HUMOUR; A DAY IN POST SURGICAL MODI RAJ

PRIME MINISTER'S SURGICAL STRIKE ON BLACK MONEY (A day in Modi Raj)

In light humour: A day in post surgical strike Modi Raj

This day of November 9, 2016, started with a bit of humor, a bit of laughter and a bit of anxiety. A couple of few thousand rupees worth of useless money was lying between me and my wife. It was in high denomination notes which were scrapped last night by our Prime Minister. We had just one, hundred rupee note which I had photographed and flashed proudly on the whatsapp last night. I was a proud owner of a hitherto condemned one hundred rupee note. We did not know how to manage with banks being shut and ATMs closed for next two days and we did not want to spend this particular proud possession.

The first one to ask for money, and that too right in the morning was the milk vendor. His payments are weekly. It was awkward asking him to take his payment a few days later. He just grimaced but left without saying anything. Then came up the problem of getting bread and some eggs for the breakfast; because the cook told us that the vendor had refused to accept money as also to give credit and we did not have any smaller denomination note. So we had no option but to settle for lovely overstuffed ‘aaloo ka patantha’… Lol

Later in the day, around noon, came up the event for which we always wait rather impatiently. Today was the day when our tenant pays up the monthly rent. Today for the first time, he came up on his own but we grimaced when he gave us five hundred rupee notes. Full of disgust, we returned them back to him with folded hands requesting that he can pay us a few days later but in hundred rupee notes. At this he too made a face and went away. Perhaps he wanted to dispose of those worthless pieces of green back Gandhis.

I had to ring up my lawyer asking him about the procedure of getting bail. I have some maliciously fabricated so called ‘defamation’ cases going against me and I had to seek bail in one of them. My lawyer asked me to get some surety but hardly anyone is ready to stand by me because of the fear of the government, the Punjab police and the mighty drug lords of Punjab. I have not been able to gauge the reasons for the hostility of the Punjab government and Punjab police against me. In the absence of the surety, the next way is to deposit cash surety but it has to be in either in one hundred rupee notes or in new, yet to be released currency. My lawyer told me that my check was not likely to be accepted. Yeh to problem hai bhai jee…

                                            

A bit later, my wife had to go somewhere and her car refused to start. A mechanic was called who said that the car battery was to be changed, but there was no money for that either. In the mean time the guy who had gone to deposit the electricity and water bills in the municipal office also returned saying that they had refused to take the cash payment with five hundred rupee notes. Arguments that government installations were supposed to accept the notes till eleventh fell on their deaf ears. Now the bill will have to be paid through check after a few days with the surcharge / late fee charges. Arguments had continued past five and now office was to get closed.  Damn it.

Things were to go on like this but we then geared up. Whatever rations are at home are being used. Our helpers including the maid servant have been kind enough to lend us some hundred rupee notes and some ‘chillar’ and we are fine for the remainder of the day.

Kal kee kal dekhenge….

Reminds me of song from a movie…

Thoda hai, thoday kee zaroorat hai….

For now life is blissful in “thoda”

'SURGICAL STRIKE' & PUNJAB ELECTIONS

PRIME MINISTER'S SURGICAL STRIKE ON BLACK MONEY AND ITS LIKELY EFFECT ON PUNJAB ELECTIONS

…Hope and wish that the government of India does not succumb to the pressure of certain political parties and extends the dead line of using present currency notes up till the elections. It will be a very mischievous move and will expose the government but knowing the ways of the government, anything is possible…

My afternoon of November 9, 2016, started with my friend Gurav of India TV dropping in. He asked me about the possible fall out of the successful Prime Ministerial surgical strike on black money, on the forthcoming Punjab elections. Man what an original question had struck him. I had not thought of this. I started scratching and raking up my hairless head when he asked this question, adding that another of our friends Anand Patel of NDTV was also on his way to ask me the same question.

When we started discussing and dissecting it then it turned out that it was the timeliest and a billion dollar question. Assembly Elections in Punjab are due in February 2017. It is a well known fact that often  Punjab elections are nothing but a mockery of Indian democracy and a tight slap on the face of an election commission which mostly remains a worth less spectator. I wish and hope that the current Chief Election Commissioner,  Naseem Zaidi, who has been a fine officer, remains alert and pro active.

Elections in Punjab are often managed with money, drugs, liquor, gifts of electrical and electronic items including motorised two wheelers besides blackmail and intimidation. Now that the Prime Minister has delivered surgical blow on black money, on account of the reasons best known to him, some of political parties may be in for a doom. Normally all these goodies are distributed and disbursed around elections but in a scenario where the current currency is sucked up by the end of December and new currency may not be all that freely available, the political scenario in Punjab may be with a difference.

We should thank god it. 

