Goa the Bikini and Girls * 79

By M G Singh, 

Goa has ample sun-kissed beaches and thousands of tourists from west, particularly Slav nations flock here. The bikini has become a part of politics.

Goa and the bikini

Indian in bikini

Goa brims with foreign tourists around the year and no other spot except Goa deals with such astronomical tourist-influx. Goa is indeed in oddity with all other tourist zones of India. And what that fixates one’s eyeballs upon and also heats up a debate among ministers of Goa is ‘bikini’.

Why is it that biknis still continue to be a matter of squeamishness among the ministries of Goa? Very recently, Goa PWD minister Sudin Dhavalika reportedly said that he would oppose a free bikini wear in Goa. He is reported to have said that if tourists come to Goa wearing bikinis, then I am against it. He added that “culture” was against wearing the two-piece bathing garment. In contrast the Tourism minister Parulekar had commented that as a tourism minister, he had never said no to bikinis.

The tourism minister, however, added that bikinis could be worn on beaches as well as swimming pools but not in supermarkets or temples. One gets a feeling that politics is needlessly injected into a mundane topic. Maybe to hog the limelight, but it could also be playing to the gallery for votes and popularity. Many people love moral policing.


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Live and let live

Goa Beach

My stance in favor of bikinis beyond the beach

With no intention of inflicting my views on any body who is reading, I put forward my stand on the ‘bikini-issue’. Well, in my eyes, I don’t see any need for a ban on bikinis on the beach, that is, in swimming pools, markets, kiosks or any open-to-public section. One should not forget that the ancient Indian dresses as seen from paintings and sculptures are far more revealing.

Most tourists who come to Goa do it to relax and let their hair down. Many come from extremely cold countries and Goa is heaven for them, with its sunshine and all weather beaches.

Donning a bikini is one’s self choice and there should be no talk of culture and heritage etc. These can be self-defeating. I think bringing politics into wearing a bikini is not the right approach. In real terms many Indian girls also wear bikinis. Goa on the Arabian Sea is a blessed place, let's keep it that way.

The Bedding of the Queen of Sheba by Solomon the conqueror

How King Solomon Seduced the Queen of Sheba

By M G Singh, 

This is one of the great loves of mythology and reading about it even now thrills young and old

A great seduction

ancient wall mural

The Tale of Solomon and Sheba and their love affair is mentioned in the Bible. This is not the only source and we have other corroborative tales as well. One tale from Ethiopia recounts how Solomon seduced the Queen of Sheba. When the queen reached the kingdom of Solomon, she agreed to stay in his palace, provided he did not touch her. Solomon readily agreed, but as he was a very intelligent man he added a condition. He said that his oath not to touch her would stand, but would not be valid in case the queen used any personal item or thing of his. there are many versions of this tale, but the central theme is the same, attraction and sex between the Queen of Sheba and the great king Solomon. In a way, it is a tale that has been replicated millions of times and each one of us has lived through a similar episode.

When the Queen came visiting Solomon she was given a bedroom adjacent to the great king. Solomon had seen the queen and he longed for her. Can we call it love at first sight? He made a devious plan to bed the queen and he resolved to possess her.

Keeping his promise to the queen in mind, Solomon got a large ornamental glass filled with water and took a big sip from it. He later placed the glass by the bedside of the queen. At night the queen felt thirsty and got up and drank from the glass. Solomon who was waiting in an adjoining chamber with an artificial partition was able to watch the Queen not only undress but reinforced his plan to enforce his part of the promise. Solomon entered at once and claimed that as the queen had drunk from his glass she was his. The queen who was in a state of undress had no choice but to acquiesce and she gave herself to Solomon. Perhaps she secretly desired him. It is reported that Solomon made ferocious love to her and soon teh Queen after this bout became his consort. Solomon shifted to her bedroom. All the same, it’s an interesting tale and the union bore fruit as the queen conceived a child from Solomon.

This tale from the bible is wonderful to read and was very well presented on celluloid with Yul Brynner and Gina Lolobrigida in the movie " Solomon and Sheba".

