said. He thought his security lay in the warmth of his people. Sonia was always worried and did not want her world to fall apart. 72 hours left for election, and only one assignment left at Sriperambathur, he was very cheerful, thinking a well done campaighn was comming to an end. But that faithful night - in one brutal blinding blast, he was gone into the silent darkness. The moment Sonia had dreaded every single day for 7 years, became a reality. Outside the world wept, for the loss of the past, the loss of the future. Rajiv was worried about what the Children would have to go through and how much sacrifice they would have to make. Blending with the Indian soil, he became one with India - Hope and wish, he was there for more, he come back once again. If he is ever present, where is he? We need you, even more today. Please return....

"Between two eternities just 46 summers….Too few for one full of dreams

God gave him everything, but was robbed of one gift the gift of time.

He played with dignity and honour – both the game of life and politics"

Davinder Singh - Afsal Guru - Cover up?

Arrest on Srinagar-Jammu highway while trying to ferry terrorists out of Shopian in a car, on Saturday at Wanpoh in Kulgam district created a big national security questions for India. They were identified as Davinder Singh a DSP with Jammu and Kashmir police, Naveed Mushtaq, alias Naveed Babu, a policeman-turned-militant with 17 FIRs registered against him, in 'the most wanted' list. According to IG Vijay Kumar, he was a senior commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, second only to its operations chief, Riyaz Naikoo. Mushtaq comes from Nazneenpora village of Shopian’s Imam Sahib area. Also in the back of the car was Rafi Ahmed Rather, another Hizbul Mujahideen militant, from Batapora village in Imam Sahib. Soon after the arrest, security forces launched massive search operations across South Kashmir and found at least one militant hideout in Shopian district which was eight feet beneath the ground.

Singh joined the force in 1990/94 as a sub-inspector and moved up the ranks, mostly spending his career spanning roughly three decades in sensitive posts. He has served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police for 25 years, in 2006 was Traffic Police; was part of a group of officers who, on Thursday, received the envoys of 15 foreign nations on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. J&K Police said in a string of tweets, he was awarded the state government’s gallantry medal last year for his role in countering a suicide attack by terrorists at the Pulwama district police lines on 25 August 2017.

Davinder Singh with two wanted high-profile terrorists, when arrested where were they travelling towards?

- Delhi? - Was he bringing those terrorist to organize an attack in Delhi so that protests can be diverted and emergency can be declared ?
- Somewhere within J&K? - To revolt against the abrogation of Article 370.
- Outside India?
- Some other state within India?

Would depend on many factors:

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A Flash back - A person named Afzal Guru gets arrested on charges of orchestrating the Indian Parliament attacks of 2001. He claims that he is innocent, that a police officer named Davinder Singh forced him to escort and host the guy named Mohamed who attacked parliament. These claims are ignored. Afzal is executed. Davender Singh's role in never probed. This brings us to many questions:

DSP Davinder Singh, who is he?
Was he a double agent?
Did he have diversionary role?
Was he was working for militants since Parliament attack days? OR
Were the militants--JeM's Mohammad to HM's Naveed Mushtaq- working for India through Davinder?
Did Davinder manage to hoodwink investigating agencies, his counterparts as well as the press and covertly provide support to terrorists?
Why were state police unable to establish any links between terrorists and a senior police officer?
Why Were Intelligence Agencies Oblivious To Senior Cop's Connivance With Terrorists?
Was Davinder honey trapped - gave in for money?
Davinder being posted to Pulwama when the Pulwama attack happened, could it be coincidence?
Did he have support from top or bottom?
Was Afzal Guru innocent?

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http://www.raiot.in/arundhati-roy-davinder-singh-afzal-guru-deep-state/

Like Afzal Guru all those years ago, today it is Davinder Singh who is the Man Who Knows Too Much. Will they silence him? Will they cut him loose? Or will he come out as the hero of a deep counter-intelligence operation that even his colleagues didn’t know about? Nothing can be taken at face value. What is the next chapter going to be?

On December 13, 2001, when five men (some say six) drove through the gates of the Indian Parliament in a white Ambassador car and attempted what looked like an astonishingly incompetent terrorist strike.

