SURGICAL STRIKES; A PERSPECTIVE...

SURGICAL STRIKES; A PERSPECTIVE...

While congratulating the Indian Army for its precise operation across the LoC to neutralise certain launch pads of terrorists who were ready to cross over into India to indulge in their nefarious deeds as per the dictates of their bosses in the ISI and Pak sponsored, aided and controlled puppet terrorist groups, I can't help critically looking at the uncalled for exuberance displayed by the Government of India both before and after the so-called ‘Surgical Strikes’. Call it; uncalled for euphoria, chimpanzee like thumping of chest; or whatever, it appears to be nothing but an overreached step which  may make the ruling elite rue for its love for favourable noises, propaganda and publicity, something which none of the previous successive Indian Governments had gone in for to this extent.

Last few days were, anyhow, good fun watching drama on some of the top TV channels with several ex officers from various forces along with a full brigade of prime time TV actors wielding moustaches of different sizes and shapes (though some of them were clean shaved also); each of them anchors included, pretending as real warrior, survivor and ‘hardened’ nationalist. In their frenzy, they overlooked the fact that there is no dearth of ‘real nationalists’ in this country who do not shout at loudest of their voices on prime time but are ever ready to lay their lives for the nation. While watching these artists on various channels, I could not help feeling as if the 'Jumla Politics', a comparatively new political doctrine, in vogue in India, had not reached the next higher, yet deplorable, level?

It was indeed a pity seeing that this time even Indian Army, of which all of us are rightly proud of, was being used as a guinea-pig; the gun of political Jumla baji was being fired from their shoulders after coining a new Jumla, the 'surgical strike'. Conducting operations covertly, silently and efficiently within a given framework of limited time and precise instructions, is not a new thing for our armed forces. Several of such operations have been conducted by them across almost all the Indian borders. But they were never publicized like this time, which was nothing but an attempt to garner political benefits, how so ever short termed and misplaced they might have been. All these past ‘surgical’ operations were of course brought to the public notice, but in a rightful and dignified way. If I am not wrong, I can recall at least one such article titled ‘Surgical Strikes; Indian army’s new method to deal with sub-conventional operations’, written by Sandeep Unnithan of India Today. It was way back sometimes in 2014. Names of Gen Bikram Singh, some other army officers as also the Indian operation in Myanmar are also still in one’s memory.

I understand that the present incumbents of the Indian governance had to, perforce, go in for some way to wipe the 'Uri shame' from across their faces. It was certainly called for, it was required and it was necessary; but a mischievous attempt to garner political dividends at the cost of the Indian Army was certainly wrong and deplorable. Armed forces are one organ of state power which should not be meddled with politically in any way, any way whatsoever. After their successful operation, the Indian army could, through a press conference or whatever, have conveyed to the Indian populace that they have avenged Uri. There was no need to create war hysteria through the Indian electronic media, both before and after the 'Surgical Strike / Operation’. Comments of some of the top anchors amounted only to 'literally finger' Pakistan. And it did evoke uncalled for murderous, yet childish response, from the leaders of Pakistani polity; Army, ISI and terrorist groups included; all hoarsely and madly shouting and brandishing their nuclear arsenal. Using nukes is not a child's game but Pakistan is a rogue country where the real command does not vest with its political leadership. It is controlled by terror mongers including its army, ISI and terror groups with more or less direct or indirect support from China. Apprehensions about the malicious, yet expected, Chinese support to Pakistan came to the fore with surprising quickness with China declaring to put a ‘technical hold’ on the international move to ban Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar. In its second manifestation of ‘tactical support’ to Pakistan, China declared its intent to block a Brahmaputra tributary at its Lalho hydro project over Xiabuqu River at Xigaze in Tibet. The latter threatened move comes in wake of India’s ‘decision’ to review the Indus River Water Treaty with Pakistan.

Realising its mistake of having beaten its trumpet a bit too loudly and unnecessarily, our government had no option but to upscale the war preparations. Forces have been moved in and the border belt 'de-civilianized'. Stretches up to ten kilometres from the LoC have been got vacated, a ‘bad necessity’ which has only inconvenienced the civilian population settled all along Indo-Pak borders. No doubt this vigilance was and is called for despite the possibility of a full-fledged war to be remote. Breaching of LoC, uncalled for ceasefire violations, firing and shelling may be expected but the chances of an outright war are remote.

This optimistic analysis apart, India has to be totally ready and prepared for hostile action by the sleeper cells of ISI and of terrorists which exist almost evenly across India. To make the matter worse, there is an increased possibility of greater cooperation between rogue elements in Pakistan and dreaded ISIS, which has already penetrated our country and considers it as a potent ground for the enrolment of its new recruits.

We have to face the situation and, damn it, we will and successfully but one can, in retrospect, only wish that the politics of ‘Jumla Baji’ had not gone that far. Let’s hope that 'Operation Jumla Baji' is abandoned forthwith by whosoever is trying to carry it along.

A new era of Cold War has commenced in the Indian subcontinent. Let’s see which direction the wind blows in…

AJIT DOVAL; MY PERCEPTION…(WITHOUT MALICE)

AJIT DOVAL; MY PERCEPTION…

(WITHOUT MALICE)

Though I know Ajit Doval, the current N.S.A., from my days in the Intelligence Bureau, Government of India, but I was never close to him. In fact because of some reasons, a certain amount of negativity had come to exist between two of us. It was unfortunate that this coldness remained even when I returned back from deputation to Government of India where I had served, for about a decade, in different organisations and ministries. Even after my return to the state of Punjab, from where on account of some differences with the then Government, I was unceremoniously thrown out on deputation in early 1980s, I continued to be sent to Delhi to attend various meetings. I remember several such meetings held in Delhi when Ajit Doval was the D.I.B., Director Intelligence Bureau. D.I.B. is one of the most coveted posts and incumbent thereof is one of the most important advisers to the Prime Minister of India. Though the position of the incumbents was subsequently a bit diluted with the institution of the post of the NSA, National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister; but again being a full-fledged adviser to the Home Minister of India, office and the post of D.I.B. remains immensely enviable.

Oh I am sorry for having lost the thread. You will have to pardon me for not getting younger day by day. I was talking about the days of Ajit Doval as the D.I.B. and my relations with him. Whenever I attended a meeting presided over by him, most of my participating colleagues used to bombard me with stupid questions trying to probe the 'negativity' between him, a very senior officer and a pesky junior like me. I had never realized that the negative vibes between us were so damn predominant.

