LLosa and "the war of the end of the world" originally published as "Guerra del fin del Mundo" the war to finish the world.
Blurb on the jacket compares it without hyperbole to War and Peace.Either it is the words of a smitten admirer or possibly LLosa is so good.
It is hard to say.After reading the novel 568 pages of it i might be able to give my opinion on this work.For sure Llosa getting the Nobel prize for literature for 2010 makes him a candidate to be compared with Tolstoy the Russian master.
My memories of war and peace are also mixed .I don't remember much now .I vaguely remember the life of Shakespearean characters and life of the historical times Tolstoy had written in .It is easy to forget Tolstoy and Gandhi and others were living beings who traveled ,communicated and sometimes even collaborated. Gandhi had published a letter By Tolstoy in circulation criticizing the British for the treatment of the Indians.
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Obama and McChrystal in pickle.
General McChrystal and staff by their loose tongue has caused a crisis. Which happens to be of their own making. These are the soldiers who are experts in stealth,focus of purpose and honesty even bluntness. Most of their activities happen in a very secure environment. This reporter from Rolling Stone (HASTINGS)some how was allowed into this elite group of brothers and reported on conversations which were rantings of high stress environment soldiers with everything at risk.It is not fair as it seems from McChrystals initial apology.
Again this was not insubordination as disobeying orders or intent of leadership.May be it was jockeying for position and asking the reporter to report on risks they as team of soldiers are used to taking and are taking all the time . It is sad that a reporter did not get the spirit of the place and chose to report on sensational gibberish of the place.In any family if one is privy to conversations of any spouse that how incompetent their better half is and took them seriously all the marriages would fall apart.Obama does not have to look farther than his own family.
These people have great respect for the system and themselves, not to undermine the authority and integrity of the mission. Generals staff acted more like the close knit family they are, rather than a hierarchical organization military is though in the fighting force General McChrystal is at top of 150000 soldiers.
This makes Obama and McChrystals job very crazy.President needs to be respected along with the different people in the command structure and general needs to deal with limited bosses to achieve the fighting forces goal in the field.Do not have mission creep by loading civilian duties on the fighting general.Give those jobs to Ambassadors and secretaries of state and special envoys of the state department and others.
Yes we need to ask the general to do his military mission with honor and give him a break at this time .Role of this soldier has to be defined by President and given opportunity to finish the task and ride away into sunset.
Carrier of a soldier should not be tarnished by this loose talk and reporting by a reporter at this particular time while McChrystal may be the most ready and capable soldier in the field.
Chastise him by taking civilian responsibilities away and let him finish the job he is most qualified to do. Good luck to the President and the General.I hope cooler heads prevail.
Again this was not insubordination as disobeying orders or intent of leadership.May be it was jockeying for position and asking the reporter to report on risks they as team of soldiers are used to taking and are taking all the time . It is sad that a reporter did not get the spirit of the place and chose to report on sensational gibberish of the place.In any family if one is privy to conversations of any spouse that how incompetent their better half is and took them seriously all the marriages would fall apart.Obama does not have to look farther than his own family.
These people have great respect for the system and themselves, not to undermine the authority and integrity of the mission. Generals staff acted more like the close knit family they are, rather than a hierarchical organization military is though in the fighting force General McChrystal is at top of 150000 soldiers.
This makes Obama and McChrystals job very crazy.President needs to be respected along with the different people in the command structure and general needs to deal with limited bosses to achieve the fighting forces goal in the field.Do not have mission creep by loading civilian duties on the fighting general.Give those jobs to Ambassadors and secretaries of state and special envoys of the state department and others.
Yes we need to ask the general to do his military mission with honor and give him a break at this time .Role of this soldier has to be defined by President and given opportunity to finish the task and ride away into sunset.
Carrier of a soldier should not be tarnished by this loose talk and reporting by a reporter at this particular time while McChrystal may be the most ready and capable soldier in the field.
