An ode to a Soldier
He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat under the banyan tree,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Thapa has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?
It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Singhs and Thapas and Nairs
Went to battle, but we know,
It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.
We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple line
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY"
Contributed by my buddy, a blooded soldier - Sanjay Mani Pradhan
24 January, 2011
06 May, 2010
KASAB - beyond religion, nationality and the death sentence
I love my parents; if mom sneezes, I run to see what is bothering her; just as she did every time I needed anything when I was a kid.
“What’s so great about that? Isn’t everyone like that for their parents and their near and dear ones?” If that is the thought you have then I have to agree with you. You are right, it is completely normal, we all love and care for our near and dear ones. That’s how it is supposed to be.
Now imagine the person you love most in your life being terrorised, hunted down and killed like a hapless beast by a few strangers with a swagger for nothing he or she did. Don’t just imagine it, visualize it...please.
That’s exactly what Ajmal Kasab and his associates did on 26th November. They walked into our lives, hunted down and murdered helpless people. Hard working people who were heading home to their families. Lives were destroyed, generations have been affected, healthy people lost their limbs. Kasab and friends killed people they had never met or known and they laughed and chatted with each other while doing it.
Pity, remorse, regret? Sense of responsibility? These are words barbarians like Kasab don’t understand.
To quote Ranjan Roy’s blog “If you were living on Arthur Road in Mumbai, you'd like to wake up in the morning, sip tea in the veranda as you pore over the morning papers. That's what Ajmal Kasab, the newest celebrity resident of Arthur Road, albeit its jail, wants to do. He has also demanded perfume to clear the air around him and wants back the money that his Pakistani terror trainers had packed into his rucksack before they sent him off on a murderous sail to Mumbai.”
(http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/crosslines/entry/kasab-trial-or-circus1)
Death sentence for Ajmal Kasab is a foregone conclusion, it’s a no brainer!
Gargoyles like him have no religion or country or purpose. they thrive on fear and weakness. to him and his kind, civilisation and law are weaknesses so please don’t just kill him, work his sentence in stages. Here are some humble suggestions:
1. Castrate the bastard
2. Hang him naked in full public view outside Chartrapati Shivaji Terminus
3. Let pigs feed on him (Hannibal style)
4. Let him feed on human excreta
5. Sodomize him 9 times a day
Keeping his likes in mind, I further recommend that all of the above should be shown live on reality TV or web only for his satisfaction. We all know how much he loves publicity, we can even have an electric prod handy to keep reminding him to smile for the cameras. He would love that, after all we know how much he loves attention and playing games for publicity.
As far as his death sentence is concerned, I hope it’s not by electric chair because my country has a power shortage. Why waste what little there is on him? The next option would be gas chamber but then that’s just an accelerated form of living in any one of our polluted cities.
His death sentence should be by hanging from a handmade jute or Khadi rope. Making that rope would generate employment here and it would symbolise the power of our small-scale industry, it would also promote Swadeshi. Lastly, hanging Kasab to death by hanging on a jute or khadi rope will also send a message to other worms like Kasab that their violent ways will end will at the hands of the most non-violent people in the world...followers of our beloved Mahatma Gandhi ;)
“What’s so great about that? Isn’t everyone like that for their parents and their near and dear ones?” If that is the thought you have then I have to agree with you. You are right, it is completely normal, we all love and care for our near and dear ones. That’s how it is supposed to be.
Now imagine the person you love most in your life being terrorised, hunted down and killed like a hapless beast by a few strangers with a swagger for nothing he or she did. Don’t just imagine it, visualize it...please.
That’s exactly what Ajmal Kasab and his associates did on 26th November. They walked into our lives, hunted down and murdered helpless people. Hard working people who were heading home to their families. Lives were destroyed, generations have been affected, healthy people lost their limbs. Kasab and friends killed people they had never met or known and they laughed and chatted with each other while doing it.
Pity, remorse, regret? Sense of responsibility? These are words barbarians like Kasab don’t understand.
To quote Ranjan Roy’s blog “If you were living on Arthur Road in Mumbai, you'd like to wake up in the morning, sip tea in the veranda as you pore over the morning papers. That's what Ajmal Kasab, the newest celebrity resident of Arthur Road, albeit its jail, wants to do. He has also demanded perfume to clear the air around him and wants back the money that his Pakistani terror trainers had packed into his rucksack before they sent him off on a murderous sail to Mumbai.”