Ajit Doval had a comparatively short tenure as the D.I.B., but even after his retirement I kept hearing about the really great job he continued doing, taking immense personal risks. I must admit that certain amount of negativity and differences between us, not withstanding, I have great regard for his original thinking, his guts and courage. And this regard exists even today, despite my personal view of him as a 'practical man'. He has been a great intelligence operator and a master of the game, perhaps the best that I know of. Though he has a number of successful operations, both during service and after retirement to his credit but  had at least one of his particular post retirement operations  which seeded in middle east, succeeded;  the fate of India would have changed for better and for all times to come.

Despite being a successful intelligence man, he had only one minor negative point and that is his reluctance to work as a team and of remaining a bit closed and unapproachable. This disqualification damaged him a lot while in service. But I think that with time one gets wiser and changes accordingly. With the establishment of the Vivekananda Foundation, he certainly changed for better. Here, unlike the previous times, he probably was 'the first among equals'. He had succeeded in collecting the cream from among intellectuals and thinkers from across the spectrum, from all walks of life and services etc. And it contributed to his rise and success.  The Government of India is practically being run by this foundation because a number of its members are not only aiding and advising the prime minister but are also holding key potions.

The other day while in a book store, I came across a book, “The Modi Doctrine". While glancing through the book, I could 'see' Ajit Doval’s thinking almost everywhere. Again, the age old negativity between us notwithstanding, I appreciate his both so-called ‘failed’ and successful polity. But I do not think that any of his ‘polity’ had really failed. His major failure was alleged to be Narendra Modi's co-called ‘flop’ surprise visit to Pakistan to felicitate Nawaz Shareef. But in retrospect it has paid dividend in the sense that it showed India's sincerity towards normalization of relations with the rogue country, Pakistan.

And one of his best current strokes appears to be Indian 'decision’ (read threat) to 'review' 56 year old Indus Water Treaty instead of going in for an outright war with Pakistan.

(This 'decision', read threat, itself is fraught with several 'possibilities'. I will try to write separately about them in coming days...)

My very best wishes to the N.S.A....

CORRUPTION IN INDIA

CORRUPTION IN INDIA

I have been asked to write about the state of corruption in India. It is indeed a difficult topic indeed, perhaps one of the most difficult ones that I ever have been asked to write. I do not know from where to start and to end where. Corruption and civic societies have unfortunately become synonym for each other. I was sure that it is a world-wide syndrome and my perception became conviction when I researched the subject.

In the context of India, like perhaps elsewhere, it is one of the two oldest professions. Yes I call corruption, a profession like prostitution, one arising out of the ‘greed’ and the other arising out of the ‘need’. Both are individualistic concepts, arising out of human psychology. I, personally, have some regard for a prostitute but certainly not for a corrupt ‘individual’. Yes I have deliberately used the word ‘individual’ because both of the human sexes are essentially the same, the moot point being the ‘opportunity.

Coming back to the findings of my study, I located a one conducted by ‘Transparency International’ in year 2005 which stated that ‘more than 62% of Indians had first-hand experience of paying bribes or influence peddling to get jobs done in public offices’. Their 2008 report stated that about ‘40% of Indians had first-hand experience of paying bribes or using a contact to get a job done in public office. Though the report claimed that the largest sources of corruption in India are entitlement programmes and social spending schemes enacted by the Indian government, but the fact remains that hardly any field of governance, be in government of private sector, is untouched by corruption. It is, however more in the government sector. Bigger the budget, greater the corruption and it encompasses all fields, from defense to urban and rural development to sundry civic departments. In ‘closed ‘departments like customs, revenue, income tax etc., where both parties are gainer, it remains closeted where as in other departments like police, where there are multiple parties; complainant, accused and the official authority, it comes more into the fore.

Corruption has become the bane of the Indian democracy. It remains the topic of discussion everywhere but without any tangible results. For me, the true index of a system’s ‘uprightness’ is the perception of a lay man walking up and down the street, a person sitting under ‘baba bohr’ (bohr, in Punjabi means, An old banyan tree in a village under which people sit in shade and chit chat, called ‘khund charcha’ (general talk, in Punjabi). For me, that is the real index of the sentiments in rural India. In case of urban India, my ‘pulse index’ is the view point of lay men who ‘loiter’ all around in the streets, in parks and normal ‘chai shops’. I place least credence on the views of the so-called intellectuals who participate in the prime time ‘discussions’. More often than not, I find them tainted by various extraneous factors. For them the scale matters. Corruption involving comparatively lower amounts is, ‘CORRUPTION’ and those involving massive and even astronomical amounts is ’SCAM’. Former is out rightly condemnable and the latter is reserved either for ‘late evening social drawing room talks over drinks’ or for ‘high-fi primetime panel discussions on mightier TV channels being anchored by gorgeous looking ladies and hunks.

For them a fatal accident by a bus, a two wheeler and an inexpensive car is out rightly condemnable but a worse accident be expensive SUVs and sedans is just ‘unfortunate.

Organ of state power are out rightly corrupt in India. We have already referred to the executive. Now let’s talk about the legislature. Available figures indicate that the present top legislative body, the parliament of ‘India that is Bharat’, elected in 2014 has the highest number of ‘politician – criminal ratio’. Association for Democratic Reforms, in their report, stated that about 34 per cent of members of this august house had criminal cases registered against them. In the previous Lok Sabha the percentage was about 30 per cent.

Then a further random search on the net gave following results;

“Almost 34% ministers from State Assemblies have criminal cases ...

indianexpress.com › India › India News

Aug 5, 2016 - The states with highest percentage of ministers with serious criminal ... The average assets per minister from State Assemblies is Rs 8.59 crore.

Criminals in politics: India - Indpaedia

indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Criminals_in_politics:_India

4 Trials against MPs in serious cases continue for 7 years on an average ... About 1,258 (31%) out of the 4,032 sitting MLAs from all state assemblies have .... and official figures on crime in India show that the proportion of people facing such ...

Corruption pan-India: With average asset of Rs 8.59 crores, 34 percent ...

www.newsgram.com › Corruption

Aug 5, 2016 - Corruption pan-India: With average asset of Rs 8.59 crores, 34 percent State Assembly Ministers also have criminal cases against them.

