Tag: china

Posted in Political

Karma Calling: China

Posted on by veeskitchen

During Covid, I did wait for China to apologize to the world at large for the damage the Wuhan virus did to every single nation on earth, from loss of precious human lives to the national economies coming to a complete standstill. That is what a nation with a CONSCIOUSNESS would have done. How many billion, trillion dollar worth of productivity was lost because of the virus that emanated from China. The kind of tragedy that we witnessed we cannot forget for a lifetime. I was in India with my husband caught up in middle east. We did not see each other for over one year. How many families got divided in this period. People went in clusters, in bunches like a bunch of grapes. In Chennai alone how many even medicos lost their lives. Bodies were given mass cremation. In modern world history, after the second world war, the covid must be the greatest pandemic/global event to register this kind of monumental loss in every sphere. Yet there was not one word of regret from China in the media. Theirs is an affluent economy. But how did they compensate the weaker vulnerable nations that got afflicted worse. The smaller nations were totally crushed. Their economic machinery ground to a complete halt overnight. The poorest who lost their daily bread suffered the most. No society was spared. But did the Chinese PM even once get on to the world stage to a single ‘sorry.’ I am not sure whether I am the only one to nurture such a sentiment.

Over the decades, China has completely destroyed many many economies especially the smaller, poorer, vulnerable ones, plying them with their cheap plastics. The disposable culture is now prevalent in the world thanks to mass chinese productions. Local factories and cottage industries shut shop wherever the chinese goods entered the market. Jobs were lost in millions. China even bombarded India with cheap plastic Lord Ganeshas and took over our Diwali with their fancy fireworks. Indian industry suffered all around inspite of Indian government putting in place a protection policy to safeguard the economy from the relentless Chinese invasion. One can imagine what could have happened to vulnerable small nations with fragile economy. SOLD OUT TO CHINA virtually with surrendering their natural resources such as harbours/ports, precious minerals and metals and mines, airspace, water, etc., etc. Many African and Asian countries continue to be neck deep in debt to China. Modern day Shylock. Just ask the Sri Lankans. Or even the Pakistanis who are quietly applying balm to their economic wounds from the chinese stabbings.

In the social media, the chinese fought a shadow war with us Indians everyday almost, ridiculing us for our sluggish growth. Through all these years, it looks like the chinese were focused on LIVING FOR AMERICA AND WORKING FOR AMERICA, not for themselves really. Whereas we have kind of self-sufficient economy in India. We can do without exports completely if it comes to that. Still we can survive. China had to erase Tiananmen square from the public memory. They have generations now who know nothing about the historic event. This is how China functions. India is a time tested democracy of 1.4 billion plus and counting. Just let China hold her first democratic elections and see what happens. You will have 100 pieces of China overnight. Already the joblessness must be stirring the masses into restlessness. What kind of skill is theirs? Repetitive job that can get the population nowhere if laid off.

India is the spiritual capital of the world. The kind of materialism you see in US and China, India will NOT even aspire of. Our ways and goals are different.

Although I was surprised by the chinese’ sense of humour when they flooded the social media with their MAGA memes, I must admit that what they said therein may also be ironically true. But not something that cannot be changed. Americans became fat and lazy probably because of losing their work culture to China. They can change but that can take time. Its still the best to happen to America, although they could have enforced the tariffs by phases. America is world’s No.1 economy and therefore the world expects the US to be a little more responsible. Implementation of tariffs could have been in stages and in dollops gradually increasing over years. Sudden deathly blow of very high tariffs and the ego war between world leaders seem to crush the weaker nations with even the mighty China not spared, as we can see. I still think about the chinese factory workers. What do the innocent middle class folks have to do with all this powerplay?

Then there is the question of India becoming dumping grounds for the tonnes of goods meant for export to US, piling in chinese ports. Modi governments needs to be extra vigilant and keep away the chinese manufacturers trying to gain a foothold into India through backdoor diplomacy. Next to America, only India can absorb that volume of useless cheap chinese production. Give them a toe hold – and then down the shutters on Indian industry for good.

Can status quo be restored? Precious trust has been lost between America and China. China has learnt a valuable lesson from the US. Once bitten, twice shy. They will have to reprogram their economy completely after this unforeseen disaster. The next time may they build a viable economy that is self-focused.

How the chinese mocked our PM Modi for flying to the US to meet president Trump without an invite. Even I was kind of irked when I saw my PM swallow his pride in front of the whole world. It hurt us deeply when social media made us a laughing stock. Now we get it that, its more important to take care of OURSELVES, our masses and our average factory workers and peasants and valuable exporters than boosting our national ego. Vishwaguru for a reason! As PM Modi was greeted and escorted by Saudi airforce planes as his aircraft reached their airspace this evening, and as the US VP Vance spoke in the business forum in Jaipur at the same time, after months of chaos, finally we can see some clarity emerge. Modi and Jaishankar are an awesome team. This is what we call Chanakya Tantra. Rare wisdom. Its prudent to choose our battles – what to fight and what not to fight. We can change any situation into ‘win-win.’

