Krishna Menon and the MIG 21: First Russian Fighter Jet for IAF

Role of Krishna Menon
 The MIG 21 has been the backbone of the Indian Air Force for almost 5 decades. During this period the MIG 21 and its variants have done yeoman service for the IAF and have to say the least done well. Credit for the induction of the MIG must go to Krishna Menon the defense Minister of India. In 1961 he took a monumental decision to go in for the Soviet plane in preference to comparative Western fighters. The deal was swung by the Russians as they offered to give technical knowhow to manufacture the plane. Accordingly two MIG plants came up in India at Nashik and Koraput and these plants manufactured over 600 planes for the Indian Air Force. the bulk of the IAF squadrons were equipped with the MIG 21.

MIG 21 Vrs F-104
 The MIG was a Mach 2 supersonic interceptor with a delta wing and single engine. But its endurance was only 45 minutes and hence great care was undertaken in planning missions with this aircraft. The MIG first saw action in the 1965 war. But its real forte emerged in the 1971 war when it proved the better fighter than the Pakistan Air Force F104 star fighter. The Star fighter was a gift of the US to Pakistan. The MIG 21 was also used in the 1999 Kargil conflict when one plane was also lost to a stinger missile. Its last kill was the Atalntiq Naval plane which was shot down in the Kutch.

 The plane over the years has done excellent service for the Indian Air force. The MIG 21 is a supersonic interceptor that has an air-conditioned canopy. It also carries missiles.

The IAF has however lost over a 100 MIGs in accidents and ground attacks over the years. This does appear an inordinate large number as 83 pilots have also died. But people feel that these accidents are not a reflection on the plane and to prove it the earlier Chief Air Marshal Tyagi regularly flew it.

 The MIG 21 is now going into the sunset and the upgraded version is slated to be phased put by 2017. But the era of the MIG and the history of the IAF are linked for ever and can never be erased. The MiG 21 remained the backbone of the IAF fleet for almost 5 decades.

Obama is now a Lame Duck President: Americans have Themselves Contributed to his Failure

The recent midterm elections have had one effect and that is the President Obama's last 2 years as President will remain inconsequential like his earlier 6 years. When Obama was voted President, the Blacks were elated, but I don't think the whites were too enamoured of having a colored Afro American as a President. Though it must be understood, that Obama in the classical sense is not a black Afro American as he had a white mother. A fact that will perhaps never be clarified is as to how American Obama was as his father was a Kenayan. What ever it may be, Obama by a chemistry of votes became President, but he was hemmed in by Congress. In addition his personal beliefs honed over the years as a senator, militated against him following the role of the previous Presidents. He didn't want America to fight the Muslims and he was lukewarm to Israel. In addition his autobiography 'The Audicity of Hope' is full of double speak and he went on to record that in case the winds blow against Islam he would stand shoulder to shoulder with Muslims.

Obama thus had his vision which was entirely different from previous presidents. It was obvious that a white Congress would not give him much leeway. The result is for all to see as the USA has slid from its global power position and despite the best of efforts to appease the Islamists by Obama, the Wahabbi concept of America as the great Satan has not changed. Obama has now sepent 6 non-descryptyears in the White House. I am afraid he has nothing much to show as Congress has curtailed all his actions. Perhaps if he had his way he would have liked America to be friends with the Muslim world and maybe even ally with them. This has not happened and now with the defeat in the mid term poll the US President is a lame duck who just has to live out his last 2 years as President. Obama will go down in history as the US President who took the first steps in downgrading the US role in world affairs. Gorbachov of the USA ? This is not such a farfetched idea anyway.

Ravana the King of Sri Lanka and Lover of Sita

Ravana was the king of Lanka. In Indian folklore he abducted Sita the wife of Lord Rama and took her to Lanka (Ceylon). Rama then mounted an invasion army that crossed to Sri Lanka. In an epic battle Ravana was defeated and killed and the Lord Rama brought Sita back. This is all related in the Ramayana.

Ravana  is reported to have ruled during the period 2554-2517 BC. Ravana was supposed to have 10 heads, but Lankans feel that this represented the 10 kingdoms that he ruled. Ravana is very much a historical figure and historians generally credit him as the ruler of Lanka with his headquarters at Polonnaruwa which is located in North Central Sri Lanka.

There has been a revival of sorts in Lanka and it is pointed out that Ravana had made great advances and also invented the pushpaka vimana or the airplane. In addition he is held in high regard as a physician. 7 medical books are credited to Ravana which were originally written in Sinhala and later translated to Sanskrit. Ravana's medical books are NadiPariksha, Arka Prakashata, Uddisa Chiktsaya, Oddiya Chikitsa, Kumara Tantraya and Vatina Prakaranaya.

 Hindu texts of that period also credit Ravana as a man who ruled the 3 worlds and was a follower of Shiva, the creator and destroyer. He is reported to have been administered the juice of immortality by Shiva. He had also mastered the Vedas and all the religious books of the Hindus. Hindu texts also agree that Ravana was a virile king, who was fond of women, his favorite wife being Mandodri.