(http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/crosslines/entry/kasab-trial-or-circus1)
Death sentence for Ajmal Kasab is a foregone conclusion, it’s a no brainer!
Gargoyles like him have no religion or country or purpose. they thrive on fear and weakness. to him and his kind, civilisation and law are weaknesses so please don’t just kill him, work his sentence in stages. Here are some humble suggestions:
1. Castrate the bastard
2. Hang him naked in full public view outside Chartrapati Shivaji Terminus
3. Let pigs feed on him (Hannibal style)
4. Let him feed on human excreta
5. Sodomize him 9 times a day
Keeping his likes in mind, I further recommend that all of the above should be shown live on reality TV or web only for his satisfaction. We all know how much he loves publicity, we can even have an electric prod handy to keep reminding him to smile for the cameras. He would love that, after all we know how much he loves attention and playing games for publicity.
As far as his death sentence is concerned, I hope it’s not by electric chair because my country has a power shortage. Why waste what little there is on him? The next option would be gas chamber but then that’s just an accelerated form of living in any one of our polluted cities.
His death sentence should be by hanging from a handmade jute or Khadi rope. Making that rope would generate employment here and it would symbolise the power of our small-scale industry, it would also promote Swadeshi. Lastly, hanging Kasab to death by hanging on a jute or khadi rope will also send a message to other worms like Kasab that their violent ways will end will at the hands of the most non-violent people in the world...followers of our beloved Mahatma Gandhi ;)
30 April, 2010
Review of Housefull
I have a friend named Sonia, known her for a few years now. She's a certified nut case but as brilliant as can be. I guess thats because genius is normally accompanied by a streak of eccentricity.
I havent yet seen Housefull but she has and she reviewed it too. I think the review really is worth reading. So here it is completely uncensored...no edits no cuts. read on :)
Review of HOUSEFULL--
as expected--another 60crore crap from sajid nadiadwala and akshay kumar--after kambakht ishq!!!stupid,crass,senseless,done to death jokes,and awful stereotypes and caricatures of gays,gujaratis,punjabis,black people!!!juvenile humor!!
we r still supposed to laugh at boman thinking ritesh and akshay r gay!!and akshay doing break dance after being electrocuted!!and sensible directors dont get even 2 crore funding from these producers who dont mind spending millionns on chandni chowk to china,veer,blue and now ,another dud,housefull!!!
am aghast at this mindless spending on shit cinema!!!
rating---5/10!!
Sonia Singh
I havent yet seen Housefull but she has and she reviewed it too. I think the review really is worth reading. So here it is completely uncensored...no edits no cuts. read on :)
Review of HOUSEFULL--
as expected--another 60crore crap from sajid nadiadwala and akshay kumar--after kambakht ishq!!!stupid,crass,senseless,done to death jokes,and awful stereotypes and caricatures of gays,gujaratis,punjabis,black people!!!juvenile humor!!
we r still supposed to laugh at boman thinking ritesh and akshay r gay!!and akshay doing break dance after being electrocuted!!and sensible directors dont get even 2 crore funding from these producers who dont mind spending millionns on chandni chowk to china,veer,blue and now ,another dud,housefull!!!
am aghast at this mindless spending on shit cinema!!!
rating---5/10!!
Sonia Singh
29 March, 2010
Rancho versus Riz
Rancho (Phunsuk Wangdu – Aamir Khan’s character in 3 idiots) versus Riz (Rizwan Khan – Shahrukh Khan’s character in My Name is Khan)
Both are extremely popular lead characters and both have lead their films to create box office legend. However, both are complete opposites of each other.
Rancho is self-assured, intelligent, confident and mature beyond his years. Riz is disadvantaged and challenged in several ways and yet is confident enough to hold his own regardless of who he is up against.
Rancho oozes charm and can sometimes be a smug brat while Riz endears with his haplessness. His stubbornness and unpredictability land him trouble regularly.
What is it about each one that appeals to you and why?
What is it about each one that puts you off and why?
17 February, 2010
MESSAGE FOR THE SENAS OF OUR WORLD - Part 1
My grandfather, Shri Sankara Pillai was a rich land lord whose property spread across many fields in the South of India right upto Kanya Kumari. But he was also reputed lawyer and freedom fighter, his proficiency with the law made him an asset to every Nationalist of that time. India’s finest (including Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru among many others) often sought his advice before taking giant steps. The fact that he was rich, highly educated, razor sharp, fearless and committed to the cause of freedom made him a thorn on the British side because unlike most Indians of those days, he knew the law and used this knowledge aggressively for his compatriots in their struggle for freedom.
