Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

Cry out Loud - Indian Army short of 15000 officers and counting

2010-02-05T12:12:00.000+05:30

Yes, Indian Army is short of 15000 officers and yes, we are worried. Slowly and steadily our step brothers are building forces and friendship between them to ensure our end, scary isn’t it?

China wants the whole of N.E. and Pakistan will not bow down until it takes control on the up-north and I am sure they will not mind missing the opportunity of taking control on the entire country.

Often I have heard and have also participated in the mindset that the government should increase the benefits that are offered to the Armed forces, like salary. However, to be honest, I think the Armed forces are being looked after well when it comes to salary and other incentives like medical facilities and so on.

So, what factors contribute in building scarcity in the Indian Army? More than money, I guess the answer is being away from their families for a longer duration of time and frequent postings. Moreover, a son may want to join the forces, but a father may not be willing to see him there. Indian Army is not corruption free and definitely not political free either. In the corporate world, yes butt lickers are everywhere, but the numbers are way too smaller as compared to those who go up by merit. In Army, no matter what, you are promoted and you go up the ladder in a zippy.

Every year more and more officers leave the army to join the corporate bandwagon. Sometimes, it is word of mouth that appears to be appealing, that is, if I am working in company A and my colleague joined company B and gets carried away by the facilities and benefits available and continues to talk about it every time we meet, it will obviously add to my eagerness or frustration to taste this freedom in the whole new world.

Moreover, there are so many compulsions for the women to join the Indian Army. If the men are leaving like cats and dogs then why not give opportunity to the women to stay back and be in command. This ‘breaking the ceiling’ topic is very argumentative. On one hand, women are not welcomed in the three core regiments of the Indian Army fearing that they are not as strong as their male counterparts and on the other hand we face the acute shortage. I am not stating here that women can do better, but I guess it’s just an option we can opt for, if nothing else works.

By the way, do you know the problem and do you have a cure for it? If yes, please do add your comments.

Perception..it is all about Perception!!

2010-02-04T17:01:00.001+05:30

See I told you this before and see how true I am, we have made our lives control us and we have indulged ourselves so much that none of us have time to manage this blog anymore, my apologies on this one.

Did anyone watch the Republic Day parade this year? The Indian media left me frustrated as they focused more on the Prez than the parade. The spokeswoman was carried away by the delightful faces of kids who had come to see the parade LIVE, well did someone care to know about my delight that I lost every minute?

That night was dedicated to the movies dedicated to the defence services and I watched all over again Border, Lakshya, and Top Gun. Why do we remember our forces only on a special occasion and leave them in slumber for the rest of the year? I find it phony when our leaders pay homage to the soldiers at India Gate. For the whole year, India Gate is a tourist place, people go there to spend their evenings and make room for garbage everywhere and then every year on 26th January that very place is a token of respect. Why such a discrimination, if I may ask?

The Hollow Tributes!!

2009-07-13T12:52:00.000+05:30

Lt. Kalia, Capt. Batra, Capt. Chaudhary, Major Unnikrishnan, and more. Do you know these names? Yup, you should be. We know them by their deeds, heard their names a billion times when they sacrificed their lives at their respective time period. We called them heroes. We constructed roads after their names and villages, and streets. We signed petitions so that the government can demand justifications from Pakistan about the soldiers who were inhumanly treated before they were killed. Many of us, created communities in their names to pay our tributes and 1000s joined in. We pledged never to forget them, debated and cursed everyone around us. A few months later, these communities appear deserted. Once in a blue moon we see a new thread that is yet another tribute to a hero.

I am back from a community that is dedicated to a hero of 26/11. As per one of the threads, today is the day when Bhagat Singh and his friends were hanged. To be honest, I never knew about the importance of today’s date. The thread starter invited members to pay their tributes to these heroes. Tragic isn’t it? Some news channel may cover a news item stating “the country paid their tributes to the heroes.” Yeah right!!

Four soldiers died during the fierce gun battle in J&K and somebody just started a thread “pay your tributes here” as if “park your car here.” After a day when the thread starter revisited his thread he was astonished to see that no one cared to pay their tributes. He tried to wake up the community but alas the thread has not grown much since yesterday. Since last year, we have lost countless soldiers that we are now habitual about it. Losing a soldier is unlike to winning the Oscars.

Just in case you are not aware, in Pune there is a ‘Rishi Dhar Chowk’ that connects Bermen chowk, Parhiar chowk, and Aundh Gaon. The ‘Rishi Dhar Chowk’ is dedicated to late Second Lieutenant Rishi Malhotra who died during an anti-militancy operation in May 1994 in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. Strange!! I have been crossing that chowk for donkey years now. Incidentally, the shuttle that I take to reach my office, stopped at the signal and I read about the officer.

Ever seen the extreme side of blind faith and respect? How this soldier becomes GOD? Blind respect/love or just carried away emotions? Till now, you did not he existed, then something happened and he died. You started a community in his name. His going away impacts you in some small way and you vow to change the world. Now that he is your hero, you refuse to hear anything negative about him or his family.

Think about this, how many chowks in your city are named after martyr soldiers? You must have passed thousand times over that chowk, but did you ever care to notice the plaque? I believe, real tribute is just not about creating communities or vowing to remember the departed soul or debating, accusing, and abusing the other countries. Think about it!!

Bringing the Past Alive

2009-04-13T16:58:00.001+05:30

Today I met an old girl friend whom I had been supposed to marry before I met the lady who became my wife and fell madly in love. It was in an ancient rickety lift in the High court. This is what I wrote:-

To old loves, like still born suns
Like the stale night on my window sill
Like the stale love on the crumpled sheets
All the waves that broke before
They reached the broken shore
The born, the unborn, the never born
The words we spoke,
The hands we held
The paths we walked,
And now you are gone.
They told me that they
Had made a day for you
And posted it on teeming inter net
Hoardings hoarded on teeming streets
Monuments made of stone and blood
In forgotten parks existing by curial writ
They told me this day came before the spring
Before the you and before the me and
Before the race of man was made,
Before the night and before the day
Before the deep was parted
Before there was any living thing;
Seems like the spring came before the fall
There was no summer at all.
And like old loves, we dance a measure
And like old loves we drift apart
Our lives mingle like hot breath in winter
Our loves they stay, they leave,
Not near, not far
Beneath the skin, behind memories
They lie, they lie like bed time stories.
Just like the time I met you
Going up on an ancient lift
We talked we smiled,
Like continental drift.

BY PROTIK PROKASH BANERJI

The Beggar's Paradise

2009-02-20T16:54:00.001+05:30

I was stuck in a traffic jam for a few minutes, while waiting for the red light to turn green a boy around the age of four approached us. He had a medium size ring in his hand and by using it he did a few gymnastic tricks for us. We all watched him and when he approached us for money, we all shooed him away. Looking at his miserable face and broken spirit, for a second I thought, I should have given him a rupee but the red light turned green and the traffic started to move.

I saw this boy for the last time standing at the road side looking blankly at the vehicles that passed by. He may not have eaten for days or may have been beaten for not bringing enough money back. I have heard and often followed the thought that we should not give money to child beggars however do we care to think about their survival.

I have heard many politicians and common men taking the pledge that they will eradicate poverty. Over the years politicians and political parties have changed but poverty has not even aged by a day. Every city in India is beggar populated.

How does one remove poverty? Is it as easy as removing makeup from your face? If we could not help them manage their lives in sixty years where is the guarantee that we will be able to help them in the next ten years? Even hope has its limitations and we have been hoping against all odds for a very long time now.

The child beggars have no future. Those lucky few who will grow up will either end up being seasoned beggars or criminals and the vicious circle will continue.

I no longer believe in the system that discusses about ways of removing poverty and uplift of the poverty stricken people. Hopes and believes look good in fiction when it comes to real life then only action matters. We are known by our deeds and not by our thought patterns. I haven't forgotten that face yet and I wish I could have at least given a heed to his condition.

I don't know about you but I will give money to the kids if I do not have food items in hand. Did they choose to become beggars or did circumstances make them one? After years of being like one do you think they want to change? May be the life they feel comfortable in the life they have led so far. Of course, they face lot of problems from the society but then whose life is smooth anyways. Why do we always leave it to the government to take decisions about the society that we live in? Why an incident like women beaten by goons in a pub becomes a rage in the country and people write to media and government to take action when on the other side a one month old baby of a beggar may have died due to lack of food? Ok. I agree I have never heard such news before but then maybe there was no spice in it either.

