Monday, November 29, 2010

26/11 - A Moment of Truth!

26/11 is a watershed date in the History of Bombay specifically, India generally and the Indian sub-Continent at large; many would be surprised by my assertion of including the entire Sub-continent as an entity that was scarred by an event which was seemingly perpetrated locally on one specific place within the Sub-continent..... but I do believe that this brazen attack on Bombay will go a long way in asserting itself in the relations the many, different nation-states within this single civilization share in the long run

I am not trying to play the Big Brother here; as has often been the accusation against India by it's neighbours in the sub-continent, nor am I trying to dramatize or over-exert the importance of a localized incident to an entire canvas.... that would be entirely unfair and grossly incorrect but the fact remains that the incidents of that day mark for a change in the structured responses of the area and restructuring and re-alignment of the entire world.

There have been many terrorist attacks in India and beyond India before that eventful day.... it's not as if terrorism in South Asia suddenly made a date with history, or a tryst with destiny on that particular day..... to be precise, even when the entire world was supportive of Jihad (from 1979-1990) and unaware of the course future events would take, even before 9/11 had shattered America out of it's Rip Van Winkle-like slumber and forced it to take a stand against it's own creations, even before the world talked of terror and against Islam, India had witnessed the shattering of innocence, the coming of age, the beginning of the war against a return to medieval mores, way back in March 1993.

But in the beginning, this unruly war had a different echo. The blasts of 1993 and the ones that followed it were divisive and often spoke in terms of Hindu-Muslim relations, Hindu-Muslim animosity, Hindu-Muslim incompatibility on the sub-continent; they positioned themselves as the weapons of vengeance and blamed the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the whirlwind riots that followed the demolition in Bombay, Bhagalpur, Godhra etc as the cause for the blasts...... throughout India, every blast from 1993 to 2008 was just another event that furthered the divisive agenda of hardliners, making rapprochement impossible and strengthened the extremists within both the communities. This hard-lining of  positions within communities was exploited successfully by the political parties - the BJP for Hindus and the Samajwaadi Party for the Muslims for growth and power and both these parties and their affiliates grew fat on the blood of the common man. It's true that neither, on prime face value was involved in the blasts, however, each took the resultant paranoia and used it for their own better prospects.....

So what is different about 26/11 that it has to be looked at, from a different angle!

Should it be more important because it was an attack on the nation's economic and financial capital, challenging the economics of the city and creating a feat psychosis in the investment community .... not necessarily, because the first blast on 12/3 was also faced by Bombay, (in fact the BSE, the symbol of India's financial power was one of the premises bombed that day) and it was a more severe and sustained attack on all the symbols of India's financial Strength than 26/11!

Should it be more important since it was a major attack that was sustained continuously for such a long period? Not necessarily .... attacks in Kashmir and the North-East have been continuous and more serious and they have been continuing for a generation or more now ...... and in the heartland of India, the 2008 Jaipur serial Blasts which were followed on consecutive days by the blasts in Ahmedabad and Bangalore were worse in their sustaining impact!

Should it be more important because, it was a direct, open and frontal attack on the concept of India - no, because the December 2001 attacks on the Indian Parliament were the most direct, frontal and open challenge to India's authority and sovereignity

So what was it about the 26/11 that made it different from all the others .... what was it about this attack that made all the difference?

The difference in the 26/11 attacks over the ones that preceded it and the ones that followed it till this time, was the living horror that people of Bombay and India were subjected to, for a period of 72 long hours, continuously .... Every blast till that time had been a matter of quick minutes or as in the case of the Ahmedabad serial bombs, the Jaipur serial bombs or the Mumbai serial train blasts, it was all over in
a few hours.... but this time the horror just went on and on!

Secondly, till this point in time, all the blasts had been targeted at one community or the other, one place or the other, one strata of society or the other, but for the first time on 26/11, the attacks had not been directed at one point itself but was spread out to cause maximal emotional, psychological and physical impact! From the poor migrants who were slaughtered at CST Terminus to the rich, Armani-clad socialites who were trapped in Trident and the Taj to the middle-class who worked in these places or were unfortunate to fall on the radar of the terrorists that fateful night, the event was a dark cataclysm that many have still not been able to move out of..... People who died on that day, did not die on account of their faith, as in the Akshardham attack or the Malegaon Blasts, people who died on that day, died in spite of it!

