Tryst with Juntaa !

Pranab's visit to Myanmar last weekend cannot be termed a "routine" diplomatic journey. With the clout of India's Arms assistance to its military ruled Myanmar syntheszes new kind of equation. Till now help was confined to military training and info sharing of insurgents. India willing to go beyond the traditional arena need not come as a surprise though. For there have been speculations besides Banla border, insurgents are in Myanmar borders too ! Aferall that perception would be more grave as we share 1500km border with Myanmar !
Well India is not alone is recognising the Junta rule. Recently even china & Russia vetoed the US designed resolution hilighting "Junta" a place for insurgent growth. India's foreign policy initiative on this front is more strategic than economic. Though the economic dimension of gas supply cannot be ruled out.
Myanmar to survey its gas reserves by april & if excess agreed to supply at "right" price ! Though this might not be key ally , it cannot be ruled out to be small ! These days world order is more towards energy rich friends with relative weakness in their political school . Energy needs might well be the fuel for future conflicts. Especially for growing economies like India & China !
2006 was significant that all 3 service chiefs visited Myanmar. All of them had their deal to be offered to the Juntaa ! True that north east conflict tops "Look East policy" besides Oil exploration findings of Naypyida. ONGC,GAIL also have stake in the fields there. Border fencing also to commence soon with full support of the burmese. Ofocurse top most infrastructural development is the Sithway-Mizoram and Mainpur-Thailand (via Mynamar) highways.
But also pity that Democaratic India since 1993 (reversal of stance )has no word on Noble Laurate Aung San Su ki who has been virtually house arrested for decades now ! Are we skipping democracy for Diplomacy ? Though Foreign minister might term Junta as internal matter, with more military rules on almost all neighbours (except Bhutan) we will have to be more prudent in pushing for Democracy because that itself is half the answer to Insurgency !

PSLV-C7 blasts off to glory !

Madhavan Nair was a visibly happy chief. What more can the chief ask from his troops. In his own words "More perfect than text book launch !". India's 9th continuous successful PSLV launch is definitely a great stride by itself. On PSLV's vehicle configuration lies many ambitious plans including the manned space mission ! The GSLV's recent dismal was yet nagging as the countdown began.

PSLV-C7 by itself has many "first's". First time Space Recovery Experiment(SRE), Dual Launch Adopter, 4 satellites out of which 2 weigh a ton ! First ever video capture of stage separation !

India now proclaims its capability to put multiple satellites on space ! Budget constraint for smaller countries can seek India's capability. Because vehicle design is the crux & the most expensive. Argentina experimenting its first satellite !

Shriharikota will be buzzing all the year as there are series of launch schedules waiting execution. ISRO has the track record of silencing their critics through their success rather than rhetoric. I feel it is one of the channels where tax payer can atleast be proud of !

Time is come for ISRO to start thinking big ! Ofcourse they already have , but a vision document should be generated on public debate ! Antrix, the commercial wing of ISRO no doubt has been busy marketing our transponders. Scientific diplomacy integrated with focused vision will make our space programme more attractive not just to customers but to great minds !

Dawn of year in a day !

No exception to this physical laws of New Year ! As we welcome yet another year on this earth my thought's drown with mankind's thirst for knowlege and zeal for improvement. We all have the instinct to better ourselves .. Anything lets say eat one more tasty roti than yesterday not , hear one more song, one more movie, meet another friendly soul, one more hug, one more kiss, hold another resolution, lend a helping hand & more readers to my blog :-) ...... !

Hearty congrtulations to all of you for being name "Times - Man of year". When I first got the news I was overwhelmed ! Yes it read "Man of the Year - YOU" .. No doubt it is we all who make the earth dynamic day and night can be named for such an honour ! A low intensity worry for people not felicitating me though !

France might have missed the FIFA cup, England it's captain, Iraq it's Saddam, Darfur its peace, India its Tennis pair but it is again the urge to better the past which pushes the whole world forward ! Fidel castro in his famous self trial at Havana said
"Court might punish my deeds. But history will absolve me !!".
In fact it is the way of life all over the world.

I hope forthcoming year will enhance lives of millions in poverty, teach us to live more peacefully, more options, tonnes of joy, more hope, less violence besides give few good movies to watch !