Chastise him by taking civilian responsibilities away and let him finish the job he is most qualified to do. Good luck to the President and the General.I hope cooler heads prevail.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
statements of Mauj Khan a border residence of Pakistan
I just heard and watched pictures of Mauj Khan describing conflict of 1965.(Dawn)
How they have heard bullets coming in but none of the villagers or relatives were injured .He mentioned that he has seen 1965,1971 and Kargill wars .But by the grace of god none of the family has been victim.He felt that they can not leave their land and go somewhere else as this land will always be occupied by somebody like him why not him and his relatives.Every time there is war someplace it is hard for them . He mentioned that in 1965 after they heard this firing Pakistani planes attacked Indian side on the border and taking that clue they decided to move out of the region.As they were leaving they encountered some soldiers who asked him to stay and answer questions from distance,One of them wanted to know which side was Pakistan to which he said that this was Pakistan and he was Pakistani to which they said OK you may continue on your journey without hurting us.They stayed away for six months and then they came back.In those days only 1000 people lived in that area.This area looked lush green young crops. and village though with simple houses seemed to be happy and vibrant.
How they have heard bullets coming in but none of the villagers or relatives were injured .He mentioned that he has seen 1965,1971 and Kargill wars .But by the grace of god none of the family has been victim.He felt that they can not leave their land and go somewhere else as this land will always be occupied by somebody like him why not him and his relatives.Every time there is war someplace it is hard for them . He mentioned that in 1965 after they heard this firing Pakistani planes attacked Indian side on the border and taking that clue they decided to move out of the region.As they were leaving they encountered some soldiers who asked him to stay and answer questions from distance,One of them wanted to know which side was Pakistan to which he said that this was Pakistan and he was Pakistani to which they said OK you may continue on your journey without hurting us.They stayed away for six months and then they came back.In those days only 1000 people lived in that area.This area looked lush green young crops. and village though with simple houses seemed to be happy and vibrant.
Monday, August 17, 2009
warriors of gentler sex
Story in NYT women in arms 8-16-2009 Steven Lee Myers.
Women are fighting on the front lines of our war .They are getting killed and defending their partners as equal .
This is the first time for American men and women soldiers, who are away from home for long periods of time,to live and work in close proximity in war zone. With the culture of sexual freedom and adult autonomy the problems are arising which are more unique for military and not for society.
These are strong women who can hold on their own .Without moral judgement can decide responsible sex if they choose. As only women can become pregnant military has evacuated pregnant women from war zones . Numbers for evacuated women has been very small. These are the signs that military is adjusting to having women as part of its readiness mix.Women by standing strong and adjusting to female particularities to rugged war condition have proven that they are more than match for any enemy or competitor alike.
They have used wide mouthed bottles to pee on the road and have proven that difference in physical equipment(biolgy)can not be allowed to be hindrance in performance of their duty.It is time that every body took these soldiers seriously and for good reason.
Women are fighting on the front lines of our war .They are getting killed and defending their partners as equal .
This is the first time for American men and women soldiers, who are away from home for long periods of time,to live and work in close proximity in war zone. With the culture of sexual freedom and adult autonomy the problems are arising which are more unique for military and not for society.
These are strong women who can hold on their own .Without moral judgement can decide responsible sex if they choose. As only women can become pregnant military has evacuated pregnant women from war zones . Numbers for evacuated women has been very small. These are the signs that military is adjusting to having women as part of its readiness mix.Women by standing strong and adjusting to female particularities to rugged war condition have proven that they are more than match for any enemy or competitor alike.
They have used wide mouthed bottles to pee on the road and have proven that difference in physical equipment(biolgy)can not be allowed to be hindrance in performance of their duty.It is time that every body took these soldiers seriously and for good reason.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
PLEASE HONOR PEOPLE ALIVE AND EVEN WITH GIFTS
I have noticed many IMPORTANT AWARDS AND PRISES are given after the good doers are dead. Some times the awards and the cash are given to the victims not heroes.Civilian victims not hero's of 9/11 received 2 million dollars each and our war hero's family gets only 100 thousand dollars till recently it was only 10 thousand dollars.