Chanakya in Artha Shastra said, before the birth of Christ, that we have to use the political tools of Sama, Dhana, Bedha, Dhanda when it comes to diplomacy. Same is making a treaty or friendly pact with the aggressor. Dhana is giving up something for the mutual benefit. Bedha is using a discriminatory policy to achieve a result. The last resort is to punish or wage a war. Hindus avoid the last option always.

What about China. Useless war inflicted on hapless unprepared India in 1961 with Indian territory illegally occupied by China even today. India was taken by surprise because this came just months after the Mao’s visit to India. Even my granny used to say that, when Nehru presented him with a gold finger ring with India map, he said, ‘now India is in my hands.’ Tell me now China, what is betrayal of trust? China with India in 1961 or America with China in 2025? India secured UN security council seat for China but it is China that now prevents us from getting in there. The China occupation of dharmic country Tibet is history. China joined hands with Pakistan arming their terrorists to teeth to fight a proxy war with us in our borders. Nonstop headache is China. President Trump may consider this: having China as your next door neighbour. That is what India is suffering from. Imagine having China and Pakistan for neighbour. You are lucky to have Mexico and Canada as neighbours. Please be kind to them! And now we have this same China begging India to become their ally , issuing 85,000 visas to Indian tourists to go shopping in Beijing. (Given a chance, I may hahaha. What to do, our husbands are kanjoos.)

China will have to do a lot of restructuring and reorganizing from the insides. My heart still goes out to their masses. Lives ruined. But world just has had a covid. I am sure that experience can help China overcome this crisis. Building skyscrapers and highways that are not needed is not essentially growth. Sometimes slow and steady growth can be healthy in the long run. It can make you less dependent on others. But China must have an enormous surplus. They must be able to come out of this situation. Barring exports, China is doing great in other sectors. America is only the icing on the cake. Extra something.

A nation’s wealth lies in their culture and heritage. Even if the democrats may return to power tomorrow after Trump, neither China nor America are going to like to be in this spot ever again in future. America will start becoming an industrial nation once again with local productions, and China may start slowing down and build an economy (based on local consumption and demand mostly) (they already have that and are self sustaining). America may take its own sweet time but I got the feeling there that they are serious this time. They want their jobs back. This is why India is a nation of idlis and samosas and biriyanis and Ganga aarti and temples and satsangs and gurus and ashrams first. This is enough. What we have is enough. We are happy. We don’t have to become the next China. I am a Hindu housewife who never worked in an office from my 27th year. I enjoy life and I spend 2-3 hours everyday in puja/meditation. Can you imagine a chinese woman doing that. This is how and why are different. Invite the chinese to visit the hundreds of thousands of temples throughout the length and breadth of India where masses spend hours. That shall show them how India is growing holistically than materialistically.

What is this race for? Who wants to reach the Mars first? I was reading this from someone who is a local who stated that in last 17 years, he managed a mantra japa chanting to a Hindu deity to the tune of 51 crores. Of course he is an astral traveler. India has thousands of yogis that way who casually travel out of their bodies to the multiverse. You are comparing this punya Hindu bhoomi to mechanical robotic China that has no soul? Well, quantum physics… Hindu Spirituality begins where quantum physics ENDS. Period.

Finally my concern is about the Outlet Malls in American cities that are my favourite shopping places! I don’t shop much -not easy to shop under the unwavering gaze of an Indian husband who counts every penny! Still I manage to do a little every year and I love their Outlet Malls the most for their stunning range and brands and best prices. Now I am wondering whether there will any outlet Mall left surviving at all in the US in future.

Having said that, equations can change overnight. But something invaluable between China and the US seems to have been broken. Will China trust America ever again. Can America survive without China at all?

DEAR CHINA. DEAL WITH AMERICA DIRECTLY. LEAVE US INDIANS OUT OF THIS MADNESS. PLEASE KEEP YOUR FACTORY GOODS AND WE DON’T WANT THEM IN INDIA. DO NOT DUMP CHEAP CHINESE MAKE IN INDIAN MARKETS. THANK YOU.

Posted in Political

Will Bhutan merge with India.

Posted on by veeskitchen

This Himalayan kingdom is not carbon neutral but is actually carbon negative. Welcome to Bhutan.

