Our Wing Commander

In a war fought by mob and media frenzy, who won and who lost?

In a battle of perceptions, passions rose from the past.

When Planes crossed old lines and new precedents were set,

a scramble here and a dog fight there, and Our Wing Commander was caught.

War's a gentleman's game or so the powers thought at Geneva,

but, behind enemy lines, good will begets no 'Spasiba'.

Body blows and probing questions resulted in poise and calm,

the soldier was treated well - of this there wasn't any qualm.

Finally, at Wagah, the warrior returned, head bloody but unbowed,

'A new role model in a nation of false idols' said all aloud.

Confusion, Propaganda, Disillusion - despite all perils of this manner,

One thing stood tall - unflinching respect and awe towards 'Our Wing Commander'.   

Dedicated to Wing Commander Varthaman Abhinandan of IAF's 51 Squadron (Mig-21 Bison).

Jai Hind!

'At Pulwama"

Pristine snow clad tops of Kashmir flattered to deceive,
as blood's spilled in the valley - a repeated tale that's perceived.
A perverted day dream matches the crazy lust for violence,
But the fine men that paid the price are just statistics inspiring silence.

In War and in Peace, the men marched with great ease,
In Life and in Death, the duty mattered without cease.
A victim of geography - is that how this great nation remains?
Or still blaming the past for these tremendous pains?

'Define a terrorist - on what basis?' - Global leaders dither and deliberate.....
But, use our blood and tears as a measure, and anyone would appreciate.
When thorns were received, we responded with Roses,
Tolerance has a limit, and we couldn't see under our own noses.

An angry nation seething with frenzy and rage has spoken,
Yet remember Chanakya - ruthless logic must trump emotion.
"At Pulwama" - we shall remember those who laid their lives for the country's sake... 
And to those who lost their beloved, what other promise can we make?







Saturday - 16th of February, 2019.
"At Pulwama" - In fond remembrance of the CRPF Jawans killed in the line of duty at Pulwama on 14th of February, 2019.

The City of Whispering Monuments

One cannot help but notice a faint aroma of Medieval 'Je ne sais quoi' as one steps into Bidar. In Deccan, for almost 600 years, the city strategically survived in it's present form. It had it's moments of glory under the Bahmans (Ahmed Shah Al-Wali shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 15th Century) and Barid Shahis, before the Great Mughal Aurangzeb annexed it to the Mughal Empire in late 17th Century. Located in the state of Karnataka, the city boasts a tolerant culture, craftily cutting across the twin perils of  region (very proximate to Telangana and Maharashtra) and religion (Monuments belonging to Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism). And we were looking at a marvel of history & culture, two weary but enthusiastic tourists - my brother and I.

Bidar Fort - Main entrance to the inner citadel

Ruins of the Old Fort

The major attraction is the Bidar Fort and the adjacent old ruins. The fort is truly awesome, formidable and a treat to witness. Ensconced within a moat and a double layered and long outer wall, the main citadel consists of a Museum, a dilapidated mosque (Solah Khamba), two large durbars (Diwan-I-Am and Diwan-I-Khas), the uniquely designed Tarkash Mahal, Rangeen Mahal and Takht Mahal (Royal Palace) apart from the ruins of another old fort. As we tagged inside we were happy to find a huge canon on a large wall tower within the fort - surely conquering such a fort required more luck than skill! The ruins of an old Madarassa and Mosque (now unsued) built by the famous Bahman Minister Mohammad Gawan is just a few steps away from the fort complex. Hard to believe that this was once a learning place of great repute, but that's history for you!

Gurudwara - Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib

En route to the Papanash Mahadev Temple

On Lohri, we visited the famous Gurudwara - Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib adjacent to the bus station. It's a wonderful experience as it was also our first visit to a Gurudwara. Two famous temples - one dedicated to Lord Shiva (Papanash Mahadev Temple - nestled superbly amidst lush green trees of hill slope) within the city and Lord Narasimha (Narasimha Jharna Cave Temple - wading through water in a cave to visit and pray to the deity) adjacent to the Telangana border are other must places to visit. Just 10 kilometers away from the city center at Ashtur, the giant tombs of Bahman Sultans offer a fascinating glimpse of the past. All the monuments are maintained with a great zeal, but we did hope that the Barid Shahi Tombs and garden inside the city could've been better protected. Bidar is also famous for the famous decorative metallurgy art of 'Birdriware'.

Bahman Tombs at Ashtur

After a mere two day sojourn, as our train slowly chugged into Andhra where the festive Sankrati rush is at a peak, I've truly understood why Bidar is called the city of 'Whispering Monuments', in the words of Colonel Hans Landa of Inglorious Basterds - 'Such a moniker is true and apt'.

A Grey Pelican's anguish

Grey Pelicans, also called Spot Billed Pelicans. By J.M.Garg - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5732107

(In the words of a Grey Pelican, a resident bird in the Kolleru Lake)

 

"A faint glimmer of hope makes me live in quest of an old paradise lost,

as my place gets encroached and my life gets tossed.

A Wildlife Sanctuary with no wildlife is the norm of the day, 

some thoughts for nature are not on the agenda, and the weak are just the prey.

Where did the lake disappear? Should I ask the industries or the fish ponds?

Nothing is more troubling than seeing your world shrink as no one responds.

Storks, Ibises, Teals and Pintails - My friends visit from far off places,

and I lost my pride as they mock my home, the worst of life's phases.

Are the champions of Ramsar listening our plight? 

If all's lost, I'm just an old bird incapable of flight.