Political parties will now have to start distributing and disbursing money, goodies and gifts in kind from right now till the end of December to purchase votes but people do change later on. They will also have to spend money for bookings and purchase of election related material, book tents, pay to labour contractors who will be arranging the crowds for them at appropriate time besides managing all other sundry poll related material. Some of the political parties are likely to raise hue and cry urging Prime Minister and the Finance Minister to extend the dead line fixed to suck up the current high denomination currency notes. Though it may be a wishful thinking but let’s hope and wish that the Government of India does not succumb to the pressure of some of such political parties and does not extend the dead line for the use of current high denomination currency notes up till the elections. It will be a very mischievous, calculated and motivated move and will expose the top echelons of the Central Government but knowing the ways of the Government, anything is impossible.

And if they do not succumb to this likely pressure to extend the dead line till or beyond the forthcoming elections (to be fool gullible masses like us) then drugs, liquor and the infamous gangsters of Punjab, who are aligned with one of the other party, will play havoc. The use of muscle men and gangsters’ during elections is a black spot on Indian Democracy but the Punjabi gangsters, who are now mixed up with their brethren from other states as well, are particularly mean, malicious, ruthless and now trigger happy as well. 

The forthcoming elections may, in all likelihood and unfortunately may witness unprecedented violence and use of drugs. Lets us see how well the Election Commission of India rises up to the occasion and controls some of the political goons who have devastated the state of Punjab.

PRIME MINISTER'S SURGICAL STRIKE ON BLACK MONEY

PRIME MINISTER'S SURGICAL STRIKE ON BLACK MONEY 

Prime Minister Modi's surgical strikes on Pakistan had indeed failed to shock Pakistan or even the world community, India included. But his surgical strike (November 8, 2016) on the black money has indeed shaken the entire country, all segments included. Surgical strikes on Pakistan had expectedly only led to the increase in our cold war with China and renewed commencement of a low intensity warfare from Pakistan which is being matched with by India. 

It is about time to study the impact of his surgical strike on black money within the country. The National Government of our country had indeed miserably failed on its ‘Jumla baji’ of promise to bring the black money stashed abroad, particularly the massive amounts lying in the coffers of the Swiss banks and other banks located in the USA, Europe and even in some small island republics. The Government failed miserable on this promise. It was also failing on almost each of other fronts as well; both on the front of the international diplomacy as also on sundry domestic fronts. Some master stroke was indeed expected. People had also failed to gauge the purport and importance of successive warnings by the government about time bound declaration of black money by people.

I remember the time when last night, Prime Minister's address to the nation had just started. The electronic media had gone into a kind of frenzy about the sudden information given to them about the Prime Ministers address in the prime time. A lot of people had started listening to it but then tuned in to their favourite channels thinking that it was yet another of his gaseous speeches.

But they were not to realise that yesterday he was there to take out the gasses out of the breath of the masses. A masterstroke it was. A facade was created in the form of a highly publicised meeting with the chiefs of all the three wings of the armed forces and the National Security Advisers.

It was followed by a cabinet meeting during the day. Thereafter was to come the sudden declaration that the Prime minister was to address the nation. In view of the cold war with China and the low intensity warfare with Pakistan, speculation went rife that it his address to the nation was to have something about these two rogue countries.

But man, hats off to the Prime Minister. The delivered the much needed and long overdue death blow on the black money circulating with in the country and it was in a way which was to reek of mystery, intrigue, suspense, romanticism etc; all nicely kneaded into one in a style which is the forte of Ajit Doval, the NSA...the banks had closed down by that time, the stock market had also got wound up for the day, shops were about to close down generally, if not already closed down. Then bank holiday, the next day. ATMs closed for next two days. High currency notes demonetised within a few hours of declaration, currency notes of lower denominations not to be seen anywhere. Panic amongst the hoarders of black money. Worry writ large on the faces of those who did not have smaller denominations, long queues at petrol pumps and ATMs, worry writ large on the faces of the labour class who were rightly worrying about their meals the very next day.

The entire country in chaos

But, again, a much needed and timely step

Blow dealt with precision and delivered right on target

Salute to both gentlemen...

...to be continued (impact on masses and politics)

INDIAN JUDICIARY UNDER SEIZE…

INDIAN JUDICIARY UNDER SEIZE…

(Disclaimer: I am writing this blog strictly on the basis of my experience in Central and State Intelligence Agencies. I have no malice either for Judiciary or for Government)

Failing Indian democracy is on dialysis because of its renal failure. It is just a matter of time when this renal failure leads to an imminent multi-organ failure. Because of malicious polity and political environment, India has never ever been out of a crisis situation. Currently it is passing through yet another crisis of sorts which, though, does not appear to be as grave as ongoing cold war with China one hand and low intensity warfare with Pakistan on the other. Internally; deteriorating law and order situation, corruption, failed domestic, economic and foreign policies etc have but added to the pace of overall rot which is ‘violently’ eating into the very fabric of Indian democracy.

