Indian Summer

Indian Summer-IMG_5960.jpg

On the eve and the day of India's and Pakistan's seventy first  independence anniversary I thought I will reflect on the book I recently read on the history of this event. 

Here are my random thoughts, not particularly on the politics but the logistics of gaining independence. 

The book is written well by Alex Von Tunzelmann a youngish female British writer. I really enjoyed the thoroughness with which the history is documented and memorialized.

As a sidebar, before I read this book I was not aware how much Winston Churchill, the then Prime Minister of England hated India and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He had some choice words for both of them. And, what soft corners did Lord and Lady Mountbatten harbored for India and its population. Before I read this book I did not know that there was a secret but an intense romance blossoming between Lady Mountbatten, Edwina, and India's freedom fighter and the contributor to architecture of new India, as well as the first Prime Minister of independent India; Jawaharlal Nehru. It was refreshing to learn  Lord Louis Mountbatten was inexhaustibly devoted to his wife in spite of the fact that she loved another.

World has seen the Berlin being split into two, East and West Berlin in 1961. The Russians erected wire fence dividing the city into two overnight. Within couple of weeks concrete blocks replaced the wires. One city was split up into two within a month. Families were broken up, lives were ruined. Many lost their lives trying to cross over to West Berlin. The split was harsh but simple.

In 2011 Sudan in Africa split into two, Sudan and South Sudan. The divide was drawn along the religion and oil income lines. South is mostly Christian and North is mostly Arab Muslim. Division was not entirely painless, but relatively less painful.

In both of above cases, and many more such in past world history when countries have been plundered, decimated, conquered and then left to survive at their own devices. That is what conquerers did. Division as well as the absorption of nations were uncomplicated.

In case of pre-partition India division into two nations was not at all simple. It must have been rather excruciatingly difficult. British germinated and supported the idea of a majority Muslim state and a majority Hindu state. Muslim state became Pakistan and Hindu state remained India. 

Before partition there were between 400 and 500 sovereign Rajas and Maharajas with both, Hindu and Muslim subject coexisting within their state boundaries. Each sovereign was asked to make a choice, without coercion, which state they wanted to be part of. An idea was floated that the parts of India where there was majority of Muslim population will be part of a new country, Pakistan, the name chosen by Dr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah. 

In many instances, the Raja was Muslim but the subject was primarily Hindu and vice versa. How does one partition such sovereignties? What about the cases where the population was evenly split but centrally situated? How do you demarcate the boundaries? It must have been the cartographers' nightmare.
Western part of India was majority muslim which obviously became Pakistan. Now how does one combine it with another majority muslim part at opposite end of the land? This logistic nightmare relates to religion only. There are others.

The issues related to the country's wealth and debt obligation. How does one divide that? How does the defense get split? How do you spilt Army, Navy and Air Force? How do you handle laws, natural resources, currency, citizenship and trade?

Whatever pain Britishers and Indian freedom fighters went through, not to mention the millions who lost their lives, India and Pakistan earned and were granted their respective Independence in 1947.

May we have good sense to know its worth and preserve it. 

charu 
08142018

Phantom Thread

Phantom Thread, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, ( has won)  was nominated for the Academy Award for 2017 best film. Well earned. 

The story is set in mid 20th century London. 1954, to be exact. Reynold Woodcock, couturier, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, designs, tailors and sells dresses to high society females. They include royalties. The establishment, House of Woodcock, is owned and run by him and his sister Cyril, played by Lesley Manville. The seamstresses who sew the dresses work under grueling schedules.

Reynold is rich; lives in palatial home and drives Bristol 404 sedan. Anyone's envy. He suffers from mother complex and has uncompromising idiosyncrasies. He has rigid work ethic and will not be distracted by anything and anybody. He will not allow it! The first live-in model is trying to have a conversation with him at breakfast table when he is engrossed in his design work. A taboo! 

She has to go. Go she did.

He has now replaced the old model with a new,  quietly beautiful, inexperienced and unassuming waitress, Alma Elson, acted by Vicky Krieps. She has a perfect body for modeling. Alma wants to be happy and live a normal life.  She also knows he is a kind and respectful man yet a very difficult one. Despite, she falls in love. Eventually, so does he, with her. The story is about punishing relationship. 

