The Landscape

December 30, 1999
09:30 hrs

Some where in the snow clad villages, in close proximity to L.O.C.

Their eyes scanned the landscape below them. There was only one path which they could take. The snow clad mountains bordered the arena. The whoosh of the winds sent shivers down the spines of the villagers residing near the Line Of Control (LOC). The fields showed no signs of green, but just a thick blanket of snow jacketing the entire land. The orange ball of fire, known to be ruthless during the summers, couldn't unleash its terror today, when it was needed the most.

“Which way do we go comrades,” inquired an eager Raj Singh, or to be more precise Lieutenant Raj Singh. The four men dressed in brown apparels were none other than the Prisoners Of War (POW) of the recently concluded ‘Kargil War’, in which the Indian Armed Forces outplayed their Pakistani Counterparts, but nonetheless, at an expense of as close to 525 brave hearts, who proudly laid down their lives for their motherland. The four men; Lt. Raj Singh, Capt. Jay Rathod, Lt. Samar Singh and Lt. Ajay Singh, all in their thirties, were captured by the Pakistani Patrol Party in mid June near the Batalik Sector of India.
                                              
Since then, the four were the so called ‘guests’ of Pakistan and received the ‘Pakistani hospitality’ to the fullest. This was evident from their physical features. Blade-marks on the chest were just one of those permanent scars which the four had implicated upon their bodies. Cigarette burns on the hands and chests had become a daily routine for the four ill-fated men. After six months of humiliation, torture and atrocities, the four finally decided that they had enough and it was time for them to either escape or lick cyanide. Being gallant war heroes, they chose the former.

Their hopes from the government to bail them out from such mess too had been put to rest. Six months had passed on since their capture but their government had completely disowned them, labeling them as ‘Officially Unofficial’.

THE ESCAPE

The four had successfully bribed an official within the confinement, to give them access to the nearby village through a Pakistani Convoy and four sets of the Pakistani Army uniforms. They had planned their heist flawlessly as, post mid night the security was comparatively lax. At 01:30 hrs on December 30, the men clad as Pakistani Soldiers, sneaked through the back gate of the confinement and without much hustle-bustle started their convoy. The patrol guards of the confinement didn't take long to figure out the mystery of the missing men.

Within a couple of hours, the nearest motorway was occupied by armed vehicles and check-posts. The four men had no choice but to desert their convoy and take refuge in the surrounding snow-clad mountains. Singing motivational songs and reciting soul-inspiring anecdotes whilst their escape was the only thing which boosted the motivational levels of the four men. At 09:30 hrs, they were still holed up in Pakistan, though the Indian Borders weren't too far.  “Five to ten miles,” as per Capt. Jay Rathod’s calculation.

This would take them another one-eighty to two hundred minutes. “My feet have worn out”, grumbled Lt. Samar Singh. “Just endure through this pain for now, when you have a glimpse of your family, all of it will vanish,” came the reply from Lt. Ajay Singh. Reaching their motherland was the sole objective of the four men, who didn't even mind dying, once after reaching their nation. But would they reach??

The four stopped by a stream to relax but their process of relaxation was distressed by a .45 caliber bullet piercing through Lt. Ajay Singh’s chest, splitting it wide open, with blood gushing through; like water flowing out of a pipe. He died within a few seconds. Suddenly treacherous but familiar sounds were audible to the three remaining men. The Pakistani patrol team was chasing them down and it was their bullet which had slaughtered Lt. Ajay Singh. The three remaining men galloped as quickly as they could. They didn't cease until they found an abandoned bike lying in the snow clad region.

 Fortunately though, the engine ignited its powers and it began, and with all difficulty the three managed to ride it and get past the snowy region. While on the pillion seat, Lt. Samar could feel a liquidish mania in contact with his right arm. It was blood flowing through Capt. Jay Rathod’s chest. Samar’s eyes popped out on realising that his senior was no more. Capt. Jay Rathod had breathed his last on the bike and one off the bullets being blindly fired had killed him.

