Soldier's Brats'

Navneet Kaur Dhillon, crowned the latest beauty of the Nation at the Ponds Femina Miss India (PFMI) 2013 is a Soldier’s Brat. Closely followed by Sobhita Dhulipala from Visakhapatnam, adjudged the first runner-up, also a Naval offspring. Year after year, the beauty pageant has been dominated by adolescents’ having Defense backgrounds. The list is very long (we may have missed a few), but it includes Priyanka Chopra (Army), Lara Dutta (Air Force), Celina Jaitly (Army), Neha Dhupia (Navy), Sushmita Sen (Air Force), Pooja Batra (Army), Gul Panag (Army), Manpreet Brar (Army), Nikita Anand (Army), Ankita Shorey (Army), Kanishtha Dhankar (Navy), Hasleen Kaur (Army). Bollywood has many notables such as Anushka Sharma, Chritangda Singh, Shiney Ahuja (oops..), Ranvijay Singh, Akshay Kumar (not many that he is son of an Army officer late Hari Om Bhatia). These hellions have not only dominated the glamour world, some the other achievers include

Ajay Banga, President and CEO of Master Card.

Arnab Goswami, everyone knows him.

Jeev Milkha Singh, the first Indian professional golfer to become a member of the European Tour.

Nirupama Rao, she is the Indian Ambassador to USA.

Renuka Chowdary, Politician.

Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Mother Teresa.

So, what is that they imbibe in their childhood which the others miss out? Many say it is there upbringing which gives them an upper edge. Looking gorgeous has nothing to do with ancestry; but it’s the other attributes that makes the difference.

Discipline  -   Acclimatization in a soldierly environment permeates discipline in them. If you were to ask a hundred parents to describe their motives and methods of discipline, you might get a hundred different answers. But for a soldier and his family, it is simple - punctuality, obedience, respect for elders/superiors, conduct, sincerity, commitment and most important is to ‘understand limitations’.

Loyalty, Honesty and Integrity  -  Many would not be able to differentiate between the three, still this is the most powerful trio combo (like the Laxmi bomb of Diwali) which shapes their characters. It ain’t a gene in the semen or ova that gets genetically imprinted in them; rather it is in the atmosphere they breathe in every day.

Perseverance and Confidence  -  They learn the fact very early in life that diligence to hard work has no alternatives and detours. This gives them tenacity and endurance to face the world, and teaches them the seven stages of being successful – defining a goal, strong desire, building confidence, planning, cooperation, determination, and a fine execution.

Adaptability - Every 2-3 years leaving a place and migrating like nomads from one place to another is common acceptance for them. Leaving old friends, making new ones, from villages to metros, from Pathshala to Convents, from deserts to snow and from gulli danda to polo, is a spectrum of deprivations and opportunity that they get (depends of ones perspective). But, surly it evolves them from wag tailed fetus to a two legged mammal – adaption and survival. Separation from fathers makes them more responsible and gives them ability to take independent decisions, which most of us lack.

One can list a hundred other factors, if not more. Guess, they don’t learn to be successful, they just get the officer like qualities that their fathers live effortlessly with each day.

Thane's Burial Ground

No terrorist attack, no natural calamity, no Korean Nukes but 74 people including 25 children died due to collapse of an engineering miracle. Surely, it was an engineering miracle - seven storey building constructed in two months under an invisible cloak, which is why no one from local municipality and police could notice it. The deceased are mostly poor daily wagers working at the construction site and their families. Of course, we are a nation of 1.2 Billion (frankly lost the count, because it is pointless to remember it now), and we won’t be missing these not so necessary souls. Some cooperators, directors of the municipalities, cops and builders will get arrested, remanded, paraded in a mockery of court room sittings and then finally getting discharged on 500 rupees surety bonds.  In a matter of another 48 hours the dead will die a death for ever. The news papers which printed the story in Headlines on Friday, will soon cover our kitchen shelves or clean the aftermath of a ejaculation.

Parliament attack 2001, a dozen died and the Army mobilized for another war, matter taken up in UN, national anger and millions spent beefing up security for MPs. 26/11 Mumbai, 164 died including 10 terrorists and thousands of riche riches discomforted because they could not enjoy their nightlife. Again Army mobilized, Pak militancy fostering raised in the highest levels of diplomacy, and once again millions spent on enhancing the security of the secured ones. There is no parallel between these two incidents and the Thane Building collapse, rather there is contrast; contrast of poor Vs the rich, terrorism Vs corruption.

