Friday, December 08, 2006
KASHMIR, MUSHARREF AND PRANNOY ROY!
IT IS GOING TO BE A DAMP SQUIB!
In his interview to PRANNOY ROY of NDTV General Pervez Musharref, President of Pakistan has supposedly said that he and Pakistan were prepared to forgo their claim on Kashmir, should India accept FOUR POINTS plan of General Musharref to resolve the issue. This post is in response to this statement. According to me, it was an eyewash and it is going to be a damp squib. My reminder to PRANNOY ROY IS:-
PRANNOY ROY ,SIR, You are wasting your time and inadvertantly leading INDIA up the garden path. If You think Musharref and PAKISTAN will forgo their claim on KASHMIR, you are sadly mistaken. KASHMIR is the only fulcrum of "ANIMOSITY- WITH- INDIA- POLICY" of Pakistan which is at the very core of Pakistan's survivability. REMEMBER, THE DAY KASHMIR ISSUE GOES, PAKISTAN GOES. Forget the TRACK-II diplomacy---Reality can not be wished away. And the reality is PAKISTAN survives as a nation because of anti-India feelings.
Read and listen to your own interview of Musharref, he has just not said what you are feeding the nation with. Sir, have you forgotten AGRA SUMMIT--how he used you through your question to trash and rubbish Indian viewpoint. In front of flashing cameras and PTV sending him live on air through you, he had ridiculed you and India by calling situation in KASHMIR AS FREEDOM STRUGGLE. Now you claim he says, "NO INDEPENDENCE". Do I have to remind you that he has a slippery mind? Have you forgotten how SHEKHAR GUPTA of INDIAN EXPRESS was used by NAWAZ SHARIEF through his interview in January 1999 to invite AB Vajpayee to LAHORE and then make him look small through KARGIL-99. Do you still believe, this shifting and rolling panorma of DNA of his 'FOUR POINTS' is genuine?
I tell you what? Have you heard of three laws of ABSURDITY? If interested , I will give you a brief on them, but note the THIRD LAW which is actually of a "LOVE- FAILED-ROMEO" : IF SHE CAN NOT BE MINE, SHE CAN NOT BE ANY ONE ELSE'S. Since 1988, after ZARB-E- MOMIN, Pakistan has resorted to this policy on KASHMIR. "Destroy KASHMIR", are the key words in Pakistan's Kashmir policy since then. AND TERRORISM/ MILTANCY IN KASHMIR IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF THIS POLICY. INNOCENT KASHMIRI YOUTH FALL PREY TO EMOTIONAL CALL OF RELIGION IN DANGER. Please note religion is the easiest way to rake up emotions of the people and blind their rational faculities so as to serve your purpose without any opposition.
Finally, let us note that over the last 59 years, Pakistani Establishment had been stuffing their populace with anti-India venom and romanticising them with their final VICTORY OVER INDIA ON KASHMIR. People of Pakistan are as emotionally charged about KASHMIR as their military is. It may take another 59 years to stomach- wash this poison before Pakistan can forgo its claim on KASHMIR. But certainly not now and definitely NOT IN MUSHARREF'S time.
As a parting shot, let me inform you about what my Kashmiri friend K****din once told me. I quote: IF YOU ADD SUGAR TO POISON IT DOES NOT BECOME A SWEET DISH OR PUDDING. IF YOU CONSUME, YOU WILL SURE DIE. According to him ,as on date, PAKISTAN is a pure poison for India. May be after stomach wash things look up after4-5 decades. KASHMIR SOLUTION,sir, lies in the womb of 22nd Century. HISTORY of KASHMIR will ensure this.
Comments
question sir Wednesday, December 6, 2006 4:26:35 PM
Sir,So do you think we should wait for 22nd century? I don't trust any paki but I don't go with your theory either. I believe solution needs to come from people of Kashmir. In fact I believe to sustain peace in Kashmir; Herculean effort is needed from people of Kashmir. It needs some sort of revolution. But at the end Kashmir will be an integeral part of India. Neither you nor me will deny this. Thank you
yaveshrana Wednesday, December 6, 2006 5:25:24 PM
Dear Question, Sir,I do respect your views. Like a true Indian I, too, want an immediate solution but unfortunately certain facts on Kashmir militate against our wishes. I am not an astrologer but there are certain strange facts which force me to say what i'm saying. HOW I WISH THIS THEORY OF GRAND CYCLE IS WRONG? But it isn't, Sir.
again Wednesday, December 6, 2006 6:03:17 PM
Sir,I don’t believe in God nor do I believe in fictitious story. I do and say things by heart. At present my heart says Kashmiri’s are suffering not because of the ill deeds or curse but because of selfish and greedy people possessing power. Once this is realised by people of Kashmir, it is just matter of time. The same is true in case of problems that prevail in our nation. I don’t believe in theory of “Karmaâ€. I will be getting fruits of my ill deeds in this birth. Life after death, fruits of karma are carry forwarded in your next birth; makes me believe that our minds are not well developed yet. People talk about “judgement day†and you are talking about 22nd century for justice to prevail. Sorry sir I don’t go with these theories. God is within us. Have u heard that the famous saying in Hindi “Bagal me churi aur sher me dindoraâ€. If extent this a bit more it will like solution will come from Kashmir people.Thank youPSI am sorry I am language is bit harsh.
yaveshrana Wednesday, December 6, 2006 6:43:51 PM
No,"AGAIN" Sir, You are not harsh. you are agonised and I can see the pain. I do agree with you the KASHMIR issue will be resolved by people of KASHMIR. You said it is a matter of time---I say it is by the start of 22nd Century. I am being definitive and you are unsure of the time. It is not the KARMA theory sir. It is based on the analysis of the history of KASHMIR. Please CHECK YOURSELF-the recorded HISTORY from 1900BC To 2006 AD. You will authenticate me. Thanx
Shersingh Wednesday, December 6, 2006 9:16:54 PM
Musharraf is the only person who has the credibility and authority within Pakistan to take any major decisions witn regard to Kashmir, or make any compromises. No civilian Prime Minister could do so in the forseable future, as the Opposition parties as well as the military would immediately condemn it as a sellout. Can you imagine Nawaz Sharif, or Benazir ever being able to make any concessions? On the contrary, they would need to keep the Kashmir issue alive to divert public opinion away from domestic issues, failures, and corruption. India needs to recognise this, and make equal efforts to reach a solution.
jkeshav Thursday, December 7, 2006 6:29:08 AM
AS YOU RIGHTLY SAID PAKISTAN GOES IF KASHMIR GOES. PAKISTANIS FROM THEIR SCHOOLDAYS ARE FED WITH ANTI-INDIA & PRO-KASHMIRI MILITANCY FEELINGS. IF KASHMIR IS NOT ANNEXED & IS LOST IN THE PAKISTANI SENSE MUSHARRAF OR WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE WILL BE IN DIRE STRAITS FOR CERTAIN. FOR THE PAKISTANIS IT WILL BE A HARD TO DIGEST MATTER.
ruzan_shah Thursday, December 7, 2006 7:15:55 AM
well its really amusing that we are discussing Kashmir without kashmiris.....lolCome on folks Musharraf & Pak is the second stage the first thing is UN resolution of plebescite in Kashmir.Right of self determination.The question is do we really want to implement UN resolution on Kashmir or are we ready for a plebescite or are we serious about Kashmiri right of self determination ?Be honest guysreality is we dont want a plebescite on kashmir just because we know what kashmiri people want or what they will do.Pakistan is second feedle but we are the one who can solve this without Pakistan.Let kasmiri decide their fateDo we have courage or conviction for trueth ?If yes we can solve it ourselvesIf nowhats the point cursing others for our inability or unwillingness ?
Tiara Nova Thursday, December 7, 2006 10:43:54 AM
Well, not allowing the Kashmir issue to die down (because there is no mutually acceptable solution any way) is the concern of not only Pakistan, but also of the world bully, US. There are speculations that having enacted the bully job in Vietnam, Afghan, Iraq etc. and with the awareness that Kashmir is climatically more suited to their marines, USA may have a hidden agenda to ensconce itself in Kashmir in the garb of a third party mediator. Once they are in, Kashmir will be theirs. It will be the story of two cats and a monkey.
prateek_sri Thursday, December 7, 2006 11:44:06 AM
I think the peace process between india and pakistan is one sided, where pakistan is bent on to devastate india, india is very keen to make frindship with him.
ashith kamath Thursday, December 7, 2006 12:17:41 PM
yavesh,quite a stunning point"THE DAY KASHMIR ISSUE GOES, PAKISTAN GOES" its so true, who would think about pakistan if not for the kashmir issue and terrorism. but i think the soft stand of our government has got to end. i am all for the peace process to move forward, but our past experience has been so bitter, every peace process has been taken advantage of.... there cant be a bigger example than kargil or the 7/11 mumbai blasts. we must always put forward the hand for friendship, but i dont think we should ever let our guard down, neither should we ever let pakistan, china or any other neighbour take advantage of our naiveity. we have always come across as a country with false bravado, probably if our politicians had taken a tough stance, rather than talk big we wouldnt have seen the dismal track record that we have in situations where we are pressed. i feel its better to loose 300 of our own flesh and blood than release 1 terrorist in lien. its surprising how independance has softened us indians....