Bhutan is India friendly because we have shared culture. While India is the cradle of both Hindu civilization, the only unbroken culture of over 10000 years, and also Buddhism, Bhutan is a Buddhist country. Bhutan relies on India for defence especially in the light of Tibet occupied by the Chinese. Why should Dalai Lama flee to India when there were so many developed first world nations where he must have been welcome with red carpet. Its not always about material wealth, the west must understand this. The common ancestry of the Indian subcontinent keeps these nations united like a single umbilical cord connecting these communities. Bound by blood and trust, can America understand this?

We in India respect Bhutan’s independence. India will always be there for this landlocked nation on earth, that is a paradise of peace. This is how humanity must live. NOBODY WANTS YOUR FAST CARS AND YACHTS AND HOLIDAYS AND BLOODY CONSUMERISM! Bhutanese practise dharma and their entire lives may be steeped in Dharma. Dharmic way of life means living life the right way with principles in pursuit of one’s spiritual goals. We don’t want to force Bhutan’s merger with India. But if they want it on their own accord, India may respect their wishes. Same holds true for Nepal, another Himalayan kingdom, basically Hindu. Nepal fell under the false charms of the Chinese and became communist. But Nepal could be around the bend now after that lapse. Nepal used to be the only Hindu country in the entire world as even India is a secular nation, not YET constitutionally Hindu.

Christian missionary mafia from the US enter Nepal under the garb of tourism and convert the rural Nepalese and those who are poor, weak and vulnerable. Nepal is only now waking up to this ugly truth. Bhutan, Nepal, India are nations where NATIVES live and rule, not occupier-settlers.

Bhutan does not recognize most world nations especially the invaders and occupiers. This is not because they are opposed to anyone. It is because they are not only believers in Dharma but also practitioners of Dharma in true spirit. Bhutan recognizes the old world order and mostly don’t recognize the new nations that came into existence in recent world history. To hell with the material pursuits of the west. Bhutan wants none of that! Its not surprising that Bhutan does not even recognize the US, UK, France, China, Russia etc. Bhutanese are happiest and most peaceful buddhists on earth. They don’t NEED the west. In short, CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM are NOT recognized by Bhutan, something India must be following! Bhutan is spot on on recognizing wherefrom the problems of the world stem from: the greed of the Abrahamics with their acquisitions and conquests of others’ possessions and wealth. World is in such a chaos because of the Abrahamics. The courage to underscore the real neck in the pain for the world! Bhutan merits a standing ovation for that alone!

India holds responsibility over Bhutan. Bhutan permits only limited tourists per year and that applies to Indians too. Even if in future the merger of Bhutan can happen with India, we in India would want their visa rationing to apply to India as well. No Indian citizen must be permitted to move to Bhutan while Bhutanese can receive free education at all levels in India. Bhutanese can freely work in India. Bhutanese can be allowed to invest in real estate, industry and business in India. However we in India don’t seek reciprocal rights in Bhutan. Bhutan is our responsibility. Yet, seeing Bhutan as an independent nation will make us happiest.

Long live dear Bhutan! Love and respects from India! Eschewing the Abrahamic west and most of Middle east and their material wealth lacking humanity is your formula for peace! Stay happy and blessed always.

I was watching You Tube videos where I found funnily comments bashing India and Indians for our backwardness comparing us to China and the US. The truth is WE DON’T WANT TO BE LIKE CHINA OR THE US. India is not a developing nation but a redeveloping economy after we were run over by muslim and christian thieving occupiers and marauders for 1500 years straight. We stood the onslaught and here we are. We Hindus spend hours every day in our spiritual pursuits that you cannot even dream of the chinese or the americans. We are aware how differently we are made compared to them. When we have no complaints, why should the west bother?

Bhutan or India or Nepal are not 300 years old like America. Not here without a reason for minimum 10000 years as the only continuous unbroken civilization of the world – when the Egyptian, Sumerian, Mayan, Greek everything perished. World did not come into existence with Christ or the prophet. Only the ambitious, the materialistic youth from India want to emigrate to greener pastures, not everyone. And this migrating young people percentage is very slim – in decimals.

Imagine Bhutan being there from time immemorial but REFUSING TO LEAVE CARBON FOOTPRINT ON EARTH. This is what is civilized culture not mindless consumerism and highways and skyscrapers and luxury sedans. Good for Bhutan that America put them in the travel ban list! I couldn’t stop laughing! Bhutan does not even recognize the legality of the USA and here they are instituting a ban on Bhutan! Funny. But seriously it is hometruth if you let that sink in dear America. Living the right way is DHARMA whether you see it or not. Please let not even the shadow of the west fall on this beautiful peaceful paradise called Bhutan. Let them be. God bless Bhutan!

Posted in Political

Dharma In The Times Of Corona Virus – Part 1

Posted on by veeskitchen

First of all let me express my utmost and sincerest empathy with the people of China whose entire world has turned upside down in a jiffy thanks to the Corona virus.

