Case of the RED LIGHT BANDIT, a man who raped in the Last Century

Caryl Chessman is a unique name, in the sense he must be one of a few of a tribe who turned writers while in prison. Chess man remained on death row for 12 years before he was executed by the gas chamber in 1960. During this period he also authored 4 books and inspired a film by Hollywood. One is reminded about this case now, as America has an endemic crime record and the killings at Connecticut are nothing new. Chessman was an average American but he had a streak of violence in him. His modus operandi was simple. He traveled on the roads in California with a red light on top of his car. People believed him to be a cop and pulled up when he signaled them to stop. Thus he got the name “Red Light bandit”.

After the cars pulled up Chessman would rob the passengers and in case the driver was a girl he would drag her out of the car for sex, rape and oral sex. Two cases that were proved in court were the case of 17 year old Mary Alice Meza who under threat performed oral sex on Chessman and 22 year old Regina Johnson who was dragged 22 feet from the car to a clump of trees and raped.

In 1948 Chessman was arrested and put on trial. He was sentenced to death for a total of 17 offences of rape and robbery. A peculiar aspect of this case was the death sentence awarded. At that time kidnapping was an offence that merited the death penalty. The fact the girl Regina Johnson was dragged 22 feet from the car made the application of kidnapping charge stick to Chessman and he was awarded the death sentence in 1948.

Chessman claimed he was innocent but he could not give much proof on this account. He earned a reprieve from the gallows on a number of occasions as eminent persons argued to save his life, but his luck finally ran out and on 2 May 1960 was executed

Is Raj Thackeray Correct: All Crimes of Rape and Murder are done by Biharis?

Raj Thackeray is a maverick politician who is prone to making sensational and provocative statements. For this many FIR’s have been filed against him. Not for a moment will I support Raj Thackeray, but having said that it is important we analyse the crimes of rape and women in India. There is no doubt that the socio- economic situation in Bihar is bad. The caste divide is extreme, so much so that people will be surprised to know that in Patna even the Police billets are segregated on caste lines.

The second point that must be emphasised is that Bihar is a feudal state where the women have been subjugated and made second class citizens. Add to this the caste equation and you have a deadly concoction of the worst case of socio economic scenario one can think off. Bihar is almost a lawless state, despite all efforts of Nits Kumar the state remains steeped in obscurantism and backwardness. Industrial production is nonexistent and jobs are difficult to come by. With the loss of the mineral rich areas to Jharkhand, Bihar has almost empty coffers.

Thus the pressure to migrate to other states is extreme and many Biharis migrate to Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay for a livelihood. When this crowd leaves Bihar they mostly leave their families behind and work single in the metropolis. Conditioned by a feudal background these Bihar men are easily susceptible to crime. There is no doubt that a large number of crimes of rape and other sex related matters can be traced to people from Bihar. Unable to visualize a freedom of girls in dress and demeanor, that they have not seen in Bihar these Bihari workers are easily swayed and base thoughts come to them resulting in crimes of rape.

Unfortunately this also applies to Eastern Utter Pradesh which is also the sister state of Bihar in terms of obscurantism and backwardness. Perhaps the only solution is to not only enact stringent laws, but also improve the socio- economic scenario in Bihar and UP. Incidentally it is not only Raj who has articulated these thoughts but the Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit has also earlier gone on record with the same observations. The fact is the Bihar and UP constitutes 40% of India’s population and curbing this menace of rape and crime by men of this state is no easy task

The Memoirs of Field Marshal Keitel

Hitler's Chief Planner Field Marshal Keitel was a member of Hitlers inner circle. He was involved in all plans and decisions since 1938 and thus was an active participant in the conduct of the war. At the end of the war he was arrested by the Allies and tried for war crimes against humanity. Keitel was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Once the verdict was handed down at Nuremburg, Keitel wrote his memoirs in about 6 weeks. He completed his memoirs and requested as a soldier that he be shot to death . This request was refused and he was duly hanged. Thus ended a sordid chapter in German history. Keitel in his memoirs has tried to present his point of view. But sadly throughout the book there is no remorse that he was part of the greatest killing machine in history. Keitel tries to keep upthe image of a professional army, but he has nothing to say about his many controversial orders which he signed that besmirched the uniform of the officer corps of the German army. The fact that he did ever try to moderate the inhuman orders of Hitler clearly stand out.

The Memoirs The memoirs are interesting to read. In particular his account of the last days of the Reich and the German surrender are interesting. The surrender is graphically presented and one gets a view of that period through German eyes. Keitel I am afraid has little sympathy. Perhaps he thought that he would get away by claiming that he only obeyed orders as a soldier. But it did not work. There were too many orders to kill jews, communists, Allied raiding parties were sentenced to be shot in an order signed by him which went against the Geneva convention. Keitel had to pay for his crimes. Thus his last request to be shot was rejected and he was hanged.

Playing Golf at Digboi in Far East Assam: It's great Fun

Upper Assam is a romantic place. I for one who has spent considerable time in this region, remember it as a place with some of the best Golf courses. I do recollect teeing off at the Upper Assam golf Club at Digboi, about 65 km from Dibrugarh. Digboi is a small town with a population of about 20,000, but its importance far outstrips everything. It is the centre of the only oil wells in this region. In addition the golf club, is something that one can never forget.