Survey shows 1460 criminal MPs and MLAs in the country - Rediff.com

www.rediff.com › News

Jul 10, 2013 - The judgement is important considering the fact that India has 1460 sitting ... 15 per cent of the current MLAs from all state assemblies have declared ... The Jharkhand 2009 assembly has the highest percentage of elected ...”

I am semi-literate. But a question looms over my rational faculty. Can a legislature which itself is under scrutiny, pave way for a corruption free civic society?

Let’s shamefully accept that we Indians are living in a system which is thoroughly inefficient and corrupt. Our so-called leaders only indulge in ‘Jumla Bazi’ and the times gone by for what we are today. They just enjoy the perks of their seats.

Only our own thought, our shame, our guilt, our passivity may be able to bring a teeny weeny hope.

Otherwise this county may be on its way to a total revolution which may not be very peaceful…

IS TERRORISM KNOCKING DOORS OF PUNJAB?

 DEATH OF BRIG. (Retd.) GAGNEJA…

Is terrorism knocking doors of Punjab?

Today one of my young journalist friends, Anilesh Mahajan; whom despite our huge age difference (lest any controversy arises, I must clarify that he is younger and I am older), I respect and admire because of his great journalistic insights and acumen; posted an update on Facebook, posing a question;

"Punjab RSS's number 2 Brig Jagdish Gagneja breathed last at DMC&H, Ludhiana. He was shot at on August 6 in Jalandhar. Police is still clueless. Is terrorism knocking doors of Punjab?"

Before I move further, I must state that I had met Brigadier (Retd) Jagdish Gagneja, twice in my life time. Both meetings were held in his Jalandhar office which is located in some commercial building between Radisson hotel and the Clock Tower. I must apologize that despite my posting in Jalandhar for about less than one year, I hardly know the city. I know some locations but not exact addresses thereof.

I had met him in connection with my anti-drug campaign. I had been trying to seek the help and support of various political parties, front organisations thereof included; various politico - social - religious organisations, religious and dera heads, NGOs, youth organisations etc.  I had succeeded in meeting some top leaders of Congress, BJP & left wing parties. Sadly, SAD and AAP leadership had either flatly refused to meet or just let the request go unheard. Even those who met indulged only in 'bandal-baji', slang for 'gas bags'. Some so called radical Sikh parties & organisations, a number of NGOs and youth organisations appeared to be sincerely concerned and did organise some campaigns. I also found 'radical Sikhs’ to be genuinely concerned and worried on the issue of drug menace.

Brigadier Gagneja had turned out to be a simple and straight forward man, despite the heavy weight of the brass that he wore on his shoulders while in service. I found him to be a down to earth and sincere man. I had barged into his office around lunchtime. He was eating his home cooked lunch out of his lunch box. He asked me to join in. On my polite refusal, he got up from in-between the lunch, washed his hands, gave me a glass of water and resumed his lunch after asking for a cup of tea for me. Our discussion hovered around the drug menace, total failure of law and order and civic administration in Punjab, corruption and criminalization of state politics etc. Offering his total support for the anti-drug drive, he promised to take up the matter with his organisation as well because drugs are being done all over the country, only the scale there of varies. Second meeting with him was more general in nature. He insisted on seeing me off till my car which was parked at a distance because of non-availability of parking space nearby. The attack on him had come as a shock. I had an instant liking for this gentleman.

Now coming to the point raised by Anilesh, my comment on his post was,

"No. It is only criminal - politician nexus which is operating and thriving in Punjab..."

Punjab is different from other states. Most foreign invasions into the country were from this route. Punjabis always had to face the first brunt thereof. It only helped in turning Punjabis into a martial race. In any martial race, fascination for arms is but natural and this is one of the reasons why we Punjabis love to possess arms. Thus, the so-called 'gun culture' is but a natural corollary. This 'arm culture' has been exploited by various rulers from time to time. Punjabi 'missels' were the very cause of the successful conquests of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the greatest of Sikh rulers ever. Britain's success at several places during the First and the Second World Wars was also only because of Punjabi troops.

The same Punjabi chivalry has been and is being exploited by modern day rulers in Punjab. Almost all political parties have enrolled their goons who are ever ready to quench their thirst for blood, money, good life and as usual, the sex. They indulge in all this under the patronage of their political godfathers who can't do without them. Goons are needed to grab property, be it private, state owned or natural resources. During elections they are used for intimidating voters. They are also the 'private army' which secures 'drug line' and ensures that drugs are not pilfered by couriers. These goons hibernate under political patronage almost across the spectrum but one particular party owns and controls the majority.

Over past few years these criminal gangs, with the connivance of their political lords, become more daring and aggressive. Their areas of operation have increased and they are working in league of similar politico-gangsters of other states. Their cooperation is on account of various reasons including; interstate availability of ‘unknown’ sharp shooters, transaction of latest weaponry and most important of all, ready-made availability of interstate shelter and creation of alibis.

Police forces are either silent spectators to it all because of political reasons or because the 'wiser' amongst them, are willful partners of thereof.

Ironically gangsters and criminalized / politicized police forces are an integral part of the kind of political system that we have in this country and shall remain so.

This 'arm of state power' operates under the PPP (Politician-Police-Protection).

This was the one major protected group which had hijacked law and order in Punjab even during the days of militancy and accusing fingers were raised somewhere else.

This is the age of POLITICO-TERRORISM...

There is no question of revival of terrorism in Punjab…

Haryana's Beefy Pains...

My article in 'Quint', just now (15th September 2016 ) on Haryana's Beefy Pains...

Haryana’s labs may not be well-equipped to confirm presence of beef in biryani samples being sent by the police.

https://www.thequint.com/politics/2016/09/15/haryanas-ill-equipped-cow-task-force-looking-for-beef-in-biryani

KASHMIR TODAY...

