99 Unforgettable Khushwant Singh - Review

                                  This book is a collection of 99 selected stories both from fictional and nonfictional genres, printed over a period of time. The 99 chapters represents 99 years of this dynamic writer's life, starting from his birth at Hadali in Pakistan till he passed away in 2014, at the age of 99 years in Delhi, the city he adored. The book has many stories from his personal life, his family and friends. One intriguing  thing is the dilemma the writer always finds himself in, is about religion. He brazenly talks about being an atheist but doesn't shied away from praying, which is strange and self contradictory. He argues about his non compromising attitude towards growing communalism in the country as he himself has witnessed the horrors of partition.

                                     The book showcases the versatility and vast knowledge of the Khuswant Singh. He openly reasons about the circumstances for the creation of Pakistan, dives further to reveal the juicy gossips and weaknesses of Pakistan as it seems, he has unlimited access to important dignitaries there. He had a long carrier as a journalist in India and book contains many political encounters of his time. He was biased towards Congress and shamelessly supports it while propagating high morals to others. He was strong witted and didn't shy away from chiding Khalistan terrorists. The writer also dwells on his personal life touching sensitive subjects of sex, unfaithfulness,humor etc. 

This book is a  wonderful collection of various topics about author's life, a colorful tribute to one of the finest writers of India, which was published on the anniversary of Khushwant Singh’s birth. I believe this book is thought provoking and a must read for everyone.

Image courtesy- Google images

Readers can write to me at - garv560@gmail.com

Slaves - Part 2

                                    Experience has shown that the developing countries are forced by circumstances to do what suits the developed countries most. Rivalries between poor countries are exploited and in order as to defend themselves, poor countries resort to buying modern weapons from the developed countries, thus redirecting their precious resources from development work to indulging in arms race much to the benefit of developed countries .

                                    Some ideas which were popular soon after the Second world war (1939-45) are not valid in practice. It was inferred that the highly industrialized countries, or the developed world, would serve as a "bank" from which capital, skills,technology and management could be transferred through "aid which could raise life to a better quality in the developing countries. It was the general belief among scientists that modem science and technology could flow freely to our developing countries for the benefit of our people. These ideas or premises have been found to be largely invalid. Much to the displeasure of developing countries bottlenecks are created to stifle their growth. Developed countries shy away from sharing advanced technology or simply makes it too expensive even in areas where they are morally and ethically bound like environment sector. Trade secrets, patent laws are methods employed to maintain supremacy .

                                 The developed world thus has succeeded to subvert the growth of political unity among ex-colonies through multiple techniques. In their zeal to guard their interests they have manufactured crisis among different nations. They have successfully manipulated world opinions sometimes through discreet organizations. There are many Western institutes that provide assistance and helped immensely in continuous Western hegemony like the Bretton Woods Institutions, the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

                                Without any regard for international institutions that they themselves created and propagate sacrosanct , the club of developed countries have often taken unilateral decisions to punish alleged rogue nation that refuses to toe their line. The shameless conduct has till now butchered millions, maimed many more and toppled regimes world over. The US intervention in Guatemala for fixing wages in 1954 to toppling regimes of Saddam and Kadafi in Libya, killing countless is testimony to the ruthless and mind numbing use of violence by them to shamelessly exploit the weak while maintaining their hegemony in world.

                                      Almost always the SOP (Standard operating procedure) followed by the club is same. In the garb of protecting human rights or protecting the world from WMD’s or similar frivolous accusations they impose economic sanctions often with UN assistance. Through coercion or allurement smaller nations that were former colonies were enticed to support the cause and weaken and segregate target nation. Meantime the all powerful Western media peddles lies thus influences and create public opinion world over. After choking economy of targeted nation, the final act of active Military intervention snuffs the target while club swears victory.

                                  Nothing has changed In the last few centuries and as long as developing countries are divided on flimsy grounds, till they don’t learn to settle disputes in a civilized manner rather then resorting to bloodshed, they will continue to be economically and technologically laggards. They will continue to divert resources for war and thus play puppets in the hands of developed nations. The situation is challenging and the future is bleak as the tyrants are resourceful .

Slaves - Part 1

                                         The word ‘Slave’ sends shivers down the spine when we read about the slave trade from ancient times till the 17th century when it flourished, peaked and subsequently declined. The Africans in Latin America and West, indentured Indian labor in West Indies, Fiji etc remind us about the ghastly practices of the past adopted by effluent Western Nations. The abominable past on which the glamorous present of West is based has umpteen skeletons hidden in their cupboards. The influence of West which was based on technology and innovative ideas transformed the societies world over while destroying the glorious ancient cultures and civilizations .

                                           Many primitive civilizations couldn’t withstand the onslaught of the West and succumbed to their greed, thus wiping out completely from the world. Others that were subdued were savagely plundered but somehow survived with permanent scars. The colonial powers which were scientifically, technologically, economically and militarily far superior from natives loosened their grip and eventually faltered from continuing with colonialism due to subsequent World Wars, which were also, the tipping point of race to control more land and resources while all the ideology and morality propagated to justify the cause is nothing short of lies which these Nations have perfected and inculcated among impressionable minds since 1945.