And the most unfortunate part is that those who did not die, still faced the trauma of having to see this entire drama unfold for the next 72 hours.... 72 helpless hours wherein the entire city that never sleeps was held to ransom, the might of one of the strongest countries on Earth was put to the sword by a bunch of 10 unlettered, illiterate but high on fervour and committed terrorists, and all we could do was to sit before the idiot box and wring our hands in despair and bow our heads in shame!

How could 10 men hold us captive against our wishes for such a long time? How could 10 people make us relive the horror of the moment for such a long period?

The answers are still out there but the mind is still too numb to ask these questions. The trauma is still fresh, the fact that justice has not yet been meted out is still festering in our minds, the collective anger and frustration of the day have been internalized to such an extent that no fair discussion of the event is possible without a recourse to emotional

The only positive from the event was the realization that the bullet of the mercenary had not asked a question of community or religion .... that the Hindu and the Muslim suffered equally.... that the rich and the poor were both susceptible and the only thing that mattered was whether we were are part of the 10 who attacked or the many who defended! And therein was the change made.... the change that made it difficult to impart a name to terrorism as religious or communal.... and that's the reason 26/11 marks a departure from the ones that preceded it and the ones that followed it....

The effect of 26/11 was seen all over the sub-continent.... In Sri Lanka, within 6 months of the incident, the LTTE was destroyed in a ruthless war ... none came to stand for it, none decided to support it.... it was simple, the terrorist word had stuck and stuck mercilessly, no one was in a mood to support any organization that stood for terror, even if it meant ostracizing one's own kith and kin for the same .... Terrorist havens were uprooted in places as diverse as Burma and Bangladesh..... Pakistan had to finally take cognizance of the groundswell in popular opinion and register a case against the perpetrators, though as expected the trail was never as serious as it should have been .....

This could have never happened in 2001, though the attack on Parliament was the attack on India itself..... it happened in Bombay because Bombay, in the minds of people, still maintains a glamour, a position as a city of hope, of dreams and aspirations and what people saw on that day, was a bunch of villains trying to take away the dream... the aspiration! Had it been a clean, surgical attack, it would have been forgotten, relegated to the past but it was a living horror that none would forgive... that none could forgive ... and this is the fire, kindled by tears, blood and sweat that forged the new weapon of unity and belonging that continues to this day

It was 5 AM on November 27, 2008 and I was walking near Flora Fountain, close to Ground Zero, dazed at the battle still being fought, sounds of the war in my mind, sights of broken reporters, shocked citizens, lost policemen and determined army-men around me, anger on my face, tears in my eyes, looking at the sea from where my enemies had arrived to fight against my psyche, my soul..... and my heart said 'NEVER AGAIN'

Two years have passed by, I was still near that place today and my heart said ... NEVER AGAIN..... surprisingly, there was no emotion in my voice, only cold and resolute determination......

Sunday, November 14, 2010

India in UNSC

In the past few days, there has been a lot of discussion in India regarding a permanent seat in the UNSC (United Nations Security Council) .... most of the websites have been abuzz with people pointing out the 'coming of age' of India by a public endorsement of Mr. Barak Obama of India's candidacy to the Permanent Position, on his recent visit to India in November 2010. Some people have taken it as the proof that 'India has finally risen pheonix-like from it's deep slumber', others have questioned the euphoria behind the event and how it would make any difference to the overall picture.... Still others have pointed out, that India was offered permanency in 1955 (55 years ago) and Pt. Nehru had declined the offer, passing it on to a China which, turned out to be belligerent rather than gracious....

So what do I think about it? Actually, a lot .... but before I get down to my thoughts on the subject, a brief understanding of the UNSC is of primary importance....

The UNSC is the executive arm of the UNO and as such, presence in the UN is a matter of great importance to any and every country.... Since the inception of the UNO, the Big 5 (USA, Russia (first at Soviet Union), UK, France and China) have been the permanent members of the UNSC - the most important parameter of their power is the power of 'veto' i.e. the power to reject any proposal that may be counter-productive to their national interest under Article 27 of the United States Charter.

Let's have a look at Article 27, before we go into in-depth analysis of the current scenario:

Article 27 states:
  •  Each member of the Security Council shall have only one vote.
  • Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members.
  • Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members; provided that, in decisions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting.
Though the 'power of veto' is not explicitly mentioned herein, it can be observed that the clause makes effective space for the same by declaring that any 'substantive' decisions by the UNSC require "the concurring votes of the permanent members." In simpler terms, it means that any of the permanent members of the UNSC can prevent the adoption, by the Council, of any draft resolutions on matter, that may be termed 'substantive'. Due to this reason, Critics of the 'power of veto' is also referred to the same, as the Principle of Great Power Unanimity.