Kashmir Today…

Knee-jerk policies of Government of India on Kashmir continue to shock me as they are likely to further escalate the problem there. I am equally surprised, rather shocked, that today the Central Government chose to go in for of the SAD way of controlling ‘undesirable’ elements who ‘do not fall in line’. Yes, the favourite way of the alliance partners of the BJP in Punjab, is either the withdrawal of security or the threat there of, to contain such ‘undesirables’. Plan of the Government of India to either withdraw or ‘review’ the security of some hardliner Kashmiri leaders is a deplorable decision. For a terrorist nothing is sacrosanct and they utilise all possible ways to escalate tensions and mayhem; whether it is an attack on their own sacred and holy places or killing of their own vulnerable leaders who have popular or mass base. Any of these two treacherous methods, besides several others, can instantly fuel the fire which can’t be extinguished. These sick methods are employed by terrorists all over the world and if the Government of India thinks that they can’t or won’t be employed by militants and terrorists in Kashmir then they are living in a fool’s paradise.

Watching Barkha Dutts’s documentary on Kashmir on the NDTV today, reinforced my conviction that Indian Political Parties and the Political System is the root cause, not only of the current crisis in Kashmir but all over the country, which god forbid, I fear, is very gradually but consistently moving towards disintegration. These parties generally work in diametrically opposite direction, which are disastrous. I am not the one to live in the past because it can’t be undone. Whatever has happened has happened. Instead of crying over split milk one should try to do the damage control. This is one lesson which any of the Indian political parties will never learn.

Government of India will have to take some gutsy steps to minimise the damage, which can’t easily be undone. BJP has lost credibility in Kashmir, as elsewhere, not only amongst minorities but even amongst the saner civilians on account of stupid mad meaningless controversies and debates on a wide range of issues; right from singing of Vande Mataram to Hinduism to what constitutes Nationalism to Gau Mata to all those immense array of issues which have been raked up in a mindless manner.  They have only given an impetus to anti national sentiments and Pakistan as also its fanatic, yet committed, elements have been grinning at our buffoonery. We ourselves have been creating mindless centrifugal and fissiparous forces.

The ‘meaningless and failed act’ of our Prime Minister in trying to emerge as a world level statesman has, unfortunately, also hastened the process. Instead of concentrating on internal issues, he is acting more like a foreign minister, in his uncalled for bid to emerge as a world leader. He is not only failing but is also bound to finally fail in this act and the Indian history will be testimony to that. He should instead act more like the other legendary Gujrati, Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel. He should act more like a minister for ‘pan India internal affairs’. He should act more like Atal Bihari Bajpai. I do not know what was the compulsion for go to Islamabad, on his way back from Afghanistan, to greet Nawaz Shareef. It was more of dramatics. If he is really a statesman then he should have known that Nawqaz Shareef is more like a football and being kicked at by different entities in Pakistan, from the Pak Army to ISI, to terrorists to a section of Maulanas and Ulemas out there.

I am not an expert on international affairs but as a lay man, I think that India needs to break off diplomatic relations, if not go in for a full fledged war, with Pakistan which is fuelling fire in Kashmir. President of India also needs to dismiss J&K Government. President’s rule is not being imposed there only because BJP happens to be an alliance partner there. It is disgraceful. Politicization of Kashmir by political parties as also by media needs to be stopped forthwith. Rename J&K as JK&L, Jammu Kashmir and Laddakh to ensure territorial distinction. Entire Kashmir is not ravaged; more affected areas are some districts of South Kashmir. Kashmir does not have only Sunni Muslims, it has fair amount of Shia population as well. The Government needs to announce general amnesty to youth accused either of stone pelting or of criminal offences except manslaughter and attempts thereof etc.

As to remedies, we need to think out of the box. Constitution has accorded special status to Kashmir under article 370; so why interfere in their day today affairs. Non Political Local bodies of civilians and not of politicians should run day today administration within the free work of the Indian Constitution. Political parties and religious leaders are generally the ones who are vitiating the atmosphere there. These local bodies of Kashmiris are most likely to succeed with the help of state police which is demoralised and feels subservient to the army and para military organisations. Kashmiris have to be given all rights ate freedoms which are accessible to the citizens of India as such. And yes no Pellet or Chilli guns please. Link up of Kashmir with POK also need to be ensured.

Many more steps can be thought of.

Diplomatically it needs to be pondered whether Pakistan and China will ever agree to release the areas of erstwhile United Kashmir which are now forcibly occupied by them. If Kashmir yearns for Azadi then it has to be total, and not partial. India can't let Kashmir to go under subjugation either of Pakistan or China. But again another issue to be ensured by world powers is that Kashmir can't be permitted to become another hot-bed for the ISIS.

Lastly, with reference to the entire country as such, it is about time India is given a totally new face life in the form of a true Federation. The days of Unitary or Quasi Unitary forms of government and governance are over.

Long live India along with all its Citizens and its Constituent States...

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 6); Birth of a baby, Awaaz-e-Punjab

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 6)

Birth of a baby, Awaaz-e-Punjab

After hell of a long time, Navjot Singh Sidhu has thrown the dice at last, but man!

what a dice! because numbers thereof are not clear. No one exactly knows what the numbers are but yes, one thing is clear; that  good old game of ’Chaucer’ is all set to be played a few months hence.

                                                                                                          

                                                                 The Game of ‘Chaucer’

Four corners, four players;

Grandmother of most of political parties, The Congress

Not so old but Master of the Game, The SAD / BJP

The Thunderous AAP, whose thunder is on the wane even in the ‘Sultanate of Delhi’

And

Awaaz-e-Punjab, the newly born Ivanhoe of Punjab

Game is all set, but the question is who is going to be the ‘Shakuni Mama’ in this game. Chaucer is not a simpletons ka khel. It is a curious mixture of one’s Luck and of intrigue, deceit, facade, cold blooded planning and of anticipation. It is a game where a player’s hand does the juggling of dice. Remember the story of Mahabharata?

So kisi ko nahi maloom, bilkul nahi maloom; if it is going to be ‘fixed’ or will it only be played with all Machiavellian expertise as the times come.