In the land of the vanishing lake, everything is business as usual,

But when things get bad, don't blame the nature as cruel!"

A Bridge over Kolleru Lake IM3847 - Own work

Kolleru Lake (including the adjacent Atapaka Wildlife Sanctuary), a Ramsar Site, considered as one of India's largest inland Freshwater Lakes is in dire straits. A cursory search in Google maps or latest satellite reports indicate that most of the lake is encroached upon by Aquaculture, Agriculture, Industries (Ice Making et al) and due to natural factors (growth of weeds like Water Hyacinth and Elephant Grass). Despite the efforts of people like T Patanjali Sastry and a plethora of cases in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, governments (Central as well as State) play a deaf ear to the environmental concerns, indulging in regular de notifying of the legal limits of the Lake. 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolleru_Lake 

Generations to come...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi

 

“Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."

         - Albert Einstein on Mahatma Gandhiji

  

In an era of World Wars, a half naked seditious fakir strode in London, annoying the powers that be.

And empires rose and fell, clutched by seeds of violence as a stark necessity. 

Truth and Non-Violence - weapons of the weak? Wondered the wicked rulers of the Sea..

'Salt, Mr.Viceroy' said the little man, as people flocked to him as a sign of destiny.

A long struggle for freedom and reform followed as many heroes came to the fore, 

And his presence strengthened the moral courage unmatched with neither power nor position.

But the greatest crowd puller was cowed down as bloodshed came to the fore...

'The light has gone out', so to speak, with the stalking ghosts of freedom and partition.

Alas, his legacy was exploited as he was either revered blindly or criticized mercilessly, 

A life of confused experiments and Himayalan Blunders - he was not a sage,

but at least had the courage to say 'My life is my message' and adhere to it meticulously!

And truly, in the march of a nation, this Mahatma's role is revered at every stage!

Tuesday - 2nd of October, 2018. (149th Gandhi Jayanthi)
Palakollu.

http://gandhi.gov.in/

Vajpayee Ji

‘The Head will not bow’ he said as an appeal for peace fell on deaf ears,

at Kargil, this leader of people and man of letters was snubbed, stoking all fears.

But then a Pigeon flew to Lahore and a call for brotherhood was made,  

however too short was the tenure for a little & brittle good!

An attempt to stitch the highways in Gold,

a love for language and polity, so graceful yet bold.

A new ministry for disinvestment, to unshackle the License Raj,

a  fine leader with finesse and flaws  and yet those have a valid cause.

To be nuclear without an intent to attack and to fight without malice,

to talk without lecturing &  to criticize without slander – so much for less!

A good son of the nation departed, the collapse of a strong pillar,

and we mark the day and remember our beloved nation builder!

Friday, 17th of August, 2017.
Picture Credits - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atal_Bihari_Vajpayee#/media/File:Atal_Bihari_Vajpayee_2002-06-12.jpg

Amarāvatī

Thorny bushes on both sides of the road, an endless track of bumpy & dusty land with the distant hills greeted me once I crossed Velagapudi which houses the new Secretariat of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. A few hamlets later, finally there was the sight of this town – Amarāvatī, the former capital of Satavahanas, the town which is included and lends its name to the new and future capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Fashioned after the capital city of the mythical ‘King of Gods’ Devendra, Amarāvatī  is located on the Southern banks of River Krishna (sadly almost always dried up except during the Rainy season). This town which was continuously inhabited since the 5^th Century BCE posseses a single main road. On the Southern end of this road is the famous & historical temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as Amareshwara, one of the Pancharama Kshetras with the adjacent Amareswaram Ghat. On the other end is the famous Heritage Museum and bus-stop. Another connecting road intersects this main road almost in the centre – the 301 route through which busses ply to Vijayawada.

New Gautama Buddha Statue at the Dhyana Buddha Park

The Ruins of the Old Mahachaitya

Gopuram of Amareshwara Swamy Temple, (Under Renovation)

The town has three museums – the famous Heritage museum, the Archeological museum and the Ruins of the Mahachaitya in a nearby village called Dharanikota. A new park was developed recently, which houses a gigantic Statue of Gautama Buddha in Aasana (Sitting Posture).This was the capital of the Satavahanas, great patrons of art & architecture, during whose reign Buddhism flourished (c.2^nd Century BCE – 2^nd Century CE). The most interesting aspect of Amarāvatī  is that it is the birth-place of  Amarāvatī Sculpure, a school of art dealing with distinct Buddhist Sculptures, Marbles, Stupas etc, examples of which exist in the museums. The Jataka tales, life of Buddha were depicted in various Sculptures & Carvings in intricate panels – for this reason Amarāvatī Sculpure is considered as a Piece de Resistance in Ancient Indian Sculpture!

Example of

Amarāvatī Sculpture - Dharmachakra Stupa Worship

Example of Amarāvatī Sculpture - Yakshini

Example of Amarāvatī Sculpture -A Jataka tale

On my return, I’ve overheard two men speaking in Telugu in distinct Guntur slang. One of them complained that the old town Amarāvatī was not getting enough attention, tourism etc. The other one sounded optimistic - ‘Eh, attla kadu mama, time kavala. Nuvvu chustuvundoo’ (‘Not like that, It’s all in time. You wait and watch’)

It was sheer destiny that Amarāvatī lost its relevance for many centuries. It is apt now that the new capital is located here. Who decides how, when & which empires, nations, states or capitals rise and fall? Perhaps, it’s all in the time, as that old gentleman remarked!

Monday, 9th of July, 2018

Amarāvatī.