Simpleguy Thursday, December 7, 2006 12:59:25 PM
Ruzan says that the Kashmiris need to be included in the talk. Surely the elections do say that they are involved. Is it not?The Kashmir politicians, across the party line have promoted and participated in pogrom to drive out Hindus. Do we talk to these criminals?If Kashmir should go, it shall be the second partition in the name of religion. Secular India should not allow this to go ahead. The cost of partition should be borne by Kashmir and Pakistan that supports this partitioning along religious lines
Learner Thursday, December 7, 2006 1:35:13 PM
Dear yavesh i understand your point and completely agree with you. but one suggestion dear please write in black normal colour don't use red, green and blue colors.if there are some words which are very interesting then write them with in any color but not the entire post Hope you take this suggestion in a good spirit.ThanksLearner
CS Thursday, December 7, 2006 2:53:06 PM
On the contrary it gives color and beauty. I am also trying colors imitating rana. People who suffer from colorblindness may not appreciate or read colored blogs. it is their headache.
yaveshrana Thursday, December 7, 2006 3:34:59 PM
LEARNER Sir,I have tried to tone down the colours of the POST--Hope it serves the purpose. AND THANK YOU "CS" Sir. Both of you, sir, I will invite your valuable attention to my other post-" KASHMIR-A BOOK with a difference". I will like to know the views on the synopsis of my draft of the book.
Gone Thursday, December 7, 2006 5:01:40 PM
You have said if Kashmir goes, Pakistan goes. What does that mean? Where will Pakistan go? Will it cease to exist? Will it dissapear? Please dont talk nonsense.
yaveshrana Thursday, December 7, 2006 5:26:21 PM
Hullo GONE,You seem to be agitated b'coz You are not prepared to accept the fact that PAKISTAN EXISTS ON THE BASIS OF A FALSE PREMISE AS A PURPORTED HOMELAND FOR THE SUB-CONTINENTAL MUSLIMS--WHICH REFUSES TO RECOGNISE THAT INDIA WAS A SECOND LARGEST MUSLIM COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. KASHMIR is the rallying point for the MUSLIM POPULATION of Pakistan against a "HINDU INDIA". Should it drop its claim--it loses its rationality of existence.
yaveshrana Thursday, December 7, 2006 5:29:31 PM
GONE Sir,If you are a PAKISTANI national, which seems to me, I do understand your anger--I can only sympathise. You have been fed with "HATE 'HINDU' INDIA" as a staple diet for last 59 years. You are not prepared to accept the fact that India could also be the HOME FOR MUSLIMS. This is why the "UNFINISHED AGENDA" of 1947 goes on and on. Accept reality, sir-"MAZHAB KE BINA AAPKA WAJOOD NAHIn HAI."
MIRROR Thursday, December 7, 2006 6:22:05 PM
dear yavesh was pakistan came in to existence for the purpose of snatching kashmir from india? if you think so then your understanding of the issue is very less.
yaveshrana Thursday, December 7, 2006 7:12:50 PM
Dear Mirror/Gone etc./ Changed names types- "GONES"I am very clear on every thing. I haven't said anything of the kind you are trying to attribute to me. Did I say Pakistan came into existence b'coz of Kashmir? NO, Sir, it is the reverse of it. Don't fool yourself ,whoever you are--PAKISTAN JUST CAN NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT "HATE INDIA". And KASHMIR obsession is the fuel that lights that flame.Agenda of 1947 is your life. Try n come out of it.
MIRROR Thursday, December 7, 2006 7:44:19 PM
Dear yavesh i do understand that leadership of Pakistan cannot afford to take a unilateral decision and relinquish the claim over kashmir.As this will result in unrest in the whole of pakistan.and the govt there cannot control that unrest and civil war cannot be ruled out in that situation.
Gone Thursday, December 7, 2006 7:54:18 PM
Dear Rana, I am very much an Indian. Also,I am not Mirror, please dont jump to conclusion. Whatever the reasons for creation of Pak, it is a fact, a sovereign nation. A fait accompli. It cannot be changed. You are creating a spurious linkage between Kashmir and existence or otherwise of Pak. Kasmir issue only used by politicians on both side of border to distract from domestics issues, particularly in Pak. Jingoism and nationalism, divert public from real problems and issues.
sirtidda Thursday, December 7, 2006 7:55:24 PM
well, whoever here said things about the Kashmiri people deciding for themselves on whose side to join and UN resolutions, why don't you talk about the displaced Kashmiri Hindus? And whose side they want to be in? In perhaps a couple of years from now, thanks to the vote-bank policies of the ruling party in India, these displaced people will cease to be even recognised as Kashmiris. Already, much of the current generation of these displaced people are born outside Kashmir.And whoever believes that deals made by Musharraf would stand the backing of successive Govts in Pakistan, stop kidding yourself. Pakistan stands united only in two causes .. and that is Kashmir and Cricket.Pray that some good visionaries/ leaders are born in Pakistan who can lead them out of the madness.
yaveshrana Thursday, December 7, 2006 9:10:51 PM
Mr GONE, I am not questioning the creation of PAKISTAN. It is Pakistan who does not want to exist without KASHMIR. Don't fool as to who u r ? Your bitterness Shows that you are a national of PAKISTAN, I have my sympathies for u.I'm not creating a spurious link for the existence of Pakistan :It is visible even on the darkest night to everyone, barring those who are blind.'HATRED FOR INDIA' IS your oxygen of life and KASHMIR pumps it.
harsh Thursday, December 7, 2006 9:51:21 PM
test
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Friday, December 01, 2006
RAMAYANA AND MAHABHARTA !
ARE THE EPICS BASED ON TRUE EVENTS?
There is a school of thought of INDIAN archaeologists and VEDIC historians who are veering around to the view: IF ARYANS WERE NOT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THEN, AND also, IF RAMAYANA WAS ENACTED BEFORE MAHABHARTA, then the place of enactment of RAMAYNA was not present day India but present day AFGHANISTAN.
It is also said river HEMLAND in Afghanistan was the original SARASWATI river--surprisingly it has a tributary called GANGA even today. Those of you who know our RIG VEDA( A collection of 1056 SANSKRIT HYMNS), should know that River Saraswati was mentioned
60 times in the verses while GANGA only once. And GANGA is our holiest of Holy River. Rig Veda is the oldest religious scripture of VEDIC people. Another view exists that probably GHAGHAR river is the long
lost SARSWATI River( Disappeared around 4500 BC in a major earthquake which diverted the path of its tributaries YAMUNA and SATLUJ to present day course) is a latter day SARASWATI--as per the tradition of VEDIC people who carried the geographic names of their
ancestral place , as they moved further EAST.
Contrary to the above, most Indian thinkers, historians and spirituals Gurus maintain that ARYANS were indigenous people. They rubbish Aryan -invasion theory. If so, then the archaeologists who insist on the Afghanistan -evidence of RAMAYANA, ask whether MAHABHARTA preceded RAMAYNA. This is because of the geographical layout of the areas of enactment as per our beliefs. It Is becoming a "CHICKEN AND EGG STORY". Let us explore the truth. Have your take.
Read more...
There is a school of thought of INDIAN archaeologists and VEDIC historians who are veering around to the view: IF ARYANS WERE NOT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THEN, AND also, IF RAMAYANA WAS ENACTED BEFORE MAHABHARTA, then the place of enactment of RAMAYNA was not present day India but present day AFGHANISTAN.
It is also said river HEMLAND in Afghanistan was the original SARASWATI river--surprisingly it has a tributary called GANGA even today. Those of you who know our RIG VEDA( A collection of 1056 SANSKRIT HYMNS), should know that River Saraswati was mentioned
60 times in the verses while GANGA only once. And GANGA is our holiest of Holy River. Rig Veda is the oldest religious scripture of VEDIC people. Another view exists that probably GHAGHAR river is the long
lost SARSWATI River( Disappeared around 4500 BC in a major earthquake which diverted the path of its tributaries YAMUNA and SATLUJ to present day course) is a latter day SARASWATI--as per the tradition of VEDIC people who carried the geographic names of their
ancestral place , as they moved further EAST.
Contrary to the above, most Indian thinkers, historians and spirituals Gurus maintain that ARYANS were indigenous people. They rubbish Aryan -invasion theory. If so, then the archaeologists who insist on the Afghanistan -evidence of RAMAYANA, ask whether MAHABHARTA preceded RAMAYNA. This is because of the geographical layout of the areas of enactment as per our beliefs. It Is becoming a "CHICKEN AND EGG STORY". Let us explore the truth. Have your take.
Read more...
KASHMIR-THE CURSE AND CURE OF ITS HISTORY?
"KASHMIR: ITS CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY"-------
A SYNOPSIS OF BOOK WITH A DIFFERENCE!
"Kashmir”! It has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan over the last fifty-nine years. Accusing fingers have been raised at individuals and leaders since 1947. It only shows how little people know about its history, which is the real cause of its current miseries.
“Kashmir” is known as the land of 'Neela Nag'—a Son of Kashyap Rishi and his wife Kudru, a supposedly serpent girl, who produced 'half-human and a half-Snake' children. Incidentally, 'Kashmir' is the name derived from Kashyap i.e. Kashyap Mar). The beautiful valley of River Vitasta (Jhelum) has no one to blame but its own history for its current miseries. If it is now in the center stage of current Indo-Pak face- off, it is the handiwork of its history.
