India not to pursue Saurabh Kalia's torture in International Court of Justice

I am posting this with extreme anguish……it is only cynical to write about wrongs…..but still…  On TV – you see young persons in an emotion filled scene leave home – heading for the services…………..life and reality can be cruel.  Kashmir alwyas enchants when seen in movies… we like the snow, the glaciers and imagine trekking in places like Leh in Ladakh.  Then there is the most talked about ‘Siachen Glacier’ …….. before we read something on Kargil War and its heroes here is a small snippet….

Army life no doubt is most sternous…… the one at Kargil is tougher still….soldiers stay away from their families, their beloved ones, with little or no communication ….. but life at Kargil is tougher…. ~ there would be freezing temperatures, life in tents and most strikingly no human connect at all – the next person could be miles away and supplies could come at a long frequency……… the depression could often lead to mental disorders… yet soldiers struggle, survive and sacrifice their today for our tomorrow.

The Kargil War, the armed conflict in 1999 will ever remain a scar… though India triumphed – at least 527 Indian soldiers lost their lives……. Here is something on a Hero, who was hardly 22 and had joined the Indian Army 4 months earlier.  Months earlier, the family was at Amritsar station proudly seeing off their son as he boarded the train to join the 4 Jat regiment as a lieutenant. ~ and sadly, the family could not see him again.

What a tragedy and how inhumane the killings had been.  When Pakistan returned the bodies of  Lt Saurabh Kalia and his five men – they were  in extremely mutilated conditions. Conventions of war do not mean a damn for a nation like Pakistan. In a war where an individual life loses its meaning, dying with dignity is probably the only hope. Dignity is precisely what Pakistan has violated: of our soldiers, their families and of this nation. According to the Geneva Convention, Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated.

Captain Kalia of the 4 Jat Regiment was the first Indian Army officer to observe and report large-scale intrusion by the Pakistani Army into the Indian side of the Line of Control in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He and five other soldiers were captured on May 15, 1999 and were in captivity for more than 20 days. Captain Kalia, and other soldiers had been tortured and tormented.

This year a few months back on a day the Supreme Court asked the government to explain whether it will take the case of Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia's torture to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, visiting Pakistani interior minister Rehman Malik said he was not aware whether Captain Kalia "died of a Pak bullet or weather".  Captain Kalia's case was raised by India in talks with visiting Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik. India asked Pakistan to take action against those responsible for torturing the officer to death.

Now comes the sad news that the Govt of India has stated that torture inflicted upon on slain martyr Capt. Saurabh Kalia by the Pakistan Army cannot be termed as a war crime. Counsel for the martyr’s family Arvind Sharma said the Union government told the Supreme Court that it had no intentions to raise the issue in the Geneva Convention since it was a signatory in the Shimla agreement of 1972.

The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union government on a petition by Capt. Saurabh Kalia’s father N.K. Kalia on December 14, 2012, seeking a direction that the matter should be referred to the International Court of Justice. The family had even approached the Defence Ministry to raise the issue in the International Court. But the Ministry hinted on solving all the matters peacefully through bilateral talks with the neighbouring Pakistan. Capt. Kalia’s father has alleged that the government had never taken the issue seriously and never raised the matter in the bipartite talks even. Defence Minister A.K. Antony in his reply to Karnataka MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha in October said that, “we are committed to settle differences with Pakistan by peaceful means and through bilateral negotiations.”

Pakistan may have denied for long that Captain Saurabh Kalia, and five of his platoon members, were tortured and killed by its soldiers during the Kargil War of 1999, but a video that surfaced on the web has nailed the lie. A video shot during a function of the Pakistani Army to felicitate Kargil heroes shows a Pak soldier reportedly admitting to killing Captain Kalia. Detailing his exploits with the audience, Pakistani soldier Naik Bhule Khandan boasted about his ‘heroism’ and admitted that he and his fellow soldiers had killed Captain Kalia and five of his platoon members.

