Please believe me. It is not what it seems like.

We now live in a society of organisations and institutions. Local, district, state, national and at international level. Each one of them managed by 'professionals' (bureaucrats) following complicated processes which no one can completely understand or implement. They are all political creatures, and therefore possess all of the negatives of politics.

We humans and even nations believe that things will just happen by themselves, but they never do. The cunning amongst us know this all too well and take full advantage.

In recent times the Chinese Communist Party has quietly and cunningly infiltrated every multilateral international organisation of consequence, across the world numerous politicians and their parties, governments, educational institutions, social platforms, gaming,  sports organisations, and finally media and film production. They do not serve the cause or the objectives of these organisations were created for but are servants of the CCP and its party members.

Learning from Plato, One could summarise 'The greatest penalty for refusing to actively participate in the governing and functioning of organisations that affect us is, we land up with the most ignoble, corrupt, and incompetent individuals and groups leading and governing us and our humanity. All this because of their great cunning and our intellectual and physical laziness.

The Coronavirus - CCP virus pandemic is proof of that.

Why does Trump use Twitter?

The most unexpected choice,  American President Donald Trump is an enigma. No one can quite figure him out. People either love him or hate him, but they have never been able to ignore him. 

With Trump what you see is what you get. 
An electorate tired of non performing politicians who double talk, are hypocritical, wimpy, divisive and too politically correct, has not surprisingly swung to the other extreme. 
Crude as his style may appear, the majority of American voters like that blunt honesty in Trump. Thy seem to relate to him.

Trump had been planning to serve as President of America since he was a young man and has been preparing himself accordingly, learning as much as possible. He has a vision to make America great again. His strategy appears unconventionally insane and his tactics even more. 
If one carefully analyses his approach there is actually a manner in the madness.  
Willingly or unwillingly, in Trump, the American people have put their trust

Unlike most political leaders who make politics their profession, Trump has earned his billionaire status by hard work and cunning. Having financed his own campaign he is not beholden to any lobby and power group. 
Though some may disagree, Trump is a business success. He is confident to a point of Megalomania and naturally is his own boss. To deploy his vision he is dependent on the administration but never lets any individual or group obstruct him.

This makes Trump unconventional, undiplomatic and unpredictable. Trump frightens everyone. So politicians, advisors, Wall street, staff, media, civil society, Congressmen etc. all want to tame him and his energy. Never before has an American President ever had such support and simultaneously so many interest groups opposing him, but Trump remains unfazed.

Trump is a President in a hurry to get things promised and refuses to have his message and his initiatives derailed. He therefore has little patience with anyone who gets in the way. Its always his way or the highway, with frequent staff changes and startling initiatives. 

Trump has been effective in shaking things up. He has overseen an economic rebound and secured for America beneficial trade deals with Mexico, Canada, European Union, Japan, and Korea. His initiatives on wide range of areas covering illegal immigration, terrorism etc. earn him brickbats and praise. 

Regarding Trump one question that inevitably comes to mind is, 'Why does Trump use Twitter as his main channel of communication?', even for the most sensitive of matters and relationships.

No leader runs the country, the bureaucrats do. The leadership formulates strategy, prioritises issues, gives direction and focuses resources as needed, while providing statesmanship, to government and to the electorate.

A visitor to the court of Russian Tzar Nicholas I, (1796 - 1855) was praising the Tzar and his power.
Upon which the Tzar retorted, "I do not rule Russia; 10,000 clerks do."

American federal government has tens of millions of employees spread over tens of thousands of agencies and departments.
Government has become ungovernable. Accountability is poor, policy formulation and deployment takes forever. 

Trump knows that to succeed, he has to win public support on many issues and for that good communication is critical.

Trump has inherited from two big communication problems. 
1. A bureaucracy that marches to the drum beats, of its own choosing. They change the tone, strength, bluntness and even kill policy they do not like.
2. A very powerful media extremely hostile to Trump. They suppress his achievements, exaggerate his weaknesses and mistakes. They constantly smear him, trying to drive him and his supporters away. 

Both these communication channels have tried to choke Trump's ability to communicate with the outside world at his desired pace and to get things done. 

In all democracies only that narrative is carried and only that happens, which the media and the top bureaucrats, working hand in glove with the elites, want. 

Trump has changed all that. He is unwilling to trust the newspapers and television media to give him fair coverage.