The first thing they made him do was a “media confession” in which he implicated himself completely in the attack. 13 questions put our by Arundathi Roy were:

Question 1: Given that there was an “improved security drill,” and imminent attack was expected how did a car bomb packed with explosives enter the parliament complex?
Question 2: What evidence did the Special Cell have for it to be a meticulously planned joint operation of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba and the attack being led by a man called Mohammad who was also involved in the hijacking of IC-814 in 1998?
Question 3: The entire attack was recorded live on closed-circuit television (CCTV). Kapil Sibal, Najma Heptulla requested viewing, but it was neither released, nor produced by the prosecution as evidence in the trial? Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi counted six men getting out of the car. But only five were killed. Who was the sixth person? Where is he now? Why do police claim only 5?
Question 4: Why was Parliament adjourned after some of these questions were raised?
Question 5: Apart from Afzal’s “confession,” extracted under torture (and later set aside by the Supreme Court), what was the “incontrovertible proof” for the government to declare a massive mobilization of almost half a million soldiers to the Indo-Pakistan border.?
Question 6: Is it true that the military mobilization to the Pakistan border had begun long before the December 13 attack?
Question 7: How much did this military standoff, which lasted for nearly a year, cost? How many soldiers died in the process? How many soldiers and civilians died because of mishandled land mines, and how many peasants lost their homes and land because trucks and tanks were rolling through their villages, and land mines were being planted in their fields?
Question 8: In a criminal investigation it is vital for the police to show how the evidence gathered at the scene of the attack led them to the accused. How did the police reach Mohammad Afzal? The Special Cell says SAR Geelani led them to Afzal. But the message to look out for Afzal was actually flashed to the Srinagar police before Geelani was arrested. So how did the Special Cell connect Afzal to the December 13 attack?
Question 9: The courts acknowledge that Afzal was a surrendered militant who was in regular contact with the security forces, particularly the Special Task Force (STF) of Jammu and Kashmir police. How do the security forces explain the fact that a person under their surveillance was able to conspire in a major militant operation?
Question 10: Is it plausible that organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed would rely on a person who had been in and out of STF torture chambers, and was under constant police surveillance, as the principal link for a major operation?
Question 11: In his statement before the court, Afzal says that he was introduced to “Mohammad” and instructed to take him to Delhi by a man called Tariq, who was working with the STF. Tariq was named in the police chargesheet. Who is Tariq and where is he now?
Question 12: On December 19, 2001, six days after the Parliament attack, Police Commissioner S. M. Shangari, Thane (Maharashtra), identified one of the attackers killed in the Parliament attack as Mohammad Yasin Fateh Mohammad (alias Abu Hamza) of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, who had been arrested in Mumbai in November 2000, and immediately handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir police. He gave detailed descriptions to support his statement. If Police Commissioner Shangari was right, how did Mohammad Yasin, a man in the custody of the Jammu and Kashmir police, end up participating in the Parliament attack? If he was wrong, where is Mohammad Yasin now?
Question 13: Why is it that we still don’t know who the five dead “terrorists” killed in the Parliament attack are?
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Fast Forward to Now:
-Intelligence bureu, RAW, Military Intelligence and NIA - National Investigation Agency - SAT - Investigation are going on.
-While many have suggested that the arrest could hurt the image of Kashmir police, former Jammu and Kashmir police chief Kuldeep Khoda underlined that the police caught its officer meant that no one could doubt the police force.
-Commissioner/CRPF and army would be involved.
-Days after DSP Davinder Singh was caught with two wanted terrorists in south Kashmir, Congress and the BJP traded blows over his arrest. A political war has erupted over arrested Jammu and Kashmir Police DSP Davinder Singh. Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had asked what if Jammu and Kashmir Police DSP Davinder Singh was a Muslim.The BJP hit back over Congress remark that no outrage by the right-wing since the police officer "was not a Muslim".
- Davinder's daughter is studying in Bangladesh, he is building a palatial house in Kashmir, and presently was staying in his Uncles house.
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Terrorism is a deep state; very often, it is people within who are involved and not outsiders - from out it seems like communal, but most often not - What we see, there is not much in it; what we do not know is more. Anyone who fight for their freedom and rights or even support Kashmir in Indian are labeled (Terrorist) automatically while in reality the people of valley has been terrorized by different forces from ages and now there is communication disruption. Recently Gurdaspur Superintendent of Police Salvinder Singh was grilled, in relation to the fatal Pathankot Air Force base terror attack. These incidents seems to be common in countries.

January 14th - Makar Sankranti - Festivals In India

Sankranthi literally means movement.

Have always wondered why Indians celebrate so many festivals.....

Is it another reason to renew your love and affection for your family and friends? Is it to remember the things in life that are really important? Or is it just to provide a mental and physical break from life? Whatever the reason, am glad we get so many reasons to celebrate precious moments in life. Asked a couple who had inter-cast marriage - One following Hindu and other Islamic culture - which festivals do they celebrate - They said - the last was Christmas - We are Indians! Not sure how long these feelings would last.

Given that we have the first 'National' celebration of this year which is celebrated with different names and different style, but with a single notion of joy, across different parts of the country - it is indeed colourful to think about it. This day marks the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makara (Capricorn) on its celestial path, which is the first change in the zodiac after the winter. These festivals also symbolises harvesting the food grain. Just like One India has many festivals; this one festival is known by different names across India - but the essence is basically the same.