‘Institutional crisis’ between three pillars of Indian ‘democracy’ is becoming ominous. Any independent democratic sovereign state stands on three pillars; Executive, Legislative and Judicial. A precarious balance has to be maintained by this three legged leviathan failing which this monster will fall flat on ground. Without going into nitty-gritty of political philosophy, in Indian context the unblemished repute of all these three pillars of democracy has suffered to varying extent. Good name of legislative wings both in Centre and in States is tarnished beyond redemption because of general criminalisation of Indian politics. They have become houses 'less of name and more of shame'. Lesser said of executive, the better. It has become thoroughly corrupt and inefficient; protected and shielded by equally, if not more corrupt politicians whose feet most of officialdom is ready to lick bending backwards. Being a proud yoga activist, I am using this tongue twisting phrase otherwise my American friends have a simple word for it, 'Butt Licking'.

Coming to Judiciary, the third leg, one has to be as cautious as one can be. This organ of state power also consists of humans, some of whom radiate positivity and some reflect negativity. A human is basically a human and any reflection on human nature should not be taken as an ‘institutional onslaught’. This organ of state power generally remains hidden from public gaze, thriving behind the cloak of its brahmastra; doctrine of 'Contempt of Court'. This weapon has often been mis-utilised both in and out of the court rooms, in certain cases even on the roads. This mis-utilisation has only brought disrepute and alienation from a section of society in general. Whether people talk in hushed voices or openly, damage is done in both cases. Notwithstanding the fact that for some time, media has been bringing misadventure of some of its members, particularly at lower levels, to public view but the fact remains that it still remains the most protected organ of state power. It is this single reason which makes it most vulnerable as well. Executive leg of democracy, the ‘Government’, consisting of politicians coming from legislatures in cahoots with so-called ‘public servants’, invariably keeps trying to devise ways and means to ‘control and manage’ the Judiciary which in turn struggles to maintain its ‘independence’. This conflict becomes a tug of war because the government needs ‘judicial support’ for its (right or wrong) policies, programs and decisions. It does not want them to be struck down, even rightly, when aggrieved approach the courts of law.

Elaborating upon this ‘tug of war’; Judiciary tries to maintain its ‘independence’ by way of judicial pronouncements, made either in court rooms or outside in public forums, like ones made by the current CJI on the issue of dragging of feet by Central Government in clearing judicial appointments, apparent cohesiveness of judicial fraternity, in-house deliberations within collegiums and to top it all the ‘Brahamstra’ of ‘Contempt of Court’. The recent controversy about Government sitting on appointments (some names have reportedly been cleared today) has also given rise to allegations that often judiciary tries to favour their own ‘families and confidants’.

Ways of the Government are more complex and treacherous. A civil servant knows Government often ‘arm twists’ lower judiciary, both directly as also through its district level officials. In political philosophy it is called the power of ‘patronage and punishment’. Sometimes it can be managed to this extent, but State and Central Governments encounter serious problems when it comes to Higher Judiciary. Here ominous weapons include use of ‘emissaries’, phone tapping and then in rare cases even straight blackmailing. I have already said that I do not have any malice but am referring to it all just in a bid to clean the waters. This nasty work is generally done through the intelligence wings. Each of the State and Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies has had their own phone tapping units. Often they also have their own ‘unapproved’ setups as well which are used for absolutely clandestine purposes. They are called top secret NGO units or given appropriate code names. They work directly under the head of the unit or his duly authorised senior official. Based on inputs from such NGO or ‘X’ branches; ‘further necessary action is taken’ under the guidance of political leadership. Required money comes from the unaccounted ‘secret service funds’.

Coming to ‘long term management techniques’; Judges of higher judiciary are either from judicial services or from amongst practising lawyers of repute. State Governments often try, successfully or otherwise, to get their ‘own’ men short listed at the state level. In case of same party rule in Centre and in State, ‘directions’ also emanate from Centre. Intelligence agencies like Intelligence Bureau and investigative agencies like C.B.I. often play a vital role not only in ‘vetting’ the names but also by way of getting ‘commitments’. As a former official of the Intelligence Bureau, I remember how a certain ‘Law Minister’ used to ‘communicate’ through senior field intelligence officials and only ‘cleared’ names used to be approved. Even after the clearance of names, he ‘successfully dealt’ with ‘errant’ judges grossly mis-utilising such of the Central Agencies.

