Terror in Mumbai…..and also ‘in Bannu or Somewhere’

The events that have presided in Mumbai over the past 2 days , and still continue, are nothing short of Barbaric. Perhaps they even go beyond. For I am sure even barbarians had some honour. Some humanity. The Crazed look on one of the gunmen which has become somewhat the iconic picture of this terror strike in Mumbai, gave no sign of humane feeling whatsoever.

The last reports that I heard on CNN qouted Indian officials as putting the death toll at 160, and several hundred are injured (if I am not mistaken perhaps around 800). The city was under the siege of and a iron grip of fear has been cast over it.

I heard earlier in the day a Photographer who was an eye-witness to the events as they were unfolding at the Taj, one of Mumbais’ most prestigious and most luxurious hotels. The military had moved in and was concluding a rescue operation. Everyone was taken by absolute surprise at the pace with which this all happened and the boldness with which these militant groups struck. The relevant authorities were/are still baffled. And his final verdict was that it was absolutely ridiculous that the relevant authorities took 4 hours to move in. And that it was a ‘Mickey Mouse’ operation.

With the fires still burning in Mumbai, the finger pointing is just starting and as usual, Pakistan is one of the names that comes to their minds. And well lets be honest, everyones. And what does Pakistan do? Sent our Director General of ISI to them to share intellegence. Appropriate? Co-operative? or plain stupid? I wish not to say anything. You can all be the judges and have your own opinions.

However, I will judge this government of ours. I have said it before and I will say it again. It doesn’t actually seem like we have a government. This is actually more befitting of the ‘Mickey Mouse’ term, our government that is. Prices in this country are out of control. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are STILL somehow managing to get richer. Our esteemed Prime Minister, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani, continues to show us the puppet that he is. An absolute brainless puppet.

I mean despite the fact that their is absolutely no effort being put into the economic management of this country apart from giving a statement or 2 or doing something so obvious that a layman would have done it, our government also continues to show it’s uselessness in the security of our country. As rightly put by a friend, ‘Woh roz aakar chamaat martay hain hamain drone attacks kar kay. Ham roz kehtay hain, aab nahi karna, bataa ria hoon, baht marun gaa. Aglay din woh phir rakh kar chamaat martay hain.’ And our Premier, who while justifying the ‘Sharing of Intelligence’ visit of our Director General of the ISI, said ‘ The whole nation condems it. WE are also the victims of terrorism. We had that bomb blast in Marriot in Islamabad. And even today, I heard on the plane that there was a bomb blast in Bannu or somewhere.’

Now normally I would merely make fun of his apparent discomfort with English and lack of use for it and also the comic element in this statement which is that our Prime Minister ‘Heard’ on the plane that there was a bomb blast in ‘Bannu or somewhere’. Bannu or somewhere???? What does that mean? That no one bothered properly briefing the premier of this country about a bomb blast. Or that it has become so rudimentary that everyone’s stopped being shocked about it to actually know the complete facts. In either case, it’s sad.

Getting back to Mumbai, this despicable act was nothing more then cowardess. For all the terrorists who think that this was some short cut to heaven, I believe in my faith strong enough to know that they are blind morons. They are brainless brainwashed drone like robots. My brother while we were discussing this over dinner yesterday, recalled all the books he’s read about the cold war and the age of spying and deception and intellegence and counter intellegence. The world we live in today is far more dangerous and far more horrifying then the world was when Russia and America had their horns locked over the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis incidents.

Today there is absolutely no remorse, in the eyes of those who carry out such injustices. They seem absolutely soulless. Before there used to be … as one would put it, ‘Honour among thieves’. Now there is not.

The terror attacks that have taken place in Mumbai, even thou the attacks were much different then those in the past, (I mean it was a complete guirella operation) and even those that take place as mere bomb blasts on the train (2006, and previously took place in India) or the bomb blasts that regularly take place in Pakistan are all henious acts of violence, inhumanity and a crime against all humans.

I sincerely wish that those behind the attacks are actually brought to justice, and that this wasn’t the result of some chess move that so cunningly is always played by the CIA’s , Mossad’s, ISI’s and RAW’s of this world. (20 years ago, this list would have been topped by CIA, KGB).

I also sincerely hope that the leaders of both the nations show firm maturity, and don’t let things detoriate between the two countries. For whatever might be said, it’s not possible for me to believe, at least not for this point in time that the Pakistan State had any hand or influence in this. ISI perhaps. Even RAW perhaps. Because maybe both the intellegence bureues of their respective countries might not have wanted such close ties between the 2 countries. BUT I AM SAYING ALL OF THIS AS A MERE OPINION OF MY OWN AND IS NOT OFFICIALLY BEING SAID OR HAS EVER OFFICIALLY BEEN SAID!

I pray for the families of those who died in this horrible event, and wish for them the courage and resolve they need to move on with their lives.

Mundane

I am lost somewhere in the tides of life. I am lost somewhere on the waves and currents of society. The social order of things. The way everything progresses in reality. The way the motions of daily activities seem robotic and mundane.

