Birds of the same feather flock together

These days the gaps between my posts are increasing by GP (geometric progression). The items of interests are many and equally significant are the points in mind. But probably the laziness, domestication and professional pursuits are more dominant than the literary pursuit.

However, one topic which caught my amused attention is the current penchant of the privileged members of the society to shun the privileges. The biggest limelight seeker is the ongoing debate on austerity. The Govt has advised that the MPs should lead by example and hence shun public display of wealth. Whilst avoiding display is fine, what happens to the stashed away stuff, is a question no one is going to answer. Two of our ministers were staying in 5* hotel suites for more than a month and paying to the tune of Rs 1,00,000 per day. They clarified that they were staying on their own funds. But they probably has a huge stash of funds, though they get paid paltry amounts as MPs.

But what is interesting is the way the entire political spectrum has come together to protest against the Govt request. There are raging debates on the news channels. There are news pieces all over the media regarding how the political leaders are taking austere measures / against austerity measures.

But the most interesting is the kind of stupid logic that the opposition politicians, including the Communists, are putting forth justifying there travelling first class by air. This reminds me of an old saying in bengali about the communists. It is said "nenin nebu kheto na" (Lenin never used to have lemons). The reason was that Lemons were an expensive fruit in USSR. But it is said that he used to wear dresses made from the best and most expensive fabric and imported from Europe. This was a satirical take on the hypocrisy of the Communists. The current debate and the logic is similar.

I was watching a debate on this issue on one of the leading english news channels of the country, the other day. Mr Gurudas Dasgupta, a CPIM MP, said on TV "We are not dictated by the Govt. We are under the orders of the Speaker. Hence, Govt dictums are not worth enough." The BJP MP, Rajiv Rudy, on the same debate was talking such gibberish logic, I could not comprehend what he was saying. And the Congress MP, Manish Tewari, contended that if the compere gets him permission, he will hereafter travel in the cargo hold!!

But some of the nagging questions / issues in my head are:

1. Collateral expense (a la collateral damage): While travelling by economy is fine, what about the expense for security, vehicles, mass deployment of security personnel etc. Does anybody check the expense that these MPs and their cronies do on account of electricity, water and telephone? Does anybody check the amount of money spent on maintaining and redoing their plush bungalows in Lutyens Delhi? Not to mention their porpoerties in their constituency!
2. The other point that is poking me is more factual. In a study of the total expense, it has been found that the total expenditure on travelling is 0.01 - 0.02 % of the total expense. Probably the total travelling expense would be akin to that of a large corporation.
3. But why this sudden austerity in travelling only? Why is not being implemented as rule rather than an advisory for a year only?
4. Why are we not curbing on the unnecessary security apparatus that is used for guarding people like Mulayam Singh and Behenji Mayawati?
5. What are we doing to curb expenses on the fleet of vehicles that is used by Govt babus and in many cases smoothly diverted to use by family and spouses? The maintenance of such vehicles and the fuel expense would be pretty significant.

These are all patchwork solutions and probably gimmicks! As someone said "these are all but band-aid solutions". Nevertheless, lets enjoy the hypocritical debate and the news items. We are being fed items on how Rahul Gandhi refused special cutlery onboard the Shatabdi express and how Sonia Gandhi flew economy, how the External Affairs minister is travelling by commercial flight and spending 4-6 hrs more in transit. We also now know that some miscreants pelted stones at the train Rahul gandhi was travelling in and it hit coaces C4, C5, C6. But Rahul was in coach C3!!!

What a circus! Am I sounding cynical ...... let me know.

The Soldier - Forgotten or Unwanted?

Gallant Soldiers Die Differently!

This is an article I recently received from someone .... the topic though obviously spoken about repeatedly almost to the point of sounding cliched ... but nevertheless something to ponder upon ...


Gallant Soldiers die differently!
Karan Kharb

It is often said that in democracies people get the government they deserve. What is even truer is that they also get the quality of security they deserve. Is there a difference in 'loss' and 'sacrifice'; 'sympathy' and 'pride'; 'innocence' and 'valour'? We all know there is a qualitative difference and the value of 'commission or omission' in performance becomes vivid and clear in events involving high risks.

There should therefore be an appropriate qualitative difference in the Nation's way of conveying its gratitude or sympathy through grant of honours and awards for the sacrifices and assistance to bereaved families.