Pt. Nehru, it has been alleged turned down the offer of being a permanent part of the UNSC in 1955, as we have noted earlier, in favour of China. This seat, however, the detractors, may note, was not an additional 6th seat but had fallen vacant due to questions raised on the authenticity of PRC (People's Republic of China), occupying the seat that was the seat of ROC (Republic of China), prior to the Red Revolution of 1949.

Indeed, Pt, Nehru on issues of realpolitik can be considered to have made a fatal error; however, in the past 55 years, there has not been a single instance wherein India's absence in the pantheon has lead to major impacts on India as a nation - of course, the Kashmir dispute could have been sidelined, but then that would hardly be an hindrance since India has, by and large, despite occasional utterances of US in the past and China recently, managed to keep the issue off the burner. Ethically, though, Pt. Nehru may be deemed to be correct.

In my opinion, a permanent status in the UN, though a matter of great prestige and honour, can not be the standard, by which India's rise can be measured. Not all permanent embers of the UNSC are members of the G5 or the G7 - which includes the most industrialized and developed nations of the world..... If India has arrived, it has to take it's place among the G-3; the high-table to the biggest economies of the world... When Economics rules, politics has to rule as well.... because as Chanakya in India, Sun Tzu in China and Machiavelli in Florence pointed out, a powerful state is one, that has a surplus of Treasury.

Secondly, what is the need for euphoria? Do you think, China would vote in favour or abstain to allow India a place in the Pantheon? India's biggest threat is China and China's biggest threat is India .... why would China allow India to sit on the high table? It has been obvious that since 1970s China has been using our own brother and now mortal enemy, Pakistan as it's advance force - why would China support us on the high table, thus allowing us to kill it with one stroke?

Thirdly, it's important to note that all the five permanent members of the UNSC are among the most powerful nations on Earth - they have repeatedly used te power of veto to safeguard their interests .... what is the guarantee that Article 27 would not be restructured in such a way, so as to not allow the new permanent members, the power of veto? And mind you, without the power of veto, a place at the high table is not a substantial position to be in ..... What's the use of a tiger or a lion, that's in a cage, at the mercy of the raw food thrown in by the jailors?

Also, an important parameter that needs to be understood is that the reforms would take a minimum of 10 years at the least - and we are not the only ones that would stand to benefit by these reforms.... Brazil, Germany and Japan have already been sounded off as other beneficiaries of the reforms.... also there is a talk of having an African nation on the high table and another Arab country ....

It's foolish to think the Big 5 would allow another 7 to whittle away their power of the veto... the most sensible approach would then be to delink the veto from the permanency... and as I have said, that would destroy the very purpose why this is being sought....


Hence, in the current scenario, wherein there is a lot of concerns on the reforms of the UNO, I think we need to wait and see, what would be the right step to take, these steps have to be very cautious but deliberate... WE need to understand and understand well, that India's position depends not on the largesse shown by the Big 5, but on the cooperation and support of the other major claimants - Brazil, Germany, Japan, South Africa and the one other Arab state that may join in..... for left to the Big 5, it will be nothing but a farce and we definitely do not need another farce.....

As Kavi Pradeep said once:

Duniya Ke Daanv-Pech Se Rakhna Naa Waasta,
Manzil Bahot Hai Door Aur Mushqil Hai Raasta,
Bhatka Na De, Koi Kahin Dhokey Mein Daal Ke......

Saturday, November 6, 2010

On Deepavali

The Brihardayanaka Upanishad so States:

"Lead me from the UnTruth to the Truth.
Lead me from darkness to Light. Lead me from death to immortality"

So beautifully have the 3 principles of life been propounded .... Truth (Satya), Light (Shiv) Immortality (Beauty) ... Truth is Life, Light is God, Immortality is the only True Beauty.... and all three can be found only in the grasp of God who represents all these 3 principles within himself.

It's the festival of Deepavali in India .... the festival of lights .... the celebration of lights ... a soulful remembrance of the magnificence and munificence of Light..... for as even the Torah states ... He (God) fashioned us in his image in Light ....

More than that, there is Knowledge in Light, there is Innocence in Light, there is Love in Light, there is Purity in Light..... Even if we discount the mythological and religious aspects of the festival, there is a lot to celebrate in this beautiful celebration of Human Existence, this ceaseless continuing journey of Life. Maybe Robert Jordan, understood this principle more than others, hence he made the men of the right Path follow the Light in his brilliant 'World of Time' Series.

