Reading Between the Lines: The Middle East Crisis

For many of you the American condemnation of Syria for use of chemical weapons might not come as a surprise. The American decision to invade Syria might seem to be an obvious thing for all the people, but what is not obvious is the reason for the invasion. Well it is neither oil nor the use of chemical weapons. It is, actually, much more than that. Why are the Americans so adamant to attack? And what are the exact causes?

Irrespective of what the causes are, it is for sure that the reasons are not what America claims. There is obviously more to it than what meets the eye. After all, how can it be that the world's biggest violator of human rights suddenly turns so benevolent that now it’s actually touched by the death of a thousand people by chemical misuse; and that too halfway across the world, thousands of kilometers from its own land, and mind it, that’s the same country that led to the death of lakhs of Japanese by recklessly dropping two atom bombs in World War II, despite having almost won the war. America is not talking peace but has always brought war upon others. History says that wherever American forces have landed they have brought along nothing but war, misery and death.

Now arises the big question that why is America attacking Syria; or even considering it as an option. This all didn't start a year back or so but has been going on since decades. We all know about Israel, the puppet state ally of USA in the Middle East, Israel has actually fought 5 wars against its Russian-backed neighbors, and in these wars it was not only Israel and its neighbors (Syria, Egypt, Jordan Iran, Iraq), but also America and Russia indirectly fighting. 

Whenever there has been a war in the world, these two super powers have showed up there and started supporting one faction, for e.g. in civil war in Vietnam, South Vietnam was supported by USA and North by Russia (or USSR, at that time) and again, when USSR occupied Afghanistan, it was America who supported Taliban to oppose the USSR, these two countries have always been fighting their battles in the foreign lands.

The disintegration of USSR in 1991 led to the end of the cold war; but the remnants of it can still be seen in the current conflict of Syria, where the current government is Russian friendly, and because of that they are facing the wrath of the most powerful country in the world. America is determined to topple the current regime so that the next American friendly government can be installed leading to the addition of one more ally.

In this game of influence and power the ultimate loser may be the Syrian people as their country may turn into another theater of war between the rivals Russia and America. It may turn into another Afghanistan or Iraq or Vietnam or Korea and the ultimate price of the conflict will be paid by the Syrian population, thus leading to the revival of the cold war era with America on one side and China or Russia on the other.

However in the past few weeks we have seen the twist in the event, as the events of the diplomatic crises between the USA and Russia unfolded and the dust started to settle. It seems that America has reluctantly accepted the peace offer extended through which Syria offers to self destroy its chemical and biological weapons arsenal. This method seems to be a perfect solution but how come a nation that was hell bent to destroy the current Syrian regime so as to put an USA friendly or at least a neutral government accepted this proposal. It's all there (reason) but you can't see it, it is not the Russian pressure and not even the UN pressure. It is the pressure of the American people; people with their most sophisticated weapon, their voice. This voice can make and break the government.

This weapon was on display in the French revolution in the past. This weapon did its work in the Libya, Yemen, Tunisia and Egypt (twice). It was the power of the people of Syria (their protest against the incumbent regime) that gave America the chance to try and overthrow the Syrian regime. If the power of the people can overthrow the most cruel and authoritative dictators and regimes then where does the USA lies. As soon as the American government or more specifically the President gave a go ahead for the attack on Syria, the popularity of the most famous president of America (in recent times) plummeted to a new low. The American people openly displayed their displeasure on the decision and disregard for president. The US president who was once termed the most powerful person of the world was brought to his knees and forced to give way to the Russian peace offer just because his people said no to war. 

This act of the American people displayed to the whole world that the person whom the whole world termed the most powerful person in the world is actually a just another man who has been assigned the task to look after the country and if he fails in his duty then he too will be fired from the job and a new one will take its place. This display of power of the people in the Middle East and USA made the so-called powerful people of the world realize that the power actually resides with the public. With the Middle East crises all set to fade into oblivion if the negotiations go well as just another chapter in the big book of cold war. The question arises which one of them has won this one, - America, Russia or Syria. The answer is simple none of them and I don't think I need to tell you who did because you know it already, it is already there but you can't see it.