So, how can we device a calibration to weight the cost of a human life and a commensurate response? Unfortunately there is no such index, and if one could invent, then definitely it would be the highest earning patent. These news excerpts gain our momentous sympathy, and later get lost. In fact none of us would even follow the outcome. Here are some more stories, though not associated with Thane incident, but we conveniently choose to ignore.

13 killed in Pune building collapse. Read more here.

Two dead, many injured in Delhi building collapse. read the full details here. More horror stories here.

This is not a neglect of our pre-occupation or busy life, it is a neglect of interest. If the same story read, “Salman’s New House Collapses – 74 Dead”, actions and reflections would have been different. Media would have visited the house of each dead in remotest corner of Bengal, UP, Bihar and Maharastra, and asked the same brainless question from their relatives, “Aap ko kaisa lag raha hae”.

This is our resilience, complaisance or immunity, and it will further catalyze numerous such more incidents, unless we ask ourselves…. 

•     What should be the scale to decide the hullabaloo and public clamour for an incident and necessary corrective measures?

•     It is an open secret that any builder, not only builders of high rise buildings but even individual constructing small houses, have to pay unofficial fees, to municipal officials, to get permission for their buildings' approval. What can be done to streamline the whole procedure?

•     What should be the punishment for open defiance of Government’s rules and regulations? Why is this not “Culpable homicide amounting to murder”?

•     Who all should be held responsible for this?

•     Why do we have reactive attitude and not a pro-active approach? Do we have to wait for loss of lives to act?

Think India, THINK !!!

Neglecting Our Soldiers

A soldier is differently wired than any other central government employees. Reasons are abundant but primarily being the training imparted at the beginning of their career. The comradeship that is developed with each other during their stay, the bonding shared over running for miles, the hardships endured to complete the back breaking tasks assigned.The rooms, mess, PT schedule, fall-ins, classes and endless physicals all form part of shaping a young man into an officer. 

Today shortage of officers backed by bureaucratic delays in getting essential equipment and various other unknown causes has reduced the efficiency of the Indian Army. Lack of equipment and ammunition is also threatening the lives of our young soldiers. It is a known fact that after some years in service many officers get disillusioned with the working culture and power politics in play. The only thing that keeps pushing them and keeping the flame alive are the memories of those gentlemen cadets days and the oath taken at the time of commissioning to do their best for their Motherland.

IMA and NDA are two wonderful organizations that have been turning out impeccable officers for India’s 10 Lakh plus armed forces.

It is indeed a sad day one reads about cadets been forced to stay in plastic porta-cabins. Read full report here. 

 The walls of a squadron are adorned with proud displays of historic achievements of its alumni and spirit is what drives cadets, the very base of foundation of this training academies.

With what fondness and memories will they look back? This is a small discomfort compared to what they will have to face once deployed in field areas however does this logic warrant this kind of neglect? 

It is on open secret that the Indian Army is short of officers. Does it take rocket science to figure out that the solution would be to increase the intake? And does it really need to be spelled out that the intake to entail more seats in training institutions. What is really disturbing is the lack of voice being raised by the defense fraternity and the neglect of Indian bureaucrats and politicians. 

A stitch in time saves nine is a popular saying which the Indian government would do well to adhere to. Letting such prestigious institutions fall to ruin would be setting a very precedent. NDA is the nurturing place for warriors its needs should not be compromised.

• Why is the Indian government taking defense matters so lightly?

• Does the logic that on field soldiers face harsher conditions justification enough for treating new recruits like this?

• Do we need a defeat in battlefield to make us change our ways?

Think India, THINK !!!

On Empty Stomach- Kejriwal

Americans find many things about India mystical and intriguing. One such American co-traveller started a discussion on Indians and our brains. He was writing a book on ‘Innovative Ideas to Cheat’ and choose the sub-continent to pick up case studies. The topic itself was not very comforting all things considered. He made a statement that day and probably it is best suited to Kejriwal today.

“If shamelessness of bullheaded Indians in power and administration could beconverted to       usable energy, then poor would not have been hungry in this country”

Kerjriwal’s latest abstention from eating is directed towards Shiela Dixit and probably a larger aim of seizing respectable vote bank during the upcoming Delhi Elections 2013. It is very difficult to have an opinion on people like Kejriwal and their actions. Is he really a Messiah or just trying to get some extra mileage?