                                         If  we observe the world order today, we can clearly see through the smokescreen ,(web of lies) the precarious condition of the erstwhile colonies that are still at the mercy of the developed world. Nothing much has changed since the end of Second World War. There is a web of lies which is marketed by powerful Western media which gives us a semblance of accomplishment, unity and International brotherhood . Globalization gives us a farce sense of living In global village where nothing as such thing exists. Any country that doesn’t agree to the diktats of club (developed world) is reprimanded and severely punished. Any country unwilling to toe the line of club is isolated and penalized without any repercussions on the club so where is the universal brotherhood ?

                                           After Second World War in 1940’s and 1950s , new unprecedented realities emerged when scores of colonies threw off the colonial yoke. Ever since they have been struggling to stand on their feet as the Imperialist West devised and perfected new strategies to maintain their hegemony. After attaining freedom, colonies discovered that their economies were very strongly bound to those of their previous masters. For trading they were dependent on the "world market" where pricing of goods was not in their hands, and where numerous discriminatory practices existed. Technological progress, of which they had been deprived, enabled the industrialized countries to offer superior goods at lower prices. And when these ex-colonies wanted to upgrade their technology by their own research and development effort, or even by purchasing foreign technology, the response from most of the developed countries was not helpful. This often made the governments of these countries weak and unstable as it is easy to sow seeds of sedition among poor and illiterate.

                                            Creating dissensions and supporting insurgencies in the name of ‘Human rights’ plays well in the hands of Developed world who eventually becomes arbitrary and makes the developing colonies economically and politically dependent client states. Right now, there exists a cumulative backlog of poverty, ill-health, unemployment and untold misery among vast sections of populations in these countries and these problems are mounting day by day making these countries precariously vulnerable to exploitation by Developed world .

Throwing Caution To The Wind

                                    तुमसे पहले जो इक शख्स यहां तख्तनशीं था//
                                       उसे भी अपने खुदा होने का इतना ही यकीं था..
                                                                                  'हबीब जालिब'

                                After the demise of corrupt govt in 2014, the BJP came to power with resounding victory on the back of hopes and aspirations of millions of Indians who voted for BJP. There were multiple factors like corruption, arrogance, pseudo secularism that led to the undoing of Congress led govt . People read the script narrated by BJP favorably and voted in mass to decimate UPA. One block that stood for BJP throughout testing times was middle class, and it emerged as strong loyal base . There was hope among middle class that the new dispensation at the center would be economically beneficial, but after four years of BJP rule it seems hope is beginning to wear a bit thin now. The disappointment among these loyal support base isn’t ideological rather it is economical.

                                      Starting on robust ground, the enthusiasm of the newly elected govt. was a welcome relief from the erstwhile paralyzed governance that compromised on major policy decisions. To its credit BJP govt initiated several steps to gain vital investor confidence swelling the coffers of govt, upsurge in Sensex testified it, further increasing the stature and confidence of govt all around. In its zeal to unleash reforms, many radical moves have been attempted and measured on a scale of sheer boldness, they were impressive. The problem is many of these policies have been ill conceived, inadequately debated or pondered over and badly implemented. Demonetisation, GST, wiped out lakhs of jobs in the primary sector where bulk of unskilled and semiskilled workers were employed. Although the reforms were necessary, yet no one can argue these were hasty half baked measures. Thankfully the negative impact of such measures are waning fast as evident from GDP projections but not without shaking the confidence of formidable loyal block. 

                                 The middle class is facing the onslaught of reduced job opportunities in manufacturing sector which is shying away from initiating new projects. The proverbial saviour- service sector is already stretched and has since witnessed muted job growth. The jobs in government and agriculture sector are already contracting. No wonder then the staunch supporters are lately disillusioned with economic policy of the govt. The expectations of relief in budget were dashed again when the demand of IT exemption being raised to 5 lakhs wasn't met rather introducing Long Term Capital Gains tax added insult to injury. With small savings schemes of the government giving dismal returns, addition of 10% tax on mutual funds is woefully wrong decision that too at the worse timing possible. This economic harakiri adopted by govt has alienated large number of even Modi admirers not to forget party supporters as well.

                                 The political headwinds for BJP are strong as is witnessed in recently concluded Gujrat elections where sizeable population voted for NOTA. Warning bells should be ringing not stop after Rajasthan by-poll result debacle for the BJP . While the social welfare schemes to support poverty stricken has struck chord with middle class and they wholeheartedly approved govt initiatives, but in its frenzy to become messiah of poor, the message seems to have been given out of abandoning this section. BJP  appears to have become complacent and is relying on scattered opposition and TINA(there is no alternative) factor to swim across in 2019 . The over confidence smashed Vajpayee govt hopes to be reelected in 2004, the incumbent govt appears to be heading in same direction. 

                               The need of the hour is the prompt action by govt to calm down tempers of salaried class and take measures to assuage the feeling of 'let down' . If the BJP govt remains unperturbed to popular sentiments of its loyal supporters, it should buckle up to stare at nasty surprise in 2019.