Himanshu Rawat

Y12 Undergraduate, The LNMIIT

Cricket @ 100

The inaugural match of the Champions League T20, between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians was held in Jaipur. I went to see that match with my friends. That was my rookie experience to watch a cricket match or any match in that respect, in the stadium. When you are not a fan of cricket, it becomes more special.

I never liked cricket. But I always tried to keep it to myself to avoid the scolding from my friends, cousins and significant others around me. Suddenly, we planned to go for a match and I thought what the hell, let’s just do it. And I consented in an impulse. As the day drew closer, I pondered upon it and thought to sell off the ticket. On the match day, there was a lot of drama. We tried to find a buyer and no one consented on our rates. So finally, I half heartedly boarded in the college bus to go. Then someone called for the tickets and I refused to sell it. I had changed my fickle mind again. Screw them; I am going to watch my first cricket match.

We reached at the stadium three hours prior to the entry time and it started raining. It’s very annoying when you have so much excitement in your heart and God literally starts pouring waters on it. Finally I entered the stadium and after the three levels of security checked an innocent boy, i.e.; me.

Wow!! I was dumbstruck. It was a feeling out if the world. As if I had entered another world. Why didn’t I come here sooner? Such vastness, such grandeur. I was mesmerized even by the empty stadium which was were gradually filling. Strangely enough, the rain felt complementing to our moods. As if it was also enjoying itself with us. The tiny raindrops looked like sparklings in the floodlights, so slow, so poised and so pure. All my perceptions had changed once I got in there.

The match was preceded by an energetic performance by Mika Singh. Finally the match started and I can’t believe that I actually enjoyed every ball of it. This was a special experience and day for me.

In my first experience, I had the best experience I could have. The rain had stopped and the breeze was soothing. It was Sachin and Dravid’s last CLT20 tournament. I saw LBW, bolds, catches, and a remarkably awesome run out. I screamed like hell, I danced like never before on every boundary and six. I had not felt this much charged up in a long time. I ended up with sour throat but I didn’t care. I was on fire.

I am glad I didn’t sell my ticket or else I would have missed the chance to feel the craziness for Sachin. No wonder he is the God of cricket. Legendary Dravid waved at us, I couldn’t miss that for the world.

I am glad I didn’t sell my ticket. 100 bugs but worth much more zeroes than that.

Mohit Joshi

Y12 Undergraduate, The LNMIIT

The Bollywood Boon!

The last time I watched Chak de India, it was my count 9, but it induced that same feeling of chauvinism and sportsmanship that I felt when I watched it the previous 8 times. Today when the daily is flooded with news of Indian junior women hockey team's victory, I doubt the need of one of the cast of the movie being interviewed on such occasion. Should it mean that the movie could embolden hockey in India and that we can attribute such jointure and national unification to Indian cinema?

Movies are an artistic way of evoking emotions into us and to an audience that is so easily verklempt, had a dramatic political past and has a cultural endowment and rich heritage; Bollywood in many ways has influenced the society in its 100 years of existence. Some might agree on cinema as an act of social message, or to the rest, its a stroll down the memory lane, as though the reel of their past begins to flash in front of their eyes and if nothing at all, to watch it for the soul purpose of entertainment is a real delight.

They say movies are the reflection of society. The bold, contemporary movie Rang De Basanti, that wears a socio-political message has ironically related the post independent era with the pre independent ordeal, hence audaciously scoffing at the current political scenario. It encouraged people to dissent the laws of the country and prompted citizen's support for the non government organizations. Movies like Taare Zameen Par that gravitated people's concern towards their upbringing did more than just stinging tears into the public's eyes. Only ten days after its release, CBSE decided to provide a relaxed education system for the physically and visually challenged children. 