Anyways, not going in to the necropsy of it, the question still remains is Angelic or ‘Ford Funded’ as secretly whispered? One does need to ponder why the public is not buying his fasting stunt while the same public lapped it up when Anna and Ramdev took to the stage? Is it the halo of simplicity and godliness which the people cannot see in Kejriwal? Kejriwal does come across has a man who knows his way in the world as well as the dirty insides of the Indian bureaucracy.

Sam Bahadur - Happy Birthday

Sam Bahadur or "Sam the Brave" was one of the best loved Indian Generals we could have ever had.

Born Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw he was among the first 40 intakes of Indian Military Academy. He has been instrumental in delivering India many victories.

As the Army chief his tussles with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi are legendary.

 He brought glory of victory to the Indian army (humiliated by the unconditional surrenders of 1947).

At the end of April 1971, Indira Gandhi asked Gen. Sam Manekshaw if he was ready to go to war with East Pakistan. Manekshaw refused, citing the dispersal of his formations, the state of armour, the pending harvest which would vie for rail carriage, the open Himalayan passes and the coming monsoon. She asked the Cabinet to leave the room and the Chief to stay back. 

Gen. Manekshaw offered to resign on the grounds she chose.

Indira said,”You cannot deny a PM and I have to run the country”.

Sam said, “ Madam, you run the country but I will run the Army. Had your father taken the advice of his General in 1962, we would have not lost”.

Later, she declined declined his resignation and asked for his advice, he sought permission to prepare for the conflict and set the date and said he would guarantee victory. She agreed and permitted the General to prepare in his own way. The rest is history.

COALITION'S OSSIFICATION

“Unfathomable,” is synonymous to 'India', midst the scholastic societies. Astronomical economic and populated growth coupled with extreme poverty, a patriotic citizenry coexisting with intense corruption, and modernity dyed-in-the-wool with inflexibility, makes one a confused observer of unreal times. The complex concoction is further thickened by the Coalition Governance, which is a continued hallmark of the country for nearly two decades. It is clear from this diversity of the country, that transformation will not happen overnight, and that its success cannot be left to chance alone.

India is one of the 81 countries of the world which has coalition government in power, as of today. Probably, the first instance of a Coalition Government was the ‘Delian League’ around 431 BC, which today has become an inseparable feature of the modern day democracy. There are some interesting facts associated to it - A coalition government created the great nation of Canada. In 1915, during the First World War, an all-party coalition was formed in UK, which replaced the last Liberal government in British history. Since, the independence of Finland in 1917, it has been governed by coalitions only. In Germany, the coalitions rarely consist of more than two parties.

India’s baptism to coalition was at West Bengal, when the Left Front comprising of Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI (Marxist) and others came together under the flagship of Jyoti Basu as the Chief Minister. Late Shri Morarji Desai Ji, pioneered the first coalition at the Centre for about two years, 24 March 1977 to 15th July 1979. However, the actual trend of corroboration started in the 90’s, when the bible of ‘Jood Tood Tamasha’ was written during 1996-1999. The period saw four Coalition Governments and two mid-term elections in a period of four years. The country finally harnesses the coalition horse in 1999, when the first successful coalition government completed its five year term. Today, it consists of 13 parties, with suffixes and prefixes varying on hourly basis.

The continuity of coalition governments indicates decline of one party rule and rise of regional and smaller parties. It showcases the dominance of a single party led by a charismatic leader over a cluster of smaller parties. Both the stable coalitions of the country have had their share of chaos with internal disputes because of differing manifestos of each member, however, the success of governance in such scenarios is dependent upon acceptance of Common Minimum Program ahead of their own ideologies

Over the year, the Indian Command Center’s resume has migrated from identity based politics to identity based parties with varying degrees of patronage. Essentially there have been two main stream alliances of NDA and UPA, and a burrping third front. Though the chances of emergence of any more fronts in the near future are bleak, but not impossible. If by some sort of a miracle, AAP of Mr Kejriwal, for which lot of us are hopeful, makes it to a respectable number, then with some permutation and combination, numerals of 4th, 5th or 6th front are possible. But, Mr Manish Tewari feels that – in the history of coalitions in the last 20 years the reality of a 3rd, 4th or 5th front is the "most enduring mirage of Indian politics."