Coming to Grandmother, the Congress, it is generally playing the ‘Prashant Kishore way’, at least till now. Image building of Capt Amarinder Singh is to be followed by image building, though on a lesser scale, of regional satraps, district presidents and of probable candidates. His team is busy identifying pressure groups, besides trying to identify local issues which can be manipulated. Surprisingly, till now it has not done anything which could have given it some solid credibility; that is taking up Punjab centric issues including drugs, and exploitation of natural resources of Punjab including waters, electricity and all. That is perhaps kept in reserve to be utilised in meaningless rhetoric once elections are announced. It certainly is not a very wise move. They could at least have created a facade that they are concerned about Punjab. Exact working during elections is to be left for individual candidates. They will have to use their money, muscle and ‘medicine power’ as per their need and themselves

The Master of the game is, till now playing the game quietly with cold calculation and shrewd anticipation. Intelligence wings both of Government of India and of Punjab police have to be working overtime collecting, collating, projecting and to some extent even juggling the figures for BJP in Delhi and for Sukhbir in Punjab. Latter is taking keen interest naturally because somehow Punjab does not matter much for the former. But the future of Sukhbir Badal is at stake in Punjab. He has to win this election this way or that. He has no other option. If my previous experience in the Central and Punjab governments is correct, then lists of ‘important local level persons who have good vote bank’ and of ‘acupressure experts’ must be ready by now. Calculation for the ‘economic and medicinal criterion’ also must have been worked out.

AAP, has lost much of its steam by now because of its high headedness and ego. Leaders entrusted with responsibility in Punjab have been living in their ivory towers, enjoying 'hospitality' of Punjabi populace. They had a good chance to prove themselves by combating drugs in Delhi which is as much, if not more ravaged than Punjab. On this, I had advised Arvind and his area commanders’ long time back but perhaps they were not listening. Had they taken up this single issue in the right earnest, they would have earned unshakeable and indelible adoration of Punjabi populace in Punjab and even abroad. Their wrong calculation in ‘kicking out’ Chotepur, back fired like crazy. Their old volunteer force is on rampage and will work against them during elections. If attempts of AAP-Punjab to rope in all disillusioned old volunteers succeed, AAP-Delhi is going to suffer badly. Last but not the least; they have adopted a wrong criterion in choosing party candidates. They are sadly mistaken if they think that just any one can win in name of Arvind. And to make the matter still worse, a number of their candidates have a dubious past and some of its leaders have the image of being ‘unstable’.

And now coming to newly born Ivanhoe of Punjab, the Awaaz-e-Punjab. Its formation yesterday, September 2, had created an earth quake in Punjab. Rumblings of its birth was heard all over Punjab, Delhi and even abroad. Punjabi ‘diaspora’ in Delhi and abroad were taken by surprise and debates started about the future course of action, that is both moral and monetary to AAP, Delhi. Navjot Sidhu might be criticised and dubbed as a ‘non serious’ man, by his adversaries, on account of his association with humorous episodes and all but he has significant following all over Punjab. His wife Navjot has also created a niche for herself in Amritsar particularly. Some parts of her constituency are cut up on account of some of her ‘hangers on’ but still they all support her sincerely. Pargat only has a local base in some pockets of Jalandhar and in some of his sporty fans. Bains brothers have done a lot in Ludhiana and have created an iconic niche for themselves there. But that is about it. New born baby has to struggle for its survival. It needs structure, immense funds and wooing all those, political or non political souls, who have a face and reputation in Punjab. People have to be convinced that the Baby will be able to stand for, stand by and live for Punjab and its issues; may be drugs, waters, land, agricultural yield and sale thereof, electricity, usurped natural / public / private resources by some, unemployment, law & order, corruption, general high handedness, rein-less bureaucracy and police, to name  only a very few. Like AAP, it can’t and should not sit quietly and start counting eggs hoping only to thrive and en-cash upon the strong incumbency against the Master of the Game. It will have to work hard. Master of the Game is indeed a  Master of the Games.

Let’s see how all four Chaucer players play and what the ultimate result is. 

Whether it is going to be a fair contest between four of them or it turns out to be a tie only between the Grandmother and the Master of the Game, remains to be seen…

“Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” AAP Delhi, don’t ignore Punjabis from Punjab…

“Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

AAP Delhi, don’t ignore Punjabis from Punjab…

I have met Kanwar Sandhu, the celebrated journalist and intellectual, only twice in my life time. But I have high regards for this gentleman who has been the resident editor of The Hindustan Times for quite some time. I have heard people only talking good about him, which by itself should be considered a feather in his cap; er I mean his pagg (despite his being in the AAP), given the human nature where one is in love with no one but oneself only. Yeah, I am talking about this narcissist ‘dunia’.

In one of my blogs, a couple of days or so, ago, I had expressed my doubt about his day today accessibility to the AAP High Command in Delhi. Coming in that background I was not really surprised by Kanwar Sandhu’s status on the Face Book which I saw this morning. It read…

‘Tohra's hasty induction

I wish I had known about Harmail Singh Tohra's involvement in the unfortunate attack on AAP MP, Dr Dharamvir Gandhi in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. I would have opposed his entry. Now this person must publicly apologize for his role in the attack. Besides, he should prove that he is committed to AAP's strategy before being made a candidate for any polls. Obviously, we need to be more careful in inducting people left and right and broad-base the screening process for the same.’

This status took me back by a few months when some of my friends had tried to put me in touch with Durgesh Pathak, the wonder kid of AAP Delhi who is here to ‘set / revive’ (I do not know which one of the two is more appropriate word) AAP in Punjab for AAP in Delhi. He had bluntly refused to talk to me even on the phone. No issues. I am an ordinary man. After having left AAP way back in 2014 itself, I, a politically disoriented man, had decided not to join any political party throughout the remainder of my life. Not that I am not politically oriented because all of us have inclination in favour of one party or the other and we do cast our votes as such. It is just that I do not want to remain gagged in any way. While in service I was gagged by rules of conduct, at home I am gagged by rules set up by my wife, in society I am gagged by so called ridiculous set of social rules and regulations. I do not to want add on to my agony by once again getting gagged by the stupid conduct rules of any political party. Yeh mat karo, woh mat karo. Yahan jhoot bolo, wahan janta ko moorkh banaao. All utter nonsensical things.

Oh, my apologies for having diverted from the topic. Do excuse me for that. I am not getting younger day by day and advancing age does bring in its own share of getting senile.

I just wanted to say that Kanwar Sandhu’s ‘Face Book Status’ reminded me of a play which I had read ‘centuries back’ (time gone by looks like centuries). This was a famous play by Edward Albee, way back in 1962. The name of the play was “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” This play was about breakdown of the marriage of a middle aged couple, Martha and George who had a bitter and frustrated relationship and both of them were busy playing dangerous and foul emotional games with each other. I got reminded of this play because as on date apparently strained relationship between ‘outsider AAPians’ and ‘home grown AAPians’ is the topic of discussion even amongst common ‘riff-raffiers’ like me. The marriage between the two is apparently running into rough weather and both are trying emotional blackmail on each other.