But Light is not something that's easily accessible, though it's readily available .... the dazzle of Light can often be stolen by the lustre of mysterious darkness.... It's true that good intentions are important for a man to reach heaven, but it's also true that the path to hell is strewn with not only good but also noble intentions.... and where do we need to remember this more then in our India! A land of dreams, a land of opportunities that rides on the slightest grasp of a silver thread that could break at any moment in time and space.
Savera Tum Samjhe Ho Chamkile  Andhere Ko
Apna Hum-Safar Tumne Banaaya Hai Lutere Ko

Is this apt at any place more then India? Half of the continent is under the influence of either China or America; or shifting towards one of these ... How can we, the sons and daughters of the most illuminated nation on Earth, the most illuminated civilization on Earth, be so foolish that we are ready to cut the throat of a brother at a moment's notice but fail to recognize the enemy that stands on our hearth and home? 

This is because of the dazzle and shine that the crackers of the Far East and the New World that have momentarily and dangerously shifted our gaze away from the light of knowledge.

Deepavali, in it's mythological aspect is about the defeat of evil. I wish it was so easy to understand evil and to move away from it. ... but in a continent that boasts of so many points of effective control, so many nations that make up one nation, from Badakashan to Arakan... how can we undermine the threat to our nation?

Barack Obama visits India today.... the high point of the visit is to sell this country $2B worth of weaponry, which it expects will instill fear and a perception of threat in our sister states. Accordingly, it had, with this point in mind, cleared sales of $2B of sophisticated weaponry to Pakistan..... Isn't this the classic case of the two cats fighting and the monkey making off with the bread? I am a foolish man, but I feel so.... Why are the leaders of both these countries and those of the others, not able to understand the threat emanating from this docile friend?

Burma similarly is getting entangled closely in the String of Pearls strewn by China against India... why does it fail to look 35 years back in history and see how China treated a friend like Vietnam after it's primary objective was done?


What more has to happen for the nations of this one continent to wake up from their slumber and understand that they are sucking their own blood for the vampires that surround them? Why can't we shun these enemies of our nation, our civilization in our pursuit of Truth and Unity? Remember, if we can turn our backs to the weaponry provided by these people, we can effectively end their interference in our and our brother's state.

I would like to end with a beautiful observation made by Iqbal, long back....
Rulaata Hai Tera Nazaara, Ai Hindostaan Mujhko,
Ke Ibrat-Khez Hai, Tera Fasaana Sab Fasaanon Mein

Diya Rona Mujhe Aisa Ke Sab Kucch De Diya Goya,
Likha Kilk-E-Azal Ne Mujhko Tere Nohakhwananon Mein

Nishaan-E-Barq-E-Gul Tak Bhi Naa Chhoda Bagh Mein Gulcheen,
Teri Qismat Se Razm Aaraaean Hai Baghbaanon Mein

Chhipa Kar Asteen Mein Bijliyaan Rakhi Hain Gardon Ne,
Anaadil Baagh Mein Ghhafil Naa Baithe Aashiyaanon Mein

Sun Ai, Ghaafil, Sada Meri, Ye Aisi Cheez Hai Jisko,
Wazifaa Jaankar Padhtey Hain Taair Aastaanon Mein

Watan Ki Fiqr Kar, Naadaan, Qayamat Aanewaali Hai,
Teri Barbaadiyon Ke Mashware Hain Aasmaanon Mein

Zara Dekh Issko, Jo Kucch Ho Raha Hai, Hone Waala Hai,
Dhara Kya Hai Bhala Ahd-E-Kuhan Ke Daastaanon Mein

Ye Khamoshi Kahan Tak, Lazzat-E-Faryaad Paida Kar,
Zameen Par Tu Ho, Aur Teri Sada Ho Aasmaanon Mein

Naa Samjhoge To Mit Jaoge Ai, Hindostaanwaalon,
Tumhaari Daastaan Tak Na Hogi Daastaanon Mein

We did not listen to him the last time .. Will we listen to him this time?

India has been partitioned 9 times ..... how many more partitions do we intend to see before we say, it's enough? The time has come to initiate a fight-back, but do we have the purity of heart, the purpose of mind and the strength of the soul to do so....

This Deepavali, let us arise from our small barriers of race, language, region, religion, caste, creed, colour, community, gender and status and get together with the force of light behind us to mend all that's wrong and to strengthen all that's right.....

Happy Deepavali to all of you.... From a Beast!