The golf course was laid out in 1898 and that makes it one of the oldest golf courses in India. The course was re-laid in 1930 and during the war years supported an air strip. The air strip was abandoned after the war and now is part of the 5th fair way. The course by itself is one of the best in India. It has 18 holes and is a 72 PAR course. Many professional golfers have played at this course. I have also played at this course which has a romantic charm of its own.

The course is looked after by the Indian Oil company, and is of international standard. The course winds through a reserved forest and game sanctuary, on three of its sides, while the fourth side gives a view of the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh. This course is one the best in the entire state and is host to a regular competition every year. The course goes through thick jungles. Wild animals like the Leopard, horse, elephant roam in these jungles and in case you start your game early at first light you will be able to see the pug marks of these beasts all over the course, in particular close to the many streams that traverse the course. What a lovely thought it is, playing golf in the land of wild animals.You will have to be careful with your long shots with the woods so that the ball is not lost in the woods close to the course.

The club and golf course are cared for by the Indian oil company. There are eight other golf courses among the tea estates of this area, including an Army golf course. All these courses are 8 or 9 hole courses. But the Digboi golf course is the best. The course has local boys available as caddies. You will certainly need them to insure that you know all the pitfalls and streams that cross the course. So if you happen to visit Digboi, you can't go away without playing a game of Golf.

Remembering Zane Grey's " Riders of the Purple Sage"

Many years down the line I once again red 'Riders of the Purple Sage, ' a novel by Zane Grey. Perhaps more than any other novel, this book contributed to the concept of the American West. It has all the ingredients like a mysterious gunfighter, the outlaw boss and his masked accomplice, the frontier woman torn between love and law, the laconic cowboy out on the range--all these figures became familiar to readers through the work of Zane Grey.

This is the first of Zane Grey's many bestsellers. It’s a stirring tale of adventure and romance. A proud young heroine stands alone against the villains who rustle and stampede her cattle — until stranger rides into the territory. He is like a man sent by Jesus. This is Classic American frontier fiction, teeming with color, authenticity, thrills. One can read it again and again.

Rahul Gandhi is in a Resurgent Mood: Can he Succeed?

The Congress went to the polls after ruling for 10 years. This,
I am afraid is one of the bleakest periods of Indian history after 1947. With scant disregard of the wishes of the Indian people a political novice and a man with no sense of history, in effect an ineffectual man named Man Mohan Singh was hoisted on the Indian people. He was made the PM of 1.2 billion people. I wonder if such a charade has ever been committed in Indian history.

Such a man was bound to fail and this was reflected in the 2014 election when the Congress was wiped out winning just 44 seats. To top it the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi played a lack lustre role and failed to match the  BJP  mascot Narendra Modi. Many were despondent, but the majority looked forward to the promised "achee din".

Unfortunately the Achee Din have not materialised and there was a chink in the BJP armour. The saying that the hour finds the man is true and Rahul did some introspection. He went on  a 59 days Sabbath to  introspect and on his return a new Rahul has emerged. He has started a strong campaign against Modi. He is helped by the fact that Modi has been sitting on plenty of inaction. Modi has not given the promised OROP for soldiers, bungled on the land bill and overall created the image of a weak internal polity with just bombastic talk and no action, be it Kashmir or industry or anything.

Rahul has seized the moment and he is getting favourable response. Its a rejuvenated Rahul and given his lineage, he may well succeed.

Riding Horses and women

I was taught horse riding at the Academy. It was a wonderful experience.  I still remember my riding instructor Bawa Singh who put me through my paces. It was always a pleasure to control the bucking horse and as I clung to the horse with my legs clasped tightly around its flanks, gave me a feeling of tremendous elation. The horse did throw me down a couple of times, but that was when I was a novice. Once I was the master the horse was my docile pal.  Later I had a string of girl friend, can't help it when you hold the Presidents commission.  Yes! My Air Force monogram on my blazer did the trick. It advertised me and I needed no introduction.   But now with the passage of time I have found that riding is an art, both while riding a woman or a horse. Both experiences are to be savored and I wonder whether my stray thoughts on this subject will interest the reader.

A horse is meant to be ridden and so is a woman. That is the principle and essence of life. One cannot get away from it.A wild horse is tamed by being ‘broken in’.  A woman is similarly de-flowered and tamed. While riding hold on to the horse while in saddle with your thighs clasped strongly.  Likewise hold a woman firmly during sex with you thighs. The grip must be strong so as to press home your advantage. Hold on tightly when a horse bucks and move in rhythm with him.  Duplicate this when a woman also bucks, wriggles and cavorts in passion i.e., hold her tightly and move in rhythm with her.

After a ride pat a horse on his head to convey your appreciation and love for him.  Ditto for a woman after she is ridden. She will appreciate the attention. Build a bond of trust with the horse and understand him.  Likewise a bond of understanding and love needs to be established for riding a woman to ones satisfaction.Follow the rules and you will be the master.