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Friday, June 10, 2011

Back to Square One

"NATO Secretary—General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was confident the U.S. troop withdrawals will not affect security Afghanistan."

I think he's kidding every reader of that statement. Increasing attacks in Afghanistan can, in general, mean a couple of things:
  1. Taliban is losing its rank and file; so, it wants to exert as much pressure as possible on its counterparts before it vanishes
  2. Taliban is acquiring both strength and intrepidity; so, it wants to kick everyone out and refill the void of arms with its own
Taliban, as every kid in the world (as Mr. Rasmussen thinks everyone is), knows that the US and NATO will start pulling out troops sooner than later. They can wait for a long time strengthening their ranks, as they once did until 2004 after their fall in 2001. So, if they are weak and burning their last reserves, they would rather wait for their enemies on the Afghan soil to retreat and then take over the government.

So, it is the second point stated above that becomes the reason for a spate in attacks. In such a case, what Mr. Rasmussen says is both naive and insulting to the general public of the world. I am neither suggesting that the NATO should stay there nor that it should pull out, either in phases or otherwise. It is probably too late for such suggestions. He's supposed to be an expert. Of course, he may have said so to prevent spread of panic. But, at least, make the wording a little more believable, less diplomatic and definitely, less stupid.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

"Honour" killing? [Update]

[Update] I'll leave analysis to experts of the field, but, it's satisfying to see the "system" working at least against some stupidity and crime. May be a death sentence is harsh, but, it's not for killing, I dare say, "just" three young people but also all their dreams for the future AND to send a message to everyone inclined to be or have been involved in any such brutal murders of their own kin.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

The Return

There have been many cross-roads in my life where I had to decide on the way that, not just mine, but entire lives of my family may lead. The decision of returning from the US was one such cross-roads. The "when" was decided long ago, just before going to the US. I even remember entering it as my goal on my Orkut profile: "Vision 2010: Back Home". It was a long-term goal back in 2007 when I landed on another cross-roads of my life, where I decided to go to the US, and the finer details had not yet emerged. I'm sure many read my vision to be back, and I'm sure only a few, if any, remember it now.

It was not an easy one to make, though, the decision. I loved my life there. I loved my friends there, some of whom did not know that they may "have to" head back. All of them wanted to be there, wanted to make a life there, at least for some time into the future. I was the only one that even they knew who had decided to be back without even searching for an option to be there.

Many of my important friends and relatives wanted me to stay there for a while. The money was there. My family's fortunes could have been turned by my presence in the US. I understand the truth behind the arguments that they made. They love me. They want me to be happy. They want my family up and running the way it did about 20 years in the past. I love them all for the care and affection they still shower upon us. I promise to them that my vision coincides with their vision of my family's future.

The most important ones did what they did the best all through, i.e., to understand, respect and support my feelings for my homeland and my decisions. Some of them reflected that it was one of their dreams, but, they could not make it, alas! It is in their sunshine that I bask; there are no more "words" necessary for them.

Finally, as I did all the times in the past, once again in my life, I followed my heart. It was not an impulsive decision and I testify today, almost two years since I'm back to India, that I am glad and proud for making it.