 Indian texts in particular the Ramayana mention that Ravana abducted the lovely Sita from the Jungles of central India and took her to Lanka.He was the son of a Brahmin called ‘Vishrava’ and a princess called ‘Kaikesi’. When Kaikesi came of age to be married, her father ‘Sumali’ the king of the Daityas, wanted her to marry the most powerful and noble man in the world. He refused a lot of offers made by a number of princes and went to Vishrava instead. He agreed to marry Kaikesi. Yet, he told that Kaikesi approached her in the wrong time, and the children that were to be born to them will be bent towards evil.

Ravana was the eldest of the sons that they had. He was named “Dasagriva” or “Dashanana” since it is believed that he had ten heads. But this may be because he had the power and strength of ten men. Some say the ten heads were due to the reflections of a crystal necklace gifted to him by his father at the time of his birth or he had the mental strength of 10 people. Ravana had two brothers, Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna and one sister, Meenakshi (Later named Supernlakha,)

                                                                                                

Why did Ravana abduct Sita? The Ramayana mentions he did this as an act of revenge for his sister Supernlakha, whose nose had been chopped off by the brother of Rama, Laxman. When Ravana took Sita to Lanka he kept her with him in a separate palace in Central Lanka. He visited her everyday and lavished gifts and presents on Sita. The Ramayana mentions that during this entire period of captivity of Sita, she remained chaste. This does not gel with the actual facts as a beautiful woman in the custody of a powerful king cannot be left untouched. Hindu texts do not discuss the relationship of Ravana and Sita in any detail.

Ravana palace where he kept Sita                       

He did lavish gifts on her but the core issue is untouched. As Rama was the 8th avatar of Vishnu perhaps in deference to Rama this issue is left untouched. But now people in the 21st century can draw their own conjectures. Would Ravana a virile king spared Sita?

Introducing the Dabral Baba: Man with ESP and Spiritual Powers

India is the home of spiritualism. Right down from the Vedic age, the Indian environment has thrown up a significant number of holy men with super powers. The Hindu religion has a deep philosophy, and it's only now that Westerners have started understanding this complex spiritual heritage. Ujjain is one of the holiest places in the Hindu religion. Situated at a distance of about 80 km from Indore, it is the abode of Lord Shiva, the most powerful god in the Hindu pantheon.

Located at this place is the famous temple dedicated to Kaal Bhairov, who in real terms is another form of Lord Shiva. Kaal Bhairov is Shiva, in a fierce manifestation and when in this form the god dons a necklace of serpents and generally is the anti-thesis of the peace loving Lord Shiva.

Also staying at Indore is a man who by prayer and penance to Kraal Bhairov has been blessed with superpowers including telepathy, ESP and clairvoyance. Popularly called the Dabral Baba, he resides at Rishi Nagar at Ujjain. Dabral Baba is an educated man and is a postgraduate. He was at one time an employee of the University of Ujjain. He retired in 1978 and since then spends his time in prayer and helping people to discover them. He guides them and also gives uncanny forecasts that by themselves are to say the least startling.

 The Dabral Baba is easily approachable and gives 'darshan' to his followers and believers every day between 3 and 5 pm at his residence. People, from as far apart as Mumbai and Delhi come to get the blessings of the Baba, as well as seek spiritual guidance for their problems. The Baba stays in a small house with his son. All the visitors assemble in the courtyard and the Baba who is sitting inside a small room meets all the visitors one by one in his chamber.

Generally he holds the hands of the person in his palms and then relates some uncanny observations and forecasts. In case you have a question, you can ask the Baba who will then give you an answer. I had occasion to meet the Baba thrice and every time, I have come away wonderstruck at the spiritual power of the Baba. His forecasts have come true and then there is the desire to meet him again and again.

 The Baba takes no money and if at all you wish to take anything, take a packet of Ladus (Indian sweetmeat), which the Baba will distribute to other followers, who have come for his Darshan. The Dabral Baba is a phenomenon that cannot be explained. It is obvious that he derives his power from the God Kaal Bhairov, whose follower he is. This is one of the wonders of spiritual India, which has no rationale. Science comes a cropper in trying to explain the powers of the Baba. Surely he is a man of god.

What is Nude Yoga and how it Benefits Man

Yoga is an Indian spiritual exercise concept that has an additional benefit of toning up the body. Basically it consists of holding poses called Asana for some length of time. Yoga is intrinsically linked with Hinduism and generally has a twofold purpose. It tones the body but also elevates the mind to a higher plane. This part of Yoga is difficult to understand and practice and cannot be achieved with a Yoga guru. Swami Shraddanand was a Yogi (master of Yoga) and had his ashram at Nirmal GAO in Bassien Road. The Swami is no more but he advocated doing Yoga in the nude without any clothes. It must be understood that the nude Yoga recommended by the Swami is not part of mainstream Yoga and can only be indulged in by a man or a woman who has achieved some degree of proficiency in normal yoga. The swami died almost a decade and a half back, but his concept of Yoga in the nude is very much valid even today.