 Undoubtedly independence of Judiciary is the very basic tenet for the success of democracy, but is also about time that the Judiciary also brings about more transparency and rare use of its ‘brahamastra’ of Contempt of Court. A lot many people have since started talking about corruption by a few in the judicial fraternity. The fraternity itself has to rise to the occasion and deal with such deviants. All these steps will not only install the judiciary at a still higher pedestal but will garner more respect from amongst people to ensure its independence. It need not play the gallery but it certainly needs to further strengthen its bonds with the masses. It can take a leaf from the righteous stand taken by the current CJI who is said to be stalling the bid of some in power to safforonise the Judiciary. 

UNDERSTANDING KASHMIR, Part 3... Pakistan’s attack on Kashmir under the disguise of ‘tribal forces’…

UNDERSTANDING KASHMIR, Part 3

Pakistan’s attack on Kashmir under the disguise of ‘tribal forces’…

Indo-Pakistan War of 1947–1948

...Continued

(Note; Maps have been taken, as they are on the net and in some books on the subject. They may or may not be authentic. Our stand rightly remains and shall remain that the entire Kashmir, including the areas occupied by Pakistan and China, are an integral part of India)

Stage 1;

October 3-4 to October 26, 1947

The first so-called tribal attack, with active support and participation of Pakistani militia / forces, took place at Thorar on October 3-4, 1947 followed by another on October 22 in the Muzzafarabad sector. State forces were quickly defeated. The aggressors engaged in massive looting and committing crime against civilian population, including women and children.

Stage 2;

October 27^th to November 17, 1947

After signing of the Instrument of Accession, Indian forces were air lifted to reinforce the forces of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite adverse terrain and climatic conditions, Indian forces fortified their potions. Pushed back the Pakistani militia and tribals from the out skirts of Srinagar, defended Badgam. Successful operation in Badgam, pushed Pakistanis till Baramulla and Uri and these towns were recaptured.

Stage 3;

18 November 1947 – 26 November 1947

After recapturing Uri and Baramulla, forces  moved towards Poonch and Kotli.

Pakistan captured Mirpur on November 25^th. Atrocities were perpetrated on Hindu women. Many committed suicide but several were ‘captured’ by Pakistanis and sent to Pakistan.

Stage 4;

25 November 1947 – 6 February 1948

The tribal forces attacked and captured Jhanger. They then attacked Naoshera unsuccessfully and made a series of unsuccessful attacks on Uri. In the South, Indian forces secured Chamb. By this stage of the war the front line began to stabilise as more Indian troops became available.

Stage 5;

Operation Vijay: counterattack on Jhanger 7 February 1948 – 1 May 1948

Indian forces launched a counterattack in the South and recaptured Jhanger and Rajauri. In Kashmir Valley the tribal forces continued attacking the Uri army base.

In the North Skardu brought under siege by the Gilgit scouts.

Stage 6;

Indian Spring Offensive 1 May 1948 – 18 May 1948

India held onto Jhanger despite numerous attacks openly supported by regular Pakistani Forces.

In Kashmir Valley Indian forces recaptured Tithwail

The Gilgit scouts advanced in the High Himalayan sector, infiltrating troops to bring Leh under siege, capturing Kargil and defeating a relief column heading for Skardu.

Stage 7;

Operation Gulab. 19 May 1948 – 14 August 1948

Indian forces continued operations  Kashmir Valley, driving north to capture Keran and Gurais. Repelled a counterattack aimed at Tithwal.

In the Jammu region, the forces besieged in Poonch broke out and temporarily linked up with the outside world again. The Kashmir State army was able to defend Skardu from the Gilgit Scouts impeding their advance down the Indus valley towards Leh.

However in August the Chitral and Pakistani armies besieged and captured Skardu with the help of artillery. They further tried making move into Ladakh.

Stage 8;

Operation Duck 15 August 1948 – 31 October 1948

And

Operation Bison;

Front began to settle down. The siege of Poonch continued. An unsuccessful attack was launched by 77 para to capture Zoji La pass. Operation Duck, the earlier epithet for this assault, was renamed as Operation Bison by Cariappa. M5 Stuart light tanks of 7 cavalry were moved in dismantled conditions through Srinagar while two field companies of the Madras Sappers converted the mule track across Zoji La into a jeep track. The surprise attack on 1 November by the brigade with armour supported by two regiments of 25 pounders and a regiment of 3.7 inch guns, forced the pass and pushed the tribal and Pakistani forces back to Matayan and later to Dras. The brigade linked up on 24 November at Kargil with Indian troops advancing from Leh while their opponents eventually withdrew northwards toward Skardu. Pakistan again attacked Skardu on 10 February 1948 which was repulsed by the Indian soldiers. Thereafter, Skardu Garrison was subjected to continuous attacks by  Pakistani Army for the next three months and each time, their attack was repulsed by the Indian forces which held the Skardu with hardly 250 men for whole six long months without any reinforcement and replenishment. On 14 August Indian General Sher Jung Thapa had to surrender Skardu to the Pakistani Army.