The present day perplexion of ‘buy and sell : cash for votes’ and ‘portfolios : prospective gains’ have more relevance for the recant foggy chronology, which leaves us with following questions…

• No one in the world has been able to come up with a working model of ‘Coalition Governance’ and hence, there is large void of understanding. Can there be set rules of governance for a coalition?

• Do we have a choice for our ‘first-past-the-post’ electoral policy?

• The legacy of British – ‘Westminsterial Democratic Parliamentary System’. Do we have an alternative?

• Two party system is better way of ensuring continued reforms. Is that an option for us, considering our vast regional diversity and interests?

• Is it time to define the ‘Terms of References’ for the ‘Hostage Policy’ and ‘Hostage Politics’ in the Country? 

Think India, THINK !!! 

INDIA'S HOLI: SPANISH TOMATINA

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, a multi starred ensemble cast of the new decade which introduced the youth to an alternate lifestyle. Three richie-riches, who wanted to celebrate the last few days of bachelorhood of their friend, wondered some of the most exotic locations of Europe, and made ‘Tomatina’, a wish list of all. Everyone wanted to take off their shirts like Hritik and squash tomatoes on Katrinas’. Incidentally, it was not very surprising, when a cool goateed dude called Holi as ‘India’s Tomatina’.

La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Bunol near to Valencia in Spain. It’s the 'World's Biggest Food Fight' where more than hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets. The week-long festival features music, parades, dancing, and fireworks. The fight is preceded by dropping of a ham piece from a greasy pole and a water canon shot which marks the alpha of the combat. The tomatoes are tasteless inferior quality, imported from ‘Extremadura’, a Spanish autonomous community. The history of the festival dates back to 1945, when it started as a fight between groups of brawlers on street, who used the vegetables from by-standing hawkers as weapons. Over the years, it has inspired numerous similar commemorations across the world – in Columbia, Chile, China and USA. In India, the hosting of a Tomatina event in Banglore, Mysore and Delhi were denied by the State Governments, where they said, "In the name of Tomatina, permission should not be granted to waste tomatoes". Guess, it was a good decision. 

If one sensibly looks at all the whys and whats of Tomatina, there is no logic that emerges. Except, that this helps the small sleepy town of Bunol, a business worth €300,000 (approximately 2.1 Crore INR).

Holi, one of our staple festivals is celebrated for a larger cause than Toamtina.  It has mythology of the victory of God and Good over the demons and evil.  It also marks taata-a and farewell to winter and welcomes the spring. If anyone of you doesn’t know the heroic poem of Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu and Holika, then you deserve a strong toed kick on your posterior and a admission to the best retard home in the country at Agra. ‘Bhaang and Bollywood’, have an intrinsic relation to Holi, and in 80’s it was trend to shoot minimum one song on Holi in the movie. Gabbar’s famous dialogue of Sholay, ‘Holi, kab hae holi’, went viral on Facebook during the last week.

On 18^th September 2009, in an episode of the USA Network series Psych entitled "Bollywood Homicide", Holi is first depicted on an American network television. Color in Motion and Color Me Rad are starting to spread over the United States. They combine the bright colors of Holi with the intensity of a 5 Km race. Runners show up wearing white running outfits and every kilometer they run, they are doused in a different color. In the music video of “The Catalyst”, rock band ‘Linkin Park’ shows band members playing Holi. The videos director, Joe Hahn says, “People collect these pigments throughout the year to release them in this festival as a celebration of life and tribute to Vishnu”. One can research hundreds of accounts of various cultures and Nationalities, willing to associate themselves with the Indian festival of colours. But on the contrary, we want to play Tomatino, especially when it has no moral message and is a shear waste of edible material. I have some big questions to ask, that goateed cool dude and ourselves..

• Why is Holi, India’s Tomatina and not Tomatina a Spanish Holi?

• Navi Mumbai Holi Riots of 2006, infinite unpleasant events of rowdism, cheap tacts and cliché ‘Bura na maano’ which makes most girls uncomfortable – are just a few examples of why it has become a day of fear rather than fun. Shouldn’t we have the boundaries of “playable Holi”, clearly demarcated? Let’s save our Holi.

• ‘Bhaang’, which has association with ‘Shiva’, have been officially declared the drinks for Holi, for reasons unknown. Can anyone tell me why? If not, then let’s stop it, its Cannabis plants or Marijuana.

Think India, THINK !!!

The Thoughtful Indian Team, wishes you and your family, a very

Happy HOLI..