It was not mere killing on war field …. They were tortured for weeks before being killed. Their mutilated bodies were handed over to India on June 9, 1999. Autopsy reports had shown extreme torture including cigarette burns, ear drums pierced with hot iron rods and amputated limbs.

The present move is clearly a cold feet  and means that Captain Saurabh Kalia will get no justice, not even from the government of the nation he so bravely died for. Daily Mail reports that in an affidavit filed by the Centre on a Supreme Court petition seeking to refer the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) says it can't be done. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says in the affidavit that it cannot move the ICJ as Pakistan might not permit it, and no country can be so compelled to. It says the effect on relations with our neighbour country has to be kept in mind, and that "moving the ICJ is not a legally enforceable right".

N.K. Kalia, the solider's father, naturally expressed his disappointment at the Centre's stance.  "Why is Indian government going soft on Pakistan even after several wars, continuing infiltration and export of terror? It is not just an issue of my son but no other Indian soldier shall be treated like this. There should be a deterrent," N.K. Kalia says, adding he will submit CDs of the Pakistani soldier's TV confession to the Supreme Court.

So yet another time a Political decision taking umbrage as a National perspective is cowing down the ethical responsibility of the Nation to respect, and protest a legally enforceable right.  Feeling very sad indeed.

With anguish for the slain Soldier and to the members of the martyrs’ family

-          S. Sampathkumar.

21^st Nov. 2013

Prithvi Shaw cracks 546; eclipses Sachin Tendulkar.

After the euphoric retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, it is the turn of young Prithvi Pankaj Shaw to hog limelight today.

Writers on Sachin for sure would refer to his unbeaten 326; Vinod Kambli’s 349 and their 664 partnership in a school match – playing for Shardashram Vidyamandir against St Xavier's in Feb 1988; the Xavier’s attack was  led by Sairaj Bahutule.

One popular Q is who was the batsman, who had to wait all the while…. It was another prodigiously talented Amol Muzumbdar, who played for Andhra, Mumbai and Assam.  A righthanded stroke maker, he holds the record for most runs made in Ranji Trophy displacing Amarjeet Kaypee ~ both of them never played for the Nation is a sad fact.

18 years later in Nov 2006 – Kambli, Sachin record was broken when St. Peters High School made 721 without loss in 40 overs against St. Philip’s High School at Hyderabad.   Openers Manoj Kumar and Mohammed Shaibaz, both 13, hit an unbeaten 320 and 324 respectively in the Hyderabad Cricket Association Inter-School Under-13 tournament.  Manoj's innings consumed only 120 deliveries and included 46 fours, while Shaibaz needed just 116 balls and hit 57 fours to batter the St Phillip's High School attack.

In 2011, another youngster came to limelight…  it was Maharashtra’s middle order leftie – Vijay Hari Zol who was later signed up by RCB too.  In an U19 match for Maharashtra, Zol scored an unbeaten 451 off 467 deliveries, batting for almost eleven hours and hit 53 boundaries and two sixes in that record-breaking innings.

Now it is all about Prithvi Shaw, a 14-year-old from Mumbai, who entered the record books after smashing 546 runs - the highest score by an Indian batsman in minor cricket - during a Harris Shield match at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Shaw's innings lasted 367 minutes over two days and included a whopping 85 fours and five sixes which helped his team, Rizvi Springfield, take an 899-run first-innings lead in the A division match against St Francis D'Assisi.

The Baronet Club's ground on the eastern edge of the Azad Maidan was easy to spot today as the news of Shaw's feat spread quickly. The local print media, which covers the tournament regularly, had the company of mediapersons from national dailies and news channels. Mobbed by television cameras after the end of Rizvi's innings, a calm Shaw said, "It is a good score for me and my team. Our coach just asked me to concentrate on every ball. The only plan was to score as many runs as we could. I wasn't thinking of a record, but it feels good."