Top 10 things to watch for in 2007 :

- Indo-US Nuclear Deal
- Sachin's worldcup ton
Besides Sidhu's WC comments , Mandira's Designer wears !
- Kamal-Rajini Movie
- Dr.Kalam's return Home & Retun of Gandhi as President !
- Sunitha William- Home alone in space
- 9% Y-O-Y GDP growth for India
- Fidel Castro's comeback to power
- Israel-Palestine peace accord
- SRK 's stint with KBC
- shiva-musings.blogpost.com :-) !!

Wish u all a happy year ahead !!

Tribute to Col S.G.Sarna

India Army is one of the few armies in the world having a Major leads the front. But even few were a Colonel himself is on field. Col.G.S.Sarna, who laid down his life fighting the insurgents has upheld the Army’s tradition bravely. As commanding officer of 29th Rastriya Rifles his men have triggered heavy losses to Hizb & other prominent groups in past few months. His life had actually saved many as the infiltrators had entered a residential colony.
A gentlemen cadet of National Defence Academy 1989 batch and trained in Indian Military Academy, Col Sarna was a soldier of high calibre. Always know for his valour and leadership skills definitely big viod in his family and men. His valient mother hails his bravery and his wife still pressing that their son would join Army.
Blankness glitters in all kasmiri’s & Army who are most affected by this almost 2 decades of insurgency ! Hope with political will both sides will not have to produce more martyr’s !
Nation always lives on these unsung heros whose dedication is paramount in safegurading the lives of many ! As he is being cremated , Nation salutes this brave martyr !!!

Will Tiger change its stripes ?

Unpredicability about death is unpredictability. Could not have come to Anton Balasingham at this misappropriate juncture. Though LTTE chief was know for his own ways, balasingham was his trusted Liutenent. This Doctral in social sciences have been their Chief Negotiator from the word begin. Everyone know the trademark of their process.

Yet Balasingham was shrude enough to impinge his piece of mind and bring his astute diplomatic skills to use. One wonders in the end if they were successful. The raging war in the Island nation is ample proof to unsucceful attempt of violence.

Concerned parties should come forward and take a political approach. even though LTTE might miss their Chief political adviser, it will have to move forward in main political stream. Efforts are on by political parties for solving ethnic issues though "Autonomy". But recently they were recieved by assasination attempt on defence secretary . The last "Heros Day speech"
re-iterated their "Independent" position.
Will the tigers change their stripes for good ?? Only time can tell.

Kissing Goodbye !!

Recent PIL against "Kissing scene" of Dhoom-2 re-dawns the presence of

"Selective Amnesia Syndrome "!! Why selective ? Unless the lawyer does not know who Serial kisser is ? If he is ignorant i strongly recommend him consulting a 10 yr old ! Watching movie is a leisurely act. More so is a review on it ! But filing one's review as PIL is making mockery of the oneself !!

Indian society known for its orthodox outlook towards intimacy attitude is long gone by ! Statistics say it will take years the pending ones even if none files a new one !! These self style propaganda should be outwardly rejected !

By the way how does one define obscenity ?? Are n't there worst publications whose sole chores are to do so ? Why leave all of them and target a release with big names ! Well one of the best ways to gain public glare ! Was a film with 17 such scenes too big a PIL ? May be he would have got a chance 17 times !!

I am no ultra modern being, but a moderate rationalist. Why make fools out of nothing ! As karan johar had pointed out "ideal mind make great devils workshop" ! If one is genuinely interested about dignity of women why not push hard for Women's bill ?? Fight the govt for dismal % of female literacy rate compared to male ! Mere rhetoric will not earn public respect but will have to act in dignified way !

But whatever said and done, whole film fraternity is waiting when the case comes up by Dec 11 ! Will the law kiss this kiss a good bye or the litigaion !!

Men in Blow !

Bernard Shaw would have loved his saying go true watching the Indians perform on field ! True every team has ups & down's, but recet trends is tilted towards worst ! Should we call is "Worst at its best ". Whole team dismally failed to perform including skipper dravid !