The British authorities in turn regularly raided our ancestral home and confiscated, destroyed and damaged everything they could (harassment and pressure was one of their most popular tactics). They ripped mattresses, broke walls, tore through fertile fields destroying crops. They man handled every member of our family and anyone even close to the family. Shri Sanakar Pillai, members of the family, relatives and neighbours were often dragged off to prison where they were beaten mercilessly and tortured for no crime at all. Besides this, they burnt and shredded any documentation they could get their hands on including property papers. In a few years, our farms and lands that once spanned many, many acres shrunk to virtually nothing. Our ancestral home, once a sprawling 26-room mansion looked like it had been hit by several tornados at once. Harassment and pressure was one of their most popular tactics.
Shri Sankara Pillai’s resolve and iron will was supported and yet surpassed only by his wife, Appiama Bhargavi Amma. She was his backbone. In those years of turmoil and chaos, they somehow managed to maintain a balance between passion for their country’s freedom and their personal life. Together they raised eight wonderful children (four boys and four girls). While Shri Sankara Pillai continued to work towards procuring freedom for his country, his wife Bhargavi Amma took care of their eight children, ran an orphanage, a temple and toiled towards educating uplifting women. This was during the early 19th century. Long, long before the West started bra burning and other allied causes for women’s rights.
They proudly hoisted and fluttered an Indian flag outside their home every single day regardless of the consequences. On one occasion, when Shri Sankara Pillai was carted off to jail on some flimsy pretext, the British Brigadier (Simpson) in charge of that area decided to bring down the flag. He gave a 24-hour notice to the Indians in his area to remove all such local flags or face dire consequences. Since Shri Sankara Pillai was in jail, the onus now fell on Bhargavi Amma.
Residents of the village ran to her to warn her and help her bring down the flag. Without batting an eyelid, she flatly refused went about her business of the day. The village folk then went to the local jail where her husband, (my grandfather) Shri Sankara Pillai was lodged. On hearing the entire story, he said that since he was in jail and she was now the head of the family, the decision was hers and hers alone. Whatever she decided, he would stand by her.
The clock was ticking and the villagers knew what would happen to their beloved Bhargavi Amma and her eight adorable children if the flag was not pulled down before that dreaded Brigadier Simpson reached the spot. They ran back to her and pleaded with her to bring down the flag. They tried to reason with her for the sake of her eight children if not anything else. An ever smiling and perpetually pleasant Bhargavi Amma simply refused and stood her ground in the politest, plainest yet most assertive way possible.
Strangely, their nerve-racking fear of the British crackdown was over powered by their love for their beloved Bhargavi Amma and her children. Knowing that they could not get her to change her mind, they decided to stand by her. One by one village folk came together and quietly camped outside our ancestral home. They decided that if anything had to happen to her it would have to happen to them first. As the news spread, the number of villagers outside our home kept multiplying in geometric progression! By early next morning our home was surrounded by thousands of villagers not only from our own sleepy little hamlet but from all over the state!!
By 12 noon that day, Brigadier Simpson suddenly decided that he needed to attend some other pressing matters in his area and therefore ‘postponed’ his order regarding Indian flags indefinitely.
What a victory it was, unarmed, under nourished, untrained and unorganized villagers stood their ground against a trained, well fed, well equipped and organized army and that too without any violence!!! No press, no 24/7 news coverage, no high stakes, no speeches. Conviction, faith, love and affection versus lust for power.
My dear readers, this entire episode may ring a bell, in that you may find a few similarities between this incident and one that happened recently here over the release of a film.
Does this story end here? No it does not!!
The British army issued shoot at sight orders against all eight of Shri Sankara Pillai’s children. To know what happened, do look out for part 2 of this very true series.
Born and brought up in Mumbai, I have served the Indian army with dignity and honour in battlefields in far-flung corners of our proud nation and still help wherever possible. I love Mumbai, I love Delhi, I love Kerala, I love Kolkata, I love every inch of my motherland and uphold the rights that our constitution has given us: My name is Captain Vinod Nair.