Stage 9;

Operation Easy. Poonch link-up 1 November 1948 – 26 November 1948

Indian Army started to get upper hand in all sectors leading to massive uproar by Pakistant and escalation of massive international pressure on India to halt. Poonch was finally relieved after a siege of over a year. The Gilgit forces in the High Himalayas, who had previously made good progress, were finally defeated. Indian army persued them as far as Kargil before being forced to halt due to supply problems. The Zoji La pass was forced by using tanks (which had not been thought possible at that altitude) and Dras was recaptured.

Stage 10;

Moves up to cease-fire. 27 November 1948 – 31 December 1948

Under heavy international pressure on India and protracted negotiations, a cease-fire was enforced on 1st January 1949. Terms of the cease-fire as laid out in a United Nations resolution of 13 August 1948, were adopted by the UN on 5 January 1949. This required Pakistan to withdraw its forces, both regular and irregular, while allowing India to maintain minimum strength of its forces in the state to preserve law and order. On compliance of these conditions a plebiscite was to be held to determine the future of the territory. Pakistan, however, did not withdraw its forces from the Line of Control, as it was on that day.  

Indian losses were 1,500 killed and 3,500 wounded.

Pakistani losses were 6,000 killed and 14,000 wounded.

UNDERSTANDING KASHMIR, Part 2... PAKISTAN'S ATTACK ON KASHMIR IN 1947 UNDER THE DISGUISE OF TRIBAL FORCES...

UNDERSTANDING KASHMIR, Part 2

Pakistan’s attack on Kashmir under the disguise of ‘tribal forces’…

Indo-Pakistan War of 1947–1948

‘Indian Independence Act 1947’ led to the creation of India and Pakistan with effect from the mid night of August 14/15. This act also terminated British paramountcy over the princely states of British India giving them right to accede either to India or to Pakistan or even to remain out of either of the newly created dominions. Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir initially tried to avoid merger with either of the countries.  His indecision and ‘partition frenzy’ led to a ‘revolt’ by Muslim population of Poonch and Mirpur in Jammu area.  Communal frenzy created havoc like elsewhere in India and Pakistan, both of which were smouldering. Taking benefit of this communal tension and indecision of Maharaja Hari Singh, Pakistani forces along with and in the guise of ‘tribals’ of the North West Frontier, particularly Pashtuns from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attacked Kashmir. They were armed with  weaponry and equipment which had come to the share, subsequent to partition, of the Pakistani army. These tribal militias and irregular / regular Pakistani forces moved to take Srinagar, but on reaching Uri, they encountered resistance. The war was initially fought by the J&K State Forces led by Major-General Scot. 


Hari Singh sought assistance from India and signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26^th 1947. Indian army along with its British officers moved in. Pakistan refused to recognise the accession of Kashmir to India, alleging that it was obtained ‘fraudulently’. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Governor General of Pakistan, ordered his army chief general Douglas Gracey to openly move in the Pakistani troops. However the joint commander of the Indian and Pakistani forces Field Marshall Auchinleck intervened to prevent an open confrontation for the time being. The Pakistan’s proxy war, however, continued and later in May 1948,  Pakistani army officially and openly entered the conflict, ostensibly to defend its borders.  It tried to move towards Jammu to cut the lines of communications of the Indian forces in the Mehndar Valley.

In the meantime, Gilgit, a far of region of the erstwhile princely state of Kashmir, was lost when Gilgit Scouts led by a British officer Major William Brown mutinied, overthrew the Governor and got the area merged with Pakistan with active help of Pakistani forces and Chitral, a former princely state which had acceded to Pakistan on 6, October 1947. 

Gradually both the armies solidified their positions along what came to be known as the Line of Control. And a formal cease-fire was declared at 23:59 on the night of 1st January 1949.Though the result of the war was inconclusive; however, India was able to defend about two-third of the Kashmir including the Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh.

Stages of war;

Stages of attack by the so-called Pakistani tribals, which were groups of Pashtun tribals of the North West Frontier, Federally Administered tribal areas with a  high percentage of Pakistani forces in the garb of tribals, indicates that this conglomeration had indeed taken the forces of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, by surprise and continued making good progress till the time Indian forces came in. Initially India took time while waiting for the Instrument of Accession to be signed and then mustering and airlifting its forces. Adverse territorial locale of the mountainous region was a big handicap for India. Facilities for the armed forces were almost primitive. By the time India could fully muster its resources and complete its operation, international pressure had mounted and it was diplomatically forced to halt its operations. Had this ‘war’ continued for some more days, India could have regained the entire ‘lost territory. It is the very first instance of the international forces which have been at work against Indian interests in Kashmir. A passing reference can also be made of the subsequent Indo-Pak wars when India was every time 'forced to give up’, on account of international pressure, the gained Pakistani territory back to that country