Suicide by army Veteran for OROP shows the apathy of the Government of Modi

Veteran Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, aged 70 years, unhappy at government not providing OROP (One Rank One Pension) to Veterans, committed suicide in Delhi on November 2, 2016, by consuming poison.

OROP

OROP has been the focus of intense agitation over many months at Jantar Mantar in 2015, and the government has prevaricated and dodged the core issue, with PM Narendra Modi, RM Manohar Parrikar and FM Arun Jaitley making different, often conflicting, always confusing statements on OROP.

The false promise and back slapping

It all began with BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's promise of OROP during with his election speech to Veterans at Rewari on September 15, 2013, with recently retired army chief General V.K.Singh by his side.

PM Modi is quoted as saying in one of his speeches in Punjab, “Humne kissanon ka pet kaat kar, Ex-Servicemen ko OROP diya”,something that could only divide the Jawan from the Kissan, undoing PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's rousing slogan “Jai Jawan! Jai Kissan!”.

A few days ago, on Diwali this year, a TV program showed PM Modi talking to ITBP and army personnel in Sumdo, Himachal Pradesh, saying that he had fulfilled the OROP promise made to ex-servicemen on the issue that had not been resolved for 40 years, and the first instalment of nearly Rs.5,500 crore had been paid for implementing the OROP scheme. He said implementing OROP was his “dream” which has “been fulfilled”.

The real truth

It is extremely surprising that he did not know that what had been “granted” as OROP was actually a sham and not the real thing, which had been objected to by Veterans who had taken the matter to Court.

Starting with OROP, multiple issues like 6CPC (Central Pay Commission) and 7CPC anomalies, keeping the military out of successive CPCs and outside the purview of the Anomalies Committee, pay parity with IAS/IPS, NFU, down gradation of military ranks vis a vis civilian officials, reducing disability pension, and lower hazard allowance than IAS/IPS, have agitated, angered and dismayed serving and retired officers and men alike.

It is true that earlier Congress and UPA governments, and one full-term NDA government, had not granted OROP, but it must be seen that the present NDA government granting OR5P was after a prolonged veterans' countrywide agitations with its core at Jantar Mantar under the aegis of Indian Ex-Servicemen's Movement (IESM). The Delhi Police (under the Union Home Minister) lathi charge attack on peacefully agitating veterans at Jantar Mantar on August 14, 2015 did much to disenchant Veterans with the ruling BJP-led NDA dispensation.

The crocodile tears and the future

Late Veteran Subedar Grewal would not know that the reason for his suicide (OROP) has been smothered by the politicization of his suicide because crucial elections are on the horizon. It is possible that the mourning family of a person who has died gets some solace when important personages call to express condolences and offer help, and it has long been “standard practice” for politicians of all hues to call on bereaved families. It is also true that such personages mix their genuine personal concern with their political agendas.

Politicians of all hues could teach a thing or two to Aesop's crocodile on shedding tears. After the current political dust settles, it remains to be seen whether Veteran Grewal's suicide in demand of OROP was in vain.

"Doctrine of Necessity" and Pakistan *. 67

Defination

Supreme Court of Pak

“Doctrinne of necessity” is a legal term. This is a term used in constitutional law and is as old as history. What does it mean? It means that a government can resort to extra constitutional authority in case there is a breakdown in law and order. The purpose is to restore order in a situation when anarchy rules. The Romans used this doctrine in the occupied lands. Later in the 13th century the doctrine was given a legal cover by the jurist Henry de Bracton (1210-68).

Theory of Blackstone and Henry Bracton

william Blackstone

Henry Bracton was perhaps the first to give a proper legal frame work to this theory. He lived during the 13th century and was greatly influenced by the conditions in England at that time.