Saaji in Himachal Pradesh, it is the Pahari word for Sakranti, start of the new month. Hence this day marks the start of the month of Magha. The migratory birds start returning to the hills. On Magha Saaja people wake up early in the morning and take ceremonial dips and shower in the springs or baolis. In the daytime people visit their neighbours and together enjoy khichdi with ghee and chaas and give it in charity at temples. Festival culminates with singing and Naati (folk dance)

Lohri in Punjab for me reminds of kite flying, sugarcane juice, people light bonfires to worship the god of fire and perform rituals. For farmers, it is the financial new year as well. Hindus light lamps with sesame oil as this is supposed to give prosperity and drive away all sins.People dance their famous “bhangra”. Also known as Maghi, it represents the change of the season to warmer temperatures and increase in daylight. Maghi fairs are held in many places.


Malwa & Nimar in Rajasthan and Western Madhya Pradesh, the women of this region observe a ritual in which they give any type of object (related to household, make-up or food) to 13 married women. The first Sankranti experienced by a married woman is of significance as she is invited by her parents and brothers to their houses with her husband for a big feast. People invite friends and relatives (specially their sisters and daughters) to their home for special festival meals (called as "Sankrant Bhoj"). People give out many kind of small gifts such as til-gud (jaggery), fruits, dry khichadi, etc. to Brahmins or the needy ones. Even here Kite flying is traditionally observed as a part of this festival.

Uttarayan in Gujarat is synonymous with kite flying. The festival is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. It is also believed that Surya visits his son, Shani, on this day, leaving behind all their differences.The gods who are believed to have slumbered for six long months are now awake and the portals of heaven are thrown open. During the festival, local food such as Undhiyu (a mixed vegetable including yam and beans), sesame seed brittle, sarso ka saag 😁and Jalebi is served to the crowds. Uttarayan is for enlightenment. This is the period of receptivity, of grace and enlightenment, of attainment of the ultimate.”

Sakraat in Bihar and Jharkhand the festival is celebrated on 14–15 January. Flying festivals are organized on a small scale.
People take baths in rivers and ponds and feast upon seasonal delicacies such as chura, gur (jaggery), sweets made of til (sesame seeds) like tilgul, tilwa, maska, etc., curd, milk and seasonal vegetables as a celebration of good harvest. On 15 January, it is celebrated as Makraat (in some parts of the state) when people relish special khichdi. At night a special khichdi is made and served with its four traditional companions, “char yaar” (four friends) — chokha (roasted vegetable), papad, Ghee and achaar.


Poush Parbon in West Bengal is named after the Bengali month in which it falls (last date of that month), here to it is a harvest festival. The freshly harvested paddy and the date palm syrup in the form of Khejurer Gur and Patali is used in the preparation of a variety of traditional Bengali sweets made with rice flour, coconut, milk and ‘khejurer gur’ (date palm jaggery) and known as ‘Pitha’. The last day of Poush is celebrated as Poush Sankranti in West Bengal. This day is considered auspicious among the Hindus and pilgrims from different parts of the country gather at Gangasagar, the point where Ganga river meets the Bay of Bengal. On the day of Makar Sankranti Hindu, God Dharma is worshiped and rice is offered to the God as Bhog. All sections of society participate in a three-day event beginning on the day before Sankranti and ending on the day after. The Goddess Lakshmi is usually worshiped on the day of Sankranti.


Makara Sankranti in Orissa besides the usual rituals, people of Orissa, especially Western and Southern Orissa, reaffirm the strength of the bond of friendship with their best friends during this occasion. The practice is called ‘Makara Basma’or 'Makara Basiba'. After a man binds himself with one of his friends in the shackles of friendship during Makar Sankranti, afterwards he addresses the other as ‘Maharshad’ or ‘Marsad’; if two women tie the friendship lace on each other's wrist, they call each other ‘Makara’. They don't utter each other's name. This goes on for one full year till the next Makar Sankranti. In Eastern Orissa, on many occasions, two friends feed each other ‘Mahaprasad’, the offering made in the famous Jagannath temple of Puri, and continue the friendship for at least one year. Orissa Post talks to some women about their experiences when they tied the friendship knot on Makar Sankranti.


Magh Bihu in Assam comes from the word Bhog that is eating and enjoyment. Night is spend around Bonfire or Meji with people singing bihu songs, beating Dhol, throw Pithas (rice cakes) and betel nuts to it while burning it at the same time. They offer their prayers to the god of Fire and mark the end of the harvesting year. Different types of sports like Buffalo-fight, Egg-fight, Cock-fight, Nightingale-fight etc. are held throughout the day. There are other conventional festivals observed by various ethnic-cultural groups.