Three green vans belonging to the Pakistani Border Guards were following the bike, while the men inside were recklessly shelling out bullets. The bike took a left turn and disappeared into a half- a- mile long cave which had another end through which sunshine illuminated it. The engines of the three vans ceased, while the officials within them were bowled over by the sudden ‘disappearance’ of a bike.

Lt. Raj Singh carefully plunged the bike out of the cave and advanced further. Samar Singh in the meanwhile unbuckled his haversack bag and glared through the binoculars. The nearest Indian check post was visible, situated a mile away. This was the mile which separated the two men from their motherland. On hearing the sound of a bike escalating, the Indian Guards became vigilant and had a look through their binoculars. They could see two men dressed in Pakistani Army apparels rushing towards their check post.

The guards at the check post knew that there was a high probability that the two men on the bike could be suicide-bombers trying to disrupt the activities of the Indian Border Guards. The men on the bike were too close now and it was time to quickly react.
Following the orders of a senior Captain in the check post, two guards fired an RPG rocket towards the two men, whom they perceived as ‘suicide-bombers’. 

The bike was popped out in the air like the cap of a champagne bottle and settled down in the snow, with fumes visible.

The two men on the bike lay dead.    

Fast Food - Good or Bad

Fast Food- Good or Bad

Hamburgers, Thin Crust Pizzas, Cheesy Macaroni and why not a plate full of deep fried Hakka noodles? To gulp it down, why not a tumbler full of Pepsi, Coca Cola or Sprite? The above mentioned cuisines must have definitely resulted in you licking your lips. And to fulfill this famish, any individual would indulge in having a diet, better known as ‘FAST FOOD’. However, there a few questions regarding Fast Food, hovering in my mind, which put me in deep perplexion, which question the desires of Fast Food. Is fast food really the evil antagonist in today’s rapidly budding world? Should fast food be branded as the culprit behind the deteriorating health of millions across the globe? The above raised questions have caused me to indulge in a ‘brain-storming’ session with myself; and after a lot of thinking, I do sternly believe that fast food does no harm to the society or its residents. I have a few significant points in my kitty, which do my cause no harm.

In straightforward terms, fast food comprises of those food items that can be served in a really short span of time. This classification or the genre of fast food, gives room to all those food products that are considered as ‘evil’ in some parts of the globe. Why just evil, some gym freaks or skinny individuals even consider fast food as a ‘taboo’. The ‘tabooed’ list comprises of all those tasty Burgers of ‘McDonalds’, ‘Wendy’s, ‘Burger King’; the delicious pizzas of ‘Pizza Hut’, ‘Dominos’; the  juicy Pastas known  as ‘Lasagna’, ‘Spaghetti’ and Macaronis ; the irresistible Chinese delicacies and then all those sweet colas and soft drinks that hit the spot post any meal.

The premier reason behind diet-freaks and other experts accusing fast food of being guilty is that in several cases the fast food is soaked in oil, especially the irresistible French Fries, the speciality of the burger giants ‘McDonalds’. Scientifically speaking, oil has all the malevolent components to ruin your health. Fast food hence, often leads to you gaining a few more inches around your waist. But aren’t we ignoring an integral and a valid aspect? Why just blame the fast food for your ill-health and for that gain of a few inches around your belly? The answer to the concerned question may puzzle out many. The reasons behind you looking out for a jeans size above the desired size may be many and not just fast food.

 Lack of exercises indulged in could be one enormous reason.  Exercising may result in you living a highly pro-active life. Apart from that, exercises may play the role of that antagonist which helps you in remaining fit, both mentally as well as physically. A person hitting it out in the gym for a good couple of hours frequently should remain fit for a prolonged period. On the other hand, a person just sitting in at his home and resembling a couched potato will be the extreme opposite and will be far from being fit. There is a more than a high probability that the second person shall remain a couched potato even if he doesn’t indulge in having junk food, a synonym for fast food.  So it shall be profusely wrong to just endlessly blame the fast food products for the ill-health of people.