The British authorities in turn regularly raided our ancestral home and confiscated, destroyed and damaged everything they could (harassment and pressure was one of their most popular tactics). They ripped mattresses, broke walls, tore through fertile fields destroying crops. They man handled every member of our family and anyone even close to the family. Shri Sanakar Pillai, members of the family, relatives and neighbours were often dragged off to prison where they were beaten mercilessly and tortured for no crime at all. Besides this, they burnt and shredded any documentation they could get their hands on including property papers. In a few years, our farms and lands that once spanned many, many acres shrunk to virtually nothing. Our ancestral home, once a sprawling 26-room mansion looked like it had been hit by several tornados at once. Harassment and pressure was one of their most popular tactics.
Shri Sankara Pillai’s resolve and iron will was supported and yet surpassed only by his wife, Appiama Bhargavi Amma. She was his backbone. In those years of turmoil and chaos, they somehow managed to maintain a balance between passion for their country’s freedom and their personal life. Together they raised eight wonderful children (four boys and four girls). While Shri Sankara Pillai continued to work towards procuring freedom for his country, his wife Bhargavi Amma took care of their eight children, ran an orphanage, a temple and toiled towards educating uplifting women. This was during the early 19th century. Long, long before the West started bra burning and other allied causes for women’s rights.
They proudly hoisted and fluttered an Indian flag outside their home every single day regardless of the consequences. On one occasion, when Shri Sankara Pillai was carted off to jail on some flimsy pretext, the British Brigadier (Simpson) in charge of that area decided to bring down the flag. He gave a 24-hour notice to the Indians in his area to remove all such local flags or face dire consequences. Since Shri Sankara Pillai was in jail, the onus now fell on Bhargavi Amma.
Residents of the village ran to her to warn her and help her bring down the flag. Without batting an eyelid, she flatly refused went about her business of the day. The village folk then went to the local jail where her husband, (my grandfather) Shri Sankara Pillai was lodged. On hearing the entire story, he said that since he was in jail and she was now the head of the family, the decision was hers and hers alone. Whatever she decided, he would stand by her.
The clock was ticking and the villagers knew what would happen to their beloved Bhargavi Amma and her eight adorable children if the flag was not pulled down before that dreaded Brigadier Simpson reached the spot. They ran back to her and pleaded with her to bring down the flag. They tried to reason with her for the sake of her eight children if not anything else. An ever smiling and perpetually pleasant Bhargavi Amma simply refused and stood her ground in the politest, plainest yet most assertive way possible.
Strangely, their nerve-racking fear of the British crackdown was over powered by their love for their beloved Bhargavi Amma and her children. Knowing that they could not get her to change her mind, they decided to stand by her. One by one village folk came together and quietly camped outside our ancestral home. They decided that if anything had to happen to her it would have to happen to them first. As the news spread, the number of villagers outside our home kept multiplying in geometric progression! By early next morning our home was surrounded by thousands of villagers not only from our own sleepy little hamlet but from all over the state!!
By 12 noon that day, Brigadier Simpson suddenly decided that he needed to attend some other pressing matters in his area and therefore ‘postponed’ his order regarding Indian flags indefinitely.
What a victory it was, unarmed, under nourished, untrained and unorganized villagers stood their ground against a trained, well fed, well equipped and organized army and that too without any violence!!! No press, no 24/7 news coverage, no high stakes, no speeches. Conviction, faith, love and affection versus lust for power.
My dear readers, this entire episode may ring a bell, in that you may find a few similarities between this incident and one that happened recently here over the release of a film.
Does this story end here? No it does not!!
The British army issued shoot at sight orders against all eight of Shri Sankara Pillai’s children. To know what happened, do look out for part 2 of this very true series.
Born and brought up in Mumbai, I have served the Indian army with dignity and honour in battlefields in far-flung corners of our proud nation and still help wherever possible. I love Mumbai, I love Delhi, I love Kerala, I love Kolkata, I love every inch of my motherland and uphold the rights that our constitution has given us: My name is Captain Vinod Nair.
27 August, 2009
DADDY COOL - REVIEW
Daddy Cool
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Behind the camera:
It’s an Inder Kumar film, the person who was responsible for Dhamaal, Ishq, Pyare Mohan, Masti, Rishtey, Mann, Raja, Beta & Dil.
In front of the camera:
Tulip Joshi, Kim Sharma, Aarti Chabria, Sophey Choudhary, Suneil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Ashish Chowdhary, Javed Jaffry, Chunkey Pandey, Prem Chopra & Rajpal Yadav among others.