It appears. Trump has a vocabulary of about 3000 words, but its enough to communicate directly to the world.  He uses Twitter like the 'Donald Trump Broadcasting Station'. He communicates with the world directly. Sure he makes many faux pas but he never lets a setback deter him.

Whether this is this the right approach is debatable? That its an effective communication approach is beyond doubt.

This communication strategy is not suitable for everyone and in every situation. If one is not one's own boss and if one lacks a clear vision and approach then one should not adopt this direct contact approach.

How Pakistan wants to save Kashmiris and Indian Muslims

Cartoon by Pakistani Cartoonist Sabir Nawaz

The Will to Succeed

One of the essential qualities of people who succeed spectacularly is their frame of mind. 

Failure is not an option for them. They simply refuse to give up. They possess passion and commitment which is both immense and intense.

Take the example of Native American Indian Bright Path -Jim Thorpe, often considered as one of the most versatile American athlete ever. 

Jim Thorpe succeeded as the first Native American to win gold medals for his country when he participated in the 1912 Summer Olympics. 

Winning itself was an achievement, but how he won is the story of legends.

On the morning of his competitions, Thorpe discovered that his shoes had been stolen.  

Not a person to give up, he discovered a pair of shoes and some socks in a garbage dumpster. Not only were the shoes different in colour and model they were also also of different sizes.

Jim Thorpe a.ka. Bright Path. Different shoes, sizes and socks

One shoe fit him properly, but the other was a size too big, so he had to wear an extra sock on one foot.   

This is clearly visible in the photo taken that day after the events. One can see the strange footwear he wore that day, to win gold medals for the  pentathlon and decathlon events.

A powerful and motivating personality. Jim Thorpe did not let a setback overpower him and become a misfortune. He searched relentlessly for anything that would take him swiftly out of his predicament. Eventually he found something.  He used and worked with what he had, where he had, to bounce back and win, coming way ahead of others.  

As my son Pavit of Hotfut who owns and operates a sports academy, reminds me, winners possess a 'must win'  psychology.  Meaning the key to winning and succeeding is not money, equipment, facilities, technology, tools, etc. as much as it is the strength and motivation of the human spirit possessed by a passion to succeed and excel.

Its always the quality of people who determine the quality of results. 

The good news is that these winning qualities traits across all disciplines, can be identified, developed and enhanced both for ourselves and for others we are responsible for.

With the right focus, guidance and motivation, even ordinary individuals and teams can achieve extraordinary results.

To honour this extraordinary and great man, the American people have named a town after him Jim Thorpe in Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.

Coffe, Tea or Punch?

Price and Rewards of War.

Leaders both political and religious always seek to maximise the number of people who will willingly follow them. Followers who will obey the leaders blindly, and unquestioningly. More often than not, leaders command their followers to indulge in immoral, fear inducing, socially damaging activities to enrich themselves and enhance their 'power'. "We have to defend ourselves against non believers, for your God, religion, your brothers, for your country, for freedom, your rights, blah .... blah ..........blah. Go forth attack, and destroy." Guess what? There are more than enough indoctrinated people who will jump forward to blindly obey them. 'Honourable people' and youth are like a tinderbox, full of inflammable stuff and consumable energy. All they need is a spark. And leaders are happy to provide the trigger.

If there is a global axis of the evil, then its centre is Pakistan. propped up by massive funding, political and military support by Arab, Chinese and American interests. The army is Pakistan's largest economic group, political organisation. It owns factories, transport organisations, hospitals, hotels, etc. etc. Through their 'Fauji Foundation' the Pakistan army earns upwards of US$ 20 Billion per year. Like any successful business, it always takes steps to increase its earnings and power. An army's total domination and control of a nation can be accepted by its people, only in the face of external aggression and internal strife. If there is no threat, it has to be manufactured. Various Jihadi groups and fake threats from India and Afghanistan provide the justification to Pakistani leaders. They care little for Islam or Kashmiris, but use religion just as another set of weapons to justify their claims and manufacture another set of issues. The army leadership there has converted Pakistan into a mercenary country, that is willing to breed terrorists, kill and unleash mayhem for a fee. The rewards of war and terror accrue mainly to the Pakistani army along with their fanatical supporters in the Arab Gulf states, the American war machine and the expansionist Chinese. The price unfortunately has to be paid by all of humanity. The recent confessions of the Pakistani terrorist Daood Sayed Gillani also known as David Headly now in custody in USA, revealed nothing new, except act as a grim reminder to us that something has to be done. Clamouring for justice to the same Pakistani leadership, the same people who nurture terrorism as a state policy is naive and stupid. Sensible and courageous governments, must isolate rather than deal with Pakistan.

