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…..