Russia - Ukraine War - The Elusive Calm

 Russia - Ukraine War - The Elusive Calm

Russia-Ukraine war rages on with no solution in sight since February 24. Seems like it is turning out to be a perenniel conflict.It was on February 24, Russia launched a ''Special Military Operation'' against Ukraine.Tanks rolled in,guns roared,shells and bombs rained on Ukraine resulting in total devastation of that prosperous, beautiful comparatively peaceful nation. Hundreds of thousands perished, millions fled for lives to the neighbouring countries, buildings razed to the ground,tens of thousands maimed for life, majority of them innocent civilians.More than  twenty thousand Russian troops and double the number of Ukrainian troops also lost their lives.U.S and European Nations announced crippling sanctions on Russia, and provided billions of dollars worth sophisticated arms and ammunition to Ukraine and , financial assistance to help Ukraine pull out of the already battered economy.Still the war rages on more vigorously, aggressively.August 24 marks sixth month of the war.Neither U.S president Joe Biden nor any leader of his stature seems to take up the initiative to bring Russian President Putin and Ukraine Supremo around a table and broker a deal to put an end to the war in a cordial atmosphere to the satisfaction of both the warring leaders.It is high time the deadly war game be put an end to. Rather than making Ukraine a pawn in the chess board of Super Power rivalry for teaching Russia a lesson.The aftermaths of the war are felt across the nations around the world especially the poorer and developing countries.Even the world's number one economy U.S  is also feeling the pinch. Similar is the case of Britain, Germany, France, Italy and a whole lot of nations.Sky-rocketing inflation,fuel shortages, steep hike in prices of essential commodities,rampant poverty resulting in deaths of poor people especially children.Russia and Ukraine are ''the bread-baskets' of the world.Without the movement of food items as a result of the war, the plight of millions across the globe is beyond our wildest of imagination.A peaceful solution of the war at the earliest and lifting Russia and Ukraine out of the abyss of devastation is for the good of us all. Putin was mistaken.Like the easy annexation of Crimea, he was thinking in terms of capturing Ukraine within a week or two.But the Ukranians' nationalistic  fervour and do or die attitude proved an obstacle to him.Since Feb 24 the Ukrainians continue to be formidable.

THREE PHASES

POEM

In the sunrise of his life

cool, breezy sun enveloped his body 

planted kisses on him,

fondled him, elated him.

In the noon of his life,

when the sun was at his peak

a fresh life rushed down his veins 

like a stream

made him vibrant, energetic and dynamic

dreamt and wished an everlasting

noon throughout.

Time doesn’t have a stop

dragged him to

the precipice of sunset in his life

and like the sun loses his steam

towards  the end of the day

slowly, slowly

moved down in the western horizon,

he too lost his verve, vigour and virility

and was pushed into

a corner of his existence

with no sign of turning back……

FEAR PSYCHOSIS

POEM

Friend,

these are frightening times

these are appalling times

spread across our land.

Plants dare not bloom and smile

in our gardens,

afraid of being plucked away

and torn to pieces.

Birds feel caged

and fear to fly over here.

Streams lay congealed out of fear 

and

winds stand still

not a single leaf dares to move.

These are frightening,

times over here,

dreaded times over here.

Awaiting winds of

freedom we remain

and we are here

to fight to the hilt

to firm up our hard-earned freedom. 

'DOORAM ARIKE'

My malayalam novel 'Dooram Arike' has been released today.......thanks to all

THIS METRO

POEM

I like the surging

waves of crowds of this city

I love to be a part of it.

One among thousands,

a faceless being.

It rids me of false sense of my identity

of my excessive pride,

my hubris.

I love the hustle and bustle of this city,

the spell binding noises,

piercing  my ear-drums,

the wild music.

The louder my voice

the louder my laughter

the higher the wild music,

like the incessant thunder showers .

it drowns my false sense of my loud voice

at its peak which could sink

the wild music of this city.  

I love the high-rise buildings of this city,

the multi-storeyed noises

that top - of the - world feeling

when I stay rooted

on the balcony of the top-most floor.

The thick concrete

forests along the

length and breadth of this metro,

reminds me of the top hills,

the verdant hills,

the verdant landscape,

the azure streams,

lakes and ponds

the ocean of paddy fields

which ONCE adorned my far-away village.

The concrete forests bereft of greenery 

fills me with the scent of nostalgia.

THE HAZE

POEM

Looking from here

in this misty evening

the faraway hill and

its lush greenery enveloped by 

the smoke screen of haze

like my  perplexed cloudy mind,

which hides my

otherwise my crystal clear, transparent mind.

