India -Pakistan Clash is inevitable * 67

Pakistan Army is bristling at their failures in all their wars with India. Starting with the 1947-48 war when the Tribal soldiers from the North of Kashmir aided by the Pakistan army failed to capture the valley to the 1998 Kargil war when again the Pakistan army failed to do anything significant to the 1971 war when the Pak army entered the record books as the only army in Asia to have lost half the nation, the Pakistan army has been thirsting for revenge.

This is the genesis of the Kashmir problem as a humiliated Pakistan army has been unable to match India. They have turned to terrorism with a plan to bleed India with a 100 cuts. Unfortunately for the Pakistan army this ploy also has failed and there is now a sense of desperation in the Pakistan army. Perhaps the generals don’t know what to do next. They have tried terrorist acts like the Mumbai attacks but these have led nowhere. The Generals who have never won a war are now thinking how they can redeem the successive defeats including the surrender of 100,000 Pakistan soldiers during the 1971 war.

There is a chance that Pakistan will provoke another round of hostilities. Pakistan is having nuclear weapons, but I don’t that they will play a significant role as Pakistan is 1/5th the size of India and in any nuclear conflagration, Pakistan will simply cease to exist. The Generals ruling in Rawalpindi are aware of this harsh fact. What next then?

The Pakistan army will certainly try for a last fling to win Kashmir. But again Kashmir is small point as the aim is to have parity with India and defeat India. This is not easy as India is the 8th largest economy in the world and much advanced than Pakistan. Secondly Pakistan is also facing an Islamic Wahhabi insurrection in its backyard. This is the real danger to Pakistan, yet the Pakistan generals have not recognized the threat blinded by hatred towards India. The entire North West of Pakistan is dominated by these Wahhabi groups who want the Sharia enforced and Pakistan state to be dismantled and made part of an Islamic caliphate. Despite the lurking danger, the pathological hatred of India may well propel another round of battle and that will perhaps lead to the complete breakup of Pakistan as Sind and Baluchistan may well break away like Bangladesh and the generals of the Pak army may just twiddle their thumbs.

Could Hitler have won the War? A Hypothetical discussion

Introduction

We are all aware that the Allies along with Russia won the Second World War. The mind of most people is conditioned to this fact of history and many do not contemplate that Germany could have won the Second World War. But a look at the conduct of the war from 1939-45 does show that had Hitler played his cards more adroitly; he could have won the war. This is now a hypothetical question as the war is long over and Hitler dead and gone. Despite this in case Hitler had followed certain other courses of action he may very well have launched the 1000 year Reich.

The Beginning in 1939

On Sept. 3, 1939, when Germany launched the invasion of Poland, German star was in ascendance. A look at Europe at that time shows that Mussolini was allied to Hitler and Austria and Czechoslovakia were also with Hitler and by signing a non-aggression pact with Stalin Hitler had laid to rest the fears brought out of a two front war by Count Schifillion. Thus at that time the German position was unassailable.

This was one of Hitler’s finest years. He seemed an astute leader as having secured his Russian front he attacked France and the French capitulated in 40 days. It is one of the great victories of the war and made Hitler the master of Europe. At that time the USA was neutral and Russia was at bay by a shrewd diplomatic maneuver and only the UK remained.

The First Mistake

Hitler planned ‘Operation Sea Lion’ at that time; the invasion of England. But now his mind became warped and he failed to grasp the strategic reality. This was the time not to think of attacking Russia but annihilating the United Kingdom. With a neutral USA, Hitler could have launched a sea borne invasion. Causalities may have been high but once a bridge head had been developed the surrender and conquest of the British Isles was on the cards. The Churchill government could have escaped to Canada but to fight from across the Atlantic was a gargantuan task and Hitler would then have been on the road to the first phase of his mission for 1000 year Reich.

After this conquest of the United Kingdom all he had to do was to capture Malta and Gibraltar. This he should have done himself even if Franco had demurred. With Hitler master of Europe and the UK occupied, the chance that Franco would have been lukewarm to capture of Gibraltar is implausible.

Time to Regroup

Hitler missed the title Great as this was the time to take STOCK

 of the situation. It was time for clear cut strategic policy. With Western Europe in Hitler’s grip, and the United States and the Soviet Union still neutral, Hitler could have recharged his resources with new weaponry with the resources now available to him. Now is the time to regroup. The resources of Europe are now available to the war machine, new boats, new submarines, new aircraft and new weapons can now be developed. There was no danger of any air bombardment and all activities of the German war machine would go on unhindered.

At that time Hitler and his cohorts could well have concluded that the war was over. Not quite, as the Africa campaign would now have a different color. There would have been no Russia or General winter and the mud and slush to face and with the Italians the drive across North Africa would have been so much easier. With the Arabs siding with Hitler and German forces reaching and capturing the Suez Canal would have made Hitler the dominant power in the world. This was the time to declare victory.