Way back in 2013 when AAP Delhi was trying to establish AAP Punjab, a substantial chunk of ‘brave hearted’ populace of Punjab had just jumped on to the ‘nihilistic’ ideology and philosophy of Arvind. They took risk and worked zealously spending their own hard earned money hoping to usher in a new era in torn, looted and ravaged Punjab. Unfortunately for them, their dreams were torn apart the way certain candidates were air dropped out of nowhere. The old volunteers were shattered on one hand and hounded by the administration, on the other. Again, ‘talking of the present tense’ the same set of old volunteers continues being ignored, only and may be because they have a mind of their own. When AAP Delhi had started inducting intellectuals like Kanwar Sandhu and outstanding journalists like Chander Suta Dogra and Manpreet Randhawa, to name only a few, one thought that things were going to be set alright. But again, it appears that they are also in the process of sidelined, like other established politicians of AAP in Punjab; like Sucha Singh Chotepur, Sukhpal Khaira etc. Blocking the entry of individuals like both the Navjots and both the Bains brothers (of Ludhiana) also sent negative vibes.

Leadership of AAP Delhi should realize that they are not sending correct signals in Punjab. They can’t succeed by retaining only ‘outsiders’ or those of ‘insider’ Punjabis as their representatives, who are not likely to take a stand in front of the AAP Trimurti. Punjabis are a martial race. They are second to none. They don’t tolerate second rung treatment. They should not ignore ‘enlightened’ Punjabis from Punjab. The target of Arvind is Delhi 2019. If Punjabis feel that they are being taken on a ride, then results can be disastrous in 2019.

About time Arvind and his friends start taking note of blunt advice of their well wishers and mend their ways.

We all want ushering in of a new era not only in Punjab but in the country as such.

Please don’t re-enact the play ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’. Try to save the marriage.

Don’t embitter your relations with Punjab and home grown Punjabis…

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 5); Punjab Pradesh Congress

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 5)

Punjab Pradesh Congress

One self goal after the other and one deliberate LBW after the other have brought AAP, which has been the forerunner in Punjab politics of date, on a pedestal where they have to decide whether they want to remain in the electoral race of the state or not. This electoral race has a grand victory trophy in shape of formation of a government in a bankrupt state where people are immensely rich and ever ready to cough up money at the slightest of twisting of their arms by people in position and in power. What a grand trophy it is, eh!!!

The biggest blunder being committed by AAP is that it is just banking on the grand and gala anti incumbency against the SAD (B) without any Punjab centric policy. Intelligentsia which hardly counts for anything worthwhile in the state of Punjab has been sincerely raking up this issue which is not falling in the ears of the AAPian leaders where as political parties like Congress and SAD (B) have just been using absence of Punjab centric policy of the AAP, as an election plank without any sincerity towards Punjab and its people as such. Anyhow from the point of view of a political analyst I, in this chapter, would discuss the position and strategies of the Congress.

At national level, Congress is at the rock bottom from where it can certainly rise and come out if it really and earnestly wants to. From the perspective of Punjab till the emergence of the third force called AAP, the trophy was captured alternately by Congress and SAD (B). In 2012 Assembly elections Congress lost majorly because of its own faults; that are over confidence, public dislike for some guys from within the coterie of Capt Amarinder Singh, back stabbing of the Capt by some people basking in the glory of his own charmed circle, infighting and internal sabotage, to name some of the more important reasons. Notwithstanding the self devastating role of the AAP, as on date, chances of Congress winning the prized trophy appear remote, not impossible though. Reasons primarily remain the same, as they were in 2012. The only additional factor of consequence this time is comparative dearth of ‘resources’ vis a vis SAD (B).

Capt. Singh had won the first round of the electoral race on account of his sheer grit and guts, rather than any strategy, when he successfully cornered Congress High Command to make him the PPCC president as also Chief Ministerial face for 2017 elections. This incidentally was also a strategic decision for the High Command which knew that it was fighting a battle for its survival with its back to the wall. There was no manoeuvring space. Capt had a commendable base and he has been a fighter. Had he not been made the chief ministerial candidate, he possibly would have floated his own political party and it was widely rumoured that he almost had. To hand over the reins to Capt was a last minute ‘sane and strategic decision of the party high command. It came in the middle of a scenario where a confident Pratap Bajwa had successfully ingratiated himself not only to Rahul but his back room boys as well. So sure he had become of his fortifications that he was in the middle of planning a gala show for Rahul in Punjab, during which several known independent and non political persons of standing were intended to be made to join Congress party. He had even started distributing important organisational posts and party tickets for 2017 assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi is said to have been firmly with him though Sonia Gandhi was inclined towards the Capt. Ultimately Capt’s determined arm twisting and Sonia’s soft corner for him worked in his favour.

And now the stage is set where Capt has to prove himself. Stakes are indeed high for Congress but they are higher for the Capt. Defeat may be disastrous for him. Not only he will have to start anew but it will be a setback for his son Raninder as well. Latter is not very old in politics and has already tasted defeat. His wife Parneet kaur has her constituency well knitted out but she too can’t survive totally on her own. Strategy of the Congress in retaining Prashant Kishore may not succeed. Political skulduggery and not just image building is needed. Prashant is banking upon a team of about hundred odd novice youth who are managing Captain’s media and social sites hoping to succeed like Arvind’s IT team. Prashant fails to realise that where as Arvind’s team had dedicated youngsters; he only has highly qualified youth but without either experience or dedication. They are just working as paid employees and most are either in the process of  deciding to quit or are already busy locating there next assignments. They are being used for several other sundry purposes as well like data collection and identification of local issues, opinion of so-called influentials etc and to use the data tactically in preparation of manifesto etc. Capt and Prashant need to realise that more than just data collection is needed. In other words ‘manoeuvring’ is needed and required at sundry field levels and that it is not possible on account of on the ground factionalism. As far as manoeuvring is concerned, they may get the support of some left oriented parties and some of the dera owners. But it may not really suffice. Prashant’s team is not being taken seriously by locals and they are not getting required support from people. Moreover even senior party leaders are ruing that neither theirs nor their party’s image is being enhanced. They allege that entire exercise is only a Captain centric action plan and they are already deliberating how to scuttle it. Team Prashant is planning to soon embark upon field rallies all over the state to try boosting image not only of Capt Amarinder but of the local party leaders and potential candidates as well. But it is again being looked upon sceptically since potential candidates are reportedly expected to spend at least ten crores each for their individual contest and image building in times to come. It is learnt that the PPCC has received more that seventeen hundred application of such potentially rich candidates.   