Frankly speaking, since 1820, Kashmir has been under the spell of the curse of its own history. And the cure will also come from its history only. I bet you will dismiss this as a joke. But recorded facts are otherwise. This logic (or truth!) of history of Kashmir was revealed to me, some three years back, by an illiterate Kashmiri guzzar of North Kashmir, when I had gone there to study the Kargil- 99episode. My friend, K****din, was convinced about it and I was stunned by it. And more I read about its history, more I am enamored by the sheer veracity of this logic. Here are some of the key points of my friend, K****din’s theory of 'Grand-Cycles-of-Kashmir-History': -
- Every 780-800 years of Kashmir's recorded history, it has been under the domination of a particular religion. This period of 780-800 years is called Grand Cycle of History.
- Every Grand Cycle is further subdivided into three sub Cycles of 265-275 years each.
- First Sub- cycle of each Grand Cycle relates to emergence, development and progress of a particular religion.
- Second Sub- Cycle pertains to consolidation and prosperity of the religion.
- The first two sub cycles of 500-530 years, above, make the golden period of domination of a religion.
- The third sub cycle leads to decay and degeneration of the predominant religion and
emergence of a new religious philosophy, which will dominate for other 500-520 years.
- The term ' religious domination' is to be read as 'State Patronization' of the philosophy of 'Worship and rituals' by human beings in a particular manner.
Keeping the above in mind, let us have a brief glance at the recorded history of Kashmir. The best sources are RAJTARANGNI by Kalhan and 'Nilamat Puran' of 2nd century AD. 'Rajtarangini' begins with the year 1184 BC when Gonanda-I, a 'Shaivite' king was ruling Kashmir. It roughly relates to Mahabharta period. The grand son of Gonanda-I was Gonanda- II who was deposed by one-Haran Deva- a brother of 'Janamejya' and Grandson of Arjun (Great Arjun of Mahabharat war). Most western and Indian Historians agree that Mahabharta war took place around 1000-1100 BC, although some Indian scholars put the date around 3000 BC. We will go by the majority opinion.
It will be interesting to note, prior to the coming of Aryans (Worshippers of Lord Vishnu – the Vegetarians), major portion of Northern South- Asia (Present day India, Pakistan etc) was inhabited by Shaivites (Worshippers of Lord Shiva - the non Vegetarians). Look at the 'Shiva Temples' spread along the length and breadth of the sub continent. 'Shaivism' and 'Vaishnavism' were different temporal philosophies. They were altogether different cults or what you call religions today. Let us look at them: -
- The 'SHAIVISM' period in Kashmir ended with the deposition of Gonanda-II by Harandeva – a VAISHNAVITE. This was the end of Ist Grand Cycle of its history. It was around 1050 BC. We do not have any recorded version of history prior to this. There are only mythological tales. But all legends tell us it was the abode of Lord Shiva and his followers were of Naga race. Remember, Prince Takshak, who killed Parikshat- Arjun's son. He was a Naga. It is a different matter Aryan literature dubbed him as a 'Nag'- a 'Serpent'.
- The second grand cycle of Kashmir began around 1030-1050 BC. 'Vaishnavism' dominated it and it ended around 250 BC when great 'Ashoka' came to Kashmir and
founded SRI NAGAR in honour of goddess LAXMI (Approximately 800 years). Note, he was a Buddhist king and he established a city in the name of VAISHNAV goddess. It explains that cults (or so called religions of today) had no separate identity. They were intermixing and inter-mingling.
- The third grand cycle heralded BUDHISM in Kashmir and ruled the roost between 250 BC to 530 AD. 'Kushan' kings patronized it. 'Kushans' came to Kashmir from China around 260 BC. Shakas and Huns followed them. This grand cycle ended with the emergence of Huns (a Chinese tribe), whose first king of Kashmir was MIHIRKULA-a known tyrant in history (Approximately 780 years).
- The fourth grand cycle, which established ' Hinduism', began around 530 AD, when Gopal Ditya, Mihirkula's son, come to throne. It is he, who gave religious recognition to the term 'HINDUISM' as we know it today. Here-to-fore, the term 'Hindu' was used only as a geographical identity for the land East of River Indus. It is pertinent to note the word 'Hindu' has a Persian origin and derived from 'Sindhu'--a Sanskrit word. 'Sindhu' was the name given to River Indus (From Sindhu it became 'Hindu' in Persian and from Hindu it became 'Indus', Indic or Indi in Greek). As ancient Persians pronounced 'S' - as an aspirate
'H', so 'Sindhu' became 'Hindu'. No Vedic literature or religious scriptures mention the word ‘Hindu’, whether it is 'Vedas', 'Upanishads' or the great epics. In the written from, first time the word 'Hindu' appears on a tablet dated back to 518 BC when king Darius- I was ruling Persia. He used it to describe the geographical extent of his kingdom upto
and beyond River Hindu (or Sindhu or Indus). Anyway, to cut the story short, till Gopalditya became king in Kashmir in 530 AD, the term 'Hindu' had only a geographical identity for the people living East of River Indus. To Gopalditya, these people were a Curious mix of conflicting beliefs and ideologies but with traits of liberal tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He, therefore, saw 'Shaivites', 'Vaishnavites' and 'Buddhists' as a composite mix of a larger philosophy. He termed it as 'Hinduism' and converted himself to it. Thus, it was a Chinese Hun, who gave 'Hinduism' its religious identity as a composite 'Culture of the Way of Living' of people. This Grand cycle of 'Hinduism' flourished between 530 AD to 1325 AD. (Approximately 795 years). It ended when Rinchen Shah, a Tibetan prince, came to power after marrying Rani KOTA DEVI, whose husband had run away when the Turks invaded Kashmir in 1324 AD.
- The fifth grand cycle, which brought in ISLAM, began around 1325 AD when Rinchen Shah, the King, converted to Islam as he was snubbed by a Brahmin Mr. Dev swami, who stopped him from converting to Hinduism. An outsider, Gopalditya-a Hun, had initiated the reign of HINDUISM in KASHMIR, but another outsider was prevented and he brought in Islam. Even before this, all famous Buddhist kings of Kashmir had been outsiders- Kushans from china- such as Jalushka, Haluska and Kanishka. Do not forget Harandeva (A
Great Grandson of Arjuna of Mahabharta) - an Aryan, was also an outsider.
- The golden period of 500 years of Islam in Kashmir was upto 1820 AD - when it was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The third sub-cycle of this grand cycle began around 1820 AD. This sub cycle is of decay and degeneration. If you add other 265--275 years to the 1820 AD, this grand cycle will close around 2085 to2095 AD.
- In other words, by the end of 21st century, the sixth grand cycle will take over. What will be its characteristics? It could be more liberalized 'Secularism' or 'Globalism'. I RECKON BY THEN THE MANKIND WOULD HAVE GOT RID OF RELIGIOUS GRIP AND THE MAN WOULD HAVE ENTERED THE COSMIC AGE. We would have left THREE WAVES of Agriculture, Industrial and Information/Knowledge far behind. The last wave of KNOWLEDGE will drive away religion to the privacy of our homes only. I suppose it will take another90- 100 years for COSMIC MAN to emerge on the scene. Therefore till then, Kashmir pot will keep boiling? History itself will seek answer for the problem that has roots in history. Rests, all of them are mere actors in this drama of history.
Having said this much, let me also make two points on the current day problem of Kashmir. First of all, it is a misnomer to equate Kashmir with the erstwhile territories of the state of J&K of Maharaja Hari Singh. The J&K territories of Maharaja Hari Singh comprised six different regions, which historically, ethnically, geographically and linguistically had nothing in common except a lose central control of 100 years by the descendants of Raja Gulab Singh. These regions were Jammu, Laddakh, Kashmir, Baltistan, Dardistan, and 'Naushehra - Poonch - URI - Mirpur' extension of Western Punjab. While Jammu, Laddakh and Kashmir valley are with India; Baltistan, Dardistan (both making Northern areas of Pakistan) and 'Naushehra- Mirpur' extension of western Punjab (NOW POK) are with Pakistan. It is misunderstood and lost identity of other five regions and confused synonym of Kashmir with J&K which is the cause of problem between India and Pakistan. J&K is not Kashmir but Kashmir is part of it. To find a solution to this problem, Kashmir must be delinked from other regions. My second point emerges from this. If India committed blunders in 1947-1950, so has Pakistan. If only Pakistan had not forced the hands of Maharaja Hari Singh by sending tribal raiders in Sept 1947, the history would have been entirely different. This was the biggest blunder of MA Jinnah who acted on the ill - timed advice of his military advisor, Major General Akbar Khan (The infamous General Tariq of Tribal Raiders in Kashmir in 1947). Mount batten, a so-called friend of India, had ensured that Indian leadership of the time, remained drowned in its self-created sea of moralities. But Jinnah lacked patience or time (he was dying of cancer!). However, Jinnah and Nehru could do nothing about it as 'History of Kashmir' had scripted their roles as much. Ordained by History, events in Kashmir moved, as it desires. All these Gilainis, Bhatts, Salahuddins, Yasin Maliks, Javed Mirs, Omar Farouks, Dhars, Sheikh Abdullahs, are pawns in the hands of the history of Kashmir. Kashmir had known tyrants (terrorists!) in its history: from 'Jaldevs' in the ancient times to 'Mihirkulas' in the medieval times. All were outsiders. Today's Salahuddins, Azhar Masouds, and their elk are the replicas of yesteryears 'Jaldevs' and 'Mihirculas'. History of Kashmir is using the terror groups to move on its pre-ordained path. Right, Sir, history will find a cure at the right time. Wait till the end of the century.