May be this is not exactly the time to preach, but let me take the risk.

The vegetarian food habits of Hindus have always drawn flak from the west (for supposedly being an imbalanced diet)  although of late we see many turning to veganism even there. Similarly, the cremation of the dead by Hindus also used to be criticized. There have been instances where it would mentioned that only ‘heathens’ burned their dead and not believers. (I am not believer of your God, I am believer of MY God!!!). The Chinese govt has now ordered cremation of the virus victims as new reports pour in. Hindus continue to cremate their dead in utter disregard to world opinion for this very same reason. Another spiritual reason is that, the dead should not linger behind for any reason whatsoever. Their role in this mortal world is over. Not a trace of them can remain on earth after their time expires. Now this is a big chapter by itself that I shall skip.

Liberals advocate no boundaries, no caution. We Hindus and we Indians in general often are accused of nationalism and racist cultural practices.  Our ancestors did not ask us to refrain from meat without a reason. There are non vegetarians among Hindus as well. Even the hard core non veggies among Hindus have poorest appetite for meat when compared to the Abrahamics. For instance, in winter (I mean Indian winter), non vegetarian Hindus refrain mostly from eating meat for religious purposes. Similarly after monsoons, we have Hindus practising strict dietary controls keeping in line with the revolution of earth and consequent changing seasons. In Tamil Nadu, for instance, in the months of July-August (Aadi), the serving of ‘koozh’ (millets) along with buttermilk to cool our bodies after a long summer is a common religious/cultural practice. For an entire eight weeks, the custom is observed in Devi temples and rural homes which prevents the onset of small pox, chicken pox etc. Next comes September or the Shravana month when again, 99% Hindu meat eaters give up meat. Then the festival season. If you carefully study the times of outbreak of epidemics and/or the incubation period, you will notice that the infectious diseases spread after the monsoons and during winter months when there is not enough sunlight/heat to kill the bacteria/virus.

A friend was once struck by JB syndrome that paralysed her for four valuable years in her thirties. Where did this infection come from. The west of course. Then the germ adapts to Indian climatic conditions and mutates. A young father with an expectant wife returned to India after weeks in Hong Kong some years back. With him he carried an infection that was passed on to the pregnant mother. The child was born with an anomaly. Tests later proved that the infecting strain was alien to India. These cases cannot be proved at the world stage. These germs are not of Indian origin yet they find a way into our country destroying lives. It is funny that when those from the west want to visit India, they take preventive vaccinations!

Why don’t Hindus eat beef. It is possible that our forefathers discovered that the beef eaters developed heart ailments dying before their time. It is now established that the Indian subcontinent stock inherit the narrowest arteries by genetics compared to other races of the world. Risk factor for us for heart disease therefore is maximum. Blocks are common occurrences. Abstinence from red meat saves millions of lives every year in India.

China is a communist state controlled with an iron fist. No ethics, no conscience, no morality… Whatever control exists in public life in China seems completely absent when it comes to the personal lives of the chinese. Looks like the chinese students who travel abroad for education ask back when questioned, ‘Tiananmen, what Tianenmen??’ If you have read ‘1984’ by George Orwell, you will know what it is to ‘ERASE’ from a national memory a part of real time contemporary/happening history. How do we even compare China with India or with any other nation for that matter. Such a meticulous management and planning. Such a manipulation. I can’t believe in that case that the corona virus broke out of Wuhan just like that. How did things go out of hands.

There goes a conspiracy theory that, China was developing a bio weapon to take on India after the Doklam setback for the chinese in the bordering Himalayas. Is it the Corona virus? Was there an accidental leak from the lab. Many Israeli and US reports point to that. Even if so, my heart goes out to the common man of China who may have nothing to do with the sinister plan of their government. Once again, Karma is at play. Another conspiracy theory is that the west let loose the virus in China fearing China’s growth, to contain China. China is racing ahead of the US to become the next first global super power. The 21st century will be China’s, not America’s. (With China, India may join the race).

So many many millions assemble at a spot in Kumbh Mela in India every 12 years. Even the Haj draws millions from around the world to one place in Arabia every year. Do we see such horrendous outbreaks of epidemics anywhere. What is the reason. Self control. Regulated food habits. Hygiene that is not mere pant-suit and scented perfume.