How long should I wait

for the rise of a

new Sun, a new dawn 

which wipes  away the

haze of the faraway hill

unveiling the thick greenery

and the sky-touching hill.

How long should I wait

for the smoke screen of perplexity

covering my mind fades away.  

My new Malayalam Novel Published : 'Dooram Arike'

AWAITING RESSURECTION

POEM

Till the other day

we were looked after

well by our protectors

and ensured our

safety from each other’s enemies. 

Plastered across the walls

on both sides of the streets

we smiled at the passersby

walking down the streets

or travelling by the

buses, cars, rickshaws

with appealing faces

with a glint of hope in our eyes

to exercise their franchise

each competing with the other.

Now that a fiercely fought battle over

and the dust settled

our so-called protectors

till the other day

turned away from us

leaving our fate to

the whims of wanton boys

who mercilessly tore us apart

and littered all along the way.

We have to wait until the next battle

for our godfathers to recall us and

plaster us across the walls of the

on either side of the streets.

Awaiting a resurrection,  

we remain…..

NOVEMBER 13 TERROR STRIKES ON FRANCE BY IS AND FRANCE’S RETALIATION

ARTICLE

In India if 26/11/08 was the handiwork of Lashkar-E-Taiba, one of the hard-core militant outfit of Pakistan, our neighbouring  country, in 13/11/2015 it was a premeditated suicide attack orchestrated by eight Islamic State (IS) militants the nightmare of the whole world which outranks even Al-Quaeda. The IS militants targeted six landmarks frequented by ordinary French civilians mowing down 129 of them and  wounding more than three hundred. The condition of the 99 innocent civilians continues to be critical, who were shot at by the IS militants. They were either gunned down or blew themselves up when the French forces chased them. One militant, it was reported, managed to escape.  Francoise Holland, French President, declared a state of emergency, and as per latest news pouring in from France,  almost 115000 forces are deployed across the country who remain vigilant apprehending further attacks. Today ie. 18/11  unconfirmed reports state the master-brain behind the attack Abdel Hameed Abooudi has been either killed (or killed himself) by French forces. As of now the forces who are frantically in search of IS terrorists across the country, two terrorists were killed and the former continue their search unabated. This is the second suicide attack in France, the first one being the killing of 12 cartoonists and injuring 11 others by the militants who rampaged the office of Charlie Hebdo, the French newspaper.

A ‘death cult’ as one newspaper termed IS, the savage outfit is hated and feared by the nations the world over. Though US, France, Russia, Britain, Saudi Arabia  are relentlessly bombarding its haven the IS has not yet been suppressed instead it grows  from strength to strength with more militants from various countries joining the ranks of the ‘so-called Caliphate’ headed by   Abubaker Al-Baghdadi , the self-declared Caliph of IS. Its elements can strike at any place, any person or a gathering anytime it targets even now.

The Western nations including US and Britain are to share the entire blame for the birth of this Frankenstein monster. Now they find themselves cornered. If they had desisted from declaring a war against Iraq and indulged in larges-scale massacres and destroyed properties including  cultural heritages thereby wiping out  the entire Mesopotamian civilization on false grounds that Iraq  occupied weapons of mass destruction. If US had desisted from providing logistical weapons  and ample funds  to the Free Syrian Army which ultimately went into the hands of then budding IS, the scenario which we are faced with ie the formation Islamic State, (the dreaded  terror outfit) which carved out portions of Iraq and Syria, could have been avoided. Now that the responsibility of eliminating this terrorist hydra has fallen into the  hands  of not only US, Britain, France and Russia, but the nations across the world.

As long as this monster is allowed to spread across the world no nation on the face of earth is not likely to enjoy rest or relaxation. This outfit continues to haunt us and will continue to haunt the entire mankind.          

PUBLIC MEMORY

POEM

Riding the crest of popular wave

he found himself

catapulted to the throne of

leader of the nation.

A visibly moved he,

sporting a beaming smile

addressed an ocean of cheering crowds

waving hands, displaying ‘V’signs

delivered a prolonged speech

driving his subjects drunk with joy  unbound.

Like his predecessors who one by one

occupied the saddle

riding the crest of popular wave

made themselves endearing

to hundreds of thousands of masses.

They too delivered

fiery speeches with sugar-coated

pledges and promises

to wash away the grime of corruption,

terror and violence 

elevating the masses to

a plain of sky-high dreams,

happy days of prosperity and hopes a plenty. 

Unfortunately the suffering millions

found themselves taken  for a ride.