... to continue

Chitta Rawan Controversy of Punjab…

Chitta Rawan Controversy…

This forenoon I went towards the house of Punjab Chief Minister for the first time since 2011. No, I had not gone there to meet the Chief Minister. Neither I have any wish to meet him nor will he ever want to meet me. Perhaps for the first time, we have identical views on any single issue. Anyhow the heavy metallic electronically operated bulletproofed main gate of his house was securely closed. The Chief Minister, I was told was on his luxurious farm house in Balasar, Haryana. I had gone there at the askance of Charanjit Singh Channi MLA, leader of Congress Legislative party.  Punjab Congress MLAs have been on dharna demanding action against some ‘complacent’ Punjab police officer and  some activists of the ruling elite who had on Dussehra day attacked Congress workers in Ludhiana when they tried to burn the effigy of ‘Chitta Rawan’. When the initial controversy broke out I could not fathom the reason there for. Later, however I came to know that ‘Chitta Rawan’ had some political connotations.

At the site of the dharna, I was asked to join in to which I politely refused. I am an anti-drug activist but I do not belong to any political party. I am ready to support anyone taking anti-drug stand but I do not want my anti drug movement to get politicised.

                                    

Let me get back to the  caption of my blog post. For me the ‘Chitta Rawan’ has different connotations. I interpret it as ‘drugs per-se’, drugs as such; the entire spectrum thereof included. It starts from the drug lords , the Pablo Escobars and El Chapos of Punjab who include, at the top rung, a number of politicians assisted by a simple yet secret ‘multi levelled / layered / tiered ‘distribution system, which is secured by a private army of gangsters and several goons from amongst the police and a few from other security forces, most of them from lower and middle segments and few from the higher echelons thereof. Most of such guys had figured in the ‘infamous’ list of drug dons and smugglers which was prepared by intelligence wing of the Punjab police way back in 2007 and which the incumbent Punjab government is vary of letting out. While the former category is often both into drug running and receiving drug money, the latter is primarily the recipient of such money. One recent interaction with some of my sources in the underworld had revealed the shocking extent to which a certain police official had got into. He is alleged to have used a chopper to fly the drugs out, in not too distant a past.  

The involvement of security personnel reminds me of the daring escape of the world’s most powerful drug don, the Sinaloa cartel kingpin ‘El Chapo’ aka ‘Shorty’ Guzman Leora. Way back in February 2014, he had managed to escape through an elaborate tunnel underneath his prison cell’s shower located in the Altiplano Federal Prison in Mexico. The entrance to his labyrinth was an 11/2 by 11/2 feet gap in shower floor which led to a 32 feet ladder into a mile long tunnel which was 5.5 feet high and 2’7” wide. Taller only by about one inch than his height, it was illuminated and had a ventilation system. To top it all, a motor cycle was also built onto the rails of this secret passage to facilitate a quick exit. The end of this tunnel opened into a non-descript home about half a mile away from any other nearby building. Thank god, as on date, involvement of ‘facilitators’ from amongst the security and police forces of Punjab is not even a distant fraction of the involvement that could possibly have been of the Mexican officials in the said case.

Coming back to Punjab, let’s talk about the real ‘Chitta Rawan’ and the Punjab police which has not been able to control this demon. Ever since the war hysteria created by a section of electronic media at the behest of certain powers that be the army has been moved up on the Indian borders with Pakistan there have been created ‘grave problems in the safe passage’ of drugs from across the international borders falling in Punjab. This has led to a ‘scarcity’ leading to a massive hike in the prices of opiates that is heroin / smack, leading again to a greater market and demand for homegrown pharmaceutical and synthetic drugs, besides of course the opium and poppy husk as also all types of liquor, ‘desi’, country made and cheaper variety of IMFL. High grade heroin, synthetic drugs, cocaine and imported liquor are no problem, anyway, for the ‘elite gentry’.

In Punjab, elections to a great extent are all about drugs and drug money. Shortage of the adulterated heroin, which is generally provided to drug habituated segment of electorate, right from several months in advance, has already become a grave issue in view of impending 2017 assembly elections. This distribution gains momentum as the elections close in. Rise in the prices of various categories of intoxicants, cheap liquor included has created the first of the problem for them. The second problem is the extremely slow yet welcome onset of a realisation amongst the ‘awakened youth’ who are opposed to drugs and use of intoxicants in the elections. This realisation has led to at least three deaths. We are not really aware of the innumerable such cases where youth are being threatened into silence by the ‘mob’.

Failure of even otherwise complacent Punjab police to control the crime wave and drugs is giving them red, if not black faces. Every force looks at some of the top ‘generals’ and emulates them. I personally know that most of the guys in higher echelons of Punjab police are good, damn good. But a few of them have unfortunately become ‘expert yoga practitioners’, capable of bending backwards to lick the feet of some of their political bosses. That is the beginning of the mad race and consequent longevity of the real ‘Chitta Rawan’, implying  the drugs.