This is clearly a comedy film.
While the film is supposed to be about a family coming together at their Patriarch’s funeral, it is actually about letting the wizards of comedy loose in a house and then capturing the madness that follows. The result is a faced paced, witty film that has you laughing so hard you need to gasp for air.
A better cast couldn’t be put together for this film. Suneil Shetty is at his best as a controlled elder brother. That doesn’t stop him from dominating and swiping some of the funniest scenes in the film. Ashish Choudhary, Chunkey Pandey and Rajpal Yadav deliver performances that are fantastic. Javed Jaffry, Prem Chopra and Aftab Shivdasani outdo themselves. Their comic timing and brilliance is unmatched by any of their previous performances.
The film has you laughing loudly from the very beginning. The toilet scene between Javed Jaffry and Prem Chopra rates as my personal favorite. A friend of mine (very well known in the film fraternity) was sipping her drink when she uncontrollably sprayed it on the poor people in front of her. No one seemed to mind because everyone in the entire theatre was too busy howling with laughter to notice!
The lady brigade kept pace all along, Sophie Choudhary shines in her very limited role. Kim Sharma pairs up excellently as the doubting Thomas who watches her husbands’ every move. Aarti Chabria’s character is probably the only unfunny one in the entire film.
The real surprise package is Tulip Joshi. Known for being presented in a surreal manner as a timeless, ethereal beauty in her previous hits like Mere Yaar ki Shaadi Hai, Dhoka & Jag Jeode de mele, one wonders what she’s doing in a madcap film like this. Once again (as she did with Matrabhoomi), she stuns with her performance. She reveals a side not known before. While we may debate whether this is a Suneil Shetty or and Aftab Shivdasani film, from among the ladies it is unarguably a Tulip Joshi film. Her stellar performance easily steals the show.
All said and done, Daddy Cool gets a double Thumbs up and a 4 star rating from me. While Tulip Joshi, Suneil Shetty, Javed Jaffry and Aftab have the audience rolling with laughter, the real winner laughing all the way to the bank is the master mind Mr. Inder Kumar. Kudos to him for being able to keep pace with the audience dynamics and deliver hit after hit for decades in a row.
Thank you and cheers to you Mr. Inder Kumar, we love laughing with you!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Behind the camera:
It’s an Inder Kumar film, the person who was responsible for Dhamaal, Ishq, Pyare Mohan, Masti, Rishtey, Mann, Raja, Beta & Dil.
In front of the camera:
Tulip Joshi, Kim Sharma, Aarti Chabria, Sophey Choudhary, Suneil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Ashish Chowdhary, Javed Jaffry, Chunkey Pandey, Prem Chopra & Rajpal Yadav among others.
This is clearly a comedy film.
While the film is supposed to be about a family coming together at their Patriarch’s funeral, it is actually about letting the wizards of comedy loose in a house and then capturing the madness that follows. The result is a faced paced, witty film that has you laughing so hard you need to gasp for air.
A better cast couldn’t be put together for this film. Suneil Shetty is at his best as a controlled elder brother. That doesn’t stop him from dominating and swiping some of the funniest scenes in the film. Ashish Choudhary, Chunkey Pandey and Rajpal Yadav deliver performances that are fantastic. Javed Jaffry, Prem Chopra and Aftab Shivdasani outdo themselves. Their comic timing and brilliance is unmatched by any of their previous performances.
The film has you laughing loudly from the very beginning. The toilet scene between Javed Jaffry and Prem Chopra rates as my personal favorite. A friend of mine (very well known in the film fraternity) was sipping her drink when she uncontrollably sprayed it on the poor people in front of her. No one seemed to mind because everyone in the entire theatre was too busy howling with laughter to notice!
The lady brigade kept pace all along, Sophie Choudhary shines in her very limited role. Kim Sharma pairs up excellently as the doubting Thomas who watches her husbands’ every move. Aarti Chabria’s character is probably the only unfunny one in the entire film.
The real surprise package is Tulip Joshi. Known for being presented in a surreal manner as a timeless, ethereal beauty in her previous hits like Mere Yaar ki Shaadi Hai, Dhoka & Jag Jeode de mele, one wonders what she’s doing in a madcap film like this. Once again (as she did with Matrabhoomi), she stuns with her performance. She reveals a side not known before. While we may debate whether this is a Suneil Shetty or and Aftab Shivdasani film, from among the ladies it is unarguably a Tulip Joshi film. Her stellar performance easily steals the show.