Here are a few points to mull over:-
1. Innocent Casualties..
Hemant Karkare and his 'Quick Reaction Team' of ATS encounter experts - eight of them in a police Qualis - were surprised, waylaid and butchered without being allowed to use their weapons by two terrorists on prowl in Mumbai on 26 November.
• In this case Hemant Karkare and his team were not aware of the danger lurking on them and therefore they were surprised.
• Their lack of training did not allow them to anticipate and react with operational swiftness.
• The poor quality of weapons could be questioned only if any of them had tried to use whatever they had. Going by their stance, it was unlikely that they would have used MP-5 or AK-47 even if they had these weapons on them.
• Prior to commencing their move, the leader had apparently not carried out analysis of the situation at hand; no quick plans or operational drills seemed to exist; no instructions passed; no contingencies visualized.
• Unfortunately they do not appear to have been vigilant on their way. Given the situation they were reacting to, any professional police officer would be prying for tell-tail signs or traces of the terrorists loitering in the town.
• Much like the hapless unfortunate 187 civilians, they fell to terror bullets most innocently. They deserve our deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences.
• Whereas there is a crescendo in media hype about their heroism, not a word has been said by anyone about how they 'fought heroically.' Sorry to state the harsh truth that they fell due to their inaction and inadequacy of combat readiness.
•
• We pray to God to bestow eternal peace upon them and grant fortitude to the bereaved families they have left behind. Their families, friends and everyone who knew them shall reminisce their gentleness with fondness! They deserve our care and compassion. Hopefully, correct lessons will be subsequently learnt after the Mumbai Police carry out a dispassionate case study of the happenings.
2. Unsung Heroes.
Capt AK Singh, a daring young officer of 51 Special Action Group (NSG), led his team into the Oberoi Hotel. He zeroed on to a room at 18th Floor from where the terrorists were throwing grenades. He closed in towards them risking his life without firing to avoid killing innocent occupants, if any and, after making sure there were only one or two terrorists in the room, he kicked open the door and lobbed a grenade. Almost simultaneously, the other terrorist threw a grenade that came in the way of AK Singh charging in to kill or capture the surviving terrorist. The hostile grenade burst almost in the face of the Commando Captain giving him multiple injuries. He fell unconscious but not before wiping out the terrorist. A number of splinters have been taken out of his body by the doctors of ' Bombay Hospital ' but they could not save his left eye through which a splinter tore through to embed itself deep inside. No TV channel, no newspaper reporter, no politician, no Shiv Sena………. Not anyone even from the Oberoi Hotel management has had the courtesy to visit this real hero who dared and indulged in deadly duel and combat killing the deadly killers.
3. Supreme Sacrifice.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan arrived with his team at the most crucial site where the savage bloodbath was already on. Unlike Hemant Karkare, Sandeep was fully conscious and aware of the magnitude of danger to the innocent civilians entrapped inside and to himself.
• He knew where the terrorists were, how much damage they had already caused and what devastating potential and unhindered shooting spree they were on.
• Like a professional, he quickly studied and analysed the situation and visualising the gravity of the risk involved, he ordered his team not to come forward until he silenced the terrorist shooting from behind cover.
• Since saving innocent lives was the most important part of his mission, he did not enjoy the freedom his opponents in shooting and bursting grenades at will. Yet he chased them..
• He valiantly pursued the terrorists until he fell in the gun battle that ensued. His team quickly followed and, after some tough hide and seek drama, they neutralised both the terrorists in an engagement that saved the remaining innocent lives in the building.
• Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan gave his life but saved many others. He knew what he was facing and yet he dared. This was a sacrifice with a difference which invokes not sympathy but pride and inspiration; courage and dedication; honour over safety. His death triumphed over an evil; choosing to die differently for a cause, Sandeep immortalised himself!
Major Sandeep Unikrishnan's valour will continue to inspire many soldiers, commandos, constables and civilians. We are proud of such gallant soldiers in our Special Commando Forces and our Armed Forces who always step in when those who run the administration or Prashashan routinely during happier times beat a quick retreat and become invisible leaving the police and the army to deal with the dangers. Their brief? 'Retrieve the situation and make it safe and cool enough for me to resume my bureaucratic control.' No accountability, no risk and yet all pelf and perks served on and under the table!
The upsurge of popular outrage against the politicians as a class is not misplaced. But in this rage public is missing the wood for the trees. What is role and accountability of those who call themselves CEOs of the cities, towns and districts – the magistrates, the Babus, the Brown Sahibs? They must answer some tough questions too.
The soldier today, alas, is not being treated with the love and esteem he deserves as our saviour.
Sadly, quite often he is insulted – look how:-
• Our media and TV viewers go euphoric over a sixer by a cricketer and eulogise him. Chief Ministers and governments lavishly shower crores of rupees on such players.
• Abhinav Bindra wins a Gold Medal in Olympics and gets Rs 3 Crore plus a host of high value commercial ads and bounty rolls on booming like a snow ball.
• India's economy, security or international standing is not least affected even if we lose hundreds of such medals and matches. But can we afford to lose one Kargil or Mumbai to our enemy?
• Lives lost by ticket less riff-raff illegally travelling on roofs of train or in fires in illegal colonies get rewarded much in the same measure as our soldiers who sacrifice their lives fighting to save us.
Think over and compare the value of Rs 5-10 lakh for a soldier's supreme sacrifice against the most triumphant cricket player or a pigeon shooter at Olympics! Do we deserve the selfless devotion to duty and sacrifices of our gallant soldiers and commandos like Sandeep? Don't we owe our soldiers a little more love, honour and respect than we do to our sportsmen and entertainers?