If Prashant Kishore really wants to help captain then he will need to rope in Nitish Kumar who can successfully garner Pravasi votes for any party. Unfortunately for Capt, Nitish has good equation with Arvind and may standby him ultimately. Incidentally Nitish is already eyeing Pravasi vote bank in Punjab and is likely to visit Punjab soon.

Some regional satraps with in Punjab Congress have already started mobilising their supporters to plan a grand sabotage. Such like individuals may include many of the seventeen hundred of such individuals who have the capacity to spend at-least ten crores each on their election campaign. Given that the total number of assembly seats are only 117, one can imagine the magnitude of the resultant 'Mahabharata' between the individuals who manage to get the 'ticket' and those who fail to get the same. Unfortunately for Capt neither the state nor central intelligence is there to feed him with raw data which is needed to plan the war room strategies. 

Incidentally a section of people in Punjab believe that Capt has lost his charisma and aggression. This is one single most damaging factor which does not go well with marshal Punjabis. Capt had also not been able to unfold his real action plan to combat the drug menace which has inundated and devastated the state.

About time that Captain Amarinder Singh renovates and commissions his war room and starts roaring like he used to…

War has been announced and trumpets may start blowing soon…

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 4); Self goal by AAP and aftermath...

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 4)

Self goal by AAP and aftermath...

I am writing this blog after a gap of several weeks. I had been travelling in Punjab as also in Himachal Pradesh. I do not know if I have come out a shade wiser nor am still the same old fool. Anyhow my impressions of these days have been varied, ‘Kabhi Khushi, Kabhi Gum’ kinda! I will write about each of them separately, one by one.

First about Punjab as I see it as on date; the political scenario, as we inch towards Assembly elections scheduled for early 2017. The political scene which was hazy is become murkier. This chapter is dedicated to AAP, Punjab. Hope my plain talk, without malice, does not make them bitterer towards me.

AAP Punjab, which till now was ahead of others, in the race, had for some time now been showing signs of fatigue. After a steady climb, it had not only slowed down but even started showing signs of moving towards decline. There were serious internal bickering at all levels and the top leadership of AAP Delhi, which has no roots in Punjab, was getting aloof from Punjabi masses. Instead of trying to win over the masses it only hoped to cash on serious anti-incumbency against SAD and general anti Congress sentiments in a section of Punjabis.  It was becoming head strong, arrogant and refusing to come out of its ivory tower. First indication was criticism of Sanjay Singh, the ‘over ground’ party leader who was accused of generally favouring and of being in the company only of rich and powerful; some of whom had a somewhat shady past and against whom accusations of not being upright were being leveled. Complaints were lodged with the second and third rung of the AAP leadership in Delhi, but of no avail. Sanjay is one of the ‘Tri Murti’ of the party. The king, that is the Tri Murti in case of AAP, can do no wrong.

Talking of the ‘underground’ leadership of AAP, one which is not visible but is immensely active, as compared to ‘over ground’ leadership, mentioned in the preceding para; one headed by ‘Durgesh & Co’ had also been losing touch with masses. They were accessible only to the top rung leadership of various stray parties and pressure groups including Dera heads and unions. Undoubtedly ‘Durgesh & Co’ had been immensely successful in their venture and whatever inroads AAP had made, was because of them. They had been steadily working like a mole, or to put it in a slightly better language, like underground ‘operational intelligent agencies.’ I simply adore and love their modus operandi. But they failed to gauge and manage individual ambitions of the ‘old and established home grown leadership of Punjab’ which was basically not happy with the dictates of ‘outsiders’ for whom often ‘derogatory’ phrases  like ‘East India Company from Delhi’ and ‘Resident leadership of AAP Delhi’ were being used. I am really surprised that intelligentsia and top notch media managers like Kanwar Sandhu, Manpreet Randhawa and Chandra Suta Dogra also failed to see it all or may be, of which I am not privy, they were not heard by the ‘AAP Tri Murti’. Besides Arvind and Sanjay, several other top rung leaders of AAP like Ashish Khaitan, Kumar Vishwas etc had been in touch with them, but again I don’t know who failed and where. First sign of their faltering was evident when ‘Youth Manifesto’ came up.

Talking about the ‘old inland and established leadership’ of Punjab which had joined the party, serious rumblings had been going on for a long time now. Though the elevation of Sucha Singh Chotepur as Party Convener in Punjab went unnoticed and did not create any controversy but his act of ensuring that no ‘powerful’ person joined AAP Punjab did start the ball rolling. He was insecure all the time and he tried to ensure his ‘safety. The only person he was vary of, was advocate Phoolka who ensured his continuous presence in Punjab in general and in Ludhiana Rural in particular. Dr Gandhi and Harinder Khalsa, who had a ‘mind of their own’ got isolated. Bhagwant Mann was busy attempting hara-kiri all the time. Perhaps Sadhu Singh believed in the saying ‘a bird in hand is better than two in the bush’ and as such was happy. Sucha Singh has been on the same page with Sukhpal Khaira, another seasoned politician from Punjab and who was inducted and made spokes person of the party. Chotepur erroneously hoped of containing Phoolka who has considerable base amongst Punjabis in Delhi which is the very base of Arvind as well. Delhi is Arvind’s priority and he can’t dare to neglect it even in wildest of his dreams. Then came up the name of Navjot Singh Sidhu, a deadly meteorite who could demolish everyone else in the AAPian politics of Punjab and along with the call ‘ahoy all hands on the deck’, come and join the task force to oppose Navjot. Even the Tri Murti was scared in Delhi because Navjot has following in Punjab, a strong mind of his own and could pose a challenge to Arvind. AAP only wants a ‘supportive base’ in Punjab. I was sure of but one thing right from day one and that is that either of Navjots will not be inducted in the party. And I was right. Next writing on the wall was that now it is the turn of Chotepur and inevitable happened.