All said and done, Daddy Cool gets a double Thumbs up and a 4 star rating from me. While Tulip Joshi, Suneil Shetty, Javed Jaffry and Aftab have the audience rolling with laughter, the real winner laughing all the way to the bank is the master mind Mr. Inder Kumar. Kudos to him for being able to keep pace with the audience dynamics and deliver hit after hit for decades in a row.
Thank you and cheers to you Mr. Inder Kumar, we love laughing with you!
17 July, 2009
BIG FAT CRY BABY
BIG FAT CRY BABY
India & Pakistan love dancing with each other.
The two have been dancing this dance ever since they came into being as independent nations. Switch on the news and you’ll know what I am talking about. The headlines scream the usual lines line “Pak backtracks on its word”, “Zardari under pressure”, “Pakistan’s lies exposed in international forum”, etc.
This article is not about who is right or who is wrong. This article is a manifestation of the frustration and exasperation of any intelligent and educated Indian at being led by a team with no will to ever take a stand on any issue.
India in the international scene behaves like a helpless baby. Let me state my case with a few points:
1. Whenever there is a terror attack, India goes on hyper drive to prove that Pakistan was involved.
2. Whenever the US sanctions weapons or aid to Pakistan, India goes ape all over again.
3. Whenever terrorists are caught crossing the border, India goes ballistic.
4. When our PM recently confronted Zardari at a meet about terrorism, the news played it till every viewer puked out of sheer overdose.
5. After the infamous 26/11, Pakistan has brilliantly played ball with every accusation we’ve made and ‘pooh-pooh-ed’ our videos, facts and dossiers with the ease of dusting lint off an old suit.
My list could go on but does it need to?
Here are some thoughts that come to my mind:
1. If India is convinced about Pakistan’s guilt, what are we doing about it (other than pointing fingers)?
2. If our borders are porous, what are we doing about it?
3. How much responsibility do we take for ourselves?
4. Why is our relationship with the US tied with their relationship with Pakistan or anyone? Let the US supply and support whoever they like. Our equation has to be free of this baggage. What stops us from building relations independent of others?
We need to take concrete pro active steps to protect ourselves and anything that we value. The US is a case in point, it is probably the first on every terror groups’ hit list. In a country where guns are freely available, there hasn’t been a single terror attack since 2001. Wow, they must be doing something right!
Besides bawling before the UN, US, SAARC, G8, Common wealth and anyone else who pretends to listen, what really are we doing? Even when the world collapses and death is in the air (for example the recent atrocities on Tamils in Lanka or the attack on Indians in Australia), the toughest line I’ve ever seen us take is when our spokesperson makes a serious poker face and says “India is watching the situation very closely.”
We’ve seen North Korea, Australia, US, Israel, Pakistan, UK, France and so many other nations do what they feel is right regardless of consequences. Once convinced on any issue they all follow it up with action. Does it mean that we believe in nothing? Is it a desperate need for international popularity and a pat on the head saying “good child”? We love to be the big cry baby who keeps complaining but does nothing!
When will we take responsibility for ourselves? Learn some ownership? Let’s stop pointing fingers outside and do something about it instead. Let’s just grow up it really is about time!!
Captain Vinod Nair
India & Pakistan love dancing with each other.
The two have been dancing this dance ever since they came into being as independent nations. Switch on the news and you’ll know what I am talking about. The headlines scream the usual lines line “Pak backtracks on its word”, “Zardari under pressure”, “Pakistan’s lies exposed in international forum”, etc.
This article is not about who is right or who is wrong. This article is a manifestation of the frustration and exasperation of any intelligent and educated Indian at being led by a team with no will to ever take a stand on any issue.
India in the international scene behaves like a helpless baby. Let me state my case with a few points:
1. Whenever there is a terror attack, India goes on hyper drive to prove that Pakistan was involved.
2. Whenever the US sanctions weapons or aid to Pakistan, India goes ape all over again.
3. Whenever terrorists are caught crossing the border, India goes ballistic.
4. When our PM recently confronted Zardari at a meet about terrorism, the news played it till every viewer puked out of sheer overdose.