Now a new man in the garb of

a benevolent leader

in whom they reposed their full faith

who were not even cautiously optimistic

the one and only reason being 

public memory always remains short.

Election after election, ruler after ruler

who made false promises of new dawn

pushed their subjects to the abyss

of hardships, poverty, deaths

thereby  snuffing out

the flames of sweet morrows. 

SPRING OF LOVE

POEM

In the spring of her love,

-deep-down in her heart

I dip not once, but umpteen times

deriving maximum joy and pleasure.

In the spring of my love

-deep-down in my heart she takes dip

not once, but umpteen times

deriving maximum joy and pleasure.

True, destiny played a cruel game,

way back and we

find ourselves separated

and are at different corners of the Globe.

Still,

she continues her dip

in the spring of my love

not once, but times galore

deriving ecstasy.

I too continue taking dip

in the spring of her love

not once, but times galore

deriving ecstasy. 

NEPAL IN DOLDRUMS – THE MADHESI BLOCKADE CONTINUES

Nepal the small, land-locked Himalayan country is one of the unfortunate nations in our neighbourhood which is in doldrums unlike Bhutan. After years under monarchy, majority of Nepalese revolted against the former, especially during the tyrannical rule of King Gyanendra which literally suffocated the masses. Much blood spilled over the streets of Nepal and hundreds of thousands laid down their lives for the coming generation. The uprising was led by the banned Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) under Pushpa Kamal Dahl ‘Prachanda’ in 1996. After continuous onslaughts by the masses against King Dhyanendra’s forces the Nepalese ensured the bowing out of the former. ‘His Highness’ turned out to be one among thousands or was stripped of his entitlements which he and his predecessors enjoyed for decades.

The Maoists played a prominent role in ousting him from power. Elections followed, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) bagged majority of seats and under Prachanda a democratic government occupied power in 2006. He had begun to rule Nepal with other parties joining as constituents. 

Though Prachanda was an organizer par excellence, as an administrator he was an utter failure.  Without completing his tenure as Prime Minister he had to step down from power on May 25, 2009 and the then President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav held the reins of power for a while.

Nepal’s rule subsequently came under Baburam Bhattarai of CPN (Maoists) Madhav Kumar Nepal and Sushil Koirala of Nepalese Congress. None could provide stability as a result which another round of elections declared.

In the ensuing elections held in 2015, United Marxist Leninist Party (UMP) emerged first Nepalese Congress came second and CPN (Maoist) a poor third followed by other entities.

Though India preferred Sushil Koirala’s elevation as Prime Minister of Nepal it was K.P.Sharma Oli of United Marxist Leninist Party (UMP) who is a bitter critique of India.

Since nearly a decade, Nepal was bereft of a Constitution owing to the bitter wrangling among the political parties. It was after the Supreme Court served an ultimatum and set a deadline the parties deliberated on a war-footing and finally came out with a Constitution followed by constituting a Constituent Assembly.

The Madhesis and Tharus which form a substantial part of ethnic population who are settled down at Terai region bordering India accusing the government under K.P.Sharma  Oli, for sidelining the former they went on a blockade of trucks which is still going on leading to crisis in Nepal. Health Services, Transport services, domestic needs, all badly in need of fuel find the government in a quandary. Though China evolving into a good Samaritan supplied them with fuel which was sufficient only for a short term the removal of blockade alone is the lasting solution. In the meanwhile Mr.Ohli put the entire blame on India which irritated the latter. Oli retracted his charges immediately and went on to declare that Nepal wanted a good and warm relationship with India.

The Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Thapa had paid a visit to India last week in connection with the blockade and the difficulties his small nation faces in various departments. While drafting the constitution itself, India had advised Nepalese leaders to take each section of the population into account. If they had heeded India’s advice such a misfortune could have been avoided.

Now Oli government has climbed down from their stand and talks are reportedly going on in full steam. Let’s hope for the best.    

A GAME OF UNCERTAINTIES

POEM

Cricket, it is said, is a game of

glorious uncertainties.

Life, I mean, existence

too is a game of uncertainties

inglorious uncertainties.

Though a man/woman finds time

to condole the death

of others known to them

he/she hesitates to ponder over

his/her own death.

When, where, how

his/her ‘silent visitor’

approaches each of them

with whispering foot-steps reaches he/she

and orders to follow Him.

Both he/she knows only one truth

the certainty of His arrival at any time, any place

and due to any cause.

If each thinks

about the time, place and cause

uncertainty looms large

       on the horizon of each one’s mind.

Yes, existence is a game of

glorious uncertainties

if only a man/woman is prepared to

accept the truth with equanimity…..