The declining oil revenues of Arab Gulf States, the mounting American debt and war fatigue that has set in, the strengthening cooperation that India now enjoys with both America and China could just be the best things to bring peace dividends for India and the world.

With this trend it appears likely that within 10 years to 15 years Pakistan will implode and break up into fragments. We however have to brace ourselves because things will get a lot worse before they might get better.

In any conflict there are no winners, just losers. Unless of course, you are a religious or political leader, financier, or trafficker of arms, drugs and people.

India at 67

The further we travel the more we long to return to our origin. We have to step out to look in. After many years of travelling, visiting numerous countries and people, I want to return home. Not the physical home, but where my heart lies, to discover my country and people, and in doing so learn who am I.

A land and its people are best understood by its history, culture and art. The journey is meaningful only when made using the native language. Therein lies the problem for most of us Indians including me, even if they be moneyed, are in a position of power or influence. 

Our history has been rewritten and handed down to us by the former colonialists and perpetuated by an education system that is designed to glorify their achievements while heaping ridicule and shame on Indians. Yet we accept it all unquestioningly.

Our identity and culture has been grievously harmed by the systematic destruction of many of the components of our society, that made India great for millennia and attracted invaders in the first place. Our art and heritage has been stolen by the invaders and now adorn living rooms and museums across the world as trophies. 

Worst of all is our own mother tongue and our languages which are so rich are now shunned by us. We are incapable of or feel embarrassed to speak in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil etc, lest we be considered country bumpkins. The mistaken notion that Indian languages and literature are inferior to the English language and European literature is implanted and stubbornly ingrained in our minds. Further this opinion is constantly reinforced by leaders, teachers and the media of our own country.

We are now effectively disconnected from ourselves and somewhat confused because we do not know who we are. We want to be like the Europeans who ruled us or the Americans to copy them blindly to adopt a culture, thinking working and lifestyles, which are often inappropriate for us.

I ask you, are we really free? I believe we are not free, unless we discover ourselves as real Indians

We are a continent sized nation, that has been adrift for a very long time. Populated by an amazing range of people with rich culture, who are not only intelligent but possess great talent.  A great future awaits us as Individuals and as a nation, we just need to find ourselves. In a sense to be reborn. To become truly rich in every sense if we choose to.

To rekindle our lost spirit, be materially and spiritually rich once again, it is essential that we respect, appreciate and acquire all that is beautiful, great and useful from other cultures and lands.

English no doubt has now become the internationally accepted language for science and commerce. No doubt, we must not only learn English and be proficient in its use, but must we forsake our own languages and hence lose the vital link with our culture and heritage?

Let us not hold grudges or condemn anyone. Past history cannot be changed, however a magnificent history can be created in the future, by being the best that we Indians have the potential to be.

I have already begun my journey and made some progress. I hope you have discovered or have begun discovering the authentic person and Indian in you. My friend, it is then that you can claim to be independent. Until then please forgive me for not congratulating you this Independence day.

It is a always better to be an imperfect version of yourself then to try and be a perfect copy of someone else.

'Pancho Villa' - An unlearnt history lesson

It was the 18th of Dec of 2011, my friends and associates were readying themselves to celebrate the New Year.  I watched the last of the American soldiers departing from Iraq into Kuwait on my television. I was overcome with sadness at the foolishness and arrogance of some leaders and the anguish and terrible destruction such people spread on this earth and fellow man.

Study history we have often been told because history repeats itself.  Those that fail to learn are doomed to repeat the blunders but with increasingly grave consequences. 

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Had American leadership studied their history lessons well they might have not done what they did. Mighty economic and military strength demand great restraint and wisdom, for if it falls into the hands of the arrogant, the power is easily manipulated by the unscrupulous. The misuse of power often results in tragic consequences.

Almost exactly a century ago, the United States government went after one of Mexico’s most prominent revolutionary generals,  José Doroteo Arango Arámbula popularly called ‘Pancho Villa’. Much admired across Latin America and by his fellow countrymen, several towns, main roads etc.  are named after Pancho Villa.