Directors were unflinching, when they took up scripts that spoke the shenanigans of the underworld, like in Ram Gopal Verma's Satya, or the scandalous expose of prostitution in India, like in Chandini Bar. Release of these movies demanded attention and the government bit its lips, to prevent ebullition of anger and shame, immediately resorting to some serious resolution.

I can't afford to be rude that I talk of Bollywood and not speak of romance. DDLJ, Silsiley, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Veer Zara, all of these are a insignia of profound immortal love. It is a cachet that has embalmed the industry for years without being cliched and directors will continue making more of it, only to excel. If you have been watching romantic Bollywood movies for years and still believe Barfi or Dev-D are the movies of different genre, then you are correctly acknowledging the director's dexterity. All such movies camouflage their tinge of love with unconventional and whimsical ways of movie making and this art is recognized and appreciated by all, confiding those who wish to take it up as a career option.

What more? Eulogy of Indian cinema is now a part of the CBSE hindi textbooks where the goodness of the legend Raj Kapoor and his laurels are discussed under the chapter named after his most applauded movie 'Teesri Kasam'. Hence it will be seen as one's nonchalant attitude, when he thinks watching movie is scornful as Bollywood has done wonders in the past 10 decades.

Mitali Bharali

Y12 Undergraduate, The LNMIIT

Fight Club- Movie Review

Warning – To analyze such a movie one needs an effort much more gargantuan and an analysis much deeper than what follows, but I'll try to give it my best shot.

After a single viewing one might think that this one is no different than other films on "generation"-al social activism along the lines of forming a single social unit with a singular identity with a single most desire/rebellious streak to bring the society down in order to prove their worth/power to it, but on a critical second viewing we find the idea of the movie to be much more complex and extensive in a way that it puts it in a league of its own.

The following characters constitute the movie:

Generation Fight Club – A generation consisting of a multitude of underachieving, self-conflicting every-men who are torn between the urge to pursue their dreams, making them happy on a spiritual level, and an older generation's as well as the system's pressure to be doing what will make them happy materialistically -- this internal commotion resulting in creation of an alter ego with somewhat alternative, idealistic, opinionated and rebellious tendencies.

It was a time when men were in doubt, unsure of their personalities, their identities, their ideologies, their desires, their ambitions, their prohibitions and their inhibitions, be it because of them being defected in some way by some disease or infliction, the society deeming them to be no more men per se or because of the system being excessively material conscious rendering them oblivious to the concept of spiritual or incorporeal happiness.

They are under a lot of pressure to be MEN, no matter what the circumstances. Whatever the world throws on them, they are expected to get up, man up and fight along silently and survive doing what they hate, buying what they don't need, eating what they don't want to, living on pills to survive another day, needing instructions from somebody whom society deems wise to make their critical life altering decisions, a generation nobody wants to listen to.

For them losing all hope is freedom, to have furniture is to be secure and to have a wardrobe is to be respected. 

This tells us that they are- a generation that is lifestyle obsessed and ignorant of any or all social issues, or, in Tyler's words "things they own, end up owning them".

The Corporate Entities – Powerful, dominating, manipulative and titanic giants; they take slovenly minds as slaves with their weapons of marketing, forcing them to buy happiness in the form of their useless products. They have successfully created an illusion that the choices in matters of buying stuff define their personality and enhance their individualistic character.

The Old people – A generation bound so tightly by the social constraints that they rather not question them or else face jeopardy in the form of an identity crisis or insecurity. They are either too lethargic or too ignorant to question the system that is having a negative impact on the children they raise, causing their questioning faculties to fail and turn the progeny into a replica of the parent.

The way of the world – We were created to be hunters or gatherers, but today's world that is hugely dominated by marketing has turned us into customers (silent spectators of the world). This means we don’t need to and are not supposed to fight- this is a sort of castration of humankind, and this emasculation creates Tyler Durden- the dissociated personality of Jack (the narrator), he wants to make things simpler, he wants the animal instinct of people to lead them in this world for survival, i.e. he wants people to live life like it was meant to be lived.