Shaw is no stranger to Mumbai cricket circles. In the past, he has not only made news for being a heavy-scorer in the local tournaments but also for reportedly being praised by Sachin Tendulkar. 

Shaw's story, like several others', is one of hard work.  He makes long trips in train and practices hard.  He is currently the captain of the Mumbai Under-16 team, which includes his seniors from Rizvi - Armaan Jaffer, Mumbai and India opener Wasim Jaffer's nephew, and Sarfaraz Khan, who has progressed to India Under-19s. During the course of his innings on Wednesday, Shaw went past the previous records set by these two batsmen - in 2009, Sarfaraz had scored 439, which was bettered to 498 by Armaan in 2010-11. Armaan also scored 473 in February 2013, in the Giles Shield.

In International scene,  at least 10 players have made 400 or more…. Topping the list is Brian Lara with 501 not out against Durham in June 1994; followed by Haniff Mohamad’s 499 in 1959 against Bahwalpur; Don Bradman’s 452 n.o against Queensland…. Indian BB Nimbalkar scored 443 n.o against Kathiwar playing for Maharashtra in 1948.  While Brian Lara made unbeaten 400 in a Test in Apr 2004 against England,  the next Indian is Sanjay Manjrekar who made 377 against Hyderabad in Apr 1991 and MV Sridhar of Hyderabad who made 366 against Andhra in Jan 1994.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

20^th Nov. 2013.

Photo of Shaw and news : ESpn cricinfo.com

Jewels of Triplicane ~ 'Jaganmohini' house : Vai.Mu. Kothai Nayaki Ammal, the great writer..

There are many houses which have a rich history behind them – in the intersection of Car Street [Theradi Theru] and Singarachariar Street is this building which in my school days had ‘Mysore lamps’ advertisement …… which in fact was hiding most of the name ‘Jaganmohini’………. [nothing to do with the Jayamalini starrer of the same name]

Thiruvallikkeni aka Triplicane is a famed land… The name “Triplicane”  pronounced Tiruvallikeni by natural laws of linguistics, was crudely rolled and twisted out of shape by the English tongue as Triplicane.  It is a place where religion, nationalistic fervour, patriotism, sports, education and the individual dignity have interspersed for the benefit of the State and the larger interests of the Nation.

The place acquired its name from the famed temple pond ‘Kairavini’ – the pond of lilies – thus becoming ‘Thiru Allik Keni’ – the pond consisting of lily flowers.  Our lives dwell around the Great Sri Parthasarathi Swami which has existed for thousands of years, sung by  Sri  PeyAzhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar ~ with inscriptions  of Pallava King - Danti Varman dating (779-830).

Triplicane houses some best historic educational institutions driving home the point of scholastic excellence for decades.  There is Presidency College (probably one of the first colleges in the province) There is – Hindu High School, Kellet High School, NK Thirumalachariar school for Boys & Girls, Lady Willington School to name a few.  It has the Vivekanandar Illam in Marina, where Swami Vivekananda  stayed in  February 1897, and delivered seven electrifying lectures revealing his plan of campaign to restore India to her pristine glory. 

Triplicane was the seat of freedom struggle – Balagandhara Thilakar and very many patriotic leaders had delivered powerful lectures in Triplicane (Thilakar thidal at Marina beach)  and inspired people in the freedom struggle. Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathi lived in Triplicane and from this place freedom struggle germinated. Another jewel in the crown from Triplicane was Freedom fighter -  Theerar Sathyamoorthi, who represented Chennai and also was a Mayor.  The greatest Mathematician – Srinivasa Ramanujam lived in this great place. The patriarch of Tamil language – Shri U Ve Swaminatha Iyer taught at Presidency college and lived in Triplicane