5. After the infamous 26/11, Pakistan has brilliantly played ball with every accusation we’ve made and ‘pooh-pooh-ed’ our videos, facts and dossiers with the ease of dusting lint off an old suit.
My list could go on but does it need to?
Here are some thoughts that come to my mind:
1. If India is convinced about Pakistan’s guilt, what are we doing about it (other than pointing fingers)?
2. If our borders are porous, what are we doing about it?
3. How much responsibility do we take for ourselves?
4. Why is our relationship with the US tied with their relationship with Pakistan or anyone? Let the US supply and support whoever they like. Our equation has to be free of this baggage. What stops us from building relations independent of others?
We need to take concrete pro active steps to protect ourselves and anything that we value. The US is a case in point, it is probably the first on every terror groups’ hit list. In a country where guns are freely available, there hasn’t been a single terror attack since 2001. Wow, they must be doing something right!
Besides bawling before the UN, US, SAARC, G8, Common wealth and anyone else who pretends to listen, what really are we doing? Even when the world collapses and death is in the air (for example the recent atrocities on Tamils in Lanka or the attack on Indians in Australia), the toughest line I’ve ever seen us take is when our spokesperson makes a serious poker face and says “India is watching the situation very closely.”
We’ve seen North Korea, Australia, US, Israel, Pakistan, UK, France and so many other nations do what they feel is right regardless of consequences. Once convinced on any issue they all follow it up with action. Does it mean that we believe in nothing? Is it a desperate need for international popularity and a pat on the head saying “good child”? We love to be the big cry baby who keeps complaining but does nothing!
When will we take responsibility for ourselves? Learn some ownership? Let’s stop pointing fingers outside and do something about it instead. Let’s just grow up it really is about time!!
Captain Vinod Nair
05 July, 2009
KAMBAKKHT ISHQ
Sylvester Stallone has always been a great source of inspiration to me. He reached out through his movies and spoke to me when I needed it most in my teen age years; he inspired and gave me hope. Riveted and wide eyed, I watched movies like shaped ‘Escape’, ‘Over the top’, the ‘Rocky’ series, the ‘Rambo’ series and many others in my formative years.
To me, Stallone was more than a movie star; he was a beacon of hope. I used to blast ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and work out at intensely at home while watching the awe inspiring training sequence in Rocky 3. Believe it or not, I lost over 20 kgs doing just that. Stallone’s philosophies motivated me no end. The 80’s for me were shaped by Stallone.
After a brief lull, he made a formidable come back with two giant hits ‘Rocky Balboa’ and ‘Rambo 4’. Firmly entrenching himself in his well deserved super star status for yet another decade.
So when the news said that an Indian Hindi film was going to feature Sylvester Stallone along with a few other Hollywood biggies, my delight knew no bounds! The icing on the cake was that the Indian star would be Akshay Kumar, a man whose fitness lifestyle I endorse readily!
Unable to make it for the pre-release trial, I went to the theatre to see the film (I owed that much to my idol Stallone). With much ado, I sank into my seat with my ice cream in hand and waited pregnant with anticipation for the film to start.
At the beginning, I sat wide eyed with raised eyebrows and a huge smile plastered across my face but with each passing frame, my eyebrows dipped a little and my wide eyes began to reduce in size. My smile began to invert. As the film progressed, I covered my battered and distorted face to save my senses from more savage punishment but the film was relentless, it bashed on regardless.
Like a well coordinated terror attack, Kambakkth Ishq attacks mercilessly from all fronts and flanks. The film knows no pity, hesitation, regret or remorse. The smarter ones left the cinema hall while a few of us foolishly braved on. When the savagery of the viewer’s senses was finally over (that is, when the film finally ended), a few of crawled out of the theatre on all fours. The rest had to be carted away before rigor mortis set in.
The time spent watching Kambakkth Ishq wasn’t wasted. It was payback to Stallone for all that he had done for me during my growing years. Today, I can finally look at Stallone in the eye (on the cover of my DVD of Rocky 3) and say “Thanks a million Sylvester for all you’ve given me but we are even now.”
So I, Captain Vinod Nair sign off here feeling relieved of baggage and ready for a good nights’ sleep. Thank you Kambakkth Ishq for helping me repay a debt that has weighed on my shoulders for over two long decades :)
Captain Vinod Nair
To me, Stallone was more than a movie star; he was a beacon of hope. I used to blast ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and work out at intensely at home while watching the awe inspiring training sequence in Rocky 3. Believe it or not, I lost over 20 kgs doing just that. Stallone’s philosophies motivated me no end. The 80’s for me were shaped by Stallone.