Are we cursed or Jinxed as ICC world cup nears ? Dadda could not have found a more better time for re-entry seeming as if he rejunvates the team ! I hope the bengal tiger would leap a few good shots rather than polishing his claws ! Seniors I m sure are more experienced to these time and will come back. Unfortunately I am also one in a billion who seem to believe that myth !

Our men are in a blow to their self thrown bomb shell !!

The richest sports body in the world is all smoking it out ! A mere 2% donation to other sports would have created hundreds of Sania'a & Rathore's !! Sometimes I wonder Indians mistook cricket as religion and not a sport ! Can't be blamed as we have channels which track every ball hit and words spoken with chronological accuracy ! Even if team does not make history atleast media do !

Boys in blue should take this as a wake up call and better start performing more in reality than in AD's ! Brand ambassador for a sportsman is his skill first and put the rest to rest ! India sits back sad waiting for team to perform as a team ! Some even thank god there wasn't any qualifying ! Worst is we still beleive our boys will deliver ! Well otherwise what ? Not much we will wait till next WC !! Howwzaaat ...?

Return of the Jedai !!

"To victor goes the spoils ! " - Chevez land slide victory makes every leftist more confident ! The second straight power win of this Ex-paratrooper is a big gain for the "axis of left" in latin America. Dedicating this victory to his old comrade Fidel Castro, Victor Chevez is taking this OPEC nation to new level of attitude - Anti American.

Very few have had the guts (like fidel) to oppose US in their own soil . Chevez is definitely one. Recent of his include the sulphur at UN ! Self proclaimed fan of Naom chomsky, this staunch leftist have made all right political moves in Latin America. He seem to create an axis of alignment which the great Che Guevera failed in action. But ofcourse , "Che" will remain the cause forever !

The founding member of OPEC is the largest oil reserve outside the middle east. So a natural customer to US. But after advent of Chevez they are facing tough times. CIA seems to be fail as badly as their political vandetta ! Though Chevez lost a coup in 1990's , he fought back politcally victrious ! Leaders like him make the international order not to remain unipolarised ! Thats what introduces bug into the system which hedge the imbalance out ! In that sense not a bug to all but to the bitten & bitter !!

Half of governments revenue flow from the crude ! China & Russia were quick enough to join hands with this carribean nation. Guess India also should follow the suite. Just doing business with them does not mean alignment to the left. After all our govt here is externally pressurised from left, might add more substance than mere salt !

But for the dark side, Victor Chevez comeback is "Return of the Jedai " !! Would be a unification of loosely held latin south ! Ofcourse the congregation has many heavy weights including mexico & Brazil !

God Google !

One thing which Genghis khan or Alexander the great aspired but did not get there is known history - "Conquer the World" ! Now google wants to continue their legacy atleast in spirit, if not literally ! Player is making is obvious thro the genius of his game. Google well fits into the analogy. Right from its inception it has followed "First ball itself a sixer" principle ! We do know it has been batting hard, but steadily. Started with sachin's vigour, going the dravid's "wall" way ! Statistics say "500M clicks a day". Imagine 50% of India Using Google or whole of US & Britain put togther !

"Googol" as defined by them is 1 followed by 100 zero's ! "What's in name" does not fit google, for it has passion in it ! Larry Page and Sergi Brain tactfully unlocked their missile from Stanford to Infinity !! Bang on target created a wave which no other product in IT history has ever dreamt of, including "Hotmail". I hardly can think of an IT professional's day passing without a click on the google. Intrestingly more than 50% audience is outside its home ground USA. But steve Balmer supports it fits more to iPod ! Well is he biting the apple too hard ?

Google earth had caught the imagination of millions besides scorn of few defence establishements including India. But she marches on bravely. Lives by the legacy "World is my play field". All this in very small time span of less than a decade of its inception from humble menlo park ! Only guy to challange Bill's empire. Google book is another innovation in the pages of history.

Recently it vested Youtube.com into its portfolio besides it hunt for Radio business !

I guess it's well on its path to conquer today's competetive world. Your "Dog Missing" .. Do not worry Google's satellites might search it in ".00001 Secs" !! Well it is no Asimov's dream but google's magic ! As Thomas Friedmann Questions " Is Google God? " ! -

My answer - Emphatic Yes !!