One passing remark I will make. Looking for a solution to Kashmir problem? Are you? Then, India and Pakistan must get out of the vicious grip of history. In simple terms, 1947 is not 2006 as 2006 will not be 2099. And today's solution is that LOC must be accepted as 'INTERIM IB'. Leave the rest to future generations. Do they have the courage to do so? If not, then, keep playing into the hands of history. Simla agreement of 1972; Lahore Declaration of 1999 saw the vision of such a possibility but it got scuttled because Nawaz Sharief & CO, realizing this possibility at a future date, pre-maturely ventured into 'LOC-Nibbling- Act' in Kargil in 1999. His Kargil misadventure was aimed at occupying important heights in Kargil before LOC became accepted as IB. Basically, it was to safeguard his Northern Areas-where a problem of independence is brewing up.
But history outsmarted him through his generals, who enlarged the scope of 'Nibbling act' to a total misadventure. And it derailed the whole process. History of Kashmir is too strong to allow anyone to tinker with its well-charted course. You need men of steel nerves on both sides of the fence to override this monster. Lawlessness in Kashmir, sir, isa creation of history and it will die when it would have served its purpose. Till then live with it or make its mother infertile. It needs men of vision on both sides to understand this alternative option.
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A SYNOPSIS OF BOOK WITH A DIFFERENCE!
"Kashmir”! It has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan over the last fifty-nine years. Accusing fingers have been raised at individuals and leaders since 1947. It only shows how little people know about its history, which is the real cause of its current miseries.
“Kashmir” is known as the land of 'Neela Nag'—a Son of Kashyap Rishi and his wife Kudru, a supposedly serpent girl, who produced 'half-human and a half-Snake' children. Incidentally, 'Kashmir' is the name derived from Kashyap i.e. Kashyap Mar). The beautiful valley of River Vitasta (Jhelum) has no one to blame but its own history for its current miseries. If it is now in the center stage of current Indo-Pak face- off, it is the handiwork of its history.
Frankly speaking, since 1820, Kashmir has been under the spell of the curse of its own history. And the cure will also come from its history only. I bet you will dismiss this as a joke. But recorded facts are otherwise. This logic (or truth!) of history of Kashmir was revealed to me, some three years back, by an illiterate Kashmiri guzzar of North Kashmir, when I had gone there to study the Kargil- 99episode. My friend, K****din, was convinced about it and I was stunned by it. And more I read about its history, more I am enamored by the sheer veracity of this logic. Here are some of the key points of my friend, K****din’s theory of 'Grand-Cycles-of-Kashmir-History': -
- Every 780-800 years of Kashmir's recorded history, it has been under the domination of a particular religion. This period of 780-800 years is called Grand Cycle of History.
- Every Grand Cycle is further subdivided into three sub Cycles of 265-275 years each.
- First Sub- cycle of each Grand Cycle relates to emergence, development and progress of a particular religion.
- Second Sub- Cycle pertains to consolidation and prosperity of the religion.
- The first two sub cycles of 500-530 years, above, make the golden period of domination of a religion.
- The third sub cycle leads to decay and degeneration of the predominant religion and
emergence of a new religious philosophy, which will dominate for other 500-520 years.
- The term ' religious domination' is to be read as 'State Patronization' of the philosophy of 'Worship and rituals' by human beings in a particular manner.
Keeping the above in mind, let us have a brief glance at the recorded history of Kashmir. The best sources are RAJTARANGNI by Kalhan and 'Nilamat Puran' of 2nd century AD. 'Rajtarangini' begins with the year 1184 BC when Gonanda-I, a 'Shaivite' king was ruling Kashmir. It roughly relates to Mahabharta period. The grand son of Gonanda-I was Gonanda- II who was deposed by one-Haran Deva- a brother of 'Janamejya' and Grandson of Arjun (Great Arjun of Mahabharat war). Most western and Indian Historians agree that Mahabharta war took place around 1000-1100 BC, although some Indian scholars put the date around 3000 BC. We will go by the majority opinion.
It will be interesting to note, prior to the coming of Aryans (Worshippers of Lord Vishnu – the Vegetarians), major portion of Northern South- Asia (Present day India, Pakistan etc) was inhabited by Shaivites (Worshippers of Lord Shiva - the non Vegetarians). Look at the 'Shiva Temples' spread along the length and breadth of the sub continent. 'Shaivism' and 'Vaishnavism' were different temporal philosophies. They were altogether different cults or what you call religions today. Let us look at them: -
- The 'SHAIVISM' period in Kashmir ended with the deposition of Gonanda-II by Harandeva – a VAISHNAVITE. This was the end of Ist Grand Cycle of its history. It was around 1050 BC. We do not have any recorded version of history prior to this. There are only mythological tales. But all legends tell us it was the abode of Lord Shiva and his followers were of Naga race. Remember, Prince Takshak, who killed Parikshat- Arjun's son. He was a Naga. It is a different matter Aryan literature dubbed him as a 'Nag'- a 'Serpent'.
- The second grand cycle of Kashmir began around 1030-1050 BC. 'Vaishnavism' dominated it and it ended around 250 BC when great 'Ashoka' came to Kashmir and
founded SRI NAGAR in honour of goddess LAXMI (Approximately 800 years). Note, he was a Buddhist king and he established a city in the name of VAISHNAV goddess. It explains that cults (or so called religions of today) had no separate identity. They were intermixing and inter-mingling.
- The third grand cycle heralded BUDHISM in Kashmir and ruled the roost between 250 BC to 530 AD. 'Kushan' kings patronized it. 'Kushans' came to Kashmir from China around 260 BC. Shakas and Huns followed them. This grand cycle ended with the emergence of Huns (a Chinese tribe), whose first king of Kashmir was MIHIRKULA-a known tyrant in history (Approximately 780 years).
- The fourth grand cycle, which established ' Hinduism', began around 530 AD, when Gopal Ditya, Mihirkula's son, come to throne. It is he, who gave religious recognition to the term 'HINDUISM' as we know it today. Here-to-fore, the term 'Hindu' was used only as a geographical identity for the land East of River Indus. It is pertinent to note the word 'Hindu' has a Persian origin and derived from 'Sindhu'--a Sanskrit word. 'Sindhu' was the name given to River Indus (From Sindhu it became 'Hindu' in Persian and from Hindu it became 'Indus', Indic or Indi in Greek). As ancient Persians pronounced 'S' - as an aspirate
'H', so 'Sindhu' became 'Hindu'. No Vedic literature or religious scriptures mention the word ‘Hindu’, whether it is 'Vedas', 'Upanishads' or the great epics. In the written from, first time the word 'Hindu' appears on a tablet dated back to 518 BC when king Darius- I was ruling Persia. He used it to describe the geographical extent of his kingdom upto
and beyond River Hindu (or Sindhu or Indus). Anyway, to cut the story short, till Gopalditya became king in Kashmir in 530 AD, the term 'Hindu' had only a geographical identity for the people living East of River Indus. To Gopalditya, these people were a Curious mix of conflicting beliefs and ideologies but with traits of liberal tolerance and peaceful co-existence. He, therefore, saw 'Shaivites', 'Vaishnavites' and 'Buddhists' as a composite mix of a larger philosophy. He termed it as 'Hinduism' and converted himself to it. Thus, it was a Chinese Hun, who gave 'Hinduism' its religious identity as a composite 'Culture of the Way of Living' of people. This Grand cycle of 'Hinduism' flourished between 530 AD to 1325 AD. (Approximately 795 years). It ended when Rinchen Shah, a Tibetan prince, came to power after marrying Rani KOTA DEVI, whose husband had run away when the Turks invaded Kashmir in 1324 AD.
- The fifth grand cycle, which brought in ISLAM, began around 1325 AD when Rinchen Shah, the King, converted to Islam as he was snubbed by a Brahmin Mr. Dev swami, who stopped him from converting to Hinduism. An outsider, Gopalditya-a Hun, had initiated the reign of HINDUISM in KASHMIR, but another outsider was prevented and he brought in Islam. Even before this, all famous Buddhist kings of Kashmir had been outsiders- Kushans from china- such as Jalushka, Haluska and Kanishka. Do not forget Harandeva (A
Great Grandson of Arjuna of Mahabharta) - an Aryan, was also an outsider.
- The golden period of 500 years of Islam in Kashmir was upto 1820 AD - when it was annexed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The third sub-cycle of this grand cycle began around 1820 AD. This sub cycle is of decay and degeneration. If you add other 265--275 years to the 1820 AD, this grand cycle will close around 2085 to2095 AD.