Makara Sankranti in Maharashtra, Goa - Married women invite friends/family members and celebrate Haldi-Kunku. Guests are given til-gul and some small gift, as a part of the ritual. Women make it a point to wear black clothes. As Sakranti falls in the winter season, wearing black adds to the body warmth. This is an essential reason behind wearing black, which is otherwise barred on festival days. As per another legend, Lord Surya forgave his son Shani and his son visited him on Sankranti. And that's why people distribute everyone sweets and urge them to let go of any negative or angry feelings. While distributing sweets famous line “til gul ghya aani god god bola” (which means eat this sesame and jaggery and speak sweet words) is used in Maharashtra.

Suggi Habba in Karnataka an important ritual is display of cows and bulls in colourful costumes in an open field. Cows are decorated for the occasion and taken on a procession. They are also made to cross a fire. This ritual is common in rural Karnataka and is called "Kichchu Haayisuvudu." On this auspicious day, girls wear new clothes to visit near and dear ones with a Sankranti offering in a plate and exchange the same with other families. This ritual is called "Ellu Birodhu." Here the plate would normally contain "Ellu" (white sesame seeds) mixed with fried groundnuts, neatly cut dry coconut and fine cut bella (jaggery). In some parts of Karnataka, a newly married woman is required to give away bananas for five years to married women (muthaidhe/sumangali) from the first year of her marriage and increase the number of bananas in multiples of five. There is also a tradition of some households giving away red berries "Yalchi Kai" with the above. In north Karnataka, kite flying with community members is a tradition.

Makara Sankramana, Makara Sankranti in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. It is a four day festival, first is Bhogi where people discard old and derelict things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation. At dawn, people light a bonfire of all items no more in use, second is Makara Sankranti. People wear new clothes, pray to God, and make offerings of traditional food to ancestors who have died. Third day is Kanuma which is very intimate to the hearts of farmers because it is the day for praying and showcasing their cattle with honor. Cattle are the symbolic indication of prosperity. Animals are fed as a symbol of sharing. People in Andhra and Telangana do not eat any meat (or fish) during the first three days of the festival and do so only on the day of Mukkanuma. Kanuma, Mukkanuma and the day following Mukkanuma call for celebrations with union of families, friends, relatives. People play with kites and the sky is filled with beautiful kites.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu for me reminds of the sweet and salted Pongal dish. This day shows the importance of removing all the dirt and unwanted things from our home as well as our mind and making room for new ideas or things to enter our mind and life. Cattles are decorated. Jellikattu is an important event, which is a contest for taming the wild bulls.

Makara Velaku in Kerala at Sabarimala; the Makara Jyothi is visible followed by the Makaravilakku celebrations. The festival includes the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Lord Ayyappan) procession and a congregation at the hill shrine of Sabarimala. It is a part of a religious ritual that is practiced in the past by the tribes in the forest of Ponnambalamedu(the place where Makaravilakku appears)

This festival is also celebrated by people in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It is one of the few Indian festival celebrated on a fixed day of the Gregorian calendar.

Sadhguru: Makar Sankranti is celebrated as a very important festival in India. Sankranti literally means "movement." The significance of the Makar Sankranti festival is that it marks the day where there is a significant movement in the zodiac – the arrangement of the earth’s dial around the sun – and this movement brings about a new change in the way we experience the planet itself. From Makar Sankranti onwards, winter is being relieved step by step.

This movement is also a significant aspect in the way we reap what we need from this planet. The Makar Sankranti festival is also known and referred to as the harvest festival because this is the time when harvesting is complete and there are big celebrations. So this is a day when we remind ourselves that everything that we are is what we take from this planet.

There are celestial and spiritual connotations to it as well. This time is most important for Yogis to make a new, fresh effort in their spiritual process. Accordingly, people who have family also make a fresh attempt in whatever they do in their lives.

Read the full article at https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/wisdom/article/makar-sankranti-significance-and-benefits-of-festival

It is said that the northward journey of the sun (Uttarayan) begins on this day. In the Hindu belief system, the end of January heralds the beginning of longer days.

Dakshinayan will begin on June and will continue for six months, in which nights are longer than days. when the sun travels towards the south on the celestial sphere. Dakshinayana begins on Karkada Sankranti or July 16 (btw 15 to 23), as it marks the transition of the Sun into Karkada rashi (Cancer).

A hemisphere's winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and its summer solstice the year's longest.

The two solstices happen in June (20 or 21) and December (21 or 22). These are the days when the Sun's path in the sky is the farthest north or south from the Equator. he Equinox (Vernal & Autumnal)

There are only two times of the year when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a "nearly" equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes. These events are referred to as Equinoxes. The word equinox is derived from two Latin words - aequus (equal) and nox (night). At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon on these two equinoxes.  The "nearly" equal hours of day and night are due to refraction of sunlight or a bending of the light's rays that causes the sun to appear above the horizon when the actual position of the sun is below the horizon.  Additionally, the days become a little longer at the higher latitudes (those at a distance from the equator) because it takes the sun longer to rise and set.  Therefore, on the equinox and for several days before and after the equinox, the length of day will range from about 12 hours and six and one-half minutes at the equator, to 12 hours and 8 minutes at 30 degrees latitude, to 12 hours and 16 minutes at 60 degrees latitude.