Mr President and all the people who would like to honor real heroes( the people go beyond the call of duty to help fellow citizens even risking personal harm)please give honors and honorariums to the living.
While at this subject .I would like to mention that we can take a leaf of Indian armed forces and give the war widows/widower salary of the soldiers so that they may raise their children without extreme change in life style and they should not loose it if they marry.
Another thing it should not be required from the soldiers to prove that their injuries are service related.Even if these soldiers got hurt while not serving . Government should be a little magnanimous not a cheap and mean government to ordinary citizens.
Lesser the rules more law abiding the society.Please give the relief to needy without lot of red tape.Food stamps and other services should be easily available without unnecessary hinder some regulation.
Mr President and all the people who would like to honor real heroes( the people go beyond the call of duty to help fellow citizens even risking personal harm)please give honors and honorariums to the living.
While at this subject .I would like to mention that we can take a leaf of Indian armed forces and give the war widows/widower salary of the soldiers so that they may raise their children without extreme change in life style and they should not loose it if they marry.
Another thing it should not be required from the soldiers to prove that their injuries are service related.Even if these soldiers got hurt while not serving . Government should be a little magnanimous not a cheap and mean government to ordinary citizens.
Lesser the rules more law abiding the society.Please give the relief to needy without lot of red tape.Food stamps and other services should be easily available without unnecessary hinder some regulation.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Dr A Q khan
He is well known in west for being the the biggest private merchant of nukes.Father of Pakistan's Nuclear bomb.He has written many articles in Pakistan in English language thenews.com.pk .THIS Site IS PRODUCT OF OLD TIME URDU LANGUAGE PAPER JUNG(war).Largest news paper in Pakistan.
His love for the culture of sub continent comes through his articles.His desire to play a larger role in politics of Pakistan is important. His views on a variety of issues are very interesting and may reflect the views of select few who had a connection with India before the partition. I wonder is it only romanticism .Is their hope if military hostility disappeared India and Pakistan could be trading partners and help each other by saving money on military and work on development.
His articles are informative and educational and make easy fun read.
He feels if Pakistan had attacked Kashmir in 1962 when China had attacked India(India suffered a humiliating defeat) it would have ended the continuous tension by controlling the Reality on ground. He holds Ayub Khan responsible for that.When I read history of India by Hermann Kulke and Dietmer Ruthermond they mentioned if Nehru had listened to Mount Batten and continued with advance of its forces as Hindu King of Kashmir had Joined India and under the rules of partition Kashmir had become part of India.The problems of Kashmir and Pandits being IDPS in India would not be their. THis would have saved India and Pakistan billions of dollars and helped develop the region.
A Q KHAN, like it or not has been in the center of history of Pakistan and have been a player. He should be given a hearing and can not be ignored by Pakistanis or Indians or for that matter by the world.
His style of writing is easy and informative.
His love for the culture of sub continent comes through his articles.His desire to play a larger role in politics of Pakistan is important. His views on a variety of issues are very interesting and may reflect the views of select few who had a connection with India before the partition. I wonder is it only romanticism .Is their hope if military hostility disappeared India and Pakistan could be trading partners and help each other by saving money on military and work on development.
His articles are informative and educational and make easy fun read.
He feels if Pakistan had attacked Kashmir in 1962 when China had attacked India(India suffered a humiliating defeat) it would have ended the continuous tension by controlling the Reality on ground. He holds Ayub Khan responsible for that.When I read history of India by Hermann Kulke and Dietmer Ruthermond they mentioned if Nehru had listened to Mount Batten and continued with advance of its forces as Hindu King of Kashmir had Joined India and under the rules of partition Kashmir had become part of India.The problems of Kashmir and Pandits being IDPS in India would not be their. THis would have saved India and Pakistan billions of dollars and helped develop the region.
A Q KHAN, like it or not has been in the center of history of Pakistan and have been a player. He should be given a hearing and can not be ignored by Pakistanis or Indians or for that matter by the world.
His style of writing is easy and informative.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)