A few reasons why google is "god" .. It's IT's best friend without which there is no well being for him. Ominpotent and present everywhere, anytime ! Finally "Ask and you shall Recieve" .. who gives you for free except GOD ! Ultimate one- Type "God" & see for urself :-) !!

Re-Dawn of Gandhian Era

The gandhian phoenix rose from its ashes in recent times with more vitality, logic and glamour enough to pull the modern youth ! No doubt "Gandhian Act" was prelude to the crack of the mighty British Empire in India and eventually elsewhere ! Awestruck by this new weapon british were clueless on how to retaliate. Well we all know that history !
But as time passed by, Gandhian takers were few and followers even lesser. Concept always had respect and forethought though, undeniable. In the current times of violence and terror, his advocacy has caught glimpse of many ! I would call there is sudden resurgent trend in following Gandhian principle. Sought of a fashion statement, but not without substance. My personal take on is a welcome trend. No one than Gandhi can show us that non-violence is ultimate weapon against any harsh enemy ! Aggressors I hope would resort to peaceful means for redressal of grivances !
On the other day in TV one could see Gandhian caricatures, T-shirts, Mugs becoming popular !! One business man even mentioned "Gandhi is still a great brand " ! Adding to the popularity is our latest munnabhai ! Gandhigiri I m convinced would have reached to braoder audience.
Well definitely a heartening move if youth follow gandhian approach towards society and their compatriots. Guess that itself is half the battle won against terror ! His ideas were simple but very "EFFECTIVE" ! On the centenary year of his initiation of satyagraha in South Africa, today's world should start digging gandhian thoughts and enjoy the fruits of it !

General - In the line of Fire ??

No doubdt he is one of the important state heads today in new world order. India also no longer can ignore him or his statements. Gen.Musharaf's autobiography. But against his expectations "In the line of Fire" actually has put him under fire. The pakistani president has been too general in data give aways ! No classification or declassification, the authenticity however questionable ! Though he claims this book to have an insight of contemprorary pakistan, general has spoke more on the non-pakistani's !!

Musharaf took over pak at a time when internal economy was crumbling, northen states almost in the hands of terrorists ! He definitely used his military experience to tackle a few issues, but not justified in all cases !

A few illogical rhetorics are raising doubts of the whole context of the book itself ! One example is he stating India acquiring nuclear installation drawings through doubtful means. A strongly accepted fact is that most of Indian technology especially after 1960's are indigenious !
This is totally unrequired to present context and not a befitting incident. Other was the Agra summit 2004. Clouds are still dark on what happened at the summit and aftermath.

Every time both countries restart their dialouge but with old baggage. Acceptable that "out of box" solution is required. But will have to come from a joint committee committed to welfare of everyone involved ! Kargil being self praised as victory tactically also may not be totally true. Detailed accounts have emerged since then which do conflict many of general's view.

Well bcos of 9/11 or not, general better be ready to be bombed to his stone age life after forthcoming elections, if at all it happens !! Well atleast he is projecting himself to be a too general leader than a general ! Action will have to speak than words !

Oh Maria !!

When she walks through the stadium with sports gear on even that becomes fashion statement. Many predicted the demise of her fame in the game would soon loose glamour which surrunds it ! Maria Sharaphova gave them a strong ace winning her second grand slam unlike her compatriot fashion dressed Anna kournikova !
This teenage sensation has once again proven her tennis skills are much beyond anyone's comprehension. Mind you she fought down Justine, the finalists in all 4 grand slams this year. Sharaphova's reflexes were at her best on the centre court of Arthur Ashe stadium !

What else can I say ! ! You have garlanded to death the critics view on your game through your comeback. Oh maria !

Terror revisited

Malegon this time was the target of the terror attack. Usually one of the communally sensitive hot spots of the nation, violence is not new to this town. But this is the first act of terror here. A reconfirmation of hatred knowing no religious boundaries. Though motive behind is obvious, question of libaral acts by these miscreants are surprising.
Wheeling it on a cycle makes the stone age method of terror ! Recent overhaul of arms cache in AP & few in surat are inducing some confidence of the ATS acts. But as specified in recent CM's conference, internal secutiry could be stregthened through more sophisticated and prepared Intelli networks !
Once or twice their motive might not have been fully realised, but cannot be garunteed always. Because human tolerence has its limits. On the cenetary of Mahatma's "sathyagraha" launch, we should wake up to make ever lasting peace our ultimate motive !
Terror can only be silenced through sound peace keeping initiatives and tightly secuting our borders to avoid weapons import through illegal means !
Pray peace return to the Maharastra state & the whole nation ! What these cowardly actors do not undertsand is the deep rooted indianism running thorugh the veins of the nation !