While browsing through the pages of several newspapers, it would be evident that the cons of fast food or the junk food are given in precise details, with some fitness professionals even quoting and expressing their views. But a question that isn’t allowing me to be in peace with my mind is that why don’t they ever highlight the positives of the fast food. Yes, you’ve got it right, the positive aspects of fast food. Consider a situation where a Chicken Pizza is presented ahead of you. Your perception of the Pizza would be that it is malignant for your health and you should avoid it. But now, have a glance at it from the other side. The chicken in the chicken pizza is an essential source of protein for your body. The positives of proteins are well known. The dough or the flour of the pizza too is beneficial for your health as it is a source of carbohydrates, the one component of food which the dieticians brand as a ‘Must Have’. The mushrooms, baby corns, olives, tomatoes and the jalapenos too have positive aspects attached to them. And finally, no pizza would be complete without cheese.

And no food product would be complete without fat. A bit of fat is essential for your body indeed as it provides you with a bit of insulation and also protects the fragile layers of your skin. And who would want to have physical features like a skinny brat who resembles nothing but a pale little stick. A similar concept is valid for Pastas that are considered to be a rich source of carbohydrates.

Now looking from the Economic perspective, fast food hasn’t done shoddily over here. Fast food joints such as ‘McDonalds’, ‘Pizza Hut’, ‘Burger King’, ‘Dominos’, etc. have lead to the booming of many economies in terms of risen GDP and risen employment. Risen employment would directly mean risen standards of living and indirectly mean lower crime rates and lower social issues, both ways being extremely desirable. And what’s more? Those fast food joints just enhance the choice available to the consumers.

Hence I do sternly believe that fast foods are a boon and not a curse, and I would also like to recommend to people to change their viewpoint and outlook of fast food.

The Second Generation- A Drama Script

Characters:

Raj Chopra - The brash but brainy son and the future director of the Chopra Group of Companies. Stringently believes in Autocratic leadership and is the extreme opposite of his father. In mid twenties, tall, fair

Jay Chopra- The soft-spoken and generous current head of the Chopra Group of Companies. Believes in donating and feels privileged to serve the Almighty. Hence donates large chunks of crisp notes to religious organisations. Considers himself to be secular.

SCENE :

The father and son duo have just reached home after a hectic day at work and are relaxing in their living room, when the son notices something ‘strange’ in their common cheque book.

Raj: Ah! Pretty drained out after today’s work at office.

Jay: Ya Raj. Me too! The past few weeks at office have been excruciatingly grueling for all of us. We have to keep our spirits high and give our best shot to ensure that we crack this deal (business venture) anyhow.

Raj: Once, we crack the deal with the overseas firm, then no one can stop us from hitting the jackpot. And yes, I would prefer to sweat it out in the office rather than a murky situation like RECCESSION hitting us bad. I mean REAL BAD!

(The father has a laugh at his son’s words)

Jay (Laughingly): Ya son, I too would have a similar opinion.

(Raj is glancing at his cheque book when he notices something strange)

Raj (With a frown): Pop, why is our cheque book showing a much lower balance when it actually should show a much higher one?

Jay (Hesitatingly): Let me have a look at it son!

Raj (with a mischievous smug): Showing a lower balance to evade the taxes a-what Pop?

(Giggles a bit at his own joke)

Jay (Reluctantly speaks and divulges): In point of fact Raj, I have donated the ‘missing’ amount to a religious organisation by the name of the ‘Helpers’

(Raj is simply flabbergasted at his father’s act and doesn’t take long to turn red with fuming anger)

Raj (Annoyingly): Oh come on Pop! How could you do it once again! This is so god-damn annoying! We toil and strive like mules everyday and you in a flash donate this large an amount to an unknown and so called ‘RELIGIOUS’ organisation!!!!! 

Raj (continues): How absent-minded can you be dad! This is so damn frustrating!

Jay (calmly): Son please give me a chance to speak.

Raj (Carelessly): Ya dad! Your choice! Go on!