The Solstices (Summer & Winter)

The summer solstice occurs at the moment the earth's tilt toward/from the sun is at a maximum. Therefore, on the day of the summer solstice, the sun appears at its highest elevation with a noontime position that changes very little for several days before and after the summer solstice.  The summer solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, which is located at 23.5° latitude North and runs through Mexico, the Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and southern China.  For every place north of the Tropic of Cancer, the sun is at its highest point in the sky and this is the longest day of the year.

The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, which is located at 23.5° south of the equator and runs through Australia, Chile, southern Brazil, and northern South Africa.

 Seasons are caused by the fact that the Earth is tilted on its axis by 23.5°.  The tilt's orientation with respect to space does not change during the year; thus, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in June and away from the sun in December

Four Flats become Flat

On 11th and 12th January four flats in Kochi became Flat in Maradu Municipality, Kochi on the banks of the Vembanad Lake - Two each, like the twin tower coming down. This implosion was seen in live, after the infamous NY World trade ctr destruction was seen in live years back! Really agonising! The 19-floor H2O Holy Faith complex of 90 flats was the first to go down, collapsing in just a matter of a few seconds. Minutes later, the twin towers of Alfa Serene - separated by a narrow stretch of backwaters - tumbled down with an ear-splitting noise.


An environmental disaster to protect environment disasters ! But we should look into the core issue in which current corruptbBureaucrats, power brokers, black money hoarders, politicians etc. have been involved without any shame or guilt. In this nexus, many so called Pravasis also have lost all their life long earnings together with shattered dream of owning a home and all get brickbats only for their lack of in depth research in real estate and other venues of hard earned money investment!

Clear evidence of extreme corruption.. Didn't they know that it is an illegal construction when they started building it? Govt authorities take money and give sanction. Same govt later demolish the building. It was really heartbreaking to watch, it's a good message against corruption... Also an awareness for the customers... and a lesson for builders...Demolition alone will not eradicate the problem...Those who are responsible for the mess are not touched, they seems to be enjoying political patronage. The focus should also be directed on putting behind the bars the politicians/Government authorities who gave sanctions for construction. Moreover, the Apex court should also play an important role in ensuring fair compensation in future judgments..

The worst fear of any house buyer came true. Pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to all Maradu flat owners: SC tells Kerala govt but only 7 owners seems to have got it. Like always, the symptom was attacked, the disease still prevail.

Hope these rules are executed across all environmental related matters for the benefit of Kerala and the world over, focusing on the disease and not just the symptom!

Chhapaak - Meghana Gulzar

Meghana Gulzar's Talvar was insightful, and could not resist watching Chappak. Given all the hue and cry asking it to be boycotted - don't know if it was a publicity stunt or the revolt by opposition for whatever reasons best known including the continuous drama by the Balaji Telefilms actress, am sure, it has given the movie more viewers...

Do not want to reveal the story and spoil the curiosity of watching but would like to clarify like how the call and reason for boycott go, they have not changed the basics of the culprit, and as claimed they could not have changed everything again after all the criticism, just perfectly for the time of release in a short time. All said and done, there is a social message, sale of acids has to be regulated. Heart goes out to acid victims, and good to know there are kinder souls around. If not for being partly biographic to a real victim Lakshmi though characters name has been changed in the movie; Chhapaak narrates the story of 19-year-old Malti (Padukone) who, as a happy teenager, aspired to be a singer, but ‘chhapaak’ of acid changes the course of her life. Her life, now, revolves around working for an NGO for acid attack victims, battling her court case and getting corrective surgeries at the hospital. An emotionally engaging film, the films make you think at so many levels - Society attacks people always, while the culprit attacks only once.Coincidentally it was a lunar eclipse night as well, like the song...Nok Jok and Chapak; two simple and touching ones.

NRI's in America - Immigration and lessons for India

Its a question of history. What goes around, comes around and they should know that there are no guarantees.

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Here is the story of a man called Bhagat Singh Thind. He was born in 1892 in colonial Punjab. In 1913 he went to the US for higher education and enlisted as a soldier for the US Army. In 1918 during the First World War. He may have been the first turbaned soldier in the US Army. His unit was called Washington Company No. 2, Development Battalion No. 1, 166th Depot Brigade. At that time in the US, South Asians faced immense racism and discrimination. You can read of him and see his pictures at saada.org.

Bhagat Singh Thind was a US citizen for precisely four days the first time he got citizenship after applying for it in 1918. Eleven months later he got it for a second time. However, US laws started denaturalizing Indian immigrants who had become citizens because they were "not white".Thind took his case to the US Supreme Court in United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923). He argued that he was a high-caste Aryan blooded fellow and so this could be added to the classification under the Naturalization Act of 1906 under which only "free white persons" and "aliens of African nativity and persons of African descent" could become citizens.

