Fir Ek sooraj ast hua,
fir ek din toot gaya
Itne kaaj niptaye aaj,
par lagta hai kuch choot gaya
Dekha tha ek sapna maine,
ab to wo bhi toot gaya...
vyast hua itna jeevan mein,
ki shayad jeena hi choot gaya...
Armaanon ka gubbara tha ek,
ab to vo bhi foot gaya...
Kuch bikhre armaan dhoondh liye,
ek pulinda choot gaya...
Jiski karta hun roz archana,
vo patthar bhi mujhse rooth gaya...
Ujaale mein tha bahut bharosa,
andhere mein vo bhi toot gaya....
Har saanjh lagta hai aise,
kuch bhool gaya, kuch choot gaya...
Fir har subah bhulata hun usko,
jo bhool gaya jo choot gaya...
"Hazaaron khwahishein aisi, ki har khwahish pe dum nikle...
bahut nikle mere armaan lekin fir bhi kam nikle
Khuda ke waaste, parda na kaaba se , utha zaalim
kahin aisa na ho yahan bhi , wahi kaafir sanam nikle"
- Ghalib
Thursday 27 May 2010
Monday 24 May 2010
Weak Pak, Strong Pak
A friend of mine wrote a blog about our relations with Pakistan and what should India's future goals in this regard be. And he sums them up with this:
"Lets face the facts, a weak Pakistan is very much in our interest. For three decades after the liberation of Bangladesh, Pakistan was weak enough to not bother India. At the same time, we should try everything we can to enhance good relations with other neighbours like Sri Lanka and Nepal. Two hostile neighbours is more than enough. It is to the distinct advantage of the big power nations to preserve Indo-Pak balance of power and it is high time India looks out for its own interests. Peace is what is ultimately desired and we’ve tried enough times to achieve peace without bloodshed. If it takes war to achieve lasting peace, so be it."
It is of course clearer and more informative than any of mine but I still have some couter arguments for him and others with similar opinion.
To begin with, I don't agree that in this age, peace can only be achieved through war. US and Europe have hardly reached the levels of pre 9/11 calm and the threats have only increased after laying Afghanistan and Iraq to dust. The religious leaders in Middle East have now found a common enemy to attack and 'inspire' the youth which was perhaps slipping away. The latest terror-attemptee felt "US threatened Islam."
Coming back to India v/s Pak. Well we might go to war or weaken the nation covertly. But is a chaotic Pak better than a managed one? To begin with, the Taliban is hurting Pak too and that is essentially because of weak leadership. And in that environment what if, God forbid, The BOMB falls in to Taliban's hands? They are not going to think twice before dropping it. I doubt if the deterrence logic will work with them.
Is it a coincidence that the bomb blasts increased in India after Musharraf quit? I know that Musharraf was the man behind Kargil but what would you rather have? Military insurgency or Mumbai 7/11? The attacks happened because the army and ISI lost control of their own home-grown Jehadis who were earlier building bases on Tiger Hills under clear orders. Plus, a stronger leadership is more likely to move them towards development and education than a weaker state. It is a general rule that the dissatisfied youth rebels while the better-off stay aloof.
Moving on, India may or not decide to support the Baloch's right to self determination simply because we can never pressurise Pakistan. It will only distort our shambolic relations more and neither are the Baloch going to be grateful. Think of Bangladesh here. We played a big role in freeing them but they only have contempt for the Big Brother of the sub continent.
So I think we should take measures to build our own security and intelligence and make efforts to build a more lawful Pakistan. Even Chanakya, although endorsing war, was in favor of strong neighbors as chaos has a habit of spilling over.
PS: We are also incapable of terrorist activities against another nation as our dissatisfied youth can find multiple enemies in this multicultural nation itself.
Bizzare Bihanis
Cousin(in the car): Why aren't belts compulsory here. Even in Jaipur they are.
Ashtung: Because people wear tight pants here
"Lets face the facts, a weak Pakistan is very much in our interest. For three decades after the liberation of Bangladesh, Pakistan was weak enough to not bother India. At the same time, we should try everything we can to enhance good relations with other neighbours like Sri Lanka and Nepal. Two hostile neighbours is more than enough. It is to the distinct advantage of the big power nations to preserve Indo-Pak balance of power and it is high time India looks out for its own interests. Peace is what is ultimately desired and we’ve tried enough times to achieve peace without bloodshed. If it takes war to achieve lasting peace, so be it."
It is of course clearer and more informative than any of mine but I still have some couter arguments for him and others with similar opinion.
To begin with, I don't agree that in this age, peace can only be achieved through war. US and Europe have hardly reached the levels of pre 9/11 calm and the threats have only increased after laying Afghanistan and Iraq to dust. The religious leaders in Middle East have now found a common enemy to attack and 'inspire' the youth which was perhaps slipping away. The latest terror-attemptee felt "US threatened Islam."
Coming back to India v/s Pak. Well we might go to war or weaken the nation covertly. But is a chaotic Pak better than a managed one? To begin with, the Taliban is hurting Pak too and that is essentially because of weak leadership. And in that environment what if, God forbid, The BOMB falls in to Taliban's hands? They are not going to think twice before dropping it. I doubt if the deterrence logic will work with them.
Is it a coincidence that the bomb blasts increased in India after Musharraf quit? I know that Musharraf was the man behind Kargil but what would you rather have? Military insurgency or Mumbai 7/11? The attacks happened because the army and ISI lost control of their own home-grown Jehadis who were earlier building bases on Tiger Hills under clear orders. Plus, a stronger leadership is more likely to move them towards development and education than a weaker state. It is a general rule that the dissatisfied youth rebels while the better-off stay aloof.