Alma finds out Reynold's Achille's heel.

She has a plan, a toxic plan. 

Can toxins become antidotes?



I am highly disappointed Daniel Day-Lewis did not get his well deserved and earned Oscar. Damn!


charu
07302018

Picture above from 'Eats' site.

Turtles Can Fly

A friend recommended I watch this movie. I did. 

A sad and poignant film is set against the backdrop of savagery and aftermath of war; a camp situated somewhere near Iraq-Turkey border populated only by very young children and old codgers. One wonders where have all the adult men and women gone. One then deduces, they are either fighting the war or dead fighting the war. Most likely, dead; thus making the boys orphans.

When all else has already failed one must be inventive in order to survive. That young genius is the hero, Satellite. He is so known for he buys and installs satellites to this remote camp site where old men want to watch news and  know when Americans are coming to rescue them. Satellite has learnt few workable English words and behaves like a lord of the camp. 

He has an army of boys. He pays them few Dinars to collect unexploded land-mines to sell them to arms dealers for the purchase of guns and shells to defend themselves.

Satellite is attracted to Agrin. She, her brother and perhaps her young son seem not to be the part of this camp, meaning they seem to be ostracized. They do not participate in mine gathering activities. Nor do they get paid. They are poor; they are hungry. Her brother has lost both of his arms, assumably in bombardment or by un-exploded land-mines. The young child whom Agrin calls 'bastard' is an enormous burden for her especially, when she has lost all faith in life and living. 

A  2004 Iran-Iraq collaborative movie directed by well established director Bahman Ghobadi is sad and moving. The girl has done a marvelous job of projecting disinterest in life only through facial expressions. She hardly speaks. The armless boy has done fine job of showing helplessness in helping the sister or the situation. 

There are few unanswered questions in my head. Except for Agrin I did not see a female character. Why? Whose child is that little boy? Why does she call him a bastard? Since none of the actors are professionals, because I believe they were picked at random,  I expected a seasoned director to handle child acting better, specifically Satellite's. He was very loud and screaming out the orders all the time. What was the need for that? 

But if one is in mood for a serious cry, I recommend this film.

  

Spirit Landing on Mars

I received this video from a friend. I am fascinated by space and space related programs. I am not entirely convinced of its authenticity by which I mean it might just be a simulation. The reason I say that is because I can hear the sounds of rocket and its launch at every stage. In outer space, without an atmospheric medium I should not be able to hear it. Also who was taking the video? 

Regardless, its operation seemed flawless and the beauty undeniable. The jubilation expressed by all those at JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) who participated in this project and its successful landing was authentic.

Rahul By Arnab-Frankly Speaking

I wanted to know what about the "Frankly Speaking" that caused such stir. 

I watched the entire interview of Rahul Gandhi by Arnab Goswami. It was long, tedious and pathetic. Rahul came across, ignorant, non-commitant and repetitious. Rahul had two solutions for every problem posed to him; ‘empower women’ and follow the process. There is no defending him.

Arnab asked the same questions repeatedly. In certain set-up it can be construed as ‘badgering the witness’. But he can be excused as he had forewarned the interviewee of such onslaught. Had he not asked the same question more than three times at the most, the interview would have been short and the viewers would have been spared the tedium and embarrassment. Once it is established that Rahul does not measure up to the task it was not necessary to badger him. The audience who cared to watch the interview, I believe, was smart enough to get the picture soon enough. 

I do not know Indian politics nor am I qualified to comment on it. But I certainly would not vote for this man, Rahul Gandhi.

 I see interviews like this almost every day. Only yesterday when an American Congressman was confronted by a reporter about his alleged involvement in corruption, he literally threatened the reporter to throw him off the balcony or break him in half. I do not condone that either.

In this regard, at least, I congratulate Rahul; he did not lose his cool.

And, I congratulate Arnab on being persistent.

Golden Globe Awards-2014

Sandra Bullock Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP 

The Organizers, flushed with money, of this highly anticipated award ceremony did not pay attention to sitting arrangement. It was an obstacle course for the winners to get to the stage to accept their awards. Winners were literally body rubbing with people seated at the tables. 

I watch it only to see the fashionable and not so fashionable dresses women wear at the ceremony. 

I like clothes.