The US Supreme Court basically called bullshit on his argument and government lawyers threw up the fact that he was a founding member of the Ghadar party. The court said that while Hindi speakers could be seen to have some European link, the problem was that they had intermarried with non-European races in South Asia and had become brown. Sadly, for Thind his skin color disqualified him from citizenship by a judge whose sole source for all the info on Punjab etc was an encyclopedia. This case enabled other previously granted citizenships to South Asians to be taken away. They might have cursed Thind a bit those days.

In California, those that were stripped of citizenship after getting it became aliens overnight. Once they became "aliens" they were automatically subject to the California Alien Land Law of 1913 under which they could not own agricultural land but only lease it for three years at a time. In 1924 Vaishno Das Bagai was stripped of his citizenship and forced to sell his house in San Francisco. Then when he wanted to go to India in 1928, he was refused a US passport to travel. He was told to apply for a British passport and he refused because he was an Indian nationalist and didn't want to be a colonial subject. Thind finally petitioned again in 1935 after the Nye-Lea Act was passed which allowed war veterans to become citizens. He got it. As India moved closer to independence in 1946, public support for Indians in America grew especially because of their participation in the war effort in Europe. It was also widely seen that the Thind decision was racially motivated. And it took a lot of steam-rolling of Congress. by politicians sticking up for racial equality to pass the Luce-Cellar Act in 1946 to reverse the Thind decision and allow 100 Indians and 100 Filipinos annually to immigrate to the US each year. Many of Indian-Americans moved to the US after that. Today Indian's are not only American citizens or visa holders, but also have overseas membership of India enabling to work and live in two countries on two continents because someone took the metaphorical bullets for you 100 years ago.

It was no longer possible to see Indians as second class humans in any country. The freedom struggle in India had infected the whole world. It was very important in pushing forward the global agenda for decolonization. America has been a land of Immigrants. Slowly, but gradually, they have started accepting all. What is better? Accepting or rejecting? Undoubtedly Abraham Lincoln was the greatest leader in the last 200 years, and with the American civil war killing about 2% of the entire population with other massive losses, the nation rose to super power. People feel that we by accenting partition, lost both territory, gained an enemy and also live the festering wound of secularism. Three things - First unlike a war then, a war today is going to be of a much more destructive magnitude may be entire human race would be wiped out; second - history is for us to learn lessons from no one has ever been able to go back and change the past, but accept things as they are and move forward; India is India and America is America - The timing, situation, and the needs were different. We had people like Gandhi who were deadly against partition, but as far as India was concerned, it was destined to happen. Wondering where were those who have been spreading this hate then? Why could they not have done something then, than dividing

It is easy to break things; strip of the rights - what is tough is building/giving one.

"If we do get to be a $5 Trillion economy, do you really think CAA or NRC is going to matter at that time? We will have so much of wealth as a country that we would be able to take in double the number of immigrants without even batting an eyelid. So what should be the focus?" Ravi Subramanian

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Vasundhara Sirnate
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Jan 8

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A glimpse of Indian History - Migration is an age old phenomenon and will last till there is life on this earth.

There were no restrictions, passports or visa until 20th Century. Are we growing broader or narrower?

The Pillars Of the Earth - Ken Follett

The spill over from 2019 but can include it as 3 of 2020. What a book.....So many lives, so many things happening, passion, love, mystery, ambition, hatred, dream all interwoven. Set in the medival period UK a Historical fiction, it still appears relevant even today..Thank You Bindya Sunu.

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The novel, which is divided into six sections plus a prologue, explores themes of intrigue and conspiracy against historical events. It explores the development of medieval architecture, the civil war, secular/religious conflicts, and shifting political loyalties.

Prologue (1123)

A red-headed man is hanged for theft after being condemned by a priest, a knight, and a monk. His pregnant lover curses the men who condemned him, declaring that their children will be hanged, their enemies will prosper, and that they will live the rest of their lives with regret and sorrow.

Then the story jumps some year forward - A Monk, Outcast and A lady – Story covers 40- 50 years – when stuff happen to them – it resonates. It's Fun, extraordinary people trying to do something extraordinary – and other people trying to pull them down. Is about building a Cathedral in Medival England .

Begins with Tom, Phillip , Williams and yes Ellen.