May god give wisdom to the Punjab Police.

May god bless Punjab and Punjabis…

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 7)... HEADING FOR A HUNG ASSEMBLY?

PUNJAB AT CROSS-ROADS: 2017 (Part 7);

HEADING FOR A HUNG ASSEMBLY?

It is already mid October and Punjab is fast heading for the electoral deadline of January 2017, but still the political scene is hazy. The question 'who will form the next government in 2017' remains a big question mark only. Though the seasonal market of pre-poll surveys is still to catch up, but as a former bureaucrat (apologies for using this title reserved for my friends in the IAS), police and intelligence man, all in one, I hardly have any faith in such surveys because most of them have since become exclusive marketing and image building tools. 

The very first indication, for me, comes from the bureaucratic race (all services included but Punjab police officials being at the very top) that starts much before every assembly election. Police has always been the strong arm of the Punjab government (of course this is the scene everywhere else as well in the country called 'India, that is Bharat'). Tyranny is either let loose or ‘maintained’ through them. As the marked tool of oppression they are the most worried lot as to who is going to be in power. Of course whatever party comes in power, is soon 'placated' by them by becoming the very tool in their hands (apologies for the pun, my old friends turned foes, in Punjab police. I know that you have nothing personal against me and that it is just one of the easy ways out to keep some of the powers that be, placated. It costs nothing. Only a bit of tongue wagging is required). 

Apologies my readers, for having digressed from the topic. I am not getting younger day by day. So for me this bureaucratic rat race is the very first indicator about the identity of the possible victor at the hustling. Officialdom is one class which remains at the cutting edge and they are often aware of the pulse of the people. Now I have no answer to your possible question as to why they don't try to come up to the expectations of the people whose pulse they are aware of. To sum up the matter in one line, this rat race has not yet commenced so I can not give you any clues as to who may form next government in Punjab. Please keep watching them and their rat race. 

The next indicator, for me, comes from the illegal you yet prevalent 'satta bazar'. ‘Satorias’ (those playing satta) keep a very close watch on the ground reality because who wants to lose his money? Satta is played on almost each and every issue and they are one of the best gauges.

Somehow the 'gaffe baji' (boasting) market is also still to pick up. Various political leaders are still to start claiming victory and brag with their mouths wide open. Mild claims have started but the real electoral fever is still about a month or so away.

Anyhow, this ‘literary’ part notwithstanding, election mania is subdued as on date in Punjab. AAP which was almost sure, till about some months back, to form the next government, is fast losing ground particularly in urban centres. The first ‘Indian Chief Minister without portfolio’ has not been able to regain the lost ground. Congress, still has to start its campaign in an aggressive manner (my apologies PK, you are doing good but Punjab needs somewhat an aggressive approach). From the side of SAD, older Badal can often be seen having darshans of the sangats in company of one particular IAS officer and doling out government grants both in cash and kind. Younger Badal is spending more time in his war room planning electoral strategy and mustering resources, keeping an eye on emergence of new political groups which will be his best bet because division of votes is what is going to benefit him the most. Believe me, he is one of the best political strategists and makes no bones about. BJP is nowhere to be seen except in some press news, here and there, trying to arm-twist its alliance mate in a bid to get higher ‘quota’. 

Recently mushroomed, as also other minor parties stand no chance except indirectly helping the ruling alliance by proxy. They will only lead to division of votes thereby paving way for the return of the SAD guys.

It may be too early to predict anything but it appears that Punjab is heading for a hung assembly. And in such a scenario only a party with massive assets can come into power. It appears that as on date only SAD has the ‘power’. Ideal situation could be an alliance between Congress and AAP or Navjot throwing in his weight with either of them but again as on date it is just a hypothesis without any legs.

So better wait and watch.

In a nut shell, it is a hung assembly as on date with an advantage for the SAD and Sukhbir could be the next Chief Minister…

AGRA TRAVELOGUE...

AGRA TRAVELOGUE;

Sometime back I had written a ‘travelogue’ penning my experiences during my recent visit to Agra. I am just updating…

I have a bad habit and my wife hates me for this. I don’t mind talking to strangers. If conversation goes on fine, then it is good and if it does not then I don’t give a damn and move on shrugging off my shoulders. I don’t have anything to lose. I often only get some new insight in to the human psychology, at least the behavioural aspect thereof. My recent visit to Agra was interesting from this perspective.