BBC News

Last night BBC devoted one half of its TV News hour on arrival of Royal Baby. The night before one half was devoted to Kate Middleton's labor. I am sure next night will be devoted to the naming of the baby speculations. Does world stop creating news because an expectant mother, a Royal mother, is about to deliver a baby?!!

I was disappointed and went through withdrawal for not having my regular dose of world News; like first cup of caffeine!!!! Perhaps, nobody minds a world without News. I will just have to grin and bear it.

History and Cosmogony

These two subjects draw me in. What is common between the two? I cannot alter them to my liking. I can meddle with neither, only observe and take in. Perhaps, I can draw conclusions; but that is all. 

How refreshing!

Oh, No! War Again?!

Oh, no! Another quagmire begins. War in Syria.Obama has agreed to support the rebels in Syria. While I do not know the details of American involvement yet, it is bad news; in my opinion.

Whatever is decided, I hope it is surgical. But knowing history of America's involvements in past I am not holding my breath!

Another Side

I just saw an another side, an elemental side, of Obama. He wiped streaming tears while thanking his team of supporters. He was overcome with an overwhelming sense of gratitude although he continued to speak as he always does, with  steady thoughtful voice.

 http://news.yahoo.com/tearful-obama-credits-staff-history-books-campaign-032609276--abc-news-politics.html

This may not go down very well among conservative circles. They will call and see him weak. I expect a barrage of verbal abuse from them.

I see nothing wrong.

My man, Obama

won.

It was a hard fought, hard earned and well deserved win.

Photograph; Yahoo Internet news

I do not believe Democracy works. But at the moment Obama was declared winner, my disbelief was suspended. People spoke against racism, big money and bullying in politics. Civility of voting, versus rebellion,  prevailed.

For a split second I was ecstatic; welcome ho-hum.

Now that election is over, Obama better think who reelected him and why.

Republicans with their overt racism, power of mega bucks and bullying better retreat in a backroom and huddle. What did just happen? And Why?

Dependability in Election

I do not put faith in polls.

And yet if the polls are any indication, the third and last debate seem to have shifted the voters in favor of Mitt Romney. Even women segment which was leaning towards Obama before is now fleeing.

I know why.

Romney has moved to the center. He has become a moderate Republican. He is getting more and more alligned with Obama. The policies he proposed and supported  during Primary campaign  are no longer his policies.

This is a tactic he has employed just to get elected. The people are getting drawn into it.

I think everyone should be concerned that he is not dependable. He has changed from the Primaries to now. What is the guaranty that he will not change back to his original position; worse yet, move to even further right after he is elected? I am certain he will succumb to Tea Party and all the lobbyists as well as donors who have contributed mega bucks to his campaign. They will want their money's worth, and they will want it NOW.

Absurdity

I used to think American Legal system, in some ways,  is absurd. It has created an economy unto itself by allowing people not to assume responsibility for their actions but sue others at the drop of a hat.  I also thought that the rest of the world, especially Europe, is slightly wiser in penal codes than USA.

My belief has been dashed.

Read the article and weep for insaneness of this case in Italy

Courtsey NY TImes

http://nyti.ms/RdGgpg

NYTimes: Italy Orders Jail Terms For 7 Who Didn’t Warn Of Deadly Earthquake
Prominent earthquake experts were convicted of manslaughter in connection with the earthquake that gutted the historic center of the city of L’Aquila.



.

Malala Yousafzai

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/11/opinion/malala-yousafzais-courage.html?_r=0

A fourteen year old Pakistani girl was singled out by Taliban and shot at point blank. Reason: she advocated education for girls and women. The bullet has been removed from her body. While prognosis is good, she is not out of the woods yet. She is reportedly doing well in London hospital. That is a great news. I am rooting for her complete recovery.

What I am afraid of is all the media as well as the public attention she is getting; without her being aware of it. She is a fourteen year old girl who launched her idealist view of educating girls and women. I, myself, am all for it. As we know, all teenagers are idealists. So is she; and she has not had a chance to formulate her life's real objective. She does not have realistic world-view yet, which is as it will be and should be.

My concerns are: when she recovers and recovers fully, she will have an onerous obligation  pushed on her willy-nilly by public and media. An obligation that she has to carry on and push for her cause when she wakes up.