I may be looked down upon by a few who may read this post and they may intelligently raise a concern about "encouraging child begging" but it is just all right. Sometimes, rather going by the society laws I guess it is all right to listen to your heart.

Fortitude at Rezang La

2009-02-02T14:10:00.001+05:30

The topic for this write up was being provided by Captain Vinu,and also some information was submitted by hm.Devdeep Ahuja further researched about it and prepared this article.

Fortitude at Rezang La

At 14,230 feet height, Chushul, a small village on the Sino – Indian border was manned by the ‘Ahir’s - C’ Coy of the 13 Kumaon when a full scale war broke out between the two nations in Oct 1962. The Coy had been airlifted from Hyderabad on 24th October to defend the Rezang La ridge, which was the home to highest air strip in the world at 16,000 feet.

For these gallant soldiers, war with the enemy also meant a combat with the elements of nature. None of the 123 soldiers had been acclimatized to the biting cold and were asked to hold fort against the Chinese soldiers who were fully acclimatised and comfortable in their thick, padded uniforms and were confident of their numbers and superior weapons.

The expected Chinese attack on Rezang La came on November 18th in the morning. It was the end of a very cold winter night, with light snow falling. The icy winds howling through Rezang La were biting and benumbing. More than the thin air and cold, the location of Rezang La had another serious drawback. It was crested to Indian artillery because of an intervening feature, which meant that they had to make without the protective comfort of the big guns. In the dim light of the morning, the Chinese were seen advancing through nullahs to attack both the platoons of 13Kumaon.

In the first counter offensive, both the platoons littered the nullahs with the Chinese dead bodies using their LMG’s, grenades and mortars. The Chinese used heavy artillery fire for their attack second time around and their reinforcement of about 350 soldiers again advanced through the nullahs. This time the third platoon opened fire on the invaders and within minutes, again the nullahs filled up with Chinese dead bodies.

Unsuccessful in their two attempts, the Chinese then encircled the three platoons with fresh reinforcements of about 400 men. They resorted to heavy shelling on the Coy from all the sides. Major Shaitan Singh, the Company Commander, displayed exemplary leadership and courage in the battle. Unmindful of his personal safety he moved from one platoon post to another and encouraged his men to fight. While moving among the posts he was seriously wounded, by a sniping Chinese MMG. But he continued to fight along with his men. While he was being evacuated by two of his comrades, the Chinese brought heavy machine gun fire on them. Major Shaitan Singh sensed danger to their lives and ordered them to leave him. They placed him behind a boulder on the slopes of a hill, where he breathed his last.

All the soldiers fought valiantly till their last. Of the 123, 109 laid down their lives while the other 14 were seriously injured. But an estimated 800 Chinese soldiers were killed in this battle. This was a genuine ‘last man-last round’ defence. On this horrific battle, Major-General Ian Cardozo, in his book ‘Param Vir, Our Heroes In Battle’ writes, “When Rezang La was later revisited, dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons... every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullet or splinter wounds. The 2-inch mortar man died with a bomb still in his hand. The medical orderly had a syringe and bandage in his hands when the Chinese bullet hit him... Of the thousand mortar bombs with the defenders all but seven had been fired and the rest were ready to be fired when the (mortar) section was overrun.”

Major Shaitan Singh’s supreme courage, leadership and exemplary devotion to duty inspired his company to fight almost to the last man. For his service to the nation, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously. The other heroes who were awarded the Vir Chakra in 1962 defending Rezang La were Naik Hukum Chand (posthumous), Naik Gulab Singh Yadav, Lance-Naik Ram Singh (posthumous), Sub. Ram Kumar and Sub. Ram Chander. All hailed from the Rewari district of Haryana, where a Rezang La memorial has been placed in their memory in Gudiani village.

The remembrance of this famous battle just brings to life the tradition of Indian Army. of fighting to the last drop of blood, which places life secondary to Honour of our Motherland.

Hail the Indian Army.

Reflections on Republic Day

2009-01-27T12:11:00.001+05:30

As India celebrated its 60th year of the inception of Constitution on 26th January this year, my thoughts turn to the splendid hour when in 1950, on the same day, the Constitution of Indian Republic came into force and we moved from a British dominion to a sovereign republic. In an exquisite balance of various streams of ideas and in language that is poetical, the Preamble to the Constitution pledged to secure for our people "justice, social, economic and political; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and opportunity, and to promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the Nation."
Dr B R Ambedkar, presenting the Draft Constitution, professed political freedom but questioned the social and financial freedom of a common Indian man in his famous words "On 26th January, we are going to enter a life of contradictions. In politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. In our social and economic life we shall by reasons of our social and economic structure continue to deny one man one value". And he then asked: "How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we deny equality in our social and economic life?"
These questions raised by the chief architect of the Indian Constitution then are still valid 60 years later. Republic Day is an appropriate occasion for us to evaluate the facts of our society and our economy, and to examine our hearts to find out how far we have succeeded in overcoming these contradictions in our minds and in the objective conditions of the life of the common man in India.
In retrospection, we have achieved political stability with strong roots of democracy. Financially, India is the second fastest growing economy even in this year of credit crunch. While politicians in general have been criticised, the Prime ministers and Presidents that India got, were educated visionaries right from Pandit Nehru, S Radhakrishnan, Dr Zakir Hussain to Dr Manmohan Singh. They have led our country to an era where India is indispensible in the world politics and financial considerations.
On the other hand, still, there is corruption, molestation and suppression of women, terrorism, inter religion and inter caste divides which makes us hang our head down in shame. The education levels are still amongst the lowest in the world. The issues of child labour and child abuse have just begun to be addressed.
It is not important here to repeat the public expressions of politicians but time to take action. It is a time for us to assume responsibility; responsibility in thoughts, actions and deeds. As Dr S Radhakrishnan said, “Be ever alert, be ever on the move, go forward, work for a free, flexible, compassionate, decent democratic society in which Christians, Sikhs, Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, will all find a safe shelter." It is important for us, as Indians, to realise that Republic Day is not only for us to celebrate what was achieved 60 years ago, but also to find a direction of shaping the future of India.
We need to make sure that our children get the best education, which provides them with a stimulus to think about ourselves as a nation rather than as individuals. It is paramount to ensure promotion of self esteem of women to enable their equal participation in the development of modern India. Our armed forces, which sacrifice their lives for our safety, need to be felicitated for their contributions in maintaining peace in India, in adverse conditions. The farmers and the menial workers who work tirelessly to feed the whole of India need to be provided with facilities to ensure a comfortable and meaningful existence for them. Our concerns should not just be limited to multi national companies that bring in the revenues, but also to the village dwellers as that is where the heart of India lies.
We as Indians must once again take a pledge to re-dedicate ourselves to our beloved motherland to make our country excel in every field from education to development, science and technology and wipe out all obstacles that forbid our nation's progress.
Jai Hind

Post By Devdeep Ahuja

The Secular Patriotic Hindu After 26/11

2009-01-12T21:15:00.001+05:30

The newspapers would have us believe that if you were a Hindu you should be wanting a war, and if you were a Muslim you should be condemning the incident to prove your patriotism. I wanted to show the confused middle ground!