       

SYRIAN CONUNDRUM AND RUSSIA’S INTERVENTION

Last month or so at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Syrian Dictator Bashar-Al-Assad called on the former at Kremlin. Immediately after the invitation Assad flew to Kremlin, met Mr.Putin shook hands and went straight into the heart of the matter. Syria and Russia are on good terms, but for Russia Mr.Assad would have tasted defeat at the hands of Syrian rebels, the hard-core Al-Nusrat, branch of Al-Quaeda and Islamic State (IS), the hardest and much - dreaded militant outfit the world over. In between their talks most probably, one on one meeting Russia prevailed upon Mr.Assad to hold immediate elections in Syria.

They were not supposed to have dealt with two or three cardinal issues concerning Syria and let me mention one by one.

1.      1.  In  more than four and half years of civil war, up till now millions of innocent Syrians perished for no fault of theirs due to incessant bombardments (even chemical weapons were freely used which choked to death lakhs of civilians including children. The world as a whole rose in protest and condemned the merciless massacre of civilians especially children. The pictures of several children who were choked to death were blood-chilling, blood-curdling and heart-breaking.

US even went to the extent of condemning the horrendous criminal act of Syrian authorities the former nearly declared an all out war against Syria Except for the immediate arrival of UN on the scene which took necessary measures to avert a large-scale war, it would have been a certainty. On the request of UN, an international organization, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) which was formed with a mission to inspect chemical weapons and defuse them wherever they were piled up and freely used was sent to Syria and with the latter’s co-operation defused and destroyed the chemical weapons. The organization was awarded Nobel Prize for peace soon after.

2.     2.   If millions perished in the war, as many fled for life leaving all their belongings, to various countries including European nations and the outflow of refugees continues. In the mad rush to escape gruesome deaths more than 3000 of refugees including children were drowned in the Mediterranean sea. A mind-boggling picture of Aylan Muhammed, a 3 year old child who got drowned in the Mediterranean and whose corpse landed on the shores of Turkish waters was displayed on both the print and electronic media which still sends a shudder running down our spines.

3.     3.  Millions of dollars worth properties were destroyed the pictures of shattered buildings were shown on media – both print and visual.

These three hot issues requiring immediate attention and solution seem to have been sidelined by both Assad and Putin.

Instead, sensing a tragic defeat of Syrian dictator who was gradually getting isolated due to desertions by the so-called militia who stood by him. Russia militarily intervened in Syria and is fiercely fighting the Syrian rebels and Islamic State (IS) forces.

Anyhow  heeding the suggestion of  Vladimir Putin soon after landing in Syria Mr.Assad declared elections within six months. Laughable indeed. Syria is in a shambles – millions dead, millions fled the clashes still going on how is it possible to conduct elections, especially an independent election. The civilians left in the country are only a few in numbers and even these ones are mulling escaping the country for good.

Last Friday the representatives of US, Russia and Iran met in Vienna and deliberated on the steps to arrive at a solution to bring to an end the perennial war. While America insisted on a democratic Syria sans Mr Asad both Russia and Iran, the latter too is a potential ally of Syria are not insisting Mr.Asad’s removal. Anyhow Iran is of the opinion let Mr.Asad continue for a short span and grant him a breather before stepping down. US couldn’t digest that solution and sees thru the ploy that Iran places.

Would Syria be a democratic country at any point of time in future where the hard-core Al-Nusrat and IS elements continue to pose a threat to the nation. Pity, it is a free for all hapless nation. 

HURDLES

POEM

Hurdles, hurdles all the way

many a hurdle jumped

countless await to be crossed.

A short relief after each hurdle

it’s better than no relief.

Hurdles, hurdles all the way

many a hurdle jumped

countless await to be crossed

if a man/woman with much effort

crosses all the hurdles.

Then lie a long path

sans without hurdles

straight at times

long winding at other times

hair-pin curves at another times

Relaxation not allowed

and no turning back permitted

albeit the path is

littered with sharp stones,

thorns and pot-holes

barefooted is each man/woman.

Hurdles, hurdles all the way

many a hurdle jumped

countless await to be crossed

intricacies of life are strange

none knows what is yet to follow

each second, each minute, each hour

human beings are in a state of

suspended animation.

Hurdles, hurdles all the way,

many a hurdle jumped

countless await to be crossed…. 

INSURMOUNTABLE TASK?

POEM

Throw out the

garbage of evil thoughts 

piled up in the corner of your mind.

Scrub the floor, corners and walls

and turn it bright like sunshine.