What if she is afraid and does not want to pursue it? What if she wants to pursue a different cause? What if she just wants to live a normal family life? What if someone is really successful in killing her?

Unbeknownst to her, a great obligation and therefore a greatness is being thrust upon her and I for one object it.

Second Presidential Debate of 2012

I was reluctant to watch last night's debate for the fear that Obama will not perform well, once again. He surprised me, pleasantly. He did extremely well.  He recouped some of the grounds he had lost in his last debate. I am glad I watched.

Romney came across as a badgerer, last night and prviously.

Next and last debate will be on Foreign policy. I expect Obama to do well there, because he has actually performed very well in that field during his Presidency.

Regardless, I want this election to be over with. It has frayed my nerves.

First Presidential Debate of 2012

It was a flop for Obama. 

Having said that, all presidential debates are flops; for one candidate or the other. I do not believe stage debate is a good forum to present one's case. While I watch them I do not give much credence to them.

These debates have to discuss serious issues at national and international levels. You cannot present solutions to such complex issues like economy,  job creation, growth etc.  to general public within allotted two minutes' time and expect common people to deduce whose solutions are better for them and the country! It is a fallacy that by debating the issues back and forth accurate picture of candidates' ability to resolve them will emerge; at least for common people. 

My thought is that each candidate, individually and severally, should present and lay out the issues first. Identify how each issue is connected with another issue, if it does. If necessary, use a black board, just like in a class room; use numbers; use math to explain. Once the issues are identified, lay out the solutions next to them.  Next, connect the dots; how one solution is connected with another solution or another problem. Present why your solution if adopted will solve it  and what are the consequences if not adopted.

Afterall, all issues and solutions are somehow interconnected.

Avoid criticizing the opponent for his solutions. Concentrate only on your position.

 More than debates what we need is to root out the bad elements that have crept into our government over the years; corruption, bribery, lobbying, lying, cheating, blatant disregard for the laws, superpacs, creating laws to serve one's own purposes, interpret the laws unjustly and unfairly.

If we do that, which I doubt will ever happen, we will never need debates.

I for one know neither candidate will create jobs, convert deficit into surplus and get economy rolling right away. It will require time; months perhaps years. Romney will require time along with shift in strategy which will undo what has so far been done by Obama.  I would rather give Obama time only.

Obama has my vote!

World, the rotten world

Syria is burning. Egypt is unsettled. Almost entire Muslim world is up in arms over video and cartoons. In Libya they attacked American Embassy and killed four people. Iran and Israel are at each other's throat. Somalia and Kenya are at each other too. Pakistan is in turmoil. Iraqis are still fighting among themselves. Afghan war is still raging.

As if this was not enough China and Japan have started over the ownership of Islands in South Sea.

The Ice Shelf is shrinking, Drought is raging, people are starving all over Africa and elsewhere.

Is anyone even tired of this? I am; sad, tired and helpless.

I think only way to unite the world to a single purpose, survival, would be to know that a massive extra-terrestrial object, like an Asteroid or a Comet is heading towards the Earth threatening annihilation.

I wish there was something like this in offing.........

Fareed Zakaria and Plagiarism

Fareed Zakaria, of Sunday morning Global Public Square on CNN and a contributor to the Time Magazine; is he in dust that he has allegedly stolen someone else's words for his article in The Time magazine?

Dust to dust; ashes to ashes. All idols are made of clay. If they fall they will crumble.  Mine, perhaps, is no exception.

I esteemed him highly.  A class man who provided balanced and objective world views, perhaps, had a lapse in judgement. I want him to rebound; pick himself up and move forward.

I wish him well!

Kinamand-Chinaman

Last night we saw a very simple Danish movie. Slow paced story runs like this:  a plumber, Keld,  is surprised to hear that his wife of long time wants to walk out on him on an adultery charge which he has not committed. She wants $8,000 to set him free. Lonesome plumber now decides to dine every night at a local Chinese Grill where he befriends the owner, Feng, who has an ulterior motive. Feng agrees to give Keld $8,000 on the condition.................


I liked the movie very much but adored the music even more. There is something very poignant about Chinese music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs7Bse4Q4BQ&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLD168E87DF9694907

A choice

Acrobatics so smooth it morphed into a dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=cWIhXzZT8dE&vq=largeS