"THE SECULAR PATRITOTIC HINDU AFTER 26/11

In this the festival of crimes,
Where darkness feasts on
Grey areas of the mind,
We turned up uninvited,
Like pictures without a past,
Like clones, donors lost,
The bunting hung down dripping blood,
Of nights in Mumbai, Malegaon, Godhra
And the long forgotten ghosts of Noakhali
And Chauri Chaura.
Our hostess, gracious lady, pushing sixty
Looking younger than an evening with a rock star
Made us at home right away,
Amidst the larger than life posters of atrocities
Apparitions, finger food and burnt out cities
And horrifying portraits of the ubiquitous “Other”,
While her roving eyes tried to fix our pedigree,
Lineage, and exact place in the scheme of things,
Formulating us like phrases in a pretty speech.
We discussed poignant nothings
Pregnant with our own importance
And with relief at not having been found out.
And there, between the watered whisky
And slowly warming white wine
(Of some forgettable Indian vintage
Made up to look “foreign” and vaguely French)
The musk of promises made and unmade
Or barely kept,
Shoulders flashing white and talcum
The right and the wrong fusing into an amalgam
(The rot gut whisky helped)
I promised that never again,
Never again would we be taken unawares.
The morning came, red eyed, head vised
And creaking with accustomed pain,
And we woke up side by side,
In a bed that had seen better times,
And the headlines screamed that
A Ghost that had burnt 30 years back at the hustings
Was back again, this time as a savior,
Not risen after three days,
Not at one with God,
Not flesh of my flesh,
Not blood of my blood,
Just a casual, sly insertion, a commando action,
Infiltration, exfiltration, like a virgin conned
By the fall of gold dust or a white goose,
Just the All father in His All Fathering mood.
In the name of the father,
In the name of the nation,
In the name of the people
In the name of alienation
We have the dracula back again
We have the teeth of dragon
Democracy, soiled grimy golden fleece,
We need dragon’s teeth to guard
You
Again.
The war to end all wars,
The peace that passeth
Understanding.
We thought of going back to sleep
And found out, to our great surprise,
That we had never woken up.
We had never dreamt.
“And in the room, the women come and go
Talking of Michaelangelo”.

Composed by: Protik Prokash Banerji

Soldier

2009-01-03T19:47:00.004+05:30

The Soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Soldier, How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier replied with his eyes filled with pride,

I have been truthful
Not to the church
But to my heart!

I gave my life
And i gave my best
I always did it with a happy smile

I loved to live the life Hi - Fi
but when it comes for my nation, my heart,
I'm not a coward ; I'm ready to die,
To protect my nation from simple thwarts !!

I kiss my gun and i kiss my memories
I don't fear that i will miss my shot
Cause i am always open with a brave heart
My heart won't crumble and my hands won't tremble
Cause that makes me a soldier
A soldier with a brave heart.
Risking my life is what i do,
Fear is that which my heart, never knows
And hope is that which i never lose

The Soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, my Lord, I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

Wounded, battered, hurt and bleeding,
Still not a hope to loose nor a fear to gain ;
Taking out every terrorist's head - bullets feeding..
Struggling for the nation - close to death - yet it doesn't pain!

Now tell me god!
Does it matter being truthful to church?
is that odd?
As am always truthful to my heart and my country

you still test me with questions,but i know why?
To bring out the truth through my words
To bring out the truth to the real world....

Contributors - Sushil, Adithi Nandhu, Dinesh.

Jannat and Jihad

2009-01-02T11:13:00.000+05:30

Jihad meaning ‘struggle’ in Arabic has been used frequently in the holy Quran referring to ‘striving in the way of Allah’ or ‘to struggle to improve one's self and/or society’. Within Islamic jurisprudence jihad is the only form of warfare permissible under Islamic law, and may be declared against apostates, rebels, highway robbers, violent groups, non-Islamic leaders or non-Muslim combatants, but there are other ways to perform jihad as well, including civil disobedience. The primary aim of jihad as warfare is not the conversion of non-Muslims to Islam by force, but rather the expansion and defence of the Islamic state. The rules associated with Islamic Jurisprudence on Jihad include not killing women, children and non-combatants, as well as not damaging cultivated or residential areas.
Some Muslims believe that Muhammad regarded the inner struggle for faith a greater Jihad than even fighting [by force] in the way of God. Muslim scholar Mahmoud Ayoub states that "The goal of true jihad is to attain a harmony between islam (submission), iman (faith), and ihsan (righteous living)." Jihad is directed against Satan's inducements, aspects of one's own self, or against a visible enemy
Based on these definitions and discussions, it is an understanding that Jihad is the use of holy war as a path towards Allah. But does it include killing of innocent unarmed people including women and children? Does it include destroying nations just to satisfy the whim of the politicians? The war cry of Al- Qaeda, LeT and HuM is that it is a jihad against the ideology of the west, against liberalism and against the policies of the Indian and West governments. The question is that does Islam allow killing the innocent in the name of religion?
Jannat itself is commonly described in the Qu'ran in verse 35 of Surah Al-Ra’d: "The parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised! Beneath it flow rivers. Perpetual is the fruits thereof and the shade therein. Such is the End of the Righteous; and the end of the unbelievers is the Fire."
The Islamic texts describes life for its immortal inhabitants, one that is happy — without hurt, sorrow, fear or shame — where every wish is fulfilled. Traditions relate that inhabitants will be of the same age, and of the same stature. Their life is one of bliss including: wearing costly robes, bracelets, perfumes; partaking in exquisite banquets, served in priceless vessels by immortal youths; reclining on couches inlaid with gold or precious stones. Other foods mentioned include meats, scented wine and clear drinks bringing neither drunkenness nor rousing quarreling. Inhabitants will rejoice in the company of their parents, wives, and children (provided they were admitted to paradise) — conversing and recalling the past.
Four categories of Jihad have been defined; Jihad against one's self (Jihad al-Nafs), Jihad of the tongue (Jihad al-lisan), Jihad of the hand (Jihad al-yad), and Jihad of the sword (which can involve combat against non-Muslims)(Jihad as-sayf). These define the fight against desires, speaking the truth, doing just and combat injustice and armed fighting respectively. Jannat can be achieved if a true Muslim fulfils all these and moves on the way of Allah. It is the ultimate reunion with Allah. It can simply mean striving to live a moral and virtuous life, spreading and defending Islam as well as fighting injustice and oppression, among other things.
So do the terrorists from the Mumbai attacks or for that matter anywhere in the world fulfil all these criteria to be able to reach Jannat after their suicide bombings and killings? This is a question which I have so long wanted to ask them..............

Submitted by Devdeep Ahuja

New Year Resolutions

2008-12-29T22:32:00.003+05:30

January 1, 2009 will embark a NEW beginning. Like always, New Year smells fresh. The first day of a new year always energizes us with positive energy. It appears as if we have left all bad memories and actions behind us and this year promises to be different.

Usually, for a few minutes I mourn for the old year as it finally says its adieu. For many of us this passing year has been a symbol of new start, some of us became proud parents, some others tied knots, some found new love, some found new friends, some switched jobs, some traveled places, some heartbreaks, and some of us lost our dear ones.

One incident that bought us closer together was the Mumbai attack. We felt closer to each other when compared to the scenario before the attacks.

Pre attack days witnessed the Political Mahabharata with Shakuni mamas as our leaders, Kauravas as their followers, and the Pandavas as the society. People who suffered the brunt are the Draupadhis. Look at the anti north Indian campaign, the common man faced the brunt. North Indians were kicked and thrashed publicly, their homes ransacked, and they were forced to leave. Pakistan repeatedly violated the anti-cease fire agreement and our voices remained unheard. Post attack, someone is mercilessly killed as he refuses to contribute to a state leader’s birthday celebration.

Kasab, a Pakistani national is believed to have been brain washed. He was ensured, that if he died during the war, he will reach heaven. He was also ensured that his family will be awarded a compensation of ninety-six thousand INR. He was caught alive and now the Indian judiciary will sentence him soon. What about our leaders who kill for pleasure? How about revenging the death of our soldiers when their tortured and mutilated bodies are returned?

Ever wondered, why does India always wake up thanks to the activities of the outside forces? Is a life lost during Mumbai attack is more valuable than someone killed during internal attacks?

Any crisis this country faces is turned into a Political ball game. Minutes after Mumbai terror attacks were over, the political lashing started. We witnessed our leaders accusing each other for the security lapse.

New Years is here, let us be resolute to keep WAR as the last option. Give peace a chance and hope that Pakistan acts maturely. As the saying goes: umeedh pe duniya kaayam hai!