Old volunteers of AAP have been unhappy from day one, since the Parliamentary elections when they saw ‘para-shoot candidates’ being dropped in from nowhere. Old volunteers were ignored all along because they were individuals with drive, initiative, guts and grit; who refused to blindly follow the party dictates. Their local level units were set up all over, the strongest being in Jalandhar followed by Ludhiana. They have generally been opposed to Phoolka who, they allege did not stand by him. And now Phoolka is the most likely Chief Ministerial face, as on date, of AAP Punjab. Forces opposed both to Arvind and Phoolka are now being contacted by leaders belonging to Yogendra Yadav’s camp, whose initial plan to set up the ‘Swaraj Abhiyan’ in Punjab has failed miserably.

Next few weeks will be but an interesting ‘tug of war’ not only within AAP but in the form of attacks and counter attacks on it both by Congress and SAD.

Let’s sit back and enjoy…

तोड़ दो यह बुत

I ain't a poet but these lines just got written as if by themselves...

तोड़ दो यह बुत-ओ-मकाँ इन बुतफरोशों के, सारे शहर-अो-मुल्क से अब,

वह भी इन्सान थे रूस-अो-इराक़ में, क्या तुम्हारे ही बाज़ुअों में दम नहीं;

ज़ुल्म ओ सितम सहने की आदत सी पड़ चुकी है तुमको,

शायद अब खुली ख़ुशगवार हवा में साँस लेने की ख़्वाहिश भी नहीं;

या खुदा मेरे, ऐसी क़ौम को मौत भी नहीं माफ़िक़,

कि दोज़ख़ की आग भी शर्मिंदा हो जायेगी   इनके रूबरू;

कि सोचेगी वह आग ए दोज़ख़ भी कई बार कि,

क्यों नापाक हो जाऊँ मैं ऐसे इन्सानों को छू कर;

शर्मसार होगा खुदा भी अपनी ख़ुद की खुदाई पर कि,

क्यों टूट न गये हाथ उसके, भगत सिंह की क़ौम को बे क़ौम करते हुये;

ग़म तो यह है, या बदक़िस्मती है यह कि,

खुदाई शर्मसार हो सकती है पर यह इन्सां नहीं;

तो मरने दो इसको, जीने दो ज़िन्दगी ज़िल्लत की; दो मौत मरने दो, शर्मसार होने दो;

रुसवा होते देखने दो इसको अपने ही पर्दानशीनों को और अपने घरबारों को...

PUNJAB AT CROSSROADS: 2017 (Part 3); Dilemma of the AAP, Punjab

PUNJAB AT CROSSROADS: 2017 (Part 3)

Dilemma of the AAP, Punjab

The recent debate on IBN7, a few days back substantiated my observation that the Aam Admi Party in Punjab is under a massive and serious psychological attack from all sides.

                                         

For those of us who are not able to gauge the seriousness of this statement, I would like to refer to a rough parallel and draw their attention to what Field Marshall Sam Mankeshaw had done during the siege of Dhaka. He got repeated nerve wrecking warnings issued / broadcasted to the beleaguered Pakistani forces, at regular intervals, telling them about the massive siege and disastrous annihilation if they did not surrender and they did succumb without any further delay. It was an age old war strategy utilised timely and successfully. Had Pakistanis not panicked and consequently surrendered on account of this psychological warfare, the war possibly would have got lingered on with further heightening of international pressure on India to halt and the result would have been like what had happened in Kashmir way back in 1947 when advancing (though belatedly) Indian forces were made to halt and half-heatedly shout ‘ceasefire’ under international pressure.

The general impression after this afore said panel discussion was that the AAP Punjab was not only under attack but they were exhibiting signs of mounting tension, distress and of not been able to withstand them. As a matter of fact, they have been flustering for quite some time. Perhaps the reason there for is that most of the party activists are still more of volunteers. They are under pressure not only from outside but from within the party as well.

That they are under pressure from other parties is more than obvious. Their entry into Punjab, way back in 2014, was taken lightly both by Congress and SAD and they were taken by surprise when this new party cornered four out of the total of 13 Lok Sabha seats. The decision of the AAP to contest forthcoming Lok Sabha elections has badly unnerved the traditional political parties of Punjab that is, the Congress and SAD. Strong anti incumbency arising out of not so good ten year rule has made the ruling elite nervous. They are facing numerous challenges on almost all issues including drugs, deteriorating law and order situation, farmers’ suicides, bad financial management leading to bankruptcy, massive corruption, ‘kabza’ culture and alleged grabbing of natural, public as also private property and resources; to name a few. The Congress remains ridden with ‘Congress culture’, its biggest and monstrous enemy, which is slowly yet continuously eating it up. Assessments based on field studies, indicate that till not Prashant Kishore has not been able to make any substantial dent. Normal public perception is that Capt. Amarinder Singh has mellowed down and he is not as aggressive as he used to be, a factor which made him popular amongst chivalrous Punjabis. Continued existence of the so-called ‘coterie’ around him is also damaging his image and public perception. Common fear from AAP, is bringing both Congress and SAD together for a limited purpose, that is to damage their common enemy. Only the time will tell how much and to what extent, do they succeed in ‘cutting AAP to size’.

Aam Aadmi Party is also suffering from internal conflict and tensions about which their top leaders are not bothered. Top leadership is confident of their victory at the hustling and continues to ignore internal distensions and turmoil. Their limited purpose is to be in power in Punjab in 2017 and to try for others states like Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat etc., keeping their eyes on Lok Sabha in 2019. Punjab is a small state sending only 13 members of parliament and naturally they too get spread over and divided amongst various parties. Such a small number of elected representatives do not count for much in the Lok Sabha except in a scenario where the party in power in the centre has a thin majority and each and every head counts. On account of this reason internal strife within the party does not bother its national leadership but it is giving nightmares to the state level leadership and aspirants for the MLAship of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. For them it is a question of life and death and mounting tension has started showing on their behaviour which is constantly in evidence in their day today life and public behaviour. They are flustering, losing their nerve which, in turn is putting a question mark on their capability to rule the state. This factor shall be grabbed by political parties which are opposed to the AAP in Punjab.

About time that Arving Kejariwal, the party chief organises some Vipasana courses for the state level leadership or give them lessons himself as to how to cope up with internal and external pressures.