ISSUES THAT KEEP US PRE_OCCUPIED

A very different...and an interesting take on the issues,
that keep us pre-occupied these days.

Whether Jinnah was secular or not makes no difference. They
were both mere mortals. Their feet were carved out of clay
and hands were made of straw. Who caused partition of the
country is also immaterial. Our wars with our neighbor are
a part of the Celestial design. ‘India’ and ‘Pakistan’ are
two measly words on the map of Asia and Kashmir is just an
excuse. If it was not the Muslim majority valley, we would
have fought over the river waters or shipping rights in the
Arabian Sea. Or, maybe, we could both claim the Kohinoor kept
in safe custody by the British and battled over its possession.
So wise a thinker as Chanakya observed,

“The neighbor is your natural enemy, and his neighbor is
your natural ally”

Thus it is that France fights with Germany; Japan with China;
Iran with Iraq and Israel fights with everyone around her borders.
And so, if there was no Pakistan, we could be fighting with the
militant tribes of Afghanistan. And, of course, nations like the
USA would keep the passions aroused so that they can continue
to supply military hardware to both the belligerents. Has it ever
occurred to you that the US economy would suffer a crippling blow
if all warring nations resolved their problems and declared truce?
And of course, the likes of me who have eked a living out armed
conflicts would neither get pay nor pension!

Now, since the above generalization is a rule, it must also
have an exception. (Or else, William Shakespeare would be turning
in his grave!) In this case we have several exceptions. The USA and
Canada have never fought. The land-locked Switzerland is surrounded
by three countries and was yet able to remain peaceful when all of
Europe was on fire. I think Ghalib was able to put forward a more
comprehensive generalization, when he said,
“Bazeecha-e-atfaal
"Hai duniya mere agey Hota hai shab-o-sahar tamaasha mere
agey”.
What I find in front of me is a children’s play field From dawn to
dusk I see a ‘tamaasha’ (a poorly enacted drama)
All these ‘strategic studies’ and ‘military analyses’ which the
retired soldiers indulge in so assiduously are sheer ploys to keep
themselves occupied. Conflict is inherent to human nature.
The unfortunate ones who are unable to pick up a societal issue
turn inwards, and pick upon their hapless spouse for battle.

The shortest and the most profound piece which I ever read on
domestic disharmony was composed by Ogden Nash.
He wrote,
WHICH THE CHICKEN WHICH THE EGG?
He drinks because she scolds, he thinks
She thinks, she scolds because he drinks
And neither will admit what is true
That he is a sot and she is a shrew.

Colonel ( retd) N K Balakrishnan,
" SINHGARH",Pulleppady,
Chittoor Road,Kochi-682018
Phone- ( 0484) 2380987