American Call

2008-12-29T10:43:00.000+05:30

At last they woke up......... The Americans.... for years President Musharraf had been saying we support America in war on terror, for years America had supported Pakistan with weapons and finance. But now the game is up...........
Former CIA analyst, Bruce Riedel spoke angrily about Pakistan extracting billions of dollars from Washington even while it allowed Al Qaeda to regroup in its tribal lands. 'We had a partner that was double-dealing us,' the International Herald Tribune quoted Riedel as saying at his Washington home. 'Anyone can be snookered and double dealt. But after six years you have to start to figure it out.'
So what has made the Americans wake and take notice....... was it that they never knew these things.. or was it that they never bothered........ For the Americans, the primary target was Al Quaeda, which they effectively dismantled. They never took LeT seriously as it was thought of as a small group which worked in Kashmir and did not pose any threat to the super power. The screams of Indian leaders, shouting on top of the voice, fell on deaf ears. But now when it came to be known that the target of those militants in Mumbai were the Britishers and Americans, the sleeping beauty has woken up.
Within days, Jamat ul Dawa, which is the mask of LeT was banned and numerous appeals and diplomatic pressures have been put on Pakistan to support India in bringing to book the culprits of the Mumbai Carnage.
This just shows that the global war on terror and all the hype around it is just talk. Until and unless, the sword falls on our own head, we never wake up..... Americans have woken up to the truth..... Hope India does as well...... before another Mumbai takes place.........

Submitted by Devdeep Ahuja

WAR CLOUDS

2008-12-26T11:39:00.004+05:30

I have been hearing everywhere about the trolling war clouds. War is a mere three letter word but, in fact, can lead to deadly and costly consequences.

I am glued to the T.V. right now where AAJ TAK is discussing about a unique love story between Pakistan Army and Taliban Terrorists. The Taliban terrorists claim to have more than a hundred human bombs standing by to attack the Indian forces if India attacked Pakistan.

Kasab the lone terrorist nabbed alive is a Pakistani national, he had shown no remorse while killing innocent lives, he thought he was clearing his way to JANNAT, he was assured that if he died his family will be given a compensation of 96000/-. Today, he has been disowned by his own country, PAKISTAN.

PAKISTAN is wetting in their pants as they have been cornered from everywhere. PAKISTAN since 1947 has been eying India. No year has passed without Pakistan being found guilty of a terror attack. Their hands are washed in Indian blood.

Thrashed in four wars; 1947, 1965, 1971, 1999, this nuclear mentally unstable country has no limits to prove their heroism. Failed economies that cannot provide basic amenities to their people are looking up to us as a scapegoat.

On the other hand, India does not favor war, since 1947 we have emerged as a flourishing economy. YES, agreed. We are NOT a perfect nation and we have our own weaknesses. However, we neither poke into anyone else’s business nor send poverty stricken brainwashed people to other countries to avenge our suffering. We neither support terrorism nor take support from terrorists. Our country is not lawless; our leaders do not shake hands with the terrorists.

This write up is not against a Pakistani or a Muslim; it is about the Pakistan’s view point. Although, we have no idea what does an educated Pakistani think about the road taken by Pakistan however, Indian Muslims are against JIHAD or the meaning set by a few about JIHAD. Muslims do not support killing of innocent people. Then, is there a difference between Indian Muslims or Muslims in any part of the world, and a Pakistani Muslim? Do they follow a different Holy Quran and worship a different ALLAH?

I read the following news on a Web site where a Pakistani Brigadier claimed that a nuclear ship was headed towards India. He said that Pakistan is a failed economy and there is no future for the Pakistani kids. With due respect sir, India has not grown carrots in their backyard. We are against war as WAR leads to massive destruction of lives and property. For your country life and property may not be valuable, so if it is WAR that you want…then BRING IT ON!!! If JANNAT is where YOUR people wish to GO, SO BE IT.

Can you sleep?

2008-12-25T22:49:00.004+05:30

Can you sleep?
You hear gunshots in places you had dinner last week,
From a window,
you see blood leak.
You hear live gunshots, explosions and screams.
Outside your window,
you see commandos and army trucks pass by,
you feel like it's a movie,
but what you're seeing is reality.
Can you sleep?
You see "fresh blood stains" on TV,And you're thinking, "it could've been me".
You see babies being rescued,
you see eye-witnesses breaking down,
and then you see politicians do nothing but frown.
Can you sleep?
While you're listening to the sound of an innocent cry,
"many more will die",
are the healing words of a terrorist.
I ask you,
can you sleep?
While you hear of the coming hurricane in the next year or two,
you hear a new born baby coo,
and you're wondering why he was ever born,
will he ever see the brightest morn?
Can you sleep?
While people are killed,
with joy, some hearts are filled.
The earth cracks,
The earth is famished,
The earth is parched,
Bombs explode,
Animosity grows,
The blame flies around,Bodies fall to the ground,
Can you sleep?
In the midst of this reality,
you see politicians asking for votes,
trying to win you with their flowery quotes;
I don't ask you if you can sleep,
I now ask you,
Should you sleep?

Post By Manan Yatin Shah

Life’s Options

2008-12-23T11:18:00.001+05:30

The Mumbai Carnage has brought us to cross roads, where one road leads to a life we have been living so far, content in our own happiness, our family and friends, but on the other side now, is a road that leads to freedom. The road long neglected, the road not even seen earlier by many of us.
But there are always people who have seen that road and chosen to traverse that road. A flashback to history and we see young blood like Bismil, Bhagat Singh, Azad who all could have lived the life that everyone did- earn for yourself, have family and die. They did die but not the on the path well travelled. They created their own road and their own methods of working. They did not have any support but still their passion and unity was what kept them going.
As Ram Prasad Bismil puts it,
“ham bhii aaraam uthaa sakte the ghar par rah kar
ham bhii maa.n baap ke paale the, bade duhkh sah kar
vaqt-e-rukhsat unhe.n itnaa bhii na aaye kah kar
god me.n aa.nsoo jo Tapke kabhii ruKh se bah kar
tifl unko hii samajh lenaa ji bahlaane ko”

Now let us come back to present and we see India reeling under the pressure of terror. Every day so many soldiers die in the terror strikes in Kashmir and North East. Why does it always need a Mumbai or a Delhi to wake us up? Why those who sacrifice their lives in Kashmir are never remembered? Why they do not get any mention, let alone a state honour?
It is all too easy for us to say that it is their duty and they know they are going to die when they join the armed forces. Of course they know about it only too well. But still they choose that path as they have the passion to serve the nation, to neglect their own families in order to save ours. They are content with the fact that instead of living and dying a un meaningful life, their sacrifice will help to expel their enemies from the country.
The common man always accepts the problems and continues to live their life. But then there are people like our soldiers who ‘Do not accept it and do not continue with their lives’
The choice is yours as the life is yours, one is to live for you and another is to just let yourself flow in the service of nation. It is not necessary to be a soldier, but it is important to dedicate your life to the country. It is not an easy choice as it most certainly makes you different from the society. You may be called a lunatic or a fanatic. You might lose your friends but what you gain surpasses everything; the joy, the satisfaction and the passion of serving your motherland is a dream which only few can even dream of.
The choice is yours as the life is yours...................

Submitted by Devdeep Ahuja

Media..the Scavenger

2008-12-22T23:02:00.004+05:30

Welcome to the market backed world. Everything is on sale here be it; jewelry outlets, fashion shows, advertisements, and now human emotions too. Everything has a price.

Not long ago, an unsung hero died in N.E., followed by many more. The Indian media were at their best concentrating on the very news that shape the country’s present and future. Like, Harbajjan calling names to the Australian counterpart, some mega release, and more.

Major Unnikrishnan’s act earned him a hero’s farewell? The whole world witnessed his cremation. He is one soldier who truly earned the heroes farewell. The whole nation was at his door step to pay their tributes. Media was spot ON and captured every minute detail especially the emotions of his parents. Emotions sell too were you aware?

Meanwhile, an unknown soldier Capt. A.K. Singh was seriously wounded during the Mumbai attacks. Who cares? Well, his fiance does and thus she decided to stand beside him when the whole world walked out. Cliched!!

Why did the Media wake up when the attacks took place in Mumbai? Attacks are for ever in N.E. and J&K. Don’t humans reside there? India does not pay homage to a soldier died in an insurgency operation. Let alone Media, are we a bias nation?

An Elaborate Wake Up Call:

2008-12-22T08:11:00.001+05:30

As the time pass,we forget the past
As it goes so fast,we cannot pause

but

isnt the past meant to last?
last as an experience in every body's heart?

what is a loss?
who is the loser here?

the one who lost his life in battle

the one who forgot the loss(many of us?)

life goes on....

those busy traffic
those personal works
those files approaching deadlines in our table
the weekend parties and times with our family

but

how about finding time, when you don't have time ?
doesnt that makes us different!
different from others,
that difference which made us united?

where ever you are,
what ever keeps you busy,

make a pause
make a difference
make this party alive
make it interesting
make it fun
make it big
make it happening

but in the end

make it worthwhile
make your time and talents for a precious cause

showcase your talents
show your spirit
show that you are alive
show that you haven't forgotten those terrible days
show that you are fighting,fighting against the evils
show that you have wake up with this wake up call

i have waken up!(by ambika's call )
what about you ?