The doctrine was further revised by William Blackstone (1773-68) an English Jurist. Both jurists had a common thread that this doctrine was a necessity, in case there was a breakdown in law and order. The crucial point is “breakdown in law and order”. There is a related question as to who will decide this. The jurists did not amplify on this matter.
In the 20th century the doctrine was extensively studied and commented upon by the English Jurist Sir Ivor Jennings( 1903-62)

‘Doctrine of Necessity’ has never been used in England. But it has been used in Germany by Hitler and now in Pakistan. Pakistan is one nation that has repeatedly upheld changes in Pakistan’s political environment by military coups under this doctrine. This makes sad reading.

Doctrine of Necessity and Pakistan

scales of justice

The Doctrine of Necessity has been known for over 2000 years, but it has been rarely invoked in modern history. The state of Pakistan has however relied on this doctrine to justify military coups and judicial political hangings like of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by the army general Zia ul Haq.

The first time this doctrine was used in Pakistan was in 1954. The events are now well known. The then Governor General of Pakistan Ghulam Mohammed dismissed the constituent assembly. He took this unconstitutional step as he felt that the assembly did not represent the people of Pakistan. It was a partisan step and an appeal against the Governor General’s order was filed in the Sind High court.

The President of the Constituent Assembly Maulvi Tamizzuddin was the man who filed the appeal. It is on record that the Sind High Court ruled in favor of the petition filed by Maulvi Tamizzuddin. The Governor General went in appeal to the Chief Court of Pakistan (later the Supreme Court). The then Chief Justice Muhammed Munir seeing the wind blowing with the army breathing down his neck ruled in favor of the Governor General. Justice Munir relied on the doctrine of necessity as enunciated in Roman law and further enunciated by Ivor Jennings. This was a sad day for Pakistan.

Priyanka Chopra and Dating * 77

Vote closed 1 vote

Priyanka Chopra star of Baywatch and Quantico says she does not believe in dating

Priyanka Chopra to Star in 'Baywatch' (Exclusive) - Hollywood Reporter - hollywoodreporter.com

Priyanka Chopra is a top Bollywood star who has now entered the American world of show biz. She is 34 years old and single. She is not only the subject of gossip but also a darling with the publications like Maxims and others which have showcased her on their covers. Obviously, a single famous girl does raise questions. People in America and all over the world want to know whether she is hitched to a man. When in Mumbai Priyanka never had a steady boyfriend except for a brief flirtation with Akshay Kumar and Shahid Kapoor. In the USA  - the star of Baywatch and Quantico has not been reported to date, anyone.

Priyanka on dating.

Film stars bask in the sun and perhaps they love the gossip that surrounds them. Priyanka has been in the news with her flawless armpits that generated quite a healthy controversy. I am sure the lady enjoyed the comments as she replied by posting her picture with bare arm pits on Instagram. Now she has come out with a statement that she has never dated anyone and does not believe in dating. This comment has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Yet the actress has made this comment to Veronica Chambers in the magazine In Style which should hit the stands soon. The actress who stars as the villain in Baywatch has stated that she only believes in a relationship and not in dating. Frankly, even now no one knows whether there is a definite man in her life. There are rumors of an Indian NRI with whom she may tie the knot. All this is speculation and the fact is the public loves to read such tidbits of the life of stars. 

The magazine interview.

Priyanka's comments can be read in the August issue of the magazine In Style that may be in the stands on 8 July. It will be an interview worth reading and will show her mind and how she thinks. Priyanka is a modern girl who studied in America and it is very she would definitely have had men in her life. Maybe she does not believe in dating as it's a frivolous act, but there is no denying that she is a gorgeous girl and many hundreds of men would like to date her

Tom Cruize the ONLY macho Star * 73

Despite aging, Tom Cruise still does death-defying stunts and the fact is that he is in a class all by himself.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation review: Tom Cruise just won't ... - theguardian.com

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Every Actor is supposed to have a shelf life. Some have a longer shelf life than others. Romantic heroes have a longer life than actors who do physical stunts. Doing a stunt without a double is taxing and one can say a tribute to physical fitness. So many Hollywood stars have come and I can't recollect a macho star who did his own stunts and survived in the top bracket for so long a time. Tom entered Hollywood in 1981 with a role inEndless love. Now 34 years down the line, Tom remains the no 1 macho star who does his own stunts. Nobody can do the stunts Tom does and that makes him special not only for America but the world.