Villa made a name for himself by converting himself from an ordinary bandit into a sort of Robin Hood. He hijacked trains, robbed the rich, took over their ranch lands and redistributed land and money to peasants and soldiers.

From 1913 to 1914 Pancho Villa was the provisional governor of the mineral rich Mexican state of Chihuahua located close to the United States border. 

Documented evidence shows that the United States initially supported Pancho Villa with weapons and other resources. In 1915 the Americans changed their stance, allied themselves by supporting and giving its official recognition instead to Venustiano Caranza's national government. This led to trouble between the Americans and Pancho Villa.

In January 1916, some Mexicans attacked and killed 16 American employees of the local railroad company near Santa Isabel, Chihuahua.   In March 1916, there was an attack on Columbus, New Mexico by a group of Mexicans. 8 soldiers and 10 civilians (an American arms merchant and his staff) were killed in the attack.  The American public was outraged and the newspapers and politicians blamed Pancho Villa for the two attacks. Villa admitted he had ordered the attacks, but he denied ordering the killings of Americans. 

The American President, Woodrow Wilson advised patience. Baying for blood, the war hawks sought revenge and closure on this perceived outrage on American pride. The situation forced President Wilson's to react.

In Jan of 1916 President Wilson ordered General Pershing to lead a powerful force of 4,800 men into Mexico to capture or kill Pancho Villa. The force grew almost immediately to 10,000 and by June 1916 swelled to 130,000 men.  The expedition was backed by latest armaments, radio, and air cover using newly inducted Curtiss JN-4 airplanes for reconnaissance and attack.

Merely throwing money, weapons, people and technology at problems rarely solves them. Appropriate strategy, based on deep understanding, diplomacy, and tact to win hearts is a softer approach and often succeeds at low costs. However the powerful rarely have patience for tact, they never pass up an opportunity to demonstrate their military and economic prowess. 

Admired as a hero for standing up to the Americans, Villa received immense local support. The locals despised the presence of American foreign troops on their soil. They often misled and misguided the Americans who braving the heat, dust and mosquitoes trampled all over Northern Mexico without any success. The Americans plight was made worse by the vast unmapped terrain and places that Villa took shelter in and used for counter-attack

A huge reward of US$ 50,000 for information leading to the capture of Villa also failed to deliver results. The Americans who had estimated that they would need a couple of weeks to meet their objectives withdrew the bulk of American forces in January 1917. 

General Pershing publicly claimed the expedition was a success, although he complained privately to his family that President Wilson had imposed too many restrictions, which made it impossible for him to fulfill his mission. He admitted to having been "outwitted and out-bluffed at every turn" and wrote, "When the true history is written, it will not be a very inspiring chapter for school children, or even grownups to contemplate. Having dashed into Mexico with the intention of eating the Mexicans raw, we turned back at the first repulse and are now sneaking home under cover, like a whipped dog with its tail between its legs."

The greatest weakness of powerful people and mighty nations is their overly sensitive egos, and their preoccupation with always looking invincible. Thus they can easily be provoked to play into the manipulative games of their enemies.  

History repeated itself, in addition to creating global disorder and chaos; the price paid has been tragically very high,

• Approx 150,000 Iraqis killed (many of them civilians)
• Approx 5,000 deaths of US and Allied soldiers
• Approx 2 Million Iraqi’s displaced from Iraq to neighbouring countries.
• Approx 1.8 Million Iraqi’s displaced internally within Iraq
• Approx 1 Million orphans in Iraq
• 36% of Iraqi people have been uprooted and a majority of them have lost their homes.

The financial burden to be borne by the two main nations of USA and Iraq are,

• US citizens will have to pay a whopping debt of US$ 3 trillion (that is US$ 3,000,000,000,000)
• Iraqi’s will have to invest US$ 500 Billion just to get back to where they were before the start of the Gulf wars 22 years ago. Of course no amount of money can bring back the lives of those killed, maimed, separated, orphaned and traumatized.

The only beneficiaries of this war are the powerful lobbies of arms manufacturers, oil companies, trigger-happy generals, the undertakers, scrap merchants and evil people who spread hatred and violence etc.

Once upon a time I like many others was a great admirer of America and what it stood for, now I am not so sure.   I pray that,

I pray that your thoughts and actions never be clouded by your ego, anger and greed.   May you always remain cool and composed and therefore always be able to respond rather than react to challenges in your life.

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