What Next? The Invasion of Russia

A clash between Stalin and Hitler would have taken place. But with Germany a master of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea up to the Suez Canal, a battle with Russia then would be different. No supply lines to Russia across the arctic and no UK to help. The USA would perforce be neutral and no declaration of war on USA though Japan would have attacked that country anyway.
Yes there would be cold war between the USA and Germany, but Russia could then be defeated.

Last word

If Hitler was a great leader he would have calculated his course of action, but his impetuosity let him down. He allowed emotion to overrule logic and that is not the hall mark of a great leader. In case Hitler had played his cards adroitly, he may well have been the winner.

The Farce of Returning Awards: Need a Whip Lash

There is a spate of writers returning awards to the government. The question that needs to be answered by the awardees   IS HOW IS IT THAT THEY HAVE  WOKEN UP NOW BUT REMAINED SILENT AFTER 1984 SIKH RIOTS ,MUMBAI  RIOTS AS ALSO THOSE AT FORCED EVICTION OF KASHMIRI PUNDITS FROM KASHMIR, MUZAFFARNAGER AND ELSEWHERE.

The fact of the matter is that all these men and women claiming to be intellectuals are in reality Modi haters. These writers with pretence to being intellectuals are  ALL INDEBTED TO CONGRESS PARTY. These persons have a one point agenda and the aim is to demonize Narendra Modi.  THIS MAY BE AT THE BEHEST OF CONGRESS PARTY AS THE PARTY WORKERS ARE DESPERATE, KNOWING THAT CONGRESS IS FULLY DECIMATED.. 

I am glad to bring to the notice of my readers the role of Anupam Kher. This man appeared on Times Now Channel and presented  an interesting point of view. Kher tore to shreds the real reason the awards were returned. He brought out the sinister plan of these stooges of Congress party whose main agenda was to malign Modi.

Arnab for a change also chipped in and the awardees had no answer. THEY ( AWARDEES ) HAD NO ANSWER AS TO WHY THEY HAVE NOT PROTESTED AFTER SO MANY COMMUNAL  VIOLENCES DURING CONGRESS' REGIME AND  WHY ONLY NOW VOICING THEIR CONCERN. NONE OF THE AWARDEES HAD ANY ANSWER TO THE POSED QUESTION BY  ANUPAM KHER AND ARNAB GOSWAMI.

How Sikhs Select a Name for the New Born

Naming Ceremony Among Sikhs

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A Sikh is one who believes in Guru Nanak (1469-1539). He believes that there is one god and it has has no shape or form. He is a person who follows no other god or any person who claims lineage from god. He will eschew idol worship or have the face of his women covered with a veil. He will believe that the ten gurus are apostles of god and the Guru Granth is the embodiment of the teachings of the Gurus.Naming of a child in Sikhism is an important ritual

The first Step after Birth

In a Sikh’s household, as soon as the mother after the birth of the child becomes capable of moving about and taking bath the next step is to be executed. No time period is specified and it could anything from 10 to 40 days or longer. The important thing is that the mother and child must be fit to go to the Gurudwara for the naming ceremony. The family and the relations then should go to a Gurudwara with Karhah Parshad (sacred Pudding). Generally people give this task of preparing the sacred pudding to the Gurudwara.

When the Karhah Parshad is being prepared the hymns “Parmeshar dita bana”(The almighty God has granted support)( sorathM5) or “Satguru sache dia bhej” ( True lord has sent a gift)( Asa M5) are recited. These stanzas express joy and love at the birth of a new member of the Sikh religion and the little child is welcomed into the world.
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The Hukam or Command

This is a very important step as the Head Granthi or priest will open the Granth Sahib at any random page and note the first alphabet that appears on the page. The holy command is then taken and the bay’s name has to begin with the first letter of the alphabet that has appeared on the page opened by the Granthi.

The Granthi will announce the letter and the parents can choose any name beginning with that alphabet. However all boys names must end with ‘Singh’ and girls name with ‘kaur’. There is no embargo on any name, so long as it commences with the letter that has emerged from the Guru Granth. The name has to be accepted and the Granthi will announce the name of the boy or girl as the case may be.

The head priest or Granthi will now read to the congregation and all who have come to the Gurudwara the short version of 6 stanzas from the Anand Sahib and the Ardas ( thanksgiving prayer) will be recited. The Head Granthi will cross the sacred pudding with the kirpan (dagger) and as a mark of joy the Karhah Parshad will be distributed to all present.