Yoga in the nude is to be done only by a person who has mastered and reached a higher level of Yoga. In case a person is shy of doing nude Yoga in a gathering than it is best to practice it alone in a bare room with only you and a mirror. The mirror is essential so that you can see yourself as created by god. Women undergoing Yoga and the men as well, are advised to do naked yoga in their natural form without use of hair remover and razors. Shaving the beard is not included as a taboo.

Yoga in the nude after a period of practice in solitude is to be done in a gathering with a mixed grouping of men and women. The basic aim of Yoga in the nude is to make a person aware of his or her body and raise him to a higher level that leaves sexuality behind. It is difficult and that is the reason it is recommended only for persons who have reached some level of proficiency in this field. Yoga teaches concentration and relaxation. Both essential ingredients’ for the human mind. It also tones the muscles and advanced Yogi’s can also by a mixture of celibacy and the Sir Asana (head stand) develop ESP powers. Many Swamis in India have developed these powers through yoga.

Nude yoga is generally to be done in the morning before the sun rises. The participants under the guidance of a guru are to enter a large hall with small mats for each participant. The practitioners are to divest themselves of their robes and clothes and commence the logic session as directed by the Guru. It is generally seen that participants of Nude yoga do have very little sexual thoughts as they concentrate on reaching a higher plane. But attractions can develop which in itself is a good thing. There are to be no inhibitions and the aim is to have an awareness of the body and reap the benefits of Yoga to reach a higher spiritual plane.

The Tale of Blue Beard: a lovely tale for all Times

Blue Beard is a mythical character. He lives in our mind as an example of a man who was both lusty and wicked. He was known as Blue Beard, because of the color of his beard which had a bluish tinge.

Blue Beard was a nobleman who lived in a palatial castle. He was overtly fond of going women, who he married and these women then mysteriously disappeared. The local people wondered about it, but so grwsat was Blue Beards hold, that none questioned him or had the courage to ask him

Blue beard once again married a young lovely girl. She was delighted to be the wife of such a man as she revelled in his affluence.  The girl was allowed to go all over the castle, except one room. She was intrigued about it and asked Blue Beard about it, but he brushed aside her question. This intrigued the girl more and she began to wonder what that closed room contained.

One fine day Blue Beard told her, he was going for an errand to the town. He gave her the keys of the castle and all the rooms, with the usual injunction not to open that one mysterious room. As she heard the horses hooves peter away, she decided to open the room. The girl went to the room and used the key to open the padlock. The rusty lock opened and she unbolted the door and stepped inside.

The room was in s state of semi darkness and it was some time ere she could get a hang of the place.. She almost stifled a scream as she saw the room contained skeletons of all the earlier wives of Blue Beard. It was obvious that he had killed all of them after they had been deflowered. She rushed out of the room and  was accosted by Blue Beard. He was smiling , but soon his smile vanished and he announced that as she had disobeyed his injunction he would kill her ere the sun went down. Frightened the girl went up to the terrace to pray for deliverance and also watch the sun going down.

Two brothers of the girl who had heard about the mysterious disappearance of the girls in the castle had set out to rescue their sister. They rode hard and fast and reached the castle ere the sun was setting. In a furious battle Blue Beard was killed.

Its a lovely tale and it grows on your mind. What a character this Blue Beard was!

Guru Nanak and his Visit to Dacca

Guru Nanak is the founder of the Sikh religion. The Guru was born in 1469 and before he had touched 40 he had completed 4 major tours. These tours involved travels to Baghdad, Mecca, Tibet, Eastern India and Ceylon. Guru Nanak completed all his travels at a young age and then settled down in the Punjab, where he preached his message of one god. Guru Nanak travelled to East India around 1499. He was accompanied by his aide and ministeral, Mardana. This tour is recorded in the Janam Sakhi ( life story) as related by Bhai Bala. There are many versions of the Janam Sakhi, but all of them agree that he visited Bengal and Assam which in the Janam Sakhi is referred to asKamrup.Guru Nanak travelled in the garb of a holy man (Fakir). He and Mardana normally travelled along with a caravan or a group of travelers.

The Janam Sakhi also records a miracle at Sylhet (now in Bangladesh). As per the Sakhi (story) when Guru Nanak visited Sylhet, A great magician converted Mardana into a lamb. Guru Nanak however recognized Mardana as a sheep and broke the magical spell and freed Mardana. This greatly relieved Mardana who as sheep had realized his helplessness. This had a profound effect on the Pir who became the follower of the Guru. This miraculous story is not being taken in the literal sense, but points to the great power of the Guru. There is also Sakhi of Guru Nanak meeting a witch in Assam, who had the power of flying on broom stick. Guru Nanak by his miraculous power made the witch to accept him as her master. This tale is again symbolic. Guru Nanak also visited Dacca and spent many days there. He held discourses and spread his message of one God. There is Gurudwara in Dacca that commemorates the visit of Guru Nanak in the Dacca university campus. I am told there are 7 Gurudwara in Bangladesh. There are about 18000 Sikhs in Bangladesh who form a vibrant community there. Dacca can be easily reached by a direct AC bus from Calcutta or a direct flight from Delhi/Calcutta.