I feel like i am just drifting to wherever the ocean currents take me. Not willing any direction of my own. Why is that? Am I not happy with who I am? Or where I am? Is all not what I would have hoped it would be? Perhaps. Well not perhaps … most probably, definitely, absoutely and any other similar word that you can find in the dictionary.

Music seems like the only salvation. Music and losing myself into the world of fantasy. A world that doesn’t exist. Just make believe. That too a commercial venture developed by someone who probably by now feels the same as me. A robot.

The world of powers. Of supers. Of magic. Of land beyond this realm of reality and existance. A plain beyond imagination. But again, beyond existance.

But these two are the only things of salvation. A salvation of losing myself…. of losing the feeling of being lost. The feeling of everything in reality being monotone. Mundane.

I want change…. (not along the same tune as ‘Obama’s change’) … but change. Like being an explorer. But … not merely of things in this world. Explore the unknown. Take a plunge and light up the abyss. Light it up to the understanding of the naked eye. Or for my own self first anyway.

Perhaps … just perhaps … I am waiting for my future. Perhaps I just want to press the fast forward button in life. And skip ahead.

I yearn …..

Cricket: Afridi is our future….

Yes… I know … the moment you read the title you probably thought I am stark raving mad. That the state of cricket in our country is already in shambles and I am promoting an idea for a sure shot way towards becomming cricketing minnows. I am sure most of you experienced feelings along the same lines if not exactly these. And you probably have every right to be. I mean … I am after all suggesting that Afridi should be made captain of the team. ( I hope all of you got this from the title… because if you didn’t !… then .. ahem ahem) ….

Anyway, I must not digress. I am writing something on cricket and that too Pakistan Cricket after a long time. But please don’t think it was triggered by our ‘Series Whitewash win over the West Indies’. Of course not. Please. I have been suffering and constantly been dissappointed as a completely loyal Paki Cricket fan for a very long time now to suddenly jump on the band wagon of celebrations.

Shoaib Malik didn’t pull any miracles. Neither did the PCB. Sure there were positives from the series, but let us not forget that the ‘ONCE’ great WI do nto currently measure up anywhere near to the days of the the West Indies of old. Not even the West Indies of the 90’s. Hence … I really don’t think we should start singing praises for the team just yet. It’s been almost a decade now since we had a decent opening pair. Ever since the Opening pair of Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwer changed…. Pakistan’s top order has been somewhat inconsistent …. and also constantly changed. Our balling attack seems to be constantly dropping … with a glimmer of hope from time to time… only to be bathed and dripped with dampness of Scandals and Corruption.

Shoaib Malik ..as much as I used to like him as a decent handy player… who could contribute with the ball and bat both….. has dissappointed me as a captain much more than that. He has no ‘presence’ as a captain. He’s not dynamic. He lacks the hunger , spirit and fire of a captain. And most of all … there is absolutely no aggression. The guy is always like he’s on a defensive. ( And please keep in mind the opponents he has played so far as a captain). He’s got no spine as a captain. Especially not against serious and tough teams. For crying out loud the guy didn’t ball against SL when he balled against Bangladesh. That’s the most ridiculous thing. it’s not like he’s a Full Time Batsmen and a Part Time Baller. He’s a proper baller. No Spine!

But I am not going to continue ranting about Shoaib Malik and making a case for why he shouldn’t be kept as captain. I am rather hoping that the PCB see that for themselves. And hopefully they will with the addition of Miandad as Director of Cricket and Abdul Qadir as National Selector.

I am hoping that PCB will look towards two possible choices and both for different reasons. Either Misbah. Or either Afridi. Now Misbah, because he seems like a smart guy. He’s got a good brain on his shoulders. A thinking brain. So he could probably do well as a strategist. Tactician. Best for Test Cricket no doubt. And well considering the fact that he is the vice captain.. seems more likely that he will be nominated as the captain by the PCB next year. (Correct if I am wrong about him being the VC).

The second choice… and I would actually prefer this choice is Afridi. He’s made himself a regular in the team despite his batting style/performance/attitude. And thats because he’s earned his spot. He’s been one of our more consistent and well performing ballers for the past 2 or so years. His energy is amazing on the field. And he’s constantly buzzing about keeping everyone alive, as much as he can given his current capacity. His batting is something that everyone has a problem with. Well I say that’s the way he’s built. No one really made any strong fucking effort when he came back in 1996 because of his legnedary Century. and now, almost after 12 years…. you have a problem with his Batting style. Ever heard of the expression ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!’ ? Well the same applies here and more so. So forget his batting. Besides… he is being utilzed right now as a very low order batsmen. So before questioning his batting … please… focus on the TOP ORDER and the MIDDLE ORDER.