Have read that ‘Anadhai Penn’ had MK Radha as the hero chosen for the role with the concurrence of the writer who insisted on knowing from time to time how her novel was being dealt with on celluloid. It reportedly was the story of an orphan girl (Sundarambal) who falls in love with a rich, handsome young man (Radha) ~ and this film reportedly had a good comedy line too…..  can you imagine that it was based on a novel  - of a woman, who had a role in freedom struggle too……

  

Vaithamanithi Mudumbai Kothainayaki Ammal (1 December 1901 – 20 February 1960) – popularly known as ‘Vai Mu Kothainayaki’ was a Tamil writer, novelist and journalist who is remembered as the first woman to occupy the editorial board of a Tamil magazine. She wrote 115 books and she published monthly Tamil magazine, Jaganmohini.  The house where she lived was named ‘Jaganmohini’.. her descendents still live there – one could observe the name engraved in the grill of the house. 

She was the first female writer in Tamil, to write a detective novel. She was a multifarious personality who excelled  in fields of public speaking, social service, fiction writing besides being a Freedom Fighter.  She was born in a devout  Sri Vaishnava family in the village of Nirvalur in the then Chengleput District - named Kothai after the great child Saint Andal. Child marriage being then customary, five year-old Kothai was married to a nine year-old, Parthasarathy.  She reportedly  had no formal schooling and she could not read or write at the time of her marriage. Her husband Sri VM Parthasarathy encouraged her and her first novel was dictated by her and written by her friend DC Pattammal.  She later excelled in Tamil, English  and Telugu as well.

It is inspiring to read that so many decades ago, she raised and supported issues like, Women’s emancipation, Social reforms, patriotism and more.   Her  first play-Indira Mohana was published by Noble Press in 1924 and received rave reviews in newspapers like The Hindu, Swadesamitran (Tamil) and New India.  Her second Novel “Vaidehi” was published by Vaduvur Doraiswamy Iyengar in his Magazine, Manoranjini. On his advice, Kothainayaki purchased the rights of the (then defunct) magazine Jaganmohini in 1925 and resumed its publication, and her Novel Vaidehi was serialised in this magazine for over a year. Her novel ‘Padma Sundaram’ was translated to Malayalam and brought her acclaim there also.

Her finesse, in public speaking came to the fore with her participation in many political meetings along with renowned leaders. She was a front line speaker  of the  Congress Party and leaders like  Sarojini Naidu, Dheerar Satyamurthy, Rajaji appreciated her skills and fervour.  She was a talented singer too and sang many patriotic songs in Congress meetings. The famous song of Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathiyar ‘aaduvome pallu paduvome’ was sung by her in meetings in the presence of Barathiyar also. She sang for All India Radio and also released several gramophone records.

She  participated in the satyagraha agitation against Toddy and Liquor shops and was arrested by the Police and received a prison sentence  and participated  in the agitation against Lodhi Commission and the stir for the boycott of foreign clothes. To add to these traits, she was good in mid-wifery too. 

wrappers of Jaganmohini issues...

To commemorate memory of Mahatma Gandhi,  she started an association called Mahatmaji Seva Sangam to help the poor and orphaned children which is in North Tank Square street, Thiruvallikkeni -  now none resides there. [I have some personal connection to this place and perhaps would make a post on it some day …]

She also ran a school in Triplicane exclusively for women where she taught among other subjects, music, tailoring, handicrafts, embroidery and languages.  In her 115 novels, she dealt with socially relevant issues of the day like the dowry menace, ill-treatment of women, women's education, ills of the Devadasi system, untouchability and many more. Three of her novels were filmed. `` Raj Mohan", ``Anathai Penn'' and ``Dayanithi".  A pioneer feminist, a Carnatic music composer  and a great writer – perhaps never received the recognition that she richly deserved.  To understand her true greatness, tell yourself once that all these the orthodox lady did almost  a century ago, and then read the entire post again…..