Let the winds of fresh thoughts blow in

and fill your mind with them.

Though it is a tedious task

in this age and times

when evils are on the prowl

try, try and try to ward off them

and create wonders

thus exhort the great souls…..

SUM TOTAL OF ONE’S EXISTENCE

POEM

Sitting by the side

of a calm and quiet pond

the transparency of

which could reflect

the blue sky up above

with no ripples whatsoever

to upset the calm and silent waters.  

I was enquiring myself

the sum total of my existence

on the face of the earth.

With no answer forthcoming

with despair and gloom in my eyes and face

I left the spot.

Wish I possessed

a device to measure the sum total of

my existence.

I am seated at a secluded place

where peace and tranquility reign  supreme.

But no my  inner self intervened

and whispered in my ears :

It is too early to

calculate the sum total of my existence

since it is not in my  domain

but in the hands of posterity

and that I should have

to traverse a long path

so as to enable the coming generation

to measure the sum total of my existence………

THE DOOR OF FREEDOM

POEM

Despised and hated by majority

loved, feared and respected by minority

the malevolent dictator is always at the

mercy of a silent majority

which ‘he is unwilling to acknowledge

simply because of his loyal forces

and the so-called minority

who are the obedient dogs

always wagging their

tails before their master.

But when the silent majority

reach the bottom line of their patience

they turn eloquent

gather under one umbrella

and fight against the loyal militia

until the eloquent majority

arrive at the door of victory

and dethrone the dictator.

The boot-lickers of the ruthless rascal

flee for their life leaving their master in the lurch

who by that time will be chained

and imprisoned and brought before justice.

At last freedom knocks on the door of the nation

which was under the iron grip of

a merciless ruler

 and a new era is born.

DESERT LIFE

POEM

Bereft of ideas

he wandered around 

sometimes hitting his head

sometimes hitting the wind

or gritting teeth.

Despite all his attempts

thinking even from different angles

though aware of the subject

ideas blessed him not.

Someone in him whispered in his ears

thus he felt

to pen a beautiful poem.

First came to his mind

a sprawling beautiful garden

full of a variety of pretty flowers

and their fragrance

spreading all around in the cool breeze

of the morning with dew drops

dripping from the petals of flowers

and the beetles kissing

and sucking the honey from their lips.

The next moment

someone in him reminded

of several poems he had penned

touching the garden,

beautiful flowers,

and fragrance.

He dropped the thought 

of garden,

flowers and the fragrance

blowing all around in the cool breeze

of the misty morning.

Then his imagination took wings

and the picture of two

lovers came to his mind,

their exchange of glances,

smiles, each of them planting kisses

with their passions rising high

and the first love-making

which lifted them to heaven.

But the next moment

someone in him reminded

‘you have already

penned the stories of

lovers and love-birds’.

Pondering over a new theme

he roamed around

and the picture of a vast desert

under fire-spitting sun entered his mind 

with only  one person

walking aimlessly

and with thirst, tired and

exhausted he was

for want of a water-spring.

With no one around

to plead for at least 

mouthful of water

to wet his dry lips and dry mouth

and empty stomach to regain

the vigour and strength.

No god blessed him

and he felt unconscious

in the  searing heat.

On thinking of the new theme

he said to himself :

‘in these times

mankind’s life on

the earth as a whole

is somewhat like

living in a desert

with love, peace, harmony

and all virtues

disappearing somewhere.’  

The someone in him

went silent………

A sign of approval…?   

DOCTOR AND PATIENTS

POEM

I awaited the doctor

seated in a chair

in the portico of his house.

I was the first to come

and my token No.1 

and I was here since an hour.

Unfortunately the doctor was not ‘IN’

when would he turn up, no idea.

Whether he along with

his family had gone

our for shopping

or on a long distance journey, no idea.

I pressed the calling

but no answer was forthcoming.

I started from home early

to meet and consult him at the earliest.

Seconds and minutes ticked by

patients one after another began to arrive

and each took up a token thrust  on the spike

in numerical order.

Evening Sun appeared in the

Western horizon

intensity of his anger slowly mellowed

and he covered the earth with his golden silk.

Those who came first got seats

remaining ones stood like statues

some others walked to and fro along the

courtyard of his house.

Impatience was writ large

on everyone’s face.

None knew the doctor’s contact number

and all were helpless.

Darkness descended on the earth

street lights opened their eyes

patients one by one

began returning to their residence.

Me too emptied the chair

and walked out in despair.

By the time

the doctor reached

home it was late

and after changing dress

the doctor began awaiting the patients….