The ancient and still-practised Hindu custom of eating with bare hands from the banana leaf (green plate), washing (!) with water, brushing with neem stick etc., are the healthiest and most hygienic practices that we need not have to be ashamed of. A carbo rich breakfast is the ideal way to kickstart your day. Not a sucking Keto diet! The cow urine is the best natural pesticide and antibiotic. The cow dung is the most natural and oxygen emitting cleanser and fuel – the only biogas to emit oxygen and not CO2. While ridiculing Hindus for the cow fascination, the west still has not alongside stopped from patenting even the cow urine benefits. The cow milk of the Indian subcontinent alone is A2 milk which is a brain stimulant that is not derived from the Jersey cows of the west. A2 is again patented and the Asian countries are forced to breed inferior and non-native cattle using global trade pacts. In this part of the world, we don’t even consult a physician if we get measles. We make the patients lie on neem leaves and feed them neem paste. Now that neem formula is patented by the west. Same for jaundice. For jaundice, we feed the patients with ‘keezha nelli keera’ (a green that grows only in India mostly). No medication. The patient makes a full recovery. This green is also now patented by the west. Ayurveda and Siddha are the best streams of medical practices in the world but mostly under-rated. Food is therapy for us Hindus. Food is holistic. Banana stem is a vegetable we include in our menu every week. This is a natural colon/bladder/kidney cleanser. So much has been taken out of India and patented for material benefits by vested interests. While at the same time, anything and everything Hindu has been ridiculed and mocked at.

Years back however, bubonic plague broke out in India (1994) out of nowhere. Surat was the epicenter of the plague. Fingers pointed to only one direction: field experiment by the rich and powerful nations. One can’t help believing the conspiracy theories in this case. Every Indian citizen believed it was a well executed lab test.. Soon situation was brought under control on quarantining the region arresting the spread of the dreadful epidemic.

When I was reading the ‘Kite runner’ by Khalid Hosseini, I was shocked that the little boy grew up watching the sacrifice of goats and cows in the name of God. It was normal and accepted in the society where he came from. Then it dawned on me why some ideologies breed terror. The little boy was comfortable watching cattle slayed with blood splashed. In fact, it was an annual ritual he eagerly looked forward to as a child. Our food habits have a lot to do with our spiritual quotient. Our moods and behaviour. Even our intelligence. Our conscience. Our gunas (qualities) ‘Satva’, ‘Raja’ and ‘Tamas’ are determined by the food we consume. Our food maketh us. Hindus are satva for the reason that we are basically, inherently and mostly vegetarians. The gunas are not limited to individuals. The gunas are applicable to races and nations wholesome. I understand my native culture and my dharma a lot more now than I did all these years.

We will never know the real reasons behind the Corona virus. Neither will we have the actual statistics from the chinese government.

Back in India, masses are worried more about the rising cost of spare parts for anything and everything as flights and container shipping to and from China are suspended until further notice. Meanwhile wondering how Gwadar is pulling. Hoping for some nice corona figures from our friendly neighbourhood?  😀

 

 

Posted in Political

India’s Past-Present Relationship With Turkey & Malaysia

Posted on by veeskitchen

Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the first Indian prime minister in a long time to officially visit Afghanistan in his tenure. We Indians have a mental block against islamic nations. Against Afghanistan, this is even more pronounced because India’s worst invaders Mohammed of Ghori and also of Ghazni descended from here. So also the Moguls.

1018: Mahmud Ghazni’s invasion of Mathura

Indian history text books scripted by the previous Congress governments lavish praise on Ghori and Ghazni for repeatedly attacking the Hindu India and razing our temples, looting them and massacring native Hindus. Most of us therefore grew up in this confused state of mind: should we thank the islamists for their barbaric treatment of our ancestors and culture? for the Hindu genocide they committed? for desecrating our ancient temples and destroying our universities? Were the Turkish-Persian-Mongol-Afghans the celebrated heroes of India, and were we the Hindus victims or the cowardly vanquished? It comes as a relief that the present BJP government is for restoring the lost or severely damaged Hindu pride and glory by underscoring essential facts.

During his visit to Afghanistan, Atal ji reportedly asked for a tour of Ghazni. After all, every Hindu grows up with imprinted images of Somnath temple as well as others in our mind that were done to dust by the Afghans. India was the richest nation on earth in those times. The Ghori-Ghazni of Afghanistan led over a dozen war missions to establish a caliphate in India, that went in futile until they succeeded in their last attempt when it came to defeating the Hindu king. It is never recorded in Indian history text books that the Hindu kings pardoned the bloodthirsty islamic invaders everytime they failed and were thrown back defeated. When their last battalion succeeded, the Hindu king ended up getting butchered mercilessly, with his kingdom ransacked by the marauders. This is how Islam made its way into India.