- In other words, by the end of 21st century, the sixth grand cycle will take over. What will be its characteristics? It could be more liberalized 'Secularism' or 'Globalism'. I RECKON BY THEN THE MANKIND WOULD HAVE GOT RID OF RELIGIOUS GRIP AND THE MAN WOULD HAVE ENTERED THE COSMIC AGE. We would have left THREE WAVES of Agriculture, Industrial and Information/Knowledge far behind. The last wave of KNOWLEDGE will drive away religion to the privacy of our homes only. I suppose it will take another90- 100 years for COSMIC MAN to emerge on the scene. Therefore till then, Kashmir pot will keep boiling? History itself will seek answer for the problem that has roots in history. Rests, all of them are mere actors in this drama of history.
Having said this much, let me also make two points on the current day problem of Kashmir. First of all, it is a misnomer to equate Kashmir with the erstwhile territories of the state of J&K of Maharaja Hari Singh. The J&K territories of Maharaja Hari Singh comprised six different regions, which historically, ethnically, geographically and linguistically had nothing in common except a lose central control of 100 years by the descendants of Raja Gulab Singh. These regions were Jammu, Laddakh, Kashmir, Baltistan, Dardistan, and 'Naushehra - Poonch - URI - Mirpur' extension of Western Punjab. While Jammu, Laddakh and Kashmir valley are with India; Baltistan, Dardistan (both making Northern areas of Pakistan) and 'Naushehra- Mirpur' extension of western Punjab (NOW POK) are with Pakistan. It is misunderstood and lost identity of other five regions and confused synonym of Kashmir with J&K which is the cause of problem between India and Pakistan. J&K is not Kashmir but Kashmir is part of it. To find a solution to this problem, Kashmir must be delinked from other regions. My second point emerges from this. If India committed blunders in 1947-1950, so has Pakistan. If only Pakistan had not forced the hands of Maharaja Hari Singh by sending tribal raiders in Sept 1947, the history would have been entirely different. This was the biggest blunder of MA Jinnah who acted on the ill - timed advice of his military advisor, Major General Akbar Khan (The infamous General Tariq of Tribal Raiders in Kashmir in 1947). Mount batten, a so-called friend of India, had ensured that Indian leadership of the time, remained drowned in its self-created sea of moralities. But Jinnah lacked patience or time (he was dying of cancer!). However, Jinnah and Nehru could do nothing about it as 'History of Kashmir' had scripted their roles as much. Ordained by History, events in Kashmir moved, as it desires. All these Gilainis, Bhatts, Salahuddins, Yasin Maliks, Javed Mirs, Omar Farouks, Dhars, Sheikh Abdullahs, are pawns in the hands of the history of Kashmir. Kashmir had known tyrants (terrorists!) in its history: from 'Jaldevs' in the ancient times to 'Mihirkulas' in the medieval times. All were outsiders. Today's Salahuddins, Azhar Masouds, and their elk are the replicas of yesteryears 'Jaldevs' and 'Mihirculas'. History of Kashmir is using the terror groups to move on its pre-ordained path. Right, Sir, history will find a cure at the right time. Wait till the end of the century.
One passing remark I will make. Looking for a solution to Kashmir problem? Are you? Then, India and Pakistan must get out of the vicious grip of history. In simple terms, 1947 is not 2006 as 2006 will not be 2099. And today's solution is that LOC must be accepted as 'INTERIM IB'. Leave the rest to future generations. Do they have the courage to do so? If not, then, keep playing into the hands of history. Simla agreement of 1972; Lahore Declaration of 1999 saw the vision of such a possibility but it got scuttled because Nawaz Sharief & CO, realizing this possibility at a future date, pre-maturely ventured into 'LOC-Nibbling- Act' in Kargil in 1999. His Kargil misadventure was aimed at occupying important heights in Kargil before LOC became accepted as IB. Basically, it was to safeguard his Northern Areas-where a problem of independence is brewing up.
But history outsmarted him through his generals, who enlarged the scope of 'Nibbling act' to a total misadventure. And it derailed the whole process. History of Kashmir is too strong to allow anyone to tinker with its well-charted course. You need men of steel nerves on both sides of the fence to override this monster. Lawlessness in Kashmir, sir, isa creation of history and it will die when it would have served its purpose. Till then live with it or make its mother infertile. It needs men of vision on both sides to understand this alternative option.
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Thursday, November 30, 2006
KASHMIR, KHUDA (GOD) AND KHUDA BUX--A KASHMIRI TALE
DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS!
I have a friend from North Kashmir. He gave me this story to motivate me to write a book on Kashmir. I've completed the draft and waiting for a publisher's nod. This story is part of the book, titled, "KASHMIR- THE CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY". My friend hails from Kachhama-Tregham area of North Kashmir. His name is K***din. He is very intelligent and well informed but poor and illiterate as is the fate of most ordinary but well-meaning people. The year he gave me this story was the year of KARGIL Episode. Now read the story----------
There lived a man named KHUDA BUX in TAREGHAM, North Kashmir. He was god fearing, pious and sagacious. He was so gentle and nice that he couldn't hurt a fly. He was respected and likened by everyone. He offered NAMAZ five times a day. It is said that the tales of his piety and saintly ways reached the GOD. He did not believe that in such hard days there could be a man of KHUDA BUX's description. GOD decided to see it for himself. Also the tales of the beauty of KASHMIR enamored him. He handed over the reign of HEAVENS to his deputy GOD and came to see KHUDA BUX in Kashmir. GOD landed in GUL MARG and saw KHUDA BUX. He was impressed. He decided that he would take KHUDA BUX to heavens along with him. He checked up the details of KHUDA BUX’s earthly life and realised that he had some more time left so HE decided to have some holidays in GUL MARG. Thus god became busy in merry-making.
It so happened, one day in the year 1990, there was an encounter at CHOWKIWAL amongst the militants and the security forces. Both sides suffered heavy casualities. Unfortunately, in the cross fire, even KHUDA BUX got killed. All the dead persons were taken to the chambers PRESIDING GOD of the heavens. As soon as a person of security force will march in the presiding god would ask him the place he had belonged to. Each one would give out his state in India. The presiding GOD would command, "A SOLDIER DIED IN BATTLE! MARCH HIM INTO HEAVENS." Next was the turn of the militants. As soon as a militant would tell him that he had come from PAKISTAN, the PRESIDING GOD will announce, "MILITARY & POVERTY PUSHED HIM INTO THIS, HE HAD NO CHOICE; MARCH HIM INTO HEAVENS." Finally came the turn of KHUDA BUX.
As soon as Khuda Bux majestically walked in for a royal treatment, for he was a man of no sin, the presiding GOD, shouted, "Where do you come from"? Holding his head high and Chest straight, Khuda Bux replied, " Kashmir, Sir, Kashmir". The presiding GOD snarled, " Go back you RASCAL." Instantly, KhudaBux was thrown to earth in Kashmir. In the meanwhile, the actual GOD was happily enjoying his holidays in GULMARG. One day the real GOD met the spirit of Khuda Bux in GULMARG, by chance. GOD was stunned. He asked the Spirit as to what had happened? KHUDA BUX narrated his tale of woe.The real GOD was totally cut off with his deputy for his lack of justice and judgement and he decided to undo the injustice to KHUDA BUX. He asked the spirit of Khuda Bux to come along to heavens with him.
As soon as they reached the gates of heavens, the real god sent Khuda Bux ahead of him to the chambers of the presiding GOD. Moment he entered the presiding god got furious and shouted," I told you to go back you rascal". Immediately, The REAL GOD entered and scolded his deputy for his poor judgment and injustice." The erstwhile DEPUTY AND NOW PRESIDING God retorted," You too go back, u ras---"Real God was shocked and asked ,"WHAT FOR?" The Presiding God responded," TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH AS TO HOW KHUDA BUX AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE CONVERTED A LIVING HEAVEN INTO HELL". It is said ever since then the REAL GOD and the spirit of KHUDA BUX have been roaming in the valley of Kashmir to find out as to how it happened. Every time they work out an answer some more KNOTTY questions spring up. They are thus stuck in the time capsule.
When K***din narrated this story to me, I chuckled, " Oh! Goodness gracious! GOD on their side, yet Kashmir is tormenting." My friend, K***din butted in , " NO Sir, Even GOD can not find solution to Kashmir Problem." Thus, the KASHMIR POT KEEPS BOILING for continuously. ANSWER? Wait for my book , KASHMIR--THE CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY?"
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I have a friend from North Kashmir. He gave me this story to motivate me to write a book on Kashmir. I've completed the draft and waiting for a publisher's nod. This story is part of the book, titled, "KASHMIR- THE CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY". My friend hails from Kachhama-Tregham area of North Kashmir. His name is K***din. He is very intelligent and well informed but poor and illiterate as is the fate of most ordinary but well-meaning people. The year he gave me this story was the year of KARGIL Episode. Now read the story----------
There lived a man named KHUDA BUX in TAREGHAM, North Kashmir. He was god fearing, pious and sagacious. He was so gentle and nice that he couldn't hurt a fly. He was respected and likened by everyone. He offered NAMAZ five times a day. It is said that the tales of his piety and saintly ways reached the GOD. He did not believe that in such hard days there could be a man of KHUDA BUX's description. GOD decided to see it for himself. Also the tales of the beauty of KASHMIR enamored him. He handed over the reign of HEAVENS to his deputy GOD and came to see KHUDA BUX in Kashmir. GOD landed in GUL MARG and saw KHUDA BUX. He was impressed. He decided that he would take KHUDA BUX to heavens along with him. He checked up the details of KHUDA BUX’s earthly life and realised that he had some more time left so HE decided to have some holidays in GUL MARG. Thus god became busy in merry-making.