Tom Cruise and his stunts

Tom Cruise is now 53-years-old and there is nobody who can hold a candle to his daredevilry. In all his films he has done the stunt scenes himself and a double has never replicated him. In all his films the masses go to see Tom in action either with a sword like in Tthe Last Samurai or the bike rider in Mission Impossible. He has also courted death at least a dozen times and yet he has not given up on doing his own stunts. His death-defying stunts in the Mission Impossible series will live long in the memory of people all over the world. There is no doubt that Tom is a global star and even in India his films are dubbed in Indian regional languages and attract hundreds and thousands of viewers. He is the most representative face of Hollywood in the third world, where his escapism gives a thrill to all.

Tom and the future

Tom was born in 1962 and now is getting past the age of doing stunts. However, no star  has appeared who can replace Tom and he soldiers on. It would be wrong to think of Tom only as a stunt actor as he brings finesse and poise to his roles and can be a good romantic lover on the screen. In personal life, Tom has married thrice and maybe that is a sign that he is also looking for love. How long will Cruise carry on in the present vein? It's difficult to make a forecast, but he has done enough to be given an entry into Hollywoods hall of fame.

Hillary might win but she will be a disaster.

Can Hillary Clinton lead the USA forward as President?

Hillary the likely Democrat nominee is ahead of Donald Trump in the Gallup polls yet serious doubts exist about her ability to the lead the US forward

What Strategy Should Hillary Clinton Use to Beat Trump? - The Atlantic - theatlantic.com

Hillary contested against Obama for the Democrat nomination in 2008 but eventually lost. She bided her time for 8 years before trying again and now it appears that she will be the nominee of the Democrats for the coming presidential election. In between, she had a stint as the secretary of state under Obama and that period was not particularly successful and she was involved in some controversies like the famous Benghazi coverup. She was also the wife of BillClinton when he was President and afraid she could not have had a happy relationship with Bill as he was in the limelight for using the Oval office as his rendezvous with Monica Lewinsky. He escaped impeachment by the skin of his teeth, but the resultant publicity took its toll. Hillary was thus an outsider during the presidency of Bill Clinton and she cannot claim that she has experience of the goings on in the White House. Despite this, she leads in the Gallup polls over Trump by many points.

The policy of Hillary.

Hillary has admitted many things. She had admitted the economy is bad, but she has the panacea to cure it. She is also attacking Donald for his divisive politics. At the same time, she is beholden to big business and the present incumbent Obama for this nomination. I am afraid it's not a nomination she won on her own strength. She is thus likely to toe the Obama line and her failure to call a spade a spade on many occasions can be seen as a negative fallout. The only thing going for her is that  if she is elected she will be the first woman to be president of the USA and apart from this distinction there does not seem anything positive she has to offer to the American masses. Serious doubts exist as to her ability to lead America.

Hillary as president.

As things stand Hillary is not a revolutionary thinker. She is mouthing the words that Obama has been repeating for years. In real terms, Obama brought the prestige of the US down and one of his most glaring mistakes was his failure to recognize the source of terror. Americans are wary of the immigrants from Islamic lands and there is no doubt that Muslims even after living for decades in their adopted country will in a moment spread terror and chaos. Hillary has not recognized it and thus the entire edifice of her policy is based on wrong assumptions and a soft approach. There have been iron women at the helm and one can think of the names of Margret Thatcher and the Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.  But Hillary is not in that class and the fact that big business is backing her shows that she does not have the support of the younger voters. The elections are still some 3 weeks  away, but in case Hillary wins  for want of a better choice, America may be on the downslide. One can think of Gorbachov and wonder whether Obama followed by Hillary may see an American version of the Russian leader. A factor conveniently forgotten is her health. She fainted some time back and that does not auger well for a person who has to be the executive head of the nation and the Commander in Chief