It seems, in Afghanistan, none grew up singing the praises of Ghori or Ghazni. Or hearing bed time stories on the two. None knew of them as we Hindus remembered them centuries after until today. None celebrated both the Mohammads. Whatever was looted from India was long since gone. Consumed. Digested. Or passed over to the Turkish Sultanate. Atal ji was shown very poor impoverished village with no trace of civilization that happened to be Ghazni that was bombed out both by the Soviets and the Taliban. Heroes back in India (!), the invaders were apparently nobody back home. Strange are the ways of history. Today’s Afghanistan is a far cry from what they were originally. Even then over millennia before, these nomadic and/or desert cults thrived on stolen and ill-gotten wealth. It is curious that their holy book had nothing to say on that. The already cultured and civilized Hindu India was no match to these barbarians from another world.

It goes on to show, past is relevant but we live in the present. It is the present that is of more significance.

I was recently touring Turkey. Traditionally an adversary to India. Turkey shares the history of Indian invasion via Ghazni who had his roots in Turkey. India cannot get over with most of her historic invaders –  mostly islamic nations. India has made peace with Britain. India has maintained healthy ties with Arab nations. But the ties with Arab nations are mostly for mutual benefits of trade and politics as it befits this 21st century. There is no love lost for islamic nations otherwise, as far as India is concerned.

Turkey is not in India’s good books for the reason, it is a natural and traditional ally to Pakistan, our adversary even if we are to leave our painful past behind. Very recently Turkey and China voted against India in the UN, on Removal of Article 370 on Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian State (the only two out of fifteen but that came as no surprise). One more nation Malaysia voiced anti-statements on India over the same.

So how did India deal with these adversaries.

Palm oil contract to Malaysia was annulled summarily. India is a major and bulk buyer of Malaysian Palm oil. The order was routed to Indonesia, its rival. Malaysia responded with downing palm oil prices. The competitive pricing is to the benefit of Indian importers who may go in for Malaysian palm oil now at discounted rates. However, future imports are still a big question. PM Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia is learning a hard lesson on international politics. In today’s world politics, friendship translates to trade benefits and economy. Nothing comes free. For the man who illegally sent his political enemy Anwar Ibrahim behind bars for a number of years on false trumped up charges of sodomy, a criminal offence as per Islam (Malaysia’s state religion) (I resided in Malaysia when this happened), India taught an unforgettable lesson. More to come.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/10/533638/malaysia-scrambling-manage-india-palm-oil-boycott-call

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/indian-edible-oil-industry-has-issued-advisory-to-avoid-import-of-palm-oil-from-malaysia/articleshow/71688826.cms

https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/india-palm-oil-buy-malaysia-kuala-lumpur-discounts-indonesia-1618975-2019-11-14

Turkey was shortlisted for a naval contract worth 2.3 billion US$ which was immediately cancelled by Indian govt after Turkey voted against India in the UN.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/after-erdogans-kashmir-comments-modi-cancels-turkey-visit

Turkey To Lose A Whopping $2.3 Billion Deal From India After Erdogan Rants Over Kashmir

China: India deals at various levels with China.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/reliance-jio-bharti-airtel-shun-chinese-companies-for-5g-trials-119091301516_1.html

So my Turkey holiday proved to be a complete surprise to me. We booked the tour before the Kashmir voting in the UN. Otherwise, we would have foregone Turkey.

Pakistanis call Turkey their second home, so I was a bit apprehensive. The only uncomfortable factor for me came from the Pakistani tourists flooding Turkey, the one place on earth where they manage to get a visa.

Otherwise, despite our hostile relationship , Turkey is a popular destination for Indian tourists.

Most importantly, I was greeted everywhere in the Eurasian nation with a ‘namaste’ – which means they reckoned at first sight where I came from.

I expected worst from Ergodan’s Turkey. What I encountered was a total converse scene. Most Turks I spoke to confessed that they were muslim by religion, but European by values and culture. None of them sounded religious or fanatical as most of us in India presume. Almost all of them were not happy with Ergodan. They feared further islamization of their country and were worried for their future.

As the world is aware, Turkey has been keen on joining European Union not without a reason. Turks are the last you can call ‘muslims.’ They are the most liberal, most westernized and it is amazing that we have such a misconception about Turkey in India as well as in the west.

The Turks mince no words when it comes to clarifying that Islam is only their religious identity that came with their birth. But there is a lot, lot to them over that. They seem to want to identify more with their European profile over Arab-Islamic.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, sought to return the basilicas from the Christian Byzantine era taken over by the islamic Ottoman to their original owners: the Turkish christians. The Hagia Sofia at the heart of Istanbul is a standing tribute to the remarkable feat. The original and underlying Catholic engravings and artwork have been painstakingly uncovered and restored by the Turkish and American archaeologists although the structure now serves as a museum.

My mind automatically shifted to Babri Masjid and Ram Janam Bhoomi and various other islamic structures, all raised by the brutal islamic invaders on razed and desecrated ancient Hindu temples in India. I don’t think Ataturk got assassinated for unveiling the islamic takeover of the christian monuments. However such a move might unleash a flurry of anti-national sentiments both from media and opposition in India. How many terror attacks did we have to suffer for reclaiming the birth place of our Lord Ram desecrated by the bisexual Babur, even as Indian government was doling out funds to our bhais for their pilgrimage to Mecca. Who footed the bill. Mostly Hindu taxpayers.