Last Step.
Once the name is accepted the Granthi or head priest will announce the name to the gathering. Care must be taken in this naming ceremony not to bring in any ritual from any other religion. The naming ceremony of a newborn in Sikhism is a simple ceremony. The essence is to name the girl or boy in the presence of the Granth Sahib and also associate the Granth with the name

Modi Sweep likely in Bihar * 76

The Bihar election voting commenced today i.e 12 Oct.  The battle is basically between Narendra Modi and a motley alliance of two past antagonists Lalu Yadav and Nitesh Kumar. Who  win?

The battle is tough and the dominating factor is caste, but an the undercurrent is also own and there could be polarisation of voters on religious lines. So factors are caste with an undercurrent of religion.

This is no easy election, but generally people do feel that both Lallu and Nitesh have had their say and day and dine precious little. No wonder the TOI poll points to a BJP win. Even that old war horse Mulayam Singh has subtly dropped the hint that the wind is blowing in the BJP direction.

Come November and there is every chance that the BJP alliance will romp home.

The result of the election will have far reaching effect. FirstlyI suspect it is the demise of the political career of Nitesh Kumar. Lalu is as it is facing a jail term and allying with Lalu, was the nemesis of Nitesh. I wonder how an intelligent man can commit poetical suicide.. In contrast the vote may strengthen Modi's hand and one hopes he will take off from here and sanction the long delayed OROP

Book Review; “Siege” a Thriller Novel by Simon Kernick.

 

Simon Kernick is a British writer. His forte is thrillers and crime fiction. Born in 1966 Kernick has written crime fiction from the time he was a young lad. Kernick obtained a degree in humanities in 1991 and after graduation for some time worked at odd jobs. Kernick had his schooling at Gillotts School, Oxfordshire. During his student days he did jobs like being a fruit picker and Christmas tree up-rooter.

Entering the World of the Writer

Kernick published his first novel ‘The Business of Dying’ in September 2001. After the publication of this book Kernick has not looked back as he churned out crime thrillers over the next decade. In 2012 he published ‘Siege’ a fast action paced crime thriller. The book of almost 400 pages became a best seller. This is a rapid quick fire action oriented thriller. A reading of this book brings out the author’s affinity with the Anti-Terrorist and Special Branch of the police.

Kernick did not have instant success as a writer and after his graduation he worked in his uncles company till his book was picked up by a publisher.

The Plot of” Siege”

‘Siege’ is a book that does justice to the genius of Kernick. The novel has firmly established Kernick as a writer with a flair for mystery and crime.The action takes place in the heart of London in an imaginary hotel, the Stanhope. The hotel is targeted by the Pan-Arab Army of God. But to divert attention from their real aim, this terrorist group launches attacks at a Railway station and a shopping centre.

Kernick next treats the readers to 400 pages covering five hours of intense action as the residents of the hotel and the staff is taken hostage. Kernick brings in the human element and in some way this tale can be compared to the movie Die Hard. The hotel itself and its guests are a very plausible lot. Some of the residents have their own reasons for being in the hotel, which they would like to keep secret.

Secrets in the Hotel

Among the guests in the hotel is a diabetic mother with her young son and a mysterious soldier who is disillusioned with life. There is also a woman who has come to meet her lover, a married man. Among the hotel staff is the manager Elena Serenko who is just engaged and has decided to leave her job and migrate to Australia to start a new life. The characters created by Kernick have a ring of reality.

There is also a dangerous killer who is holed up in the penthouse on the top floor as he waits to kill a man who has eluded him. They are real people who are caught up in the siege and suddenly come face to face with terror. None of the residents are aware that a group of terrorist will seize the hotel at 4 pm and everybody’s life is at risk.

The style of Kernick

Kernick has a racy writing style that is sure to appeal to his fans. He presents a thriller in the genre of James Hadley Chase and the reader is glued to the book till the very end.

The police operation is handled by Arley Dale, who is outside the hotel. She has her own problems. The Siege is a very realistic scenario that could be duplicated anywhere in the world.

Personal life

Kernick presently lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. His novel ‘Relentless’ was the 8th best-selling paperback and the bestselling thriller of the year. His book was recommended on Richard & Judy’s summer book club in 2007. Kernick remains a magnificent writer of thrillers and has a die-hard following.