Part One (1135–1136)

Circumstances leave mason Tom Builder and his family destitute and starving. After his pregnant wife Agnes dies in childbirth, Tom abandons his newborn by his wife's grave in the snowy woods, having no way to feed the infant. He later has a change of heart and returns, but finds the baby missing. After meeting up with an outlaw named Ellen and her son Jack, whom they had first met earlier, the group discovers that Tom's infant has been taken to a monastery cell belonging to the Kingsbridge Priory and is named Jonathan, Philip is, the leader of the cell. After several unsuccessful attempts to find work, Tom convinces Bartholomew, Earl of Shiring, to hire him to repair the walls of the Earl's castle.To ensure that Tom will have work, Jack burns down the old Romanesque cathedral, telling no one else of his actions. After some convincing, Philip hires Tom to build the new cathedral. Waleran orders Ellen to live apart from Tom. Outraged by Tom's willingness to accept this, Ellen returns to the forest with Jack.

Part Two (1136–1137)

The Hamleighs work with Waleran to try to have the cathedral moved to Shiring, thus depriving Philip of the properties tied to it, by claiming that Kingsbridge lacks the resources and manpower, Philip calls for volunteers, who turn up in large number and they decide to go ahead.

Part Three (1140–1142)

Tom befriends Prior Philip and, when Ellen returns, he persuades Philip to allow them to marry. After some time, Alfred proposes to Aliena who Williams wanted to marry, but she turns him down, she also strikes up a friendship with Jack, with whom she falls in love. William proves a hapless and merciless lord who mishandles the earldom financially and routinely rapes any peasant women he wishes. Attempting to restore his fortunes, William leads an attack that burns down Kingsbridge and kills many people including Tom Builder. In the chaos, Aliena's entire stock of wool, in which she had invested all her money, is destroyed in the fire. In the Mid of the book – anything could happen – and what happened was smart – The person we thought was the central character who would be there till the end of the journey 'Tom' die in middle. – William killed him

Part Four (1142–1145)

Ellen reveals that Jack's father had once been imprisoned there after he was framed for theft by three men. His mother later reveals that the three men who framed Jacques Cherbourg were Percy Hamleigh, Waleran Bigod, and Prior James. Ellen though love Jack, is bound to marry his step brother Alfred, though not a successful or willing marriage. Jack takes over Tom.

Part Five (1152-1155)

William turns out to be a poor leader, there is many years of famine, With the help of William's young wife, who loathes William, Aliena is able to allow Richard to capture the earldom's castle before Henry and Stephen's treaty can be made official and the King's Peace restored. William returns to the village of Hamleigh, and Waleran proposes to sell him the position of sheriff of Shiring so that he can oppose Richard and keep funding the cathedral. Remigius is abandoned by the two of them during this time, but Philip forgives him for his treachery and allows him to return to the priory. After Aliena calls him out for his ingratitude towards Philip, she is attacked and nearly raped by Alfred, who is out of work again after Shiring Cathedral is abandoned. Richard arrives and kills Alfred in the ensuing fight. Seeing a chance to regain the earldom, William obtains a warrant to arrest Richard for murder on the king's behalf; but does'nt work out. Aliena and Jack marry in the new Cathedral. They have a son named Tommy.

Part Six (1170-1174)

Waleran still seeks to ruin Philip, and accuses him of fornication by claiming that Jonathan, now a well liked and committed monk, is Philip's son. Jack and Jonathan attempt to figure out the identity of the latter's father. Waleran accuses Ellen of perjury, and she exposes his own perjury in the framing of Jacques Cherbourg, revealing that Waleran and the others had been bribed to dispose of him. Remigius confirms her testimony, having heard Prior James confess to his perjury shortly before the latter's death. He explains that James's misrule of the Priory had been the result of the guilt he felt for his part in the conspiracy, and admits that he had sought to become Prior to repair the damage, before admitting that Philip was better suited for the task. Waleran ultimately loses his position as bishop of Kingsbridge as a result of the revelations. We needed more confrontation with Williams – but he was hanged after William and Waleran become involved with the plot to assassinate Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury and King Henry refusing to defend Becket's killers.

At Kingsbridge, Jack meets Waleran, to learn why his father was framed. The former bishop explains that a group of barons had arranged the sinking of the White Ship in order to kill the king's son and heir, with the belief that they would be able to influence the succession and gain more independence from the crown as a result. After they learned that Jacques Cherbourg had survived the sinking, the barons had him imprisoned in England to prevent him from exposing their conspiracy. While initially content to leave him there, they eventually chose to have him killed after he learned English and started attracting unwanted attention, hiring Waleran, Percy, and James for this end. Finally understanding the truth behind his father's death, Jack is able to put it behind him. Elsewhere, the Pope forces King Henry's public repentance and symbolic subjugation of the crown to the church, in which Philip, now Bishop of Kingsbridge, participates.

The book covers entire life span – people get old, die, have babies. Am sure, any reader would be engaged emotionally as it is enchanting, charismatic. We will enjoy and turn pages off – with tears in eye, heart beating faster – people like drama.

It seems initially this book did not sell – but as years went by it became phenomena – by people saying it is the best book ever read – I too got it like that - Bindya said, this was the best book she had read. Biggest investment Book loving friends.

