From the archives-Ji Mantri Ji!!

The nation bid a tearful adieu to the late CM of Andhra Pradesh and having watched it from close quarters (as close as being in neighbourhood), must confess that the scenes were heart rending. The public outpour was no less in number and intensity to farewell marches witnessed for Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, MGR or NTR .While the scaling of political vacuum that has befallen is about to unfold, the loss to the family is understandably colossal. The CM in Mr. YSR may be succeeded but his deserted family will never be the same again.

Being an absolute novice at modern Indian Politics, I am in no position to gauge the merits or demerits of the minister who is now history. Nonetheless will be grateful to him for being a high (highest profile of the State) profile occupant of almost the same locality and never having made me to wait endlessly for his entourage to pass by.

To enact the scene just across the state borders in my own homeland’s capital (Chennai) would take the effort needed for a half marathon, the privilege being that it can be accomplished by merely sitting with arms folded on your bikeJ

Amidst all this milieu, few others were also laid to rest and among them was an officer on deputation from the Indian Air Force, Group Captain SK Bhatia .In sharp contrast it was an almost unnoticed affair, neither preceded nor succeeded by any frenzy of the same proportion.

Ostensibly the chopper’s machinery was akin to the “state machinery” for the “inspection of delivery mechanism in Chitoor” to end in calamity. Time for introspection misplaced with inspection?? Dubbing the cause as technical snag would be brushing the dirt under the carpet and fixing the censure on the pilot would be baseless and unfathomable.

For, this person was no neophyte when it came to skies and skiers. He had as many as 5400 hours of flying in his kitty and was the same person who landed his chopper on inaccessible terrains when the Greyhounds (elite anti naxal force) were being rescued not very long ago.

Now let us not commit the gaffe of viewing this in isolation to the topical tragedy. The picture doesn’t skew one bit, across the nation. Make no mistake that these Defence personnel who accompany our “esteemed” Ministers or provide security cover (Z, Z+ and how many more pluses depends upon the power you yield at the highest levelJ) are the best among the best. Public can be guarded less but public servants are guarded the best!!!A case in the point would be the atrocious utilization of the nations’ elite National Security Guards (NSG). If there is any pride left in India after repeated bullying by Pakistan, pinching by BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) and pumping of fake currency under the Lordship of our own little brother Nepal’s ex-prince, it has to be these crack commandos.

Well, not very long ago, when the pride of the largest democracy in the world and ancient most civilization was brought to its knees by a bunch of misguided mercenaries from across the borders, it was this unit that redeemed it. It would take a dozen blogs to bring out completely what goes into creating one NSG commando. Believe me it would sound more fictional than anywhere close to factual if and when discussed. These are dare devils that would chew a toffee and give up their life in the same breadth. The Lord of death would do well to fix an appointment before meeting them. 7 years down the line, recollecting the sight of a Rashtriya Rifles jawan alighting out of a moving a passenger train still sends shivers down the spine. What would one say about the heroics executed in Mumbai (26//11)??

The world has to see to believe what our strike forces accomplished in Mumbai was an alternative employment. The main being, hanging by the window of ministerial vehicles as part of VIP security. The list is not that simple, they roam around in dozens escorting our “priceless politicians” or politicians with “priceless lives”, whichever way you like.

In service of whom many attain martyrdom, as they know not how to hold back.

Beyond the 15 minutes of fame after each operation, their service to the nation never draws any attention in this great country. How many of us still remember the first name of Major Unnikrishnan who was killed in Operation Black Tornado at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai?? We have our own conscience as the judge. And repeat this question few years later; the numbers are sure to dwindle.

In most cases when a politician leaves, a successor from one of his kin has already closed in on the position. No, not a reference to the present situation in Andhra Pradesh and yes, not to that alone too. Quite another way, the struggle for the kith and kin of the deceased Olive Green bearers has just intensified.

The debris of the helicopter may nor may not be picked up, what we sure can pick up is the lesson to delineate red tape from where it should never reach. A respect paid in this way is sure to appease the souls that were lost in the Nallamalla forests as now, they are a lot wiser.