I firmly believe that Afridi if made the Captain will be able to bring the fire, desire and hunger that this team needs. He will be able to make this team stand up and take other teams head on…. and he will attack. He will have the tenacity and the aggression. The aggression that I am dying to see in our side once again.And please don’t write him off as a dumb cricketer either. I can assure you he has a fantastic cricketing brain. As a baller and on the field. And he is seasoned. 12 years. He’s the most experienced player in the side right now. He has learnings from his past. He’s played against the Aussies, the Indians, Sri Lankans, the Proteas, Black Caps etc etc.

I sincerely believe that Afridi is the man for the job. He’s our only way forward and in my opinion very easily one of our more logical choices.

Of Free-will and Plans…

It takes time for us to realize that … no matter how much we plan for something….. it might not always go accordingly. Our plans can go out the window in an instant, and at other times the plan takes time to fade away… bit by bit…. leaving us a little less distraught then the sudden shock of it all coming off and apart.

Spontaneity isn’t the answer either thou. All we have to do is let it all slide…..and try our best to slide with it. Because we must believe that we were all created for a purpose…. so perhaps that plan was in conflict with the role we must play before this world takes its final bow.

In our hearts we know all of the above….. and we all hope .. in secret … that we are part of the bigger cogs working on the machinery of this world, it’s existance and it’s end. That someway … we can make ourselves immortals into the walls and stones of this world and earth. That we are something big…. larger than life itself. No matter who says it, or how well you know them, they all feel what I have just mentioned. Because everyone needs to believe that. It’s a human need. To feel the worth of one’s self.

To qoute a dialouge from the ‘Matrix: Reloaded’ ……. :

Agent Smith: But, as you well know, appearances can be deceiving, which brings me back to the reason why we’re here. We’re not here because we’re free. We’re here because we’re not free. There is no escaping reason; no denying purpose. Because as we both know, without purpose, we would not exist.
[Several Agent Smith Clones walk in]
Agent Smith Clone 1: It is purpose that created us.
Agent Smith Clone 2: Purpose that connects us.
Agent Smith Clone 3: Purpose that pulls us.
Agent Smith Clone 4: That guides us.
Agent Smith Clone 5: That drives us.
Agent Smith Clone 6: It is purpose that defines us.
Agent Smith Clone 7: Purpose that binds us.
Agent Smith: We are here because of you, Mr Anderson. We’re here to take from you what you tried to take from us.
[ Attempts to copy himself into Neo]
Agent Smith: Purpose.

So … yes …we are all here because of a purpose. And as my cousin … in the recent past put it to me…. in slightly different words then the ones I am about to use ……‘If we all already have our parts to play… and that is pre-defined….. then are we really free. If God knows what we are about to do….then it’s already known where we are headed…. heaven or hell….. so really … is there any free will.’

I tried my best to answer it as it could . But just think about it if the same question was asked of you …. what would you say ? We must compel ourselves to think.

America Votes: A chance for history

In a few hours the battlegrounds will start reaping the results. The consequence of the months of campaigning and jibing and talking about change and talking about the economy will be seen. In a few hours, Americans will decide wether to make history and change the fortunes of this world, or to stick to their conventions and avoid putting social taboos into the most powerful seat… that of the POTUS. (President of the United States)

                                    

Mr. Obama has run a brilliant campaign. He has done all he could and given it all he had and surely on paper as well as on impression looks like the better choice. Not only because of his own charismatic nature but also because he doesn’t have a running mate who seems more like a double agent actually working for the other party. He is offering change… a change from the Bush policy of running after the country’s with oil and doing everything in his power to take control of them. Even if it meant bringing eventual economic turmoil. Which he did. The recent economic and financial crisis (global) was unprecedented in the modern history (1980’s onwards). I personally think ( and well I know quite a few people who would second this opinion ) that Obama would be better for the world. The world must do without a repeat of the last 8 years of bushism.

McCain … has given every signal that he is going to carry on ‘dubya’s’ fine work. And Mrs. Palin … well words escape me really. Not even election day and so much controversy already. A daughter who is pregnant (but not married and if i am not mistaken around 17 or something) ….. accusations of abusing her power as the governer of Alaska….. a Pakistani President who hit on her by saying she’s gorgeous and if he could hug her ( well ok that’s not her fault. …. nobody could have really prepared her for Zardari)…. and of course talking through her A**. !

But coming back to the social taboo I was talking about. See no matter how much lead Obama might have right now and how much support he has gathered from all areas of society… well almost all. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. One cannot discount (and I am qouting this theory from an article which came in i think Time or Reader’s Digest… i forget … my Brother narrated it to me)… you SIMPLY cannot discount the last minute panic that will grip White Americans when they reach the polling booths. The panic of thinking “Hey wait a minute… we are about to vote for a Black guy with a Muslim Heritage into the most powerful seat in the world…are we nuts ? Do we really want to do this? ” . Despite the economic meltdown, despite all the Palins in the world and despite Arnie’s audacious speech in which he took cheap shots at Obama…… and despite the fact that he is clearly the much better choice….. it’s not over till it’s over. We must wait while America Votes.

We are screwed either ways as long as Mr. 10 on to 50 on to 90% is President …..