Jay: This organisation helps and protects the needy by giving them the access to basic necessities of life! This comprises of food, shelter, education and clothing!

Raj (with a grim across his face): Whatever Pop!!!!!

Jay: Son this matters a lot as it is a noble and an ethic deed!

Raj (Sarcastically): So you call this a damn noble deed!! These fake organisations just make a mockery of God and just label themselves as religious!

Jay (Arguing) : No son, this one is a trusted organisation and they do really pledge their undying support towards the needy!

Raj: Dad, just don’t interrupt me today! Let me go on!

Raj: On the previous occasion too, you uttered the same god-damn words and donated almost a million to the church and the temple! And oh boy, did they really ‘HELP’ the poor? The answer to that is surely in the negative!!

Jay: Son, donating is just one way of serving Him, the Almighty.

Raj: Oh yes, SERVING!! Dad, let me tell a few facts and the bitter realities of life today! Please give me the consent to go on!

Jay: Go right ahead son!!

Raj: The amount that we clean-heartedly donate to the religious institutes such as churches and temples goes nowhere but just into the already highly inflated pockets of the trustees! These foul trustees are doing nothing but just selling God!

Jay: No son you are wrong! It isn’t like this!

Raj: Then Pop, just answer a few of my questions right now!!

Raj: Why is it that these temple fellas always charge a bomb for their so called ‘Prasad’ or offerings consisting of a sweet?  I guess those sweets are just worth a few bucks!

Raj: Then on top of it they even charge you a really wallet-lightening amount just to make you stand in a so called ‘SPECIAL LINE’. The worst part though is that they even indirectly give you a hint that the ratio of you receiving the Almighty’s blessing is proportional to the amount you donate!

Raj (Sarcastically): I never knew that God would be blessing a man greater, who has donated $10 rather than $5. So dad is even God a businessman?

Jay (Annoyingly): Son, this is enough. You are crossing your boundaries!

Raj (Arguing): No dad, I’m just extending the boundaries and I want to blabber a bit more over this!

Jay (Careless and shrugging his shoulder): Ah blabber on! Give it a go!

Raj: It’s not just the temples which con us, but almost every religious institute, who just portray themselves as holy but are corrupt indeed! Corrupt as hell….

Jay: What-ever!    Prove it! That’s my only point

Raj (Diminishing his eyebrows): Apart from the temples, there are even churches and mosques which resemble similar traits.

Raj: The churches ask us to light candles in His name but how are they of any use to anyone?

(Jay looks extremely flummoxed by his son’s views)

Raj: The candles that we light do nothing but just illuminate the churches rather than illuminating lives.  Instead of lighting candles in churches, it would be a more human deed when the candles illuminate the houses of the vulnerable.

Raj: A similar concept applies for mosques and dargahs. Rather than spreading blankets over a few inches, it would be better if they cover starved bodies of the needy!

Jay (As if to calm his son down): Son why don’t we resume our discussion post dinner.

Raj (After pausing for a few seconds): You know what Pop! This isn’t a bad option either!!!

The Confession

THE CONFESSION

“I was frustrated the way life was callously treating me.” I was still in two minds before uttering these words. But someday or the other, the world had to know the truth.

THE BITTER TRUTH

Mary, the hostess of the ‘WORLD CHATS NOW’ talk show was flawless as ever and conducted her job with precision. “Shall we begin from the beginning, when it all began,” asked Mary, who was obviously referring to the path selected by me and was playing with words really well. In cricketing terms, the ‘path’ selected by me is better known as ‘SPOT FIXING’ and ‘MATCH FIXING’. Then finally began my CONFESSION.

The world knew me by the name of Graeme Mathews. But I branded myself no less than a prolific All- Rounder. 75 Wickets in 15 test matches and a couple of centuries to go along with it. The numbers spoke for themselves. But still, the burning desires within me were never extinguished. People usually feel deprived of two aspects.

MONEY and FAME.