Posted by Aditi Nandu

Lest We Forget

2008-12-22T07:48:00.001+05:30

Lest We Forget

Fabulous century......... the best in his career.......... simply awesome........... Sachin is God........ Stunning Sehwag.......... Mind blowing win......... dedicated to Indian people who lost their lives in Mumbai Carnage.......... Cricket is a great healer......’ These, and tons of other comments being made in the wake of Indian victory over England in Chennai, just 15 days after the deep wounds had been inflicted on the soul of India. Is that the patriotism that Indians boast of? Is this the tribute that Indians want to give to their real life heroes?
Does Cricket overcome the deep gashes left on the souls of people in India? Can the scabs be cleared by a balm of Cricket? Is it a fitting response to a terror strike? Would it answer any of the questions asked of our people, our government and our unity by the dealers of terror?
Everyone talks of getting people together, setting up normalcy just as a response to the terrorists, signifying that our lives have not been affected by their heinous acts. Has it not been affected at all? Just ask this of the people who spent those 60 hours holed up in the hotels, ask this of the commandoes and police men who decided to risk their lives to be able to save ours, just ask this of the mothers, who lost their sons, ask this of true heroes like Maj Unnikrishnan, Karkare, Salaskar and Amte, ask this question of anyone who ever lost some one dear to the terror strikes. They will be able to tell you the difference terror strikes make to our lives. They will tell you of the wounds that never heal, the sore marks left on their lives forever.
Its sad to see political leaders making long speeches, claiming to make a difference, claiming to do something about it seriously this time. But somehow it all seems an umpteenth retake of the script that has been written many a times. Its all designed to make us forget the horror every Indian on this world went through. It is to take away the feeling of unity which props up, to quieten the wakeup call which comes with every such terrifying deed. It is a time to make merry for the politicians having a hot topic to discuss, supported by the media which highlights the acts but very easily moves on to something else. The political leaders simply think of such act as an opportunity for them to be able to take advantage of the feeling of nationalism which comes out of every sleepy Indian, or so it seems.

Every time I take up a pen to write something, so many questions prop up in my mind, but never any answers. Never is there a feasible solution that comes to mind with the hope that some difference will be made. Whom can you look upon? Cricketers will play cricket and dedicate their victory or game to the dead, bollywood would churn out movies to remember the massacre. These are our everyday heroes. The politicians, well, I have already said a lot about them. We cannot really hope for much from them.
Then I begin to feel the heat within me. It has to be me, a common man. It has to be from within us that the change has to come, everyone will keep doing what they do best. But a change will come only if the common man starts to think.
A rather disturbing thought has struck me though. It is we, the common people, who form the cricketers, politicians, bollywood stars and every one in India. They all come from within us. So the fault must be somewhere within us.
In retrospection, it is only too obvious. The tendency to forget, the tendency to get back to normal, the tendency to move on, this in all things is the one which differentiates us from others. After 9/11, never did any attack take place in USA, what could be the reason? Its just that the common man there has woken up and they do not want to forget the Twin Towers so easily. But here in India, we like to move on.
Just have a think over it........ How long can we keep moving on and ignoring the deaths of our fellow countrymen.......... would it be till someone from our family is killed???
Wake up to make a difference.... lest we forget.

Post by Devdeep Ahuja

Progressive Nation

2008-12-20T13:34:00.003+05:30

What triggers a revolution? I don’t really have that answer, I am not too sure. Are you?

I read the following quote: “The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.”

200 odd years ago, India witnessed a revolution and thus ended the British rule. 1947, India witnessed the birth of Pakistan. Since 1947, India has risen, grown, and progressed in every possible way. Agreed, we are not 100 percent everywhere but at least we have started, we are aware of the hurdles and the hardships involved, and where are weakness lies.

For long, we have achieved the “progressive” nation tag. Getting a tag like that is not a walk in the park, we have achieved it coz we have dedicated our lives to what we do best. We have let go our personal happiness to grow. Let me give you an example; I work with a product based company and we have product releases going out every now and then. We work as a team and there is no individual effort. Before we start working on the release, we all are assigned our tasks. When we start working, our leaders give us either daily or weekly updates on how the release is shaping-up. Weekly meetings keep the team involved. The leaders are equally involved from day one. When the release is over we celebrate as a team and if ever the release fails, it is the team’s failure.

Now, what I intended to ask was, whether our leaders and we share the same chemistry? I say, NO. We have the right to choose our leaders but we don’t have the right to work along with them. We do not influence our leader’s decisions. Our country’s progress is directly proportionate to our progress but do we see it happening. Why only after a jolt, after the sacrifice of the human lives, my nation wakes up? Why the leaders of my country fail to see the misery and pain of my countrymen? Why do we feel so helpless and confused when something is amiss? Why do we keep knocking at the wrong doors hoping that someone will hear us?

Has our nation truly progressed? 3000 years ago, a revolution wiped out the dinosaurs from the face of the earth. Are we waiting for a similar revolution? Hasn’t the fruit of our tolerance ripe enough, hasn’t the acts of a few beings not motivating enough to get our acts together and react. Wait, I am not referring to a WAR. War is like an official killing, you do not have to hide behind a face and kill others. War is taken as a token for survival. War is required when peace leaves you. War happens when you have left with no choices. At the end of the day, WAR kills you.

I am referring to our acts, why did we have to create this community, why did Maj. UnniKrishnan and alike had to sacrifice their lives, why do we act arrogant when people go away, why we go silent when days go passing by?

Shuffling and re-shuffling of political parties, lashing each others acts, postmortem the situations that lead to massive destruction, talking nonsense, and so on. After every major political blunder why do we see the same picture?

When are we as a nation going to gear up and get our acts right, when will our knocks be heard, after how many sacrifices will this nation wake up?

I never knew “WHY” such importance has in the English language and in our lives too.

Wake up India!!!

2008-12-19T19:37:00.001+05:30

India, popularly known as the sub-continent. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country, and the largest democracy in the world. India is home to one of the richest and the most ancient civilizations, which existed over 5,000 years ago. It is an amalgam of different religions and of people all over the world. The world’s famous religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated here, Christianity and Islam arrived in during the first millennium which shaped our country’s diverse culture. Overall we belong to a society of many languages and many ethnics. But as the days pass by this picture of our beautiful country is on the verge of fading out and collapsing. Reason-Terrorism.

So, who is the founder of terrorism? None. According to me a terrorist is an abnormal person who needs medication. These are people who are provoked in the name of religion. The qualification to become a terrorist is to be a lunatic or a rabid. Only if a person is insane, he would get the thought of harming mankind. They are just left freely in the society instead of being put in the asylum. Our country has become a scapegoat for insane people and their barbarous acts. Who are they, and why are they doing this? What are they going to get out of this? No one knows the answer. Neither me nor you.

Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth all along its history. Since time immemorial, our country was plundered by many nomadic invaders right from the Medieval Period till we were gradually annexed by the British East India Company during the early eighteenth century. Everyone eyed our country, divided and ruled it for their convenience, separated our brothers and sisters from us and ended up in breaking our hearts. Time has passed by and now when we are in the modern age, and when we think our country is free from being captured; lunatics come from different parts of the world and hunt us down. How long is this going to continue? Would there ever be an end to this? What can be done to avoid this? I question myself. We being educated and intelligent people should come up with a solution. We can’t take things for granted. Some crazy people come through boats and gun us down. This is not acceptable. We as Indian citizens should stand against this and voice out for a corrupt-free and safe country. The kind of country we dream to belong.

“Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop of my blood will contribute to the growth of this nation to make it strong and dynamic." These were the words said by our 5^th Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Today many of our people are following this path to save our country. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is one such great person who laid his life to save the country. A young commando who had a bright future sacrificed his life for us, many of us whom he didn’t know. He had a family of his own to take care of. He was just like any of us who was fond of movies, watched cricket and loved driving fast. Sandeep Unnikrishnan had only one mission in his life -- to join the Army. He made up his mind in class 8 and since then worked hard to achieve it. He cleared his exam in the first attempt. He was trained as a Gentleman cadet at the NDA and was a pass out of 94th batch in 1998. He was commissioned as Lieutenant to the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment in 1999. According to Anirudh Uppal, Inspector-General (Headquarters) National Security Guards (NSG), Major Sandeep had exposure to counter insurgency operations after having served in Jammu and Kashmir for two terms. On completion of training, he was assigned to the Special Action Group (SAG) of NSG in 2007 and participated in various operations conducted by the elite force. During the 'Ghatak course', the most difficult course of the Army, Major Unnikrishnan topped the course, earning an "Instructor Grading" and commendation from seniors. The gallant officer of the team commander of 51 SAG was deployed to clear Hotel Taj Mahal of extremists on November 27. According to many of his friends, he was a determined person and had a never give up attitude. This reflected in his last words “Don’t come up, I shall handle them” and yes he did handle them, and in the process left all of us. Sandeep is a born soldier.

The prestigious `Hut of Remembrance’, at the National Defence Academy (NDA) has a list of NDA pass outs who laid their lives for the nation. Sandeep’s father quoted that Sandeep used to take them to this place whenever they visited NDA and say, ‘I won’t die a dog`s death. If it happens cremate me at the municipal crematorium. I will die like a lion and my name will be carved forever at this hut.’ He also said, one day, he would be among those valiant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. He lived to his words. Now the valor shown by India’s son - is remembered and honored in the prestigious 'Hut of Remembrance' and his name is being added to the Academy's 'Scroll of Honor'. Recently during the visit of Sandeep’s parents to IMA, a Commandant said Sandeep had lived up to the credo of the IMA which says: "The safety, honor and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honor, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time” and he had truly lived up to it. If you look into his eyes, they are full of life and had a spark. Sandeep was dedicated to what he was doing. He would be remembered every day by one and all. But how many more Sandeep’s are we going to lose and how long is it going to take before we confirm that our country is safe?

It was not even a fortnight after the 26/11 terrorist attacks have taken place; one could see fireworks and celebrations going on as the election results have come out. Is it the time to celebrate? Is anyone genuinely concerned about our country? Think about the people who lost their dear ones. Feel the pain they are going through. The specious politicians are never concerned about us. All they are bothered is to remain in power so that they can make more money and their generations together can survive. They are busy in letting out their children or relatives from jail if they are convicted for murder or rape or accidents. No doubt our country is rich in heritage and culture, but is still very poor because it is being led by useless rather brainless politicians who are feeding on us like vultures.

I was watching the Lok Sabha session on television, that’s where all the fools fight, when our so called leaders were leaving the session, many of them needed help from others to take them to their BMW’s or Benz cars. They could hardly walk. When they don’t have the energy to walk, where do they have the energy to lead the country? And they are our role models. It is a shame. How capable are they to lead the country? He could as well sat at home and watched some religious channels or national geographic channel rather than coming out and troubling the security personnel and us. We are the ones who are facing torture from both sides, which is from the politicians as well as the terrorists. We are trapped in our own country.

In Stone Age, man used to hunt animals for food, clothing or shelter. In modern age, man is hunting man, but for what? Reason unknown and will not be known too. We are human beings not scapegoats that whenever a maniac feels like hunting, comes to India via boat or hijack a plane and kill us. Time has now come for us to raise our voices and stop the atrocities that are going on. We have been very patient all along and have taken whatever has come our way. Going forward it will not be the case. It is time for us to wake up and do whatever we can to avoid our innocent brothers and sisters being killed. Yesterday it was Sandeep’s turn. Today it could be mine or yours. No innocent man should sacrifice his life for the act of a heinous being.

A famous Irish dramatist, and a socialist spokesman, George Bernard Shaw once said, “You'll never have a quiet world until you knock the patriotism out of the human race”. This would be quiet true in our case. Especially after the 26/11 attacks, we Indians We would never be quiet, until you knock the patriotism out of us. If at all a situation arises where I am supposed to give my life for my country, I would be the first one to line up and would of course regret like Nathan Hale, a martyr soldier of the American Revolution, who said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

Friends, as we all know that a pen is mightier than the sword; all I did was just to pour out my feelings, vent my anger and frustration in the form of an article. If anyone feels the same as I do, I would be glad that I could make an impact. If not, then I would try hard to make one.

- May the soul of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan rest in peace. Jai Hind

Submitted by : Indira Raj Rednam

26th November 2008: The Wake up call!!

2008-12-17T18:31:00.001+05:30

26th November 2008, shook and woke a sleepy Nation. After a bloody aftermath, India woke up to a new dawn. After being free from the British rule for over 60 years, we Indians never woke up and stood against terrorism like we have done today. Terrorism and Terrorists had become a part of our everyday lives. It was like, we having our morning tea and breezing through the newspaper, reading a piece of news on terrorists intrusion, about faceless soldiers being killed, bodies being brought back, and letting the Martyrs go off. Then, it was just news for us. Mumbai terror attacks were a waking up call, an ugly souvenir of N.E. and J&K. Have you ever wondered, what was so different about Mumbai attacks compared to the everyday ongoing misery in rest of the terrorists brewed states? Every day, innocent people are being tortured and killed; often we hear news of an unsung hero dying. Then, why just Mumbai. It is something that Only YOU can answer.

Although, we woke up shouting slogans and demanding war however, as the time passed, the anger subsided. This does not mean that the cowardly acts have scared us. India may appear to be careless at times however, we still are and will ever remain a powerful, confident, and progressive nation. We have tagged ourselves as “Peace Loving” however; the fire that is now started to burn within us may just wipe YOU out anytime.

WAR, is not always the option and never the ONLY option. Kargil is a bitter truth. We fought and we won. We lost many soldiers and we forgot all of them. By naming roads and hospitals, by offering compensation, and by giving them a grand adieu is NOT ENOUGH, NOT ANY MORE. It is important that we know about those who laid down their lives for us and so we dedicate this site to Major Unnikrishnan who laid down his life in the Mumbai terror attacks.

The web site is dedicated to Major Unnikrishnan and other martyrs who selflessly died for us. It is a common platform to those who wish to pay their tributes to the fallen heroes. This web site will serve an important platform for those who have woken up to make a change, which can follow their path, and may die like them as well. Major Unnikrishnan heroic acts are also a gentle reminder to those who think that an army man is paid to die. His death led to a rising respect of the armed forces in the eyes of this nation. It was not merely “a death”; it was now “a death of a soldier.”

YES. We do agree that the evils of our society cannot be eradicated in one day but we can at least take one step towards that direction. This is our first step towards that direction by showing the true respect to the soldier who cared a penny when he took his steps towards death. Our attempt is not to bring the bad memories back but to keep Major Unnikrishnan and alike alive among us. This is just one step and there are many more to come.

Help us to take a leap!!

The Postmortem

2008-12-17T18:21:00.001+05:30

Ever got bored of life and wished that something happens.
Post 26/11, life is bouncing back. People are settling down and are getting busier with work. Plans are being chalked out, holiday season has begun, and people are adventuring out to new horizons.

Did I miss something? Ah!! The post effects of Mumbai 26/11, the slogans, the rise of the political parties, the war threat. Looks like, the volcano has subsided.

A few days ago, My colleague and I were discussing about Major Unnikrishnan and my colleague commented that Sandeep had died someone else’s death. He had broken a protocol. According to my colleague, breaking protocols is considered as a crime in the Indian Army.

WOW, I said to myself, we are no less. After the whole mayhem, we are sitting in our A.C. rooms, sipping hot coffee and postmorteming the dead. Wonder, when we are going to learn that life is too short to postmortem actions of others. Especially of those who were there then and we were NOT.

Indian Freedom Movement – 2009

2008-12-17T09:56:00.001+05:30

Babri Mosque demolition, Mumbai riots of 1992, Akshardham Temple attacks, Gujarat riots, bomb blasts in several metro cities of India and now the carnage in Mumbai.............
Is that the India which Bose, Azad, Bhagat Singh and others dreamt of? Is that the India for which they fought and laid their lives? Is this the India, you want to live in?
Everyone talks of the problems in India – corruption, communal violence, terrorism. Everyone talks about the ill managed system. Everyone just talks, talks and talks........But does anyone actually take up the cause and try to find a solution?