A good book need Premise, Writing, Humor,Characters, Journey, Editing - This has all thus making it an Overall Excellent book with 1076 pages.

'This Land is our Land' by Suketu Mehta - An Immigrant's Manifesto

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The First or Second of 2020 - Started First, but completed Second.

And this is the perfect time to read the book 'This Land is our Land' by Suketu Mehta. At this juncture when migration has become a global issue needing global solution, this book is a compassionate and powerful plea by migrants. Gives us insight on challenges, pressure and benefits they derive in course of the journey, with hope that it will generate empathy and understanding for those who have to cross them. " The heart 💓 should have no borders".

Divided into three parts - The Migrants are coming; Why they are comming and Why they are feared; this book will generate empathy and understanding for those who have to cross borders; even if you do or not and you belive in open borders, closed borders or something in between. Colonialism, inequality, war and climate change affect us all, rich or poor wherever we may dwell. The planet is on the move. Migration is like the weather, people will move from areas of high pressure to those of low pressure. India has been a witness to it and the wounds of partition are still alive. People move when their homeland is less habitable, to pursue happiness and a better life to support those left behind.

The history of MNC's is inextricably linked with the onset of colonialism; one of the earliest being East India Company. It can move money around countries with very little oversight. Over a tenth of all the world GDP is hidden in these tax havens. How colonizers rob the colonies?
1) They loot the treasuries of the native kings - The Indian Kohinoor diamond in the crown jewels.
2) Impose extortionate taxes on their subjects.
3) Force subjects to grow crops like cotton but prevent them from setting up industries to convert them into textiles, which is done in the home country.
4)They force the colonial armies to fight their wars both within and without.

Colonialism began with a huge migration, when millions of Europeans moved overseas to invade, settle and rule other countries; but migration began even before that.

Another cause of migration is war. Mexicans, Guatemalans, Hondurans and Salvadorans are desperate to move north, to come to US cities to work as dishwashers, cleaners, because of their history with Spanish and then Yankee colonialism, partly because of race and class conflict and systematic corruption, and these days because of drug war. While people migrate to Europe because of the big war in the middle east, people migrate to US because of the small wars in the backyard. The foundational principle of America was'nt religious liberty, it was the rule of the gun, which allowed the white settlers to dominate and massacre the natives. Terror is bankrolled by most extreme faction of the religion the wahhabis in Saudi Arabia and follow money with their oil power. The Wahhabi Madrassa sponser Koranic education for your children, and your child might grow up to join Taliban.

Climate Change is another major factor. People think of the Syrian civil war as a conflict between Sunis and Shiites, or a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. But another way to look at it is the natural result of 3 year drought, worst in region's history between 2007 and 2010. As the world gets hotter, the hotheads grow angrier. Climate change is a 'threat multiplier', it makes a bad problem like ethnic conflict worse.

People prefer living in places where dignity of every human is valued, rights are protected, and there is freedom. It was only in the early twentieth century that the modern, convoluted superstructure of passports and visas came about, on a planet where porous borders had been a fact of life for years beyond count. A globalist is a nationalist who bothers to get a passport.

In fact increasing immigration is good for economy; makes the country safer; are better behaved and brings in cultural mix/diversity. Very quickly 'they' become 'us'. There is enough land space in US alone to hold all seven billion of our species. Argument against open borders are you cannot let too many people into the lifeboat, otherwise it will sink and all will die; members of a nation who have enhanced the value of the nation through their hard work and talent are entitled to reject migrants from other nations that have not been similarly enhanced. Also there is a fear of being replaced.

Immigration could be as refugees or as reparations. You could be shunned and feared, if your are a political refugee. Paying the poor countries what they own in lieu of migration is Reparations. When migrated, those left behind are supported by way of remittances. So significant are remittances that the United Nations has declared 16 June the International Day of Family Remittances. Migrants contribute without becoming complaisant. Best way to adopt and be part of the new land is to own a house.

The traffic of people migrating might reverse. India's greatest export for long has been Indian's. 20th Century was the American century, today a young person in Denmark or New Zealand has a better quality of life. We have a right to a home, but not fixed abode. You may prefer to stay in the house you were born in all your life, but it's not a constitutional right. Immigrants are more willing to move to fast-growing, high-income, dense cities than natives are. If the native-born lose a job, they tend to stay where they are. If immigrants lose jobs, whether they're skilled or unskilled, they move. Once you're set in motion, your get used to motion. They don't see a need to follow an imagined, idealized way; because of the strength and regular reinforcement of their ties to the old country, they can live in their new country in many ways. You will have greater network of people. They have the freedom to not melt into any sort of pot, to speak in their language as well as their home country's ; so also with worship and marriage. Can you belong to a country without belonging to a nation? People prefer belonging to a community. They would be around to support. They feel the need for family.