Jack and Tyler/The contrast – The contrasting nature of the personalities between Tyler Durden and Jack can be seen in the contrasting ideologies, way of life, philosophies and of course the decisions both make or don't make. Visually we can see the differences in the subtleties of their behaviors, like Jack choosing to walk on the pavement while Tyler gleefully muddles in water puddles side-lining the pavement, the way they both dispose off the beer bottles and interestingly the way they treat Marla. This goes on to show the major differences in their attitude towards life -- on one hand Jack chooses an orthodox one while on the other hand Tyler chooses a nihilistic one.

Marla – The object of desire and the catalyst of destruction. She is the one Jack wants, but in the initial stages of the movie is very annoyed with her because he sees himself in her -- his lies, his miserable life, his dependence on various invigorating agents to live day to day life. He cannot stand her because she represents Tyler's antithesis -- stealing food and clothes, wanting materialistic possessions. She is the cause of his self-destruction and the self-realization that follows. Now because Marla is causing him more and more pain each day and with each passing day he realizes that she is his reflection of all things wrong with him, he gets frustrated, and subsequently, wanting a clean slate on himself, blows up his apartment. 

Tyler on the other hand appreciates her by saying that she, at least, is hitting rock bottom while citing the fact that she was in no way perfect and complete, and was making no efforts to hide that; while Jack, on the other hand, is aggravated with those tags being associated with him, and wants to get rid of them, hence his self-destruction. 

David Fincher does a damn good job with this one, with all the little details and precision adding to the characters and story of this film that we have come to associate with him. The cinematography is very germane in showing the life associated with the generation men in focus, with all the gloomy night scenes and shadowy day scenes. A true class act as far as direction is concerned with Fincher opening new avenues of filmmaking with each passing scene.

A little trivia related to the direction – Before Jack first meets Tyler we see small frames of him in some scenes, especially where the visible effects of Jack's insomnia kick in; this is because as his insomnia elongates he becomes more unhappy with his imperfect (read pathetic) life, and with each such passing moment and with each of Tyler's blink-and-miss images in such moments, we come to know that Tyler is slowly moving from the periphery of Jack's consciousness to the centre of it and finally taking over him.

Well, they do say God is on the small details.

The soundtrack by the Dust Brothers is apt to the dark undertones of the movie. 

There are some breath-taking visual effects in the movie such as the opening credits scene where the origination and movement of fear signal/s occurs inside the narrator's brain and the scene where we see the dynamics of the explosion of the narrator's condo.

This movie is unsurprisingly to be watched at least twice to make a decent head-tail story of it, a rather nerve-wrecking story at it.

Dishant Sharma

Y10 Undergraduate, The LNMIIT

The Things We Do

All that we do has a purpose. Deed is juxtaposition for need. My trying to put it into words is a straight drive through my urge to write something. If this is read by the editor of this blog, this is a repercussion of his search for a worthy article. And finally, if this could make to the readers, to you, then many of you won't deny the latent desperation to kill boredom which brought you to end up at this journal.

So, this is clear that our needs precede our actions. And so is this, that it is like a polymer chain reaction. Effecting us all in some way or the other.

But how often do we think this way? How many times have we thought before making fun of a friend? Not even considering that a mole of him might feel humiliated. With how much sensibility, have we thought before lying to our parents and demanding golds from them, in the same breath?

Uncountable moments I can recall from my past where I had claimed to be empathetic to even strangers' pain and actually, delivered cold feet, even to those whom I knew well.

But all of these deeds are purposeless. No? If we introspect ourselves, we would find only one answer: "We do what pleases us".

Many a time, we find things unacceptable. We find ourselves standing alone against our friends, family, etc. We know that we are right and all we have to do is take a stand. But then, we fall a trap of baits. We negotiate. We give up. And all that is lost, the people, the things which were supposed to be a part of the other side, engrave severe damages. They create an air of discomfort, stress and guilt, in and around us. And eventually, we resolve to ebb it out.

So, do we really have a "purpose"? Are we required to act the way we do?

What would've been the scene, if we were aware of what we were doing? Awareness can save us from such situations. We can have healthy, happy and stress-free relations. We can "Live", instead of dying with shame and burden of unjust decisions.