I went to Agra by an overnight train from Chandigarh. Starting at 7 p.m. I reached Agra by 2.45 a.m. In the train I met with some interesting persons who were on nearby berths. There was one Mr. Yadav, a gentleman from some top defence equipment manufacturing company of USA. Very talkative guy; he neither slept, nor let me sleep all along. We remained engrossed in very interesting discussion about new technological advances in the field of international defence production. It enriched my knowledge tremendously. There was another gentleman from NFL, Panipat, a very well organised individual indeed, who first got his berth rightly vacated from some occupant, then locked up each of his luggage with iron chains, securing them with compartmental fixtures clarifying that even higher class air-conditioned bogies have thieves sitting there in, then he took out a ‘multi-pin socket’ and plugged in to the lone single pin electrical socket installed in the compartment and put his phone on the charge. Then he asked each of us to systematically rearrange our luggage. After getting everything neatened up and nicely arranged, he settled into his berth snoring away to glory. Then there was a young man named Neeraj, who was recently selected as a Probationary Officer in a bank, was not liking the job and planning to join insurance sector, where also he stood selected. His eyes twinkled talking about his future plans and getting settled with his future wife and still more distant children to come.

I had been in love with Agra, a city which always reminded me of its ancient grandeur and romanticism which reached its zenith during the reigns of Akbar and Shahjahan, greatest of Mughal emperors. The city, as also the world, is thankful to Shahjahan who bestowed upon it the Taj Mahal, ultimate epitome of love. I always yearned to be here, to go and sit under the shaded trees planted with in the premises of this monument of love and to keep gazing at the Crown jewel, the Taj.

                                

I was not to know that this time, this city of love was to crumble down; crumble down for me, a hitherto incurable romanticist who could decipher love even in the ruins of historic monuments, someone who could sit there under shade and let the past of that place play slowly down in flashes. Decades ago, Amrita Pritam, the doyen of Punjabi poetry, had once asked me about my perception of Taj Mahal; whether I saw it as an epitome of love, pure love or as a ghastly monument exhibiting abhorring and horrendous display of royal wealth which negated and destroyed the very foundation of love; love which every human heart cherishes and yearns for irrespective of one’s financial status. She had then talked about the contradiction between innumerable verses written in honour of Taj as the ultimate symbol of love and one written by Sahir Ludhianvi, the celebrated socialist Urdu poet who had penned a painfully realistic verse,

"Mere Mehboob Kahiin Aur Milaa Kar Mujh Se”.

It is a beautiful verse;

“ये चमनज़ार ये जमुना का किनारा ये महल

ये मुनक़्क़श दर-ओ-दीवार, ये महराब ये ताक़

इक शहंशाह ने दौलत का सहारा ले कर

हम ग़रीबों की मुहब्बत का उड़ाया है मज़ाक़

मेरी महबूब कहीं और मिला कर मुझ से!”

I was really at a loss of words as to how should I explain my emotive feelings to Amrita Pritam. My strong socialistic convictions notwithstanding, I was in love with Taj and it's saga of love. To look at the Taj from any other angle was blasphemy for me.

But during this visit to Agra, I realise that Sahir Ludhianvi's interpretation of the legacy of Taj was indeed meaningful. This time I happened to meet Azhar, a young ‘research scholar of medieval history’ and a city native. Interaction with him threw up a new Agra, a perspective which though well known, was yet hidden under the layers of dust, for no one wanted to talk about that reality. Agra was the city where legendary Anarkali was incarcerated alive within stone walls, where the harems of successive Great Mughals saw innumerable young beauties being molested by them every night, where hundreds of youth were romped by elephants in full public gaze, their only fault being that they dared either to raise a voice against the powerful Mughal tyrants or they had dared to fall in love with  hapless and poor girls who were unfortunate to ‘prostitute’ themselves within the precincts of impregnable harem walls.

                             

Ramparts of Agra fort

                 

                                  

       

Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri; Diwan e aam;Eexecution by Elephant, The Stone with witch victims are said to be have been tied before elephant romping

Stairs to nowhere…

                                   

He informed me about the buried rooms on the riverside of the Taj where workers lived in misery and whose hands were allegedly chopped off at the orders of Shahjahan so that ‘they could not build another Taj, anywhere else.

Basement rooms on the riverside of the Taj where workers are said to have lived in misery

He took me to the ruins of several princely buildings and told me horrific stories about them. He also told me about the exploitation of youth by visiting Gora Sahibs. Stories of these so-called historic places where sex tourism is in vogue, is the same, he rightly told me. And this time Agra really stank.                            

Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Emperor of India had written many beautiful verses. They all had their genesis in pain, in agony; remembrances and yearning for his lost love, his lost home, lost country. Then I just can’t help remembering his verse, 'Baat Karni Mujhe Mushkil Kabhi Aisi To Na Thi'. I am at a loss for words. My world woven around history and its romanticism has come shattering down and I don't know how to proceed ahead.

I hate Agra…