List of Books published by Kernick

The Business of Dying (2002)The Murder Exchange (2003)The Crime Trade (2004)A Good Day To Die (2005)Relentless(2006) Severed (2007) Deadline (2008)Target (2009)The Last 10 Seconds (2010)The Payback (2011)Siege (2012)Ultimatum (2013)

Last Word

The world of action thrillers is vast in English literature. Ever since Charles Dickens wrote ’The Mystery of Edwin Drood ‘many writers have appeared on the writing scene. The genre of the thriller has been given a fillip by many writers and Simon Kernick has an important position among modern writers

Moslem Stars rule in Hindu India. * 70

Indian Film Industry

Dilip, Madhubala Nimmi -All Moslems

India is home to the largest film industry in the world. In particular it rivals Hollywood that produces far less movies thanmade in India. But the main center of films in India is Mumbai. The movies are churned out in the Hindi language and are extremely popular amongst Indian expatriates abroad as well as in the neighboring countries of the Middle East and South East Asia.
The Indian movie industry has now come of age and serious movies are also being made that cater to the world market. But there is a dichotomy that is hard to explain as in a country with an overwhelming Hindu population, the major top stars all profess the Moslem religion.

Moslem Stars

Old time producer Mehboob Khan

Thus the top stars of the Hindi films like Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman khan et all are Moslems. Though, it cannot be denied that these stars mostly portray Hindu roles. There are Hindu stars as well but the popularity of the Moslem stars is unrivaled.
It is not only the Moslem film stars who rule the roost in India but even all other departments of film craft like direction, music, editing, songs etc. are dominated by the minority community.

The fact remains that the Moslem stars have endeared themselves to the vast majority of Hindus who literally adore them. Thus any talk of discrimination against the minority community is perhaps redundant.

Hindu revivalist Parties have failed

Bala saheb

We have had leaders like Bala sahib Thackeray ( Who passed away last Year) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad who cater to Hindu revivalist thought. But even these organizations are unable to dent the popularity of the Moslem stars. Moslem stars have always ruled the Hindi film world ever since the movie industry was launched in India. In the earlier period just after independence most of the Moslem stars adopted Hindu names. The most prominent was Yusuf khan, who adopted the name Dilip Kumar. But in the present age most Moslem stars are proud to flaunt their religion and again their popularity has not diminished among the Hindu masses.

Female Super Stars

Katrina Kaif

The King of the Mumbai film world is Shah Rukh Khan who has endeared himself to the Indian public with a variety of roles. He is one star who is versatile and does justice to all his roles. The trend of male heroes is not an exception as female Moslem stars have also received top billing. In fact the top heroines have been all Moslems like Nargis, Nimmi, Meena Kumari, Shyama, Madhubala and dozens of others. These women stars have made a name for themselves and the trend has continued with heroines like being Katrina kaif being crowned as number 1.

Last Word

Zeeenat Aman top Moslem star of yester years

One can truly say that Indian secularism has come of age. It can't happen anywhere else in the world and India in that respect is unique.Another point is the complete absence of the Burkha which has been thrown aside.

Putin at the UN: Tallest Leader at the Moment

It was treat to see at last a world leader taking the centre stage of attention at UN General Assembly session. Though small sized yet athletic he definitely came out a giant among all. Rational, logical and fascinatingly simple in demeanour Putin had his way on all issues that he tackled during his speech and interviews especially those for American public by Charlie Rose the intrepid American journalist.

 Putin was cool, straightforward mincing no words about who is responsible for the Syrian catastrophe, its genesis and purpose of ISIS as we know an entirely American enterprise engaged in toppling a legitimate regime and creating refugee floods . 

His nutshell view of  growing friction in global environment is the  American obsession for hegemony backed by projection of power conditioned only to consolidate a uni-polar  world;  an absurdity thus root cause of international crises.  All this with  back ground of heavy Russian air strikes ( SU 34, 35) dramatic action videos on internet ; an interesting aircraft documentary about Russian air force military aircraft that some believe are the worst nightmare of the us air force- why are Indians  falling for Euro rubbish called Rafael when Russians are our tested partners ! ) against ISIS in Syria following a one hour notice to Americans to vacate Syrian air space  which  Americans did coolly then  deployed search and rescue teams on ground!  Apparently to pick up their battered ‘moderate’ militants. 

A new term coined by Americans to cover their ruse. It is also reported that Pentagon is mulling putting ground troops against Assad as they have been stumped by the boldness of Russian intervention and also  fear back lash from their ‘moderates’ ! In response Putin has conveyed that he would bomb Saudi Arabia! Russians are not just fair weather friends and will stand by their commitment as India  saw during 71 War.

 There were many silly statements like one was a tweet from inveterate mischief maker Senator McCain predicting that Russians would go the way Gaddafi did!  Putin picked it and gave resounding reply. Gaddafi was murdered by US Special Forces without a trial Putin explained . He also recalled meeting McCain in Munich Security Conference  . 

    With ground situation in Syria worsening for ISI, Daesh and Takfiri , was it that the shooting in US school which led to mass killing with attacker picking up Christians by selection was an act of warning by one of these outfits! Quite logical terrorism breeds its Frankenstein   to avenge its creators. We have our examples too :It was  Americans who created Taliban to fight Russians !                                                                                                           Are we heading for a new cold war?