Moving on, India may or not decide to support the Baloch's right to self determination simply because we can never pressurise Pakistan. It will only distort our shambolic relations more and neither are the Baloch going to be grateful. Think of Bangladesh here. We played a big role in freeing them but they only have contempt for the Big Brother of the sub continent.
So I think we should take measures to build our own security and intelligence and make efforts to build a more lawful Pakistan. Even Chanakya, although endorsing war, was in favor of strong neighbors as chaos has a habit of spilling over.
PS: We are also incapable of terrorist activities against another nation as our dissatisfied youth can find multiple enemies in this multicultural nation itself.
Bizzare Bihanis
Cousin(in the car): Why aren't belts compulsory here. Even in Jaipur they are.
Ashtung: Because people wear tight pants here
Monday 3 May 2010
Lagaan - A Match Report
The match started on a bright sunny morning and a clear blue sky, without a hint of rain or clouds, in the middle of monsoons, which was actually the reason for the match to be staged in the 1st place. The atmosphere was delightful with the entire province turning up for the match to cheer the home team. Their uniformly white attire which matched the visitors' colors, may have sent a wrong message about their loyalties towards the visitors. The different stands of service provided by the ground staff was appalling as the general public was not allowed placards, food items or even water bottles, while the visitors' guests could comfortably smoke a cigar in the pavilion. So much for atithi devo bhava.
Capt. Russell of England won the toss and adhering to conventional wisdom, elected to bat first. The Indian captain, taking a leaf out of the IPL, opted to open with a spinner, in a Test Match. No prizes for guessing who was sent on a leather chase. Later in the day, the home team unleashed an unconventional bowler who rotated his arm 10 times before bowling. Doubt if his shoulder can withstand the wear and tear for more than 2 years in the international circuit. In spite of the dedication displayed by the home team, England took the honours for the day.
Late at night, the Indian team were spotted visiting the temple with their supporters seeking a divine intervention which came a while later. It was reported that one of the team members, who was in love with the Indian captain's arm-candy was accused of conspiring with the opposition captain and fixing the match result. While links with bookies are being investigated, he was allowed to continue in the match as the hearing was pending with ICC.
Day 2 belonged to India as they cleaned up the tail easily as Kachra found some help from the track and managed a hat-trick, eliciting fears of the track cracking on the final day. This was, however a false alarm as the track behaved true and accommodated, supported and even cheered cross-batted shots from the whole Indian batting line-up. Shots, which wouldn't last an over outside the subcontinent and their inadequate technique was exploited by the mean English pacer with a Merv Hughes beard when he hit Lakha on the head with a vicious bouncer.
Although India scored at a healthy rate, the fall of wickets at regular intervals meant the English were always ahead. It took an injured Ismail, a no-ball in the final delivery and a last ball DLF Maximum to see India home. In a typical IPL fashion, the captain received a Zintaesque hug from the main cheerleader as supporters cheered around him and the rain gods finally let go after holding their bladder for 3 days.
This was a match that will be remembered through ages for various reasons; the underdogs beat the favorites on their debut, India held their nerve in crunch situations, the last-ball finish, and above all, for the big prize money worth 3 years of Lagaan.
Post Match, speculations were rife regarding the nationality of the visitors. While their on-field sledging suggested Aussie roots, their failure to contain Bhuvan and remove Kachra in the last over left no doubt over their SA origin, although they kept swearing their loyalty to the Queen. Turns out that ECB hiring Saffers is a century old concept after all.
A special mention should be made of the sole commentator who stuck to his job of announcing the score without sounding foolish, a welcome relief after the crass Danny Morrison we witnessed during the IPL.
Capt. Russell of England won the toss and adhering to conventional wisdom, elected to bat first. The Indian captain, taking a leaf out of the IPL, opted to open with a spinner, in a Test Match. No prizes for guessing who was sent on a leather chase. Later in the day, the home team unleashed an unconventional bowler who rotated his arm 10 times before bowling. Doubt if his shoulder can withstand the wear and tear for more than 2 years in the international circuit. In spite of the dedication displayed by the home team, England took the honours for the day.
Late at night, the Indian team were spotted visiting the temple with their supporters seeking a divine intervention which came a while later. It was reported that one of the team members, who was in love with the Indian captain's arm-candy was accused of conspiring with the opposition captain and fixing the match result. While links with bookies are being investigated, he was allowed to continue in the match as the hearing was pending with ICC.
Day 2 belonged to India as they cleaned up the tail easily as Kachra found some help from the track and managed a hat-trick, eliciting fears of the track cracking on the final day. This was, however a false alarm as the track behaved true and accommodated, supported and even cheered cross-batted shots from the whole Indian batting line-up. Shots, which wouldn't last an over outside the subcontinent and their inadequate technique was exploited by the mean English pacer with a Merv Hughes beard when he hit Lakha on the head with a vicious bouncer.
Although India scored at a healthy rate, the fall of wickets at regular intervals meant the English were always ahead. It took an injured Ismail, a no-ball in the final delivery and a last ball DLF Maximum to see India home. In a typical IPL fashion, the captain received a Zintaesque hug from the main cheerleader as supporters cheered around him and the rain gods finally let go after holding their bladder for 3 days.
This was a match that will be remembered through ages for various reasons; the underdogs beat the favorites on their debut, India held their nerve in crunch situations, the last-ball finish, and above all, for the big prize money worth 3 years of Lagaan.
Post Match, speculations were rife regarding the nationality of the visitors. While their on-field sledging suggested Aussie roots, their failure to contain Bhuvan and remove Kachra in the last over left no doubt over their SA origin, although they kept swearing their loyalty to the Queen. Turns out that ECB hiring Saffers is a century old concept after all.
A special mention should be made of the sole commentator who stuck to his job of announcing the score without sounding foolish, a welcome relief after the crass Danny Morrison we witnessed during the IPL.
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