There have been a lot of instances where people have taken up a fight against the system either single handed or in small groups. The fight of medicos against reservation, the protests of veterinary doctors in Punjab, the instance of one single person fighting corruption in Kolkata are still fresh in one’s mind. These remind me of the sporadic activities of the Indian freedom fighters in the early days of their struggle when they lacked coordination and lacked a common leader.

Why always movies like ‘Rang De Basanti’, which encourage the youth, do really well? It is just that for a moment, they are able to awaken the sleeping Indian who does feel the heat of the problems society is facing, but cannot do anything as they are burdened by their responsibilities.

At last, here is a community which talks of doing something about those problems rather than just sitting and mourning the dead. Here are the people who have awoken to the truth that you cannot depend on anyone else to do your work. It’s your house, you have to clean it.

The sacrifice of Maj. Sandeep and others who lost their lives saving ours has not gone in vain. Every Indian has woken up, realised that nothing is going to change if we do not change it. It’s this feeling, which is the uniting force of the whole country. And then there are people like the leaders of this community who have actually taken a step to do something. It is not about writing epics of heroism or singing praises of the people who laid down their lives. It is about waking up to their ideals and following their path. It is about making a difference to the system in India.

India needs people who can dream of freedom.......... Freedom from oppression, injustice, communal divide, casteism and every single vice that presently hollows our lives. Only those who dream can achieve. This community is about realizing those dreams.

Bose was one, but he formed the Indian National Army back in the times when no one could think of it, Bhagat Singh and his friends were but a few, but they made the British shudder in fear. So it is not how many we are, but how motivated we are.
As Ram Prasad Bismil said –
‘Ab Na Agley Walwaley Hain, Aur Na Armaano ki Bheed’
‘Ik Mit Jaane Ki Hasrat, Ab Dil-e-Bismil Mein hai’

Let’s develop this motivation within us, to do something, to make a difference, to change our world, our lives and our souls. Let’s start a new freedom movement – The Indian Freedom Movement – 2009. Let it be a movement which takes place at an individual level, within each Indian. It will grow to communities, cities and states in minutes. Just light that fire and let the vices be engulfed.
Come Join the Indian Freedom Movement – 2009.

Author of this article is Devdeep Ahuja

Convincing the unconvinced

2008-12-13T19:28:00.001+05:30

We are not just one another community on Orkut. People, who think that making a community on Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is not going to solve problems or won’t make any difference, then allow me to try and convince you because I need every Indian and every human being who thinks that humanity comes first before anything else. So join with us, do not only join but hold us and stand strong.
Since our Independence we are ruled by many political parties and saw a number of prime ministers and leaders. Every one of them promised and took pledges to solve our problems, eradicate poverty, illiteracy and to make us prosperous and happy. Did anyone of those leaders really do anything like this? Hindus and Muslims were living together before the British rule, proof for which is every Temple in India which is adjacent with The Mosque. Each festival in India is celebrated by all religions together, proof for that is still in Mumbai -The biggest Ganpati( Ganesh Chaturthi) of lalbaugh shouldered by local Muslims of that area, every house in Diwali is decorated by Indian traditional lamps, every hindu loves to eat Muslim traditional dish sivayaa on Eid. No politicians or any leaders ask us to do that. But look at the other side of the coin, Babri Mosque demolition, Mumbai riots of 1992, Akshardham Temple attacks, Gujarat riots, bomb blasts in several metro cities of India, who did it? We the people of India or …?
We all know who did it and why? Still we behave like a deaf and dumb with our eyes blind folded, because we need to earn our bread. We are so selfish that we really don’t care of our own home and our own family, but things went out of control and some teenage guys loaded with weapons entered easily in our home and hijacked our lives, hijacked our thoughts and forcefully we have now taken off that black veil over our eyes. Now, we can see where we have reached …from happiness to hatred, from unity to disunity, from truthfulness to corruption, from the golden bird to the bird being preyed by the beasts. Well, thanks to people like Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan for waking us up, his life was simple but his death became a history and still there are many well educated and young people who don’t know Sandeep, and if some people know him then they simply say “ yeah! I heard about him” . oh you heard about him? Good at least you heard and one day you will forget.
Now, till when we will take things so easy? When and with what we will learn? God-damn! Politicians will teach us? Or we have to do something of our own? Searching an answer for all these questions, we all same minded and common Indians gathered online, with our busy schedule and daily online routine from checking scraps, sending wishes, commenting on testimonials and involving on different entertaining communities, we thought to do something better then all these things. Something which can give peace to Sandeep’s soul, something about which we can tell our children proudly and we made a community Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and made a mission , Mission Sandeep.
We are from India, though many of us are settled far from our mother land but we can not forget our soil. We the Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or from any community/caste or religion from the world’s largest democracy are now getting together on a very small online platform and intend to make a difference. Trying to bring back that same India which we heard of, from our grand parents, about which we read in our school history books, which we imagined of. We invited many people to join us, some joined and did not took the pain even to introduce themselves, some rejected because they think we are all with no work or we are all small kids and some said,” India can never be changed, when it did not in more than 50 years , so what big you people will do today?”, but I would like to tell you all that nothing can be made over night, neither Rome nor Taj Mahal. And to start anything we need to step our one leg forward and the second leg will follow automatically. Standing still at a position, and estimating the depth of sea cannot give you good results till you do not dive into it. May be, these inspiring words cannot affect you because you will say words are better to be written and read in books and not in real life then be there where you are and see what we can do. I still remember the words of my ex-boss Mr Khairaz to me. He told me about the power of ONE, one man can change his house and family, one man can change his locality and city, one man can change his country, one man can change the world. We are not one but many with the same thoughts, so if one can be powerful what about hundreds and thousands?
Major Sandeep Unnirkishnan is our hero, is our leader and is our faith, we don’t know or want to hear anything except do-doing-did.
If I convinced you then join us and if I failed to do so then forgive me
Jay Hind!

Poem by Aditi Nandhu

2008-12-13T10:48:00.000+05:30

A happy party with frnz, going on rock and roll;
A wedding, with the bride and groom awaiting a happily ever after life;
A happy holiday, wandering at the beauty of nature and the historical country;
A dinner at the best hotel in the country from first salary;
A romantic dinner to propose the most perfect person who u are madly in love with;
A victory for successfully settling a multi-dollar deal;

Can be the best moments in life;
Until, u come to know these may be the last seconds of life;
For many, who lost their families and their loved ones, there is nothing more painful than to see them innocently being killed ......
What is this punishment for?
If all blood is of same colour what are they thirsty for?
what is their victory???
will there be an end?
will there be peace ?
Where is the love that made them gone ?
what is the compensation for the lives, which are lost?
who will replace the young widower's wife?
who will console the old father who lost both his girls?
who will dress up and cook for the orphan kid?
who will be the bread winner for the Stewards' family?
Whom will the mad lover marry?
Whom will the brother fight with when he lost his only sweet sister?
who will play with the young kid, who is saluting his brave father not knowing that he will never be back?

We salute all the commandos, who fought for the country and who even lost their lives
in the battle against the terror...

We want no more;
we dont fear;
we all are here...
unitedly fighting against this quest for blood
"enough is enough"!!!!

"Terrorist"
lets not beat them with stones,
but with wild flowers,
not to salute them,
but to pray to god,
that there should not be any more human souls,
triggered by the codes written by the blood thirsty viruses,
who made them lose there humanity and made them flesh eating animals,
who do whatver they are demanded for.....

nandhu...

Submitted by Abhishek Tiwari

2008-12-13T10:46:00.002+05:30

"Where the mind is without fear
and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been
broken up into fragments by
narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from
the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches
its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason
has not lost its way into the dreary
Desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is lead forward by thee
into ever-widening thought and action-
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father,
let my country awake."
"GEETANJALI"
RABINDERANATH TAGORE
This poem always inspired me and I do feel that major also felt this when he was facing those enemy he held his mind without fear that’s why his last statement was” do not come up guys I will handle them”. I salute his bravery and since I got a very good chance to express my views I will like to warn the enemy of our country that may be major sandeep is not here with us right now but we have major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in every house every place of INDIA so beware ……
Last but not least I will love to thank zazo for providing us an opportunity that we can express our views here … people thought that we cant do but zazo proved that is we have strong will than anything is possible. We were not sure what this guy will do but zazo was very sure ad determined, thanks zazo and I am sure now we will achieve our aim. These are zazo’s words here which he said before starting this orkut community
This is our promise to the soul of Major Sandeep
WE WILL NOT STOP!
WE WILL NOT SLEEP!
WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANYMORE!
JAI HIND ……

Just Another Day

2008-12-12T12:49:00.000+05:30

Today is yet another day, the birds are chirping and the weather is fantastic. Although, December is supposedly the coldest month, the weather is surprisingly very warm. It is a great day to go out for shopping or just hang around with friends. Better off; go for a long drive, away from civilization.