It so happened, one day in the year 1990, there was an encounter at CHOWKIWAL amongst the militants and the security forces. Both sides suffered heavy casualities. Unfortunately, in the cross fire, even KHUDA BUX got killed. All the dead persons were taken to the chambers PRESIDING GOD of the heavens. As soon as a person of security force will march in the presiding god would ask him the place he had belonged to. Each one would give out his state in India. The presiding GOD would command, "A SOLDIER DIED IN BATTLE! MARCH HIM INTO HEAVENS." Next was the turn of the militants. As soon as a militant would tell him that he had come from PAKISTAN, the PRESIDING GOD will announce, "MILITARY & POVERTY PUSHED HIM INTO THIS, HE HAD NO CHOICE; MARCH HIM INTO HEAVENS." Finally came the turn of KHUDA BUX.
As soon as Khuda Bux majestically walked in for a royal treatment, for he was a man of no sin, the presiding GOD, shouted, "Where do you come from"? Holding his head high and Chest straight, Khuda Bux replied, " Kashmir, Sir, Kashmir". The presiding GOD snarled, " Go back you RASCAL." Instantly, KhudaBux was thrown to earth in Kashmir. In the meanwhile, the actual GOD was happily enjoying his holidays in GULMARG. One day the real GOD met the spirit of Khuda Bux in GULMARG, by chance. GOD was stunned. He asked the Spirit as to what had happened? KHUDA BUX narrated his tale of woe.The real GOD was totally cut off with his deputy for his lack of justice and judgement and he decided to undo the injustice to KHUDA BUX. He asked the spirit of Khuda Bux to come along to heavens with him.
As soon as they reached the gates of heavens, the real god sent Khuda Bux ahead of him to the chambers of the presiding GOD. Moment he entered the presiding god got furious and shouted," I told you to go back you rascal". Immediately, The REAL GOD entered and scolded his deputy for his poor judgment and injustice." The erstwhile DEPUTY AND NOW PRESIDING God retorted," You too go back, u ras---"Real God was shocked and asked ,"WHAT FOR?" The Presiding God responded," TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH AS TO HOW KHUDA BUX AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE CONVERTED A LIVING HEAVEN INTO HELL". It is said ever since then the REAL GOD and the spirit of KHUDA BUX have been roaming in the valley of Kashmir to find out as to how it happened. Every time they work out an answer some more KNOTTY questions spring up. They are thus stuck in the time capsule.
When K***din narrated this story to me, I chuckled, " Oh! Goodness gracious! GOD on their side, yet Kashmir is tormenting." My friend, K***din butted in , " NO Sir, Even GOD can not find solution to Kashmir Problem." Thus, the KASHMIR POT KEEPS BOILING for continuously. ANSWER? Wait for my book , KASHMIR--THE CURSE AND CURE OF HISTORY?"
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Thursday, July 06, 2006
MAN'S PROGRESS IS HIS DECLINE !
"Never try to regain your Past, for, the fire will have become ashes", so wrote General Douglas McArthur, in his "REMINISCIENCES". But one can not control emotions, when glimpses from the past flash back at you, as turning points of History of which you might have been an eye - witness of the kind, who, like a helpless husband these days is compelled to watch EKTA KAPOOR'S illogical, unconvincing and irrational K-Serials on the Indian TV Channels. However, she is making waves and History, too. So has been my journey over the last four decades of the stormy sand dunes of times. I may not be the marble of History, nor I may marvel at history but I distinctly recognise the still-surviving but fading footprints of mankind of the lost civilisation of yesteryears, where I Once lived. BELIEVE U ME, I'M NOT GOING TO SERMONISE U ALL.
It was 40 years back, three days after the X-MAS day, in the year 1966(I hardly knew what it meant, then! Now my son has illustrated its real meaning to me!!) that I set sail on a journey which shall now honourably conclude on 15 July in the year 2006. When I embarked upon this journey, it was just 11 months after the historic signing of Tashkent Pact, by Late Lal Bahadur Shastri Of India and Field Marshal Ayub Khan of Pakistan, I had not then heard of TVs, Mobiles, Computers, Record Players, CD / MP3 players and host of other such junks what u call modern gadgets of man's symbols of progress, growth and development. One had, also, rarely seen a Motor Cycle ,a Car ,and a Train or the Aircrafts, the Helicopters, Rockets,and the Spaceships-- the modern means of transportation of the 21st Century Man, who is in a tearing hurry to outdo the GOD . And we have acquired these things at what costs? Chhatrapati Shivaji's words resonate in my ears when he lamented the death of 'Tanaji'. He said," GARH AAYA PAR SINGH GAYA (We have taken the fort but lost the 'TIGER')" And I wonder, whether I should yell out the same sentiments or not. Does it make a difference? No, it doesn't. Who knows Shastri, today? Who knows where Tashkent is? And what was this pact all about? These are forgotten and lost bits of the past which is dead and gone. Yet, these are the landmarks from where I Pick up the threads of my sojourn with 'Olive Green'. And the world shall move on non-concerned and non-disturbed!
1966 is also the year, when, one of the most dynamic leaders of modern India was ushered into the chair of Prime minister ship by the vested interests of a 'syndicate', who later lamented its decision. It was also the year when Post-1947- Punjab was further halved into two to give birth to Haryana--- which later became infamous for the politics of 'AYA RAM AND GAYA RAM'. Exactly three years later, in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man in the history to set a foot on the moon. 1969 was also the year when Princes of India lost their Privy Purses. Again, in the same year, the Indian National Congress, the harbinger of freedom, was divided into two, i.e. Congress (Indra) and Congress (Syndicate). The split led to a politcal offensive by the 'GODESS INDRA' and in a tizzy 14 banks were nationalised. Supported by her, Mr V V Giri had become the President Of India defeating Mr Sanjiva Reddi, a heavy weight candidate backed up by the powerful syndicate of Congress. This had caused fissures in the great congress party which eventually led to a split.
But who could anticipate these events in 1966? This year was really the turning point in the history of India, for, the face that appeared on the political horizon of India in that year in the shape of 'Madam Indra Gandhi', changed the course of the history of India. It is then, 'REAL-POLITIC' began to overshadow the 'IDEALS OF POLITIICS' and moralities were consigned to the dustbin of socio-politico dustbin of history. Indian poltics, thus, began to become an arena of the 'RICH, UGLY and THE DIRTY'. The corrupt and the criminals had begun to find patrons amongst the politicians.THE TRAGEDY IS TODAY THE ROLES HAVE BEEN REVERSED AND THE POLITICIANS SEEK THE PATRONAGE OF THE CORRUPT AND THE CRIMINALS. The vicious game thus goes on unabated. And some of us, the old-timers, continue to rake up the dust and the ashes to look for some traces of those by-gone values. But too many volcanoes erupted in the last four decades and the year 1966 remains buried deep below, never to rise again.
This was the year, when I, a 16-17 year old innocent child from a dusty hamlet of 200 houses, called Balachaur, then part of Hoshiarpur District of Punjab, first time got into a train named Amritsar-Dadar Express, at Ambala Cantt on 28 December 1966, to move on to finer pastures of National Defence Academy (NDA), located in the serene environments of Khadakvasla, near Pune in Maharashtra. Do you believe this was not only the first time I was boarding the train all alone, but this was also the first time I was moving out of the geographical confines of River Sutlej which flows some 4-5 Kms south of Balachaur.This is one of the five rivers which goes to make the name PUNJAB. What would you say if I tell you that I had just learnt to write English language alphabets in my 6th class? No, jokes, it was so. My introduction to this language was in the year 1963 and by end of 1966, I had made it to one of the elitist institutes of India of those days, where people not only spoke and wrote in English but also ate, slept, dreamt and behaved English. How did I make it to NDA is not relevant but what is relevant is that I survived there for three and a half years with honour, dignity and self respect amongst the most well-bred and most snobbish kids of those times. End result was: My innocence was gone and Arrogance was in. Don't you know man is known by the company he keeps?
Journey, thereafter, was full of aggressive postures, and adamant attitude. Because of this I had got an attitudinal disorder which to this day stinks in me. In fact, I never wanted to join Armed forces because I had an inclination to become an engineer. To be very frank, I had an option to go to West Germany in Jan 1967 on Govt Scholarship to do a five year course in Aeronautical Engineering. But I was over ruled by my father because NDA was glamour personified in those days and armed forces were the darling of every Indian, then. You know the gallantry tales of 'Keeler Brothers' of IAF ; Hav Abdul Hammed of Bhikhi-Pind fame ; Colonel AB Tara pore of 17 HORSE and Major Asha Ram Tyagi of the 'Battle of DOGRAI' in the 1965 war, still haunted the simple village folk and army officers were nothing less than GODS. So, my fate was sealed for ever to become an obedient soldier in the service of 'GREAT MOTHER INDIA', whom no one cares today. She lies prostrate today, crying in pain for help but all her worthy sons look the other way, as her not- so- worthy- sons molest and sacrilege her modesty to make some personal gains. And while this happens right in front of our eyes, we, of the old genre and of the great moralistic flavour, the so called grand protector of her honour, clench our fists in helplessness, as an only thing old men can do.