Andre Aggasi - Serves final match

Arthur Ashe stadium gave this indefatigable star a standing ovation, making Andre break down ! 20 years , anyone would agree is pretty long stint in the world of tennis. Winning all 4 grand slams, which only four others have achieved so far, agassi set a precedent to classic tennis ! His friend and ground rival Sampras have given feast to fans world ove they would never forget !
What diffrentiated agassi was the style he adapted to himself and the great rebel midset at play ! Many a times he did not forgive his opponents, but very kind at heart. Ofcourse, Andre Aggasi runs a charitable for the downtrodden !
Last but one match between him and marcos is a master piece for future aspirants. Agassi's tennis profile had its own downs too. His fight back especially after his failed marriage with brook shields. Analysts had predicted his exit then, but this tough steel man served the volley with full power comeback. Infact in 1999 he became the 5th man in world tennis history to have won all the 4 grandslams, record even sampras does not hold !
Last few years of his career Steffi has helped agassi's come back helping him outset many records. This tennis duo probably now have a lot of time for themselves.

Do not be surprised if u find them in mumbai or goa :-) !!

Well done Andre, we will miss your great tennis !

Baluchistan Burning ?

One of the open known rivalry of the musaraf regime was closed by use of elite commando forces. One can argue if the elite forces had to be deployed to defeat a 79 year old oxford educated tribal leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. May be military regime is showing signs of jitters.
Baluchistan the most richest energy province of pakistan is undoubtely the poorest. In fact their own people were even denied gas supplies ! Tribal leader Akbar bugti , popularly know as "Tiger of Baluchistan" has long been saviour of the region. Was the governer and CM of the province in the 1970's. Early this year as he was the prime target of elimination, he fled dera bugti into the mountains. He well had more than 250,000 militia under his belt. His death now gives birth to galavising of resistant forces against musharaf.
Analysts feel the general could have sought political means to solve the crisis. The idea would be to resolve the sufferings of the balochs rather than suppressing them. Wierd he had to resort to military action against their own countrymen ! Clear indication of his general status overcoming the presidetial powers. If he is to continue sceptre, then president should try resolving issues through political equations. Otherwise baloch might become another bangladesh as one of the military analyst points out in his recent article.
General has the history of handling pressure cooker situation with ease. But this has thrust too much weight on him. If the situation is under control then it would be a dangerous predence for worst to follow. Lets earnestly hope our neighbour gets her "house in order" too.

Pluto goes underworld !

Pluto , named after the greek god of underworld was proudly with the solar family for 3/4 th of a century. And it still remains one body of the solar system which was never visited by a man made satellite. New horizon on its way to accomplish it, but by 2015 !
Pluto has long been under controversy for being named a planet. Especially when similar objects like pluto were found in kuiper belt. Internation Astonomical Union (IAU) wasted no time in polling out pluto off the planet system making it only 8. This definitely comes as a surprise to many as there were proposals to add charon(pluto biggest known moon), Xena also into the planetry union. Pluto's orbit being slightly above other contemprories.
Mankind has come a long way in discovering the universe. So there have been undiscoveries of the discovered. Right from evolution to earth being flat were all been disproven. So dismantling pluto off the deck of the solar orbit is man's own fate with his date with space. The divorce does not cause distress as it altogether gives planetry observers new view of the universe !
Taking a fresh outlook on the heavenly bodies sure open a new vista of thinking.
Indeed raising more questions than answers. For the moment one word can be deleted from students mind ! But i bet not for long as technology is travelling faster than light !

The End of a Raaga !

The Ganges would flow silently as it wud fail to hear the music that reverberated for more than half a century. Ustad Bismillah khan was enthralling varanasi for decades through his identity "Shennai" . Known for his humility , he did his shennai speak everything else.
As a disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan, this octogenarian did his master and nation proud.