The wisest and brilliant political maneuvre ever by Ataturk was, switching from Arabic script to Roman script for the Turkish language. With that single masterstroke, Ataturk seemingly cut off a major umbilical cord connection of Turkey with the Arab world. Today, Turkey shares nothing with Arabian world except Islam. Even otherwise, Turkish language adopted Arabic script in the past but was a full fledged language by itself. The change to Roman script signaled the de-communalization of the newly born Republic of Turkey.

Whoever I interacted with in the streets of the Mediterranean city (local muslims) categorically denied favouring Ergodan’s stand on islamization of Turkey. Ergodan won the last elections by a very slim margin. I guess, we need not have to fear as much of Turkey turning out to be the next caliphate over UK. UK could turn out to be Europe’s first caliphate – provided oil lasts for another 40-50 years in Middle East. The spread and hold of islam largely rests on the oil wells of Middle East in my humble opinion.

I also found the turks very friendly and businesslike. Obviously they have moved on. There was no overt pride in the Blue Mosque or at the Sultan’s palaces and wealth. Everything is mentioned as matter-of-factly, keeping in mind the present has nothing to do with the past and that the past is NOT sustaining the present whatsoever. Which is why the present Turkey is both historic and contemporary. A fine and delightful blend. I liked their highways (no patchwork) (as good as any european nation), alleys, bazars, highrises, architecture everything. A very organized country with everything streamlined to near perfect.  Way too cosmopolitan and extremely professional in all walks of life. This kind of discipline I would attribute to their progress. These parameters determine how well we do really as a nation. Five days and one stop may not be the measuring yardstick, but that gives me a great insight into what is Turkey about. I have an aversion to Ottoman that comes with my Hindu bearings, otherwise I would have liked Turkey even better. I have read of the Ottaman brutality and barbarity that I could not banish from my mind. When I looked at the Sultans’ magnificent throne and wealth, it immediately dawned on me that nothing in there was earned – but every single treasure was stolen. Ill-gotten. Acquired by wrong means. Blood-tainted.

It is very important not to get stuck in the past. Turkish shop owners and restauranteers took one look at me and got me my vegetarian food, playing Bollywood music in the background.

In a minibus full of tourists we were two lone Indians (me and hubby). Most were Pakistani and a couple of them Arab and European/American. The Turks paid no attention to Pakis even if they were supposedly friendly nations. India means business. Probably the Turks know this from experience. Straightaway they zeroed in on us greeting us with ‘namaste.’ Many of them referred to India as ‘Hindustan.’ I was surprised when a turk told me, ‘even if you do not believe in islam, please cover your head in the mosque as the decorum requires.’ I did. Rules are rules. I covered my head for a few minutes not because of respect for their faith but because I believe in obeying rules. I liked the fact that he understood and accepted that i need not have to have respect or love for their faith. This kind of maturity is rare and especially rare in an islamic majority country.

Ever since my Turkey tour, this is what weighs in my mind. Where is the so-called enmity with Turkey. Even if Turkey is infested with Pakis, we Indians command a good and better respect there as I saw with my own eyes. We win the attention without having to work hard about it. Ergodans will come and go. They are not important. Indian government should work to improve ties with Turkey. India has managed to wedge a deep cleft  in relations between the Arab block and Pakistan. We can do the same with Turkey. World economy is going through a bad phase. India can capitalize on that.

As for Turkey, I wondered what made them favour Pakistan over India. In my  opinion, whether it is Saudi or Turkey, these nations need a manfriday who can be at their beck and call should there arise an unholy occasion for unlimited cheap and expendable manpower at the battle field or to work as menial labour for a pittance. Pakistan loyalty to Turkey and Saudi Arabia and even China is unquestioning. Pakistan is subservient to these three nations, that are like a master to Pakistan. Pakistan is their lowly servant. India is not. India will never be. All these three nations have critical political issues that can threaten their peace anytime. Even their very security and existence. Pakistan will be required to step in at least in the case of Turkey and Saudi to fight their wars. Turkey has thus ‘cultivated’ Pakistan like a coached parrot.

India need not have to be concerned about the Pakistan angle of Turkey. Chinese Premier Xi opted to visit Chennai in India and relax not Pakistan. Of course he was an unwelcome guest imposed on us! We are equals – India and China. India is not indebted to China. Whether Turkey or Saudi or China. they hold India in respect. In fact, I had friends sulking what our PM Modi sold out to China at Mahabalipuram. We do not feel easy about India-China ties. As feared, many duties levied by India on Chinese imports have been lifted. India is watching Modiji !