Be aware of what you do, see clear what you see.

Mohit Joshi

Y12 Undergraduate, The LNMIIT

Why BJP Should Win the 2014 Elections

Time and again BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Mr. Narendra Modi has been criticized for his alleged role in the Gujarat riots, allegations only with no concrete proof and same is the case with his party which has been accused of seeking communal path to gain victory. It raises a serious question, If BJP by supporting hindus is seeking a communal path then what is Congress doing by granting 4.5 percent reservations to Muslims and what it has been doing for the past so many elections. 

BJP might be resorting to communalism in an attempt to win the upcoming election but at the moment it is our best bet if we are to get rid of the incumbent government which has brought disgrace to the country up till now in its second term and is hellbent to further push the country in an economic depression by its policies such as Food Security Bill. This proposed bill will put more pressure on the overstretched budget (costing Rs. 2 lakh crore). With Modi at the helm BJP has the power and intellect to pull the the country out of the precarious situation it has been embroiled in. 

I don't know much of economics but I know that at this delicate moment when India is staring at the financial depression (thanks to mismanagement and torrential raining of scams in UPA regime) the government, instead of addressing the problem of rising Current Account Deficit (5%OF GDP) is actually focussing on a last ditch attempt to lure the voters and win the election by dumping vast sum of money into the dustbin. If 4 rupees are spent by government in providing food to the destitute people, 1 actually reaches the targeted section and the rest 3 is absorbed in between by the corrupt officials and dealers. The proposed policy has so many loopholes and yet the government is spending more on food distribution system rather than addressing the present problems.

Tonnes and tonnes of food grains rot in the government godowns every year and yet nothing has been done to curb this, nothing has been done to rectify the problems in the public distribution system. At the moment the GDP growth rate has plunged to a decade low of 4.4 percent thanks to congress. Due to blatant corruption and the vested interests of the ruling party the growth is all time low in a decade, Rupee has plunged to 69 (all time low in the history of India), investors no longer want to invest in our country citing the volatile situation and fragile government of the center, inflation is near double digit and yet the government rather than trying to tackle all these issues is busy passing the Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill which will further put more pressure on the overburdened financial structure of the country. 

Lets hope that the Financial System doesn't collapse and there is no further slip up in the current projection of the growth rate of the country till the upcoming election, as it has become an accepted fact that in the upcoming elections BJP will grab more seats thereby snatching the power from the hands of the deceitful congress. Lets hope that we can keep it together till the elections because once the elections are done it will be the BJP government steering the country back to the safe waters and spearheading all this will be the messiah of Gujarat the man of his word, the idol of many and the greatest leader to have born following the end of Nehru-Gandhi era.

Mr. Modi, the one who led Gujarat to the path of unprecedented growth, leading to windfall gains in every sector, his leadership credentials unquestionable and his gains and achievements unparalleled in the history of modern and independent India. Lets hope that this man whose name has become the synonym of development growth and success becomes the next prime minister of our burgeoning and at the moment faltering country and lead it to the same path of development as has been witnessed by his native state Gujarat under his reign. 

Lets hope that a new deserving economist is seated as the PM of this country rather than the incumbent one whose economic policies have failed because IF THE CURRENT ONE CONTINUES TO BE IN THE OFFICE THEN WE WILL VERY SOON BE ACQUAINTED WITH A NEW TERM OF MONEY MILLIONS, BILLIONS TRILLIONS AND ONIONS. These are the famous words of a leading economist of India. 

One of the best Prime Ministers to have served the country, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the lone BJP Prime Minister to have completed the term. We as a nation have brought the Congress to power so many times since independence, now in the face of all this corruption it is time to hand over the reign of the country to someone who has proved himself than handling it to another self proclaimed prodigy of Congress whose only claim to the post is because of his family roots and who had neither been tested nor proved to be deserving for the post of the PM. 

Himanshu Rawat

Y12 Undergraduate, The LNMIIT