Not an exaggeration to say shennai got a re-birth under his reign. Throughout his life as master shennai player money was not even the least priority. Simplicity as a way of life he was a staunch supporter of pluralism. His striking words "Heavens weep today to see the drastic event . Miscreants would be defeated as their design was !"(On varanasi blast)

Nation awarded highest civilian to Ustad bismillah Khan. He might not have a musical blood line legacy to continue but his hindustani notes would be travelling through ages !

India pays rich homage to this musical genius ! May his sould rest in peace !

Good bye Mr.Murthy !

What can one achieve within 25 years of life span from nothing ?
Well Mr.Narayan Murthy let his deed speak the answer :-) ! No prize for guessing !

Infy his child has grown into an emperor ruling the IT world.
As he turns 60, the high profile chairman renounced his chair on sunday Aug 20,2006. By conventional wisdom he his retired from day to day operation as exectuive though he will continue to mentor it to even greater heights. His kin not succeeding is something unique to him and industry ofcourse ! Instead he left hi own child to be nurtued !

Infosy'ians are going to miss him ! So will the corporate world !
As a professional of this genaration we owe a lot to him who has radically changed all our life styles indirectly. Infosys set precedence by listing on NASDAQ. Until then world only knew us a land of snake charmers and advocates of eternal conservationalism. What followed is history.

Murthy's "Why not? " unconventional approach has always awestruck me. As this business giant retires I stand to salute his greatness & empathy for society !
Good bye Mr.Murthy ?
Welcome to the social world ! They need you more !

Sleeping Beauty !

State of being where there is feeling of stillness yet chaos in unknown territories is the beauty of sleeping ! Oops sorry if the topic was misleading ! I am tempted to pen this out during my siesta. So if you feeel some disorientation or cranky route through this post you are njoying its brighter side !

Always wondered abt this compelling nature of all living beings. Experiences all form of feelings can be met while still asleep ! From pretty to pain, sadness to madness, love to lonliness ! Not exactly in any form or sequence. Well otherwise it would be reality :) !!

I was always under misconception that sleeping beauty was a hot cutie, until I really started sleeping my heart off ! Anytime, anywhere ! I term this "instant karma" ! Manifestation takes place on spot once you roar(even silently is fine - but must roar - or well, snore!)

Sleep seeks u realise the sound of silence, creativity of emptiness, heaven in the hell. Even after painting the beauty of sleep, empty canvas still stares at me. But it is an ever relinquishing preview - picturesque and least expected.

Beauty of sleep might disturb you , but realisation alone is the key to its vastness !!! Concept of time fails as it cease to exist :-) !!

Njoyy the beauty of nature !!!

Mesmerising Murali !!!

Shane Warne these days is netting hard to avoid murali surpassing him - The only other man to trying to bowl this bowler !
As years spinned, this cricketing genius has proven himself to be one of the best bowlers cricket has ever known. Right from his debut in 1992 there was no looking back for muralitharan ! Armed with his ever smiling attitude he has made the batsmen cry for their mistakes.

Muthiah muralitharan, the highest wicket taker [ test+ODI], keeps all who are watching spellbound by his sleight of hand. Real doosra thrown to the other legends is the complexity of action which he performs with ease. Murali has created a new art of spinning ! Anyone from prasanna to bishan singh bedi would agree. Warne even states a step further, "muthiah might reach 1000 wkts !"
An accepted view that murali is a class in himself. Walking through the cricket hall of fame is not easy. With more than half century 5wicket spell & a dozen 10Wkt spell, murali is just mesmerising. Island nation has proudly produced a real genius who has made academics research his action with curiosity !
Murali has recently revealed his humane side by becoming "ambassador" for UN World food programme for poverty allevation ! This would go a long way in bringing up the poor of the small Island nation to whom murali is "GOD" !
Why is this lankan not being awarded a Mastero honor . All cricket fans would strongly urge muthiah muralidharan for his astute skills must be officially declared cricketing bowling genius of all times !
After all he is the only other bowler who with 650+ Test wkts , is stillnot out :) !!!