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-may-cut-duties-on-80-of-chinese-imports-under-rcep/articleshow/71344526.cms?from=mdr

I wonder whether an average Turk is aware of Turkey voting in UN against India and in favour of Pakistan. Looking at the animosity they have for Ergodan, I don’t think the Turkish public may support their government’s political agenda. Or as it is for them, politics and religion do not mix, which is good.

Turkey in the past has no doubt groomed warmongers and rogues like Pervez Musharraf but he is an old and useless hag now. Each dawn is a new day bringing us fresh hope. Nothing is unchangeable.

Interesting to note that Turkey is stopping issuance of year long or half year long resident or tourist visas, opting for month long visit/tour visas from near future, that can have direct impact on Pakis moving to Turkey for residence. I gathered that it was to prevent ‘misuse’ by ‘certain nations.’ No prizes for guessing who.

India can deal with Turkey diplomatically and try to change or redefine our existing equations. Past is best confined to the past. India has to masterplan and nudge Pakistan out of Turkey’s ambit and/or vice versa. It is not really an issue, but if it has to be done, let us work in the direction.

India has successfully isolated Pakistan around the world. Only one or two more stumbling blocks in our way. We can do it. I am sure, the cancellation of naval contracts for Turkey may be sounding alarm bells in their capital already.

As for Malaysia, an average Malaysian loves and respects India. Mahathir Mohammad has this against India because his grandfather is Indian by origin. So he feels this constant urge to prove to the Malays that he is not India-favouring. He supposedly did all his astrological consultations in Kerala until at least the turn of the millennium.  The poll dates in Malaysia reportedly used to be fixed in Kerala! His alleged India visits were kept a secret. Of course that was in the past. Mahathir Mohammad is over 90 now, senile and unfit to govern. India should not take him seriously at all. The stories we hear from Malaysia are very troubling. I love Malaysia because I have lived there for four years. I knew even then, I was witnessing the start of the decay of the Asian tiger. The greed of the Malays had started driving the nation to dogs.

If Malaysia has had to bring Mahathir Mohammad back from retirement after decades, it goes on to show how much the once charming south east Asian nation has deteriorated socially, politically and economically in present times. It means, Malaysia has failed to produce a single competent leader. Malaysia is falling apart. It breaks my heart to learn of the current Malaysia ruination from our friends there.

Whether it is Malaysia or Turkey, what I opine is that (whether anyone is listening or not 😀 ), the public are not with their leadership. The masses do not reflect their government’s stand. Their leaders have taken a decision on India without the consent of their citizens that can have repercussions on their economy that they are not comfortable with. Their relationship with India can be strained because of these thoughtless leaders. Leadership defines a nation. With Modi, I find that India has won a huge respect and following in the global stage. India has to weigh in these factors when it comes to dealing with both these nations.

Turkey comes across as a neutral nation mostly. Not at all anti-american or anti-Indian. In fact pro-western, pro-European. Amazing and eye-opener at least for me. Same for Malaysia. As for Malaysia, I don’t have to rely on a third party evidence. I just know Malaysia as well as i know my own India.

I am not a politician or diplomat or anything – just a humble housewife. These are my views as to why India must engage Turkey and Malaysia constructively, irrespective of our past mutual relationships. Open fresh dialogues and other communication channels. Explore new avenues.

Bangladeshis have taken over Malaysia. Malay women are getting impregnated by these Bengalis and producing scores of half-castes in the streets of KL and other cities. Malaysia is filling up with this filth. Just ask anyone. I am sorry for this horrible language. These are the exact words of a Malaysian friend who is very concerned that I wanted to repeat here to reflect how serious the plague is. Most shops and restaurants in KL are now owned by these Bangladeshi migrant workers who have managed to bag a Malay woman (not a difficult job at all) or even the reverse could be true.f

Mahathir Mohammad is instead criticizing India than dealing with this shame and allowing a cancer like Zakir Naik to spread his poison in the country. For the modern Malaysia that he helped build in the 1970s , Mahathir Moahammed is digging the grave now. It is least of India’s concerns. If Malaysia decides to partner a rogue and terror nation like Pakistan, it is to their own detriment. It shows their calibre. Malaysia is by no means the self-sufficient and smart Turkey and cannot afford this misadventure. Given the (in)famous Malay IQ. There goes a joke in Malaysia as to why Mahathir Mohammad is so successful. It is because of his paternal Indian gene.

Any nation that encourages Pakistan will be considered a serious adversary by Indian government. May be with some nations like Turkey and China and Malaysia, India comes out with open condemnation. In the case of others, what is deemed fit will be up in the agenda for a future date.