Today, there are numerous things that one can indulge into. We are still alive to see the colors of nature, to see the moving world. We see people who we co-exist with; school kids waiting for their school buses, mothers taking their young ones to school, old couple going for their morning walk, young college crowd crossing the road indulged in their own world that they unknowingly jump the red signal, and young professionals running to catch their bus. Moreover, we never miss to meet familiar faces. A few minutes of exchanging quick “hellos” and we are off.

We meet our colleagues and a few friends on our way to our cubicles or meetings. Friends come over to our desks and we chat for a few minutes. Work in progress until lunch time until we meet again for lunch and then snacks.

We leave office late and the chase begins; catching the only transportation provided by our company to catching a rickshaw/bus that is about to leave without us. We reach home, have dinner, prepare for tomorrow, talk to our loved ones, and sleep.

Ever realized, in our busy schedules we often forget those who are not with us anymore especially who are not related to us directly.

I often wonder how they survive aware that somebody will never come back home. I wonder how he/she would have felt on a day like today.

The Nation's Pride

2008-12-11T15:35:00.000+05:30

I do not know if this small poem stands anywhere at the level to actually describe about Shaheed Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and our feelings and respect for him , but it is only a very small effort I made in about 10-15 minutes when I was sitting and thinking about him and all what we Indians went through during and after those deadly 59 hours!

Nation's Pride

The way you left us was a painful sight,

The wound is deep and burns at height.

Now, I don’t want to watch sweet dreams and sleep tight,

Because my country hasn’t seen dawn after that night..

I could still see your eyes sparkling with a face bright,

Which shows us the way and prevents to slide,

Slide from the path of truth and fight,

Fight within, and with the system where terror hide.

Hide with no shame, but instead delight,

Delight for me were you, Oh Fearless Knight..

I lack words Major to write even slight,

Slight of what you mean to me and people alike.

But I promise to do the best like you and right,

Right for my country and martyrs who died.

I will need your blessings and wishes to take this flight,

Flight towards the dawn of success and light.

With tears in my eyes but faith inside,

I can only say, Major you are our Nation’s Pride!

A patriot's blood

2008-12-10T18:37:00.000+05:30

The movie “Rang De Basanti” was a big hit and inspired many to go back pre 1947. The scene stealer; where everyone gathers to mourn the death of the IAF pilot. Remember, when Quota was being implemented, the medical students did not jump into riots or slogans, they went RDB way. I wonder, what inspired them? Was that Amir Khan their hero or the role portrayed by Amir Khan?

Mumbai Martyr “Major Unnikrishnan”, sacrificed his life for the nation. Ever wondered what inspired him? Media quotes “he was a brilliant student”, what made this brilliant student choose defense over lavish life?

Media flaunted his pictures everywhere, ever looked at his pictures closely? He appeared to be a clear headed and confident man who loved travelling and life. He was just one of us a commoner. Did you know that he even existed among us? One day this commoner became a hero. Ever wondered what makes a real hero?

Thanks to his sacrifice, a sleepy nation woke up. He made us aware how important our defense forces are for our country. Do you think, he was not aware the treatment this country gives to a fallen hero. We conveniently forget them.

Like a wise friend once quoted “We Indians have the shortest memory span.” We conveniently forget our people. What Gandhi and Nehru did then is looked down upon today, so is there a guarantee that he and like him will remain as heroes tomorrow? Yet, Maj.Unni was there and did what he could have done best. Not just he, everybody till date who has achieved martyrdom may have been warned about us.

I wonder, how many Maj Unni, Lt. Kalia, Capt Batra for our nation to realize that the sooner we know our enemy the better.

Support from Indian Army Community- Thanks giving

2008-12-09T19:01:00.000+05:30

Indian Amry community on orkut which is headed by an army officer nicknamed rum-n-cola is one and only active and most supportive online place to come face to face with army people and Indian citizens. The strength of more than 50000 members, and also being featured as best community by me some months before gave Sandeep Unnikrishnan community a place in their related community links, this step by rum-n-cola gave our community a big number of dedicated members.

I will be always thankful to Indian Army community of orkut for this honor and endorsement for our dedication and constructive work for a noble cause of making Major Sandeep an unforgotten hero of our life.

Rum-n-cola who is also a member of Sandeep Unnikrishnan community appreciated our work by adding some lines which I want to put it here:

hi.
you can call me rumncola.

I'm the community owner of the Indian Army community on orkut. Out of the many communities dedicated to Maj Unnikrishnan, this community has been selected and endorsed by the indian Army community on orkut, because of zazo's zeal and also because of the motivated members of this community who are striving to do something constructive, rather than just talking. I'm proud of this community and the members because of the positive steps that are being taken here.

I'm a serving officer in the Indian Army, and shall be willing to answer your queries related to the army.

I whole heartily thank you Indian Army and Rum-n-cola for this great help and encouraging words.
I am sure we will never disappoint you Rum-n-cola!

Jay Hind!

How Sandeep's community started?

2008-12-09T18:56:00.000+05:30

Being busy every time in discovering new and best orkut communities and exceptional people to feature it on my blog orkutheroes.com I never find time to do any social work or getting active in any community out of my subject of interest. This busy schedule always bothered me till Mumbai Terror attack which shook each and every Indian’s heart, mind and soul. Those 59 terrible hours of life will never going to be forgotten, those crying of people from Taj Heritage and the operation of NSG Commandos which I and many Indian citizens saw first time in their life will going to be remain fresh in our memories.

The martyrdom of Hemant Karkare was really shocking and the first new I saw on yahoo news site. Since than I left everything and attached myself to television news taking updates and started recording opinions of orkut users. I realized that it’s my duty as a blogger to publish news, information and opinions from orkut and world. In all this when I saw Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s death and the condition of her mother and the bravery of his father, I forgot who I am and what I have to do and felt that my life of 27 years went just in vain. Sandeep did it! He was ready for it! He was a lucky man before death and after death too.

Tara, senior editor of orkutheroes wrote a post about Major Sandeep, pointing me that “zazo, I wish you could find Major Sandeep and could took his interview than orkutheroes objective would be completed today” sadly, I could not do it but I decided to make Sandeep’s name, sandeep’s presence and sandeep’s memories alive and fresh for every Indian and I created a community on orkut with Major’s name. The response was expectedly excellent but we all members were questioning each other “what to do now?” what to do next?” “Is creating community on orkut is enough?” Some members joined orkut just to be a part of our community, this all giving me a sleepless nights in finding the answers of the members, then I decided to start a mission with a web portal in the memory of Sandeep Unnikrishnan which also be an online point to express our anger, complains and frustration against corrupt politicians and sick system. I registered a domain sandeepunnikrishnan.org with the intention of making an not-to-profit organization of people from the community.

With the first few members like Anurag, Tara, Sukonya, Abhishek Tiwari, Rajesh and Arun Kumar we were all set to make 3 teams, Riya the one who came bit late is now the most active community member, moderator and also leading one of the important team out of 3. It’s all sounds like a dream, but that’s fact. I got so many hands and so many shoulders to make myself and my dream true which is now a common dream of all more than 500 Patriots who love India, Indians and Major Sandeep.

The trust and faith I received from all of my community members made me feel more closer to Sandeep Unnikrishnan whom I never know or heard before his martyrdom. I am no where related to Sandeep but today I use to type his name on my keyboard more than 100 times a day, I see his photographs more than I see my dad’s who passed away 15 years ago. What magic you did to us Sandeep? Why you left us? If my heart ask me these question than my heart itself answers Sandeep’s magic will not going to stop, he cannot leave us ever.

This blog is for our community news and updates and going to be maintained by our community members and team of editors.

Jay Hind.