In  Mar 2002 – SYMA provided the platform for a book titled ‘Kaliyuga Kothai’ on Vai Mu Kothainayaki by Ms Geetha Venaktakrishnan.  Her centenary year was celebrated by SYMA together with Soundarya Rathinamala as ‘Women’s day’

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

20^th Nov. 2013.

~ a long time resident of Triplicane and Secretary of SYMA

~~ with inputs taken from the article of Vai.Mu. Geetha Venkatakrishnan as it appeared in SYMA Silver Jubilee Souvenir

Pedicure, Manicure, and ..... giant snail massage...

Heard of ‘Achatina fulica’ …… it  is a species of land snail that  thrives in many types of habitat in areas with mild climates, listed as one of the top 100 invasive species in the world.  The French have long appreciated snails on a plate with butter and garlic ~ here is something on what they are used for when alive….

Read ‘Thiru Kutrala Kuravanchi’ written by Thiru Kooda Rasappa Kavirayar….,. it is written on Courtallam and ThiruKUtrala Nathar, the deity at this place.  Courtallam has numerous waterfalls and cascades an dit considered the spa of South India.  The South West Monsoon brings in the cold breeze with mild temperature. The waters are considered to have medicinal qualities.  People apply varied oils on themselves and stand in the falls ~ a few seconds the oil would be gone due to the force and strength of water and one feels very fresh …. ~ there are also various types of massage with oil done by specialists !

In recent times, you see lot of boards advertising ‘massage’ especially the Thai message; you see many Vietnamese or people with similar looks ………. ~ and this post is certainly not on them and not on what people perceive that they are doing here..... Thai massage – or Nuat Thai - is unique among massage therapies in combining both physical and energetic aspects. It is a deep, full-body massage progressing from the feet up, and focusing energy lines throughout the body, with the aim of clearing blockages in these lines, and thus stimulating the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body.  

Now the whole World appears ‘beauty conscious’ and even in villages ‘fairness creams’ sell hot.  Good marketing techniques and advertisements in TV and everywhere else have ensured market for skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, hand sanitizer, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butters and many other types of products.

People, especially women indulge in manicure, pedicure and more.  Manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands performed at home or in a nail salon.  It is replete with  filing, shaping of the free edge, treatments, massage of the hand.  Similar service to improve the appearance of feet and nails is called pedicure.   Had posted long back on :  “fish pedicure”. .   read that earlier post : http://www.sampspeak.in/2011/05/have-you-heard-of-garra-rufa-and-fish.html

There are some types of fishes and you would have observed that in some ponds, when you venture down for bathing, you can feel fishes nibbling you.   This type of fish is popularly called the Doctor fish.  There are two varieties -  Garra rufa and Cyprinion macrostomus.  Other nicknames include nibble fish, kangal fish, and doctorfishen; Garra rufas  are associated with Turkish spas.  There are claims that these fishes would cure psoriasis and would work through hard skin on heels, stimulate acupuncture points, improve blood circulation and relax the body reducing fatigue.

Now getting back to the one at the start of the post : ‘Achatina fulica’ – the giant snails……..  Having live snails crawling on your face sounds like the thing of nightmares, but in this beautiful World some Companies have already started making people pay for that.  "Slime from snails helps remove old cells, heal the skin after sun burn and moisturize it,"  claims a spokeswoman for Tokyo-based beauty salon - as she places  three gastropods on a woman's face. She continues that – this way, one can have 100 percent pure snail essence directly on the skin. Snail slime is believed to have an anti-aging effect on human skin, and some cosmetics are already sold with essence of escargot.

In the special clinic, the snails alone cost 10,500 yen ($106). Elsewhere, the treatment involves having three of the creatures slither up and down your face ~ has found its way in UK and USA as well….. a top dermatologist who is  a regular consultant on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, has a team of fully trained 'snail facialists' who will make sure the creepy crawlies don’t venture too near the nostrils, mouth and eyes.

Are you ready for one ?......

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

Photos courtesy : www.dailymail.co.uk