I reckon three and a half years at NDA transformed me into an overly confident, arrogantly haughty (which later became my undoing?) and a lethargic young man who slept while the world moved on. I became a smoker, here, which I hated doing as a school-child,when some of my classmates had started as a fashion. In fact, I used to moralise them on its ill-effects. While most of them had left smoking by the time we reached the age of19-20, I got thickly addicted to it. Whenever I went on leave to my place, all of them used to mock at me to say : DEEPAK TALE ANDHERA( THE LAMP SITS ON DARKNESS). It took me 33 long years to ged rid of this dirty addiction. After four and a half years of training at NDA/ IMA I got commissioned as a young officer on 13 June 1971. This year was another milestone in the history of India. A new nation was created. East Pakistan had parted company with JINNAH'S DREAM LAND FOR THE MUSLIMS and renamed herself as BANGLA DESH. The theory of two nations of MA Jinnah had gone awry. It proved beyond doubts that religion was not the binding force though it could rally people around momentarily. This lesson of history had been ignored by the exponents of the 'Great Divide of 1947'. And even today some people continue to forget this everywhere in the world.
35 years of commissioned service has totally transformed me into a man who can write a book on lessons of life for each year and also narrate as to how we have traversed this journey from a nation surviving on PL-480 in the sixth decade of 20th Century to an IT Giant of 21st Century. That is about one of the positives of our march forward but the greatest negative is our broken emotional ties which bound us as one people. Let me put it this way to you: MAN'S PROGRESS IS HIS DECLINE. YOU GROW IN AGE AND BECOME ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVERS BUT YOU HAVE ALSO LOST TIME TO STAY ON THIS EARTH TO SEE THE FRUITS OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. So, Pluses add up to equal minuses put together. In the end, it is a ZERO SUM GAME.
40 Years back, I was an energetic, enthusiastic and a day dreamer who in his innocent ways thought that the world could be yours for the asking, if you worked hard, remained focused and determined to realise your goals. 40 Years? Too long a period to do a rational stock taking now. But I have done it. I find myself at the edge of a conclusion, which says, ENJOY LIFE NOW, FOR THE WORLD WILL BE TOTALLY CHANGED TOMORROW, WHICH MAY NOT BE OF YOUR TASTE.
Resolve, today, to do some good to yourself to increase the positives in your credit account of zero-sum game of life.While doing so, make a determined effort to save this earth for the unborn generations of tomorrow from the devilish minds of today. You have a mission to carry out, get going.
RAJINDER SINGH
DIRECTOR, STEM
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It was 40 years back, three days after the X-MAS day, in the year 1966(I hardly knew what it meant, then! Now my son has illustrated its real meaning to me!!) that I set sail on a journey which shall now honourably conclude on 15 July in the year 2006. When I embarked upon this journey, it was just 11 months after the historic signing of Tashkent Pact, by Late Lal Bahadur Shastri Of India and Field Marshal Ayub Khan of Pakistan, I had not then heard of TVs, Mobiles, Computers, Record Players, CD / MP3 players and host of other such junks what u call modern gadgets of man's symbols of progress, growth and development. One had, also, rarely seen a Motor Cycle ,a Car ,and a Train or the Aircrafts, the Helicopters, Rockets,and the Spaceships-- the modern means of transportation of the 21st Century Man, who is in a tearing hurry to outdo the GOD . And we have acquired these things at what costs? Chhatrapati Shivaji's words resonate in my ears when he lamented the death of 'Tanaji'. He said," GARH AAYA PAR SINGH GAYA (We have taken the fort but lost the 'TIGER')" And I wonder, whether I should yell out the same sentiments or not. Does it make a difference? No, it doesn't. Who knows Shastri, today? Who knows where Tashkent is? And what was this pact all about? These are forgotten and lost bits of the past which is dead and gone. Yet, these are the landmarks from where I Pick up the threads of my sojourn with 'Olive Green'. And the world shall move on non-concerned and non-disturbed!
1966 is also the year, when, one of the most dynamic leaders of modern India was ushered into the chair of Prime minister ship by the vested interests of a 'syndicate', who later lamented its decision. It was also the year when Post-1947- Punjab was further halved into two to give birth to Haryana--- which later became infamous for the politics of 'AYA RAM AND GAYA RAM'. Exactly three years later, in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man in the history to set a foot on the moon. 1969 was also the year when Princes of India lost their Privy Purses. Again, in the same year, the Indian National Congress, the harbinger of freedom, was divided into two, i.e. Congress (Indra) and Congress (Syndicate). The split led to a politcal offensive by the 'GODESS INDRA' and in a tizzy 14 banks were nationalised. Supported by her, Mr V V Giri had become the President Of India defeating Mr Sanjiva Reddi, a heavy weight candidate backed up by the powerful syndicate of Congress. This had caused fissures in the great congress party which eventually led to a split.
But who could anticipate these events in 1966? This year was really the turning point in the history of India, for, the face that appeared on the political horizon of India in that year in the shape of 'Madam Indra Gandhi', changed the course of the history of India. It is then, 'REAL-POLITIC' began to overshadow the 'IDEALS OF POLITIICS' and moralities were consigned to the dustbin of socio-politico dustbin of history. Indian poltics, thus, began to become an arena of the 'RICH, UGLY and THE DIRTY'. The corrupt and the criminals had begun to find patrons amongst the politicians.THE TRAGEDY IS TODAY THE ROLES HAVE BEEN REVERSED AND THE POLITICIANS SEEK THE PATRONAGE OF THE CORRUPT AND THE CRIMINALS. The vicious game thus goes on unabated. And some of us, the old-timers, continue to rake up the dust and the ashes to look for some traces of those by-gone values. But too many volcanoes erupted in the last four decades and the year 1966 remains buried deep below, never to rise again.
This was the year, when I, a 16-17 year old innocent child from a dusty hamlet of 200 houses, called Balachaur, then part of Hoshiarpur District of Punjab, first time got into a train named Amritsar-Dadar Express, at Ambala Cantt on 28 December 1966, to move on to finer pastures of National Defence Academy (NDA), located in the serene environments of Khadakvasla, near Pune in Maharashtra. Do you believe this was not only the first time I was boarding the train all alone, but this was also the first time I was moving out of the geographical confines of River Sutlej which flows some 4-5 Kms south of Balachaur.This is one of the five rivers which goes to make the name PUNJAB. What would you say if I tell you that I had just learnt to write English language alphabets in my 6th class? No, jokes, it was so. My introduction to this language was in the year 1963 and by end of 1966, I had made it to one of the elitist institutes of India of those days, where people not only spoke and wrote in English but also ate, slept, dreamt and behaved English. How did I make it to NDA is not relevant but what is relevant is that I survived there for three and a half years with honour, dignity and self respect amongst the most well-bred and most snobbish kids of those times. End result was: My innocence was gone and Arrogance was in. Don't you know man is known by the company he keeps?
Journey, thereafter, was full of aggressive postures, and adamant attitude. Because of this I had got an attitudinal disorder which to this day stinks in me. In fact, I never wanted to join Armed forces because I had an inclination to become an engineer. To be very frank, I had an option to go to West Germany in Jan 1967 on Govt Scholarship to do a five year course in Aeronautical Engineering. But I was over ruled by my father because NDA was glamour personified in those days and armed forces were the darling of every Indian, then. You know the gallantry tales of 'Keeler Brothers' of IAF ; Hav Abdul Hammed of Bhikhi-Pind fame ; Colonel AB Tara pore of 17 HORSE and Major Asha Ram Tyagi of the 'Battle of DOGRAI' in the 1965 war, still haunted the simple village folk and army officers were nothing less than GODS. So, my fate was sealed for ever to become an obedient soldier in the service of 'GREAT MOTHER INDIA', whom no one cares today. She lies prostrate today, crying in pain for help but all her worthy sons look the other way, as her not- so- worthy- sons molest and sacrilege her modesty to make some personal gains. And while this happens right in front of our eyes, we, of the old genre and of the great moralistic flavour, the so called grand protector of her honour, clench our fists in helplessness, as an only thing old men can do.
I reckon three and a half years at NDA transformed me into an overly confident, arrogantly haughty (which later became my undoing?) and a lethargic young man who slept while the world moved on. I became a smoker, here, which I hated doing as a school-child,when some of my classmates had started as a fashion. In fact, I used to moralise them on its ill-effects. While most of them had left smoking by the time we reached the age of19-20, I got thickly addicted to it. Whenever I went on leave to my place, all of them used to mock at me to say : DEEPAK TALE ANDHERA( THE LAMP SITS ON DARKNESS). It took me 33 long years to ged rid of this dirty addiction. After four and a half years of training at NDA/ IMA I got commissioned as a young officer on 13 June 1971. This year was another milestone in the history of India. A new nation was created. East Pakistan had parted company with JINNAH'S DREAM LAND FOR THE MUSLIMS and renamed herself as BANGLA DESH. The theory of two nations of MA Jinnah had gone awry. It proved beyond doubts that religion was not the binding force though it could rally people around momentarily. This lesson of history had been ignored by the exponents of the 'Great Divide of 1947'. And even today some people continue to forget this everywhere in the world.