I had achieved the latter, and in no time that too. To achieve the former, was my premier objective and ambition. I had strived really hard to reach where I currently was, but still I wanted to advance much further. Earning a quick buck in no time is every Tom Dick and Harry’s dream. I was no exception either.

Apart from playing for my national side, England, I took privilege in representing Essex, my home county. These were just my national and ‘home’ operations. Hand-in hand, I even represented the ‘Melbourne Stars’, the most extravagant and affluent, Australian club. However, my lust for a greater prosperity simply enhanced and had reached to a new level altogether.

The only possible way of fulfilling my appetite for riches was to become a cemented part of the lucrative and the plutocratic INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL).

A few of my mates too enrolled themselves in the coveted Indian Premier League. The auction was not too far away and as the days neared, my anxiety levels peaked new heights.  Then finally came the ‘D-Day’, the day of the auction. It was really a sensational feeling to see my name flash on the T.V. screens and below, my base price was mentioned. “Graeme Mathews,” said the auctioneer and there flashed my face and my career stats. I was like, “now someone will raise the placard and battle for my services.” But I was wrong!

“Graeme Mathews. Remains unsold” These words uttered by the auctioneer shattered all my hopes and future ambitions of earning jaw-dropping amounts. All I wanted to do was, just shatter the T.V. screen into pieces, just the way fate had done to my heart. The insult to the injury was that Chris White, an Aussie, had been bought by a franchisee for more than a million dollars. He certainly didn’t deserve that high an amount and his stats too were against the amount he got. This was irony indeed.

Enough was enough! All I wanted was a lucrative amount and a contract. To fathom my ill-fate, I made a visit to the ‘DEVILS PUB’ and had already gulped down four strong pegs of Royal Whisky, but still wasn’t satisfied.

A man of Asian origin sat beside my chair and gave me a gentle smile. I guess from my expressions, it was evident that I was flabbergasted at some issue. In fact, the entire nation was flabbergasted that a player of my caliber was given a cold-shoulder at the IPL auctions. The Asian man approached towards me and tried to sympathies me, but his motive was something fishy.

“50000 pounds for a couple of No-balls at the upcoming T20’s against the Kiwis.” These words were said by the main horse, the Asian man himself, proclaiming himself to be a ‘money-minting machine.’ Without even thinking twice, I gave him the go and accomplished the task at the T20’s against the Kiwis. 50000 pounds was an eye-popping amount indeed.

My friendship with that Asian just blossomed and he told me that his name was Riyaz. There was no looking back after the Kiwis incident. Purposely bowling no-balls and wides in return of astonishing amounts of pounds had become a daily routine for me.  From tests to club level T20’s , I always played against ethics and my conscience. As a courtesy of dealing with Riyaz, I was able to buy my dream house in the heart of London.

Finally, like all other fairy-tales, came a turning point in my life. On this occasion, the amount offered to me was a galvanising 500,000 pounds. But the job was equally up hilled. This time it was against the Aussies in an Ashes test match. And what was my job??

To get out in the nineties and ensure that I don’t cross a ton.

Considering my form with the bat in recent times, scoring a ninety was as easy as scoring a twenty or a thirty. While batting, my nerves were jangling and legs were trembling with fear. “Should I go against my conscience”, was the question hovering around in my mind.

I did as Riyaz asked me to do so. I got out on 99 and as a consequence of my money-minded behavior; I had let my nation down. More significantly, l let myself down. What was more??

We went on to concede the Ashes to the Aussies, who were jubilant.

It wasn’t long before Riyaz was caught by the Interpol through an independent sting operation conducted by a leading News Agency. And my life was messed up once again!

Riyaz blabbered everything about me and the payments which I received. Finally, the cops were at my place and got me handcuffed. Then what followed is known by each and everyone present here. Due to lack of ‘hard’ evidence such as the evidence of our ‘meetings’, the court acquitted me.

I was motivated to receive payments as my other companions too did it with a broad chest. However I wouldn’t want to name them. I acknowledge that I have let my nation down and deserve the most stringent chastisement for my activities.

This is what I have to confess with an open heart!