35 years of commissioned service has totally transformed me into a man who can write a book on lessons of life for each year and also narrate as to how we have traversed this journey from a nation surviving on PL-480 in the sixth decade of 20th Century to an IT Giant of 21st Century. That is about one of the positives of our march forward but the greatest negative is our broken emotional ties which bound us as one people. Let me put it this way to you: MAN'S PROGRESS IS HIS DECLINE. YOU GROW IN AGE AND BECOME ONE OF THE GREATEST ACHIEVERS BUT YOU HAVE ALSO LOST TIME TO STAY ON THIS EARTH TO SEE THE FRUITS OF YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS. So, Pluses add up to equal minuses put together. In the end, it is a ZERO SUM GAME.
40 Years back, I was an energetic, enthusiastic and a day dreamer who in his innocent ways thought that the world could be yours for the asking, if you worked hard, remained focused and determined to realise your goals. 40 Years? Too long a period to do a rational stock taking now. But I have done it. I find myself at the edge of a conclusion, which says, ENJOY LIFE NOW, FOR THE WORLD WILL BE TOTALLY CHANGED TOMORROW, WHICH MAY NOT BE OF YOUR TASTE.
Resolve, today, to do some good to yourself to increase the positives in your credit account of zero-sum game of life.While doing so, make a determined effort to save this earth for the unborn generations of tomorrow from the devilish minds of today. You have a mission to carry out, get going.
RAJINDER SINGH
DIRECTOR, STEM
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Wednesday, June 21, 2006
RISING INDIVIDUALISM---A ROAD MAP FOR HUMAN CATASTROPHE!
Of late, mankind has been badly hit by a huge deficiency of familial ethics and moral bankruptcy. This has been caused by the rising rage for materialistic gains, which has raised the inexorable head of Individualism through the glamour bazaar of liberty and freedom. Freedom without responsibility; liberty without accountability and wealth-amassing without propriety of means have shaken the very foundation of social bonding, mutual trust and peaceful co-existence of individuals, communities, societies, polities, religions and lingual fraternities and violence, today, are so pronounced in every day life of each individual that peace and safety seems an utopian dream of mankind. And, every one helplessly prepares oneself to silently view the final act of the extinction of earth and mankind. It is only a few individuals who are pushing the world towards its destruction. If we want to survive we have to stop them.
There is an American saying," Why fix a thing, If it is not broken?" It implies that one must not waste time on trivial matters or mundane things. Is the survival of the EARTH a trivial matter? You know What Professor LINSDAY had once said. He had stated that one did not drown by falling in the water, one drowned for having had stayed there. Are we all waiting to drown in the deluge being caused by the rising waters of INDIVIDUALISM? This phenomenon has aroused false notions of liberty and freedom which have re-sparked the dormant animal instinct amongst human beings. Driven by hunger for materialistic gains, man has broken free of social and familial bonds to act without caring for its consequences for others. Aggressiveness, hatred, selfishness and greed have become more pronounced in human conduct which have led man to indulge in violence and conflict.
In real life, there is no real-time display monitor of the consequences of your actions , which can refrain you from doing as to what you are doing . You live it today and not on the glory of yesterday or the hopes and promises of tomorrow. Today is the reality; face it. And this reality is that 'human life' has become a commodity to be traded in the competitive and a market economy of the 'Free world'. You know we are on sale. Talk not about old social ethics and moralities which are marvelous ruins of a old social structure. May be, if we survive our impending extinction, the future travelers of these ruins would marvel at their grandiose style, like we wonder today at the beauty of collapsing caves of Ajanta and Ellora! New moralities of the emerging social system lay stress that individual was supreme and all his activities revolve around this as the central theme. You are welcome to join this band wagon and watch your world crumbling before your eyes. Well, the rat race is on and some rat will win. Run and enjoy the momentary fun, for, when the hour of misfortune would strike there would be none left to shed tears and write an epitaph for this great planet and its self-destructive creatures!
I'm told we live in an era of 'INFORMATION SOCIETY'. The only thing man should have, i.e. 'Knowledge & Information' is denied to him by the spin doctors of the exponents of 'FREE WORLD'. The very conduct of 'Alvin Toffler's "THIRD-WAVE" generation or what you call the 'knowledge society', frightens me . They behave like the ' TSUNAMI-WAVE' and I feel they are making this earth a dangerous place to live. Their FREE-FOR-ALL CONCEPT OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY WITHOUT ANY SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITY ARE BREAKING THE CHAINS OF EMOTIONAL TIES AND AFFINITIES. This thinking is the cause of de-sensitisation and brutalisation of human-beings , finally, contributing towards religious activism and over-energisation of religious fundamentalists theory of 'INDIVIDUALISM' has its variants in regional, communal, lingual, religious, ethnic, racial and economical fraternities.
Fragmentation and disintegration of families, societies, and countries due to onslaught of 'INDIVIDUALISM' is causing friction and violence in every nook and corner of the world. The result is terrorism, wars, military conflicts, riots and disharmony. Emotive bonds of centuries of togetherness have boken. There is a general state of hatred, distrust and a sense of insecurity. You see, mankind is sitting on a volcano of its destruction. If we want to save it we would have to re-infuse social codes and a set of moralities which bind people obligingly together. Declaring wars on terrorism or against a crazy nation will not reverse the situation. It will act as a catalyst. What is needed to be done is to do away with the dominating philosophy of American-style 'free- for-all- liberty and freedom', which is the Mother of 'INDIVIDUALISM'. To do so, we must begin with the basic unit i.e. the old family system. Let family emotions spread its wings to tie people into familial, social and human bonds to sensitise people towards each other's sensitivities. If It happens, we shall survive. And we owe it to yet-to be-born future generations to let them see this beautiful creation of the GOD.
RAJINDER SINGH
FOUNDER DIRECTOR STEM
Read more...
There is an American saying," Why fix a thing, If it is not broken?" It implies that one must not waste time on trivial matters or mundane things. Is the survival of the EARTH a trivial matter? You know What Professor LINSDAY had once said. He had stated that one did not drown by falling in the water, one drowned for having had stayed there. Are we all waiting to drown in the deluge being caused by the rising waters of INDIVIDUALISM? This phenomenon has aroused false notions of liberty and freedom which have re-sparked the dormant animal instinct amongst human beings. Driven by hunger for materialistic gains, man has broken free of social and familial bonds to act without caring for its consequences for others. Aggressiveness, hatred, selfishness and greed have become more pronounced in human conduct which have led man to indulge in violence and conflict.
In real life, there is no real-time display monitor of the consequences of your actions , which can refrain you from doing as to what you are doing . You live it today and not on the glory of yesterday or the hopes and promises of tomorrow. Today is the reality; face it. And this reality is that 'human life' has become a commodity to be traded in the competitive and a market economy of the 'Free world'. You know we are on sale. Talk not about old social ethics and moralities which are marvelous ruins of a old social structure. May be, if we survive our impending extinction, the future travelers of these ruins would marvel at their grandiose style, like we wonder today at the beauty of collapsing caves of Ajanta and Ellora! New moralities of the emerging social system lay stress that individual was supreme and all his activities revolve around this as the central theme. You are welcome to join this band wagon and watch your world crumbling before your eyes. Well, the rat race is on and some rat will win. Run and enjoy the momentary fun, for, when the hour of misfortune would strike there would be none left to shed tears and write an epitaph for this great planet and its self-destructive creatures!
I'm told we live in an era of 'INFORMATION SOCIETY'. The only thing man should have, i.e. 'Knowledge & Information' is denied to him by the spin doctors of the exponents of 'FREE WORLD'. The very conduct of 'Alvin Toffler's "THIRD-WAVE" generation or what you call the 'knowledge society', frightens me . They behave like the ' TSUNAMI-WAVE' and I feel they are making this earth a dangerous place to live. Their FREE-FOR-ALL CONCEPT OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY WITHOUT ANY SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITY ARE BREAKING THE CHAINS OF EMOTIONAL TIES AND AFFINITIES. This thinking is the cause of de-sensitisation and brutalisation of human-beings , finally, contributing towards religious activism and over-energisation of religious fundamentalists theory of 'INDIVIDUALISM' has its variants in regional, communal, lingual, religious, ethnic, racial and economical fraternities.
Fragmentation and disintegration of families, societies, and countries due to onslaught of 'INDIVIDUALISM' is causing friction and violence in every nook and corner of the world. The result is terrorism, wars, military conflicts, riots and disharmony. Emotive bonds of centuries of togetherness have boken. There is a general state of hatred, distrust and a sense of insecurity. You see, mankind is sitting on a volcano of its destruction. If we want to save it we would have to re-infuse social codes and a set of moralities which bind people obligingly together. Declaring wars on terrorism or against a crazy nation will not reverse the situation. It will act as a catalyst. What is needed to be done is to do away with the dominating philosophy of American-style 'free- for-all- liberty and freedom', which is the Mother of 'INDIVIDUALISM'. To do so, we must begin with the basic unit i.e. the old family system. Let family emotions spread its wings to tie people into familial, social and human bonds to sensitise people towards each other's sensitivities. If It happens, we shall survive. And we owe it to yet-to be-born future generations to let them see this beautiful creation of the GOD.
RAJINDER SINGH
FOUNDER DIRECTOR STEM
Read more...
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