After a brief lull, he made a formidable come back with two giant hits ‘Rocky Balboa’ and ‘Rambo 4’. Firmly entrenching himself in his well deserved super star status for yet another decade.
So when the news said that an Indian Hindi film was going to feature Sylvester Stallone along with a few other Hollywood biggies, my delight knew no bounds! The icing on the cake was that the Indian star would be Akshay Kumar, a man whose fitness lifestyle I endorse readily!
Unable to make it for the pre-release trial, I went to the theatre to see the film (I owed that much to my idol Stallone). With much ado, I sank into my seat with my ice cream in hand and waited pregnant with anticipation for the film to start.
At the beginning, I sat wide eyed with raised eyebrows and a huge smile plastered across my face but with each passing frame, my eyebrows dipped a little and my wide eyes began to reduce in size. My smile began to invert. As the film progressed, I covered my battered and distorted face to save my senses from more savage punishment but the film was relentless, it bashed on regardless.
Like a well coordinated terror attack, Kambakkth Ishq attacks mercilessly from all fronts and flanks. The film knows no pity, hesitation, regret or remorse. The smarter ones left the cinema hall while a few of us foolishly braved on. When the savagery of the viewer’s senses was finally over (that is, when the film finally ended), a few of crawled out of the theatre on all fours. The rest had to be carted away before rigor mortis set in.
The time spent watching Kambakkth Ishq wasn’t wasted. It was payback to Stallone for all that he had done for me during my growing years. Today, I can finally look at Stallone in the eye (on the cover of my DVD of Rocky 3) and say “Thanks a million Sylvester for all you’ve given me but we are even now.”
So I, Captain Vinod Nair sign off here feeling relieved of baggage and ready for a good nights’ sleep. Thank you Kambakkth Ishq for helping me repay a debt that has weighed on my shoulders for over two long decades :)
Captain Vinod Nair
11 May, 2009
Diet for your mind
Diet for your mind
By Captain Vinod Nair
Nowadays, almost everyone I meet is health conscious! Even the biggest and most popular food brands are reshaping their offerings to be healthy. It wasn't always like this. Till recently, most people indulged their taste buds to the hilt. Having paid the price for that kind of indulgence, most of us are now careful of what goes into our system.
As important as the foods we put into our bodies, are the thoughts we put into our minds. Like foods, there are clearly thoughts to avoid and thoughts to embrace.
Here are some thoughts to avoid: Thoughts of bitterness, hatred, despair, fear, worry, doubt, greed and self-loathing. A constant diet of these killer thoughts will destroy us long before cholesterol or fat.
Thoughts to embrace would include: intelligent analysis, positivity, belief, faith, happiness, peace and fulfilment.
How we fill our minds will shape our lives. So fill your mind only with that which is healthy, and harmonious. Watch your diet, rid your mind of all that is destructive and fill it with that which is good and peaceful. That is the way of patience and courage, love and contentment, peace and kindness.
Our thoughts shape our actions so we inevitably become how and what we think. Your past thoughts have brought you where you are today.
Even as you read this, today's thoughts are shaping your tomorrow. Fill your mind with healthy and happy thoughts.
By Captain Vinod Nair
(first published by TOI's idiva)
20 April, 2009
Make a difference, excel!
It was back in 1989. Just out of my teens when life, priorities and realities were different. Amongst the millions of youth my age back then a few of us, from various parts of India had one thing in common: We chose to dedicate our lives to the nation.
We applied, got selected and survived the rigorous training of the Indian Army. (Out of the estimated 5,00,000 people who apply to join the Indian Army as officers, less than 120 are successful every year.) We were from diverse backgrounds when first met at the Officer's Training Academy in Chennai.
There we were subjected to gruelling routines, ground to dust, thrashed first out of and then into shape. Our egos weren't bruised or battered - they were simply decimated!! Through these months of madness, in rare moments of reflection, we'd wonder about our lives.
Our classmates, relatives and friends in the real world were studying, fooling around or working while we were encapsulated, far removed from commerce, business, and the real world in general.
We had given up our families, our ambitions and dedicated our lives to the nation. We became each other's family and friends.
People from the real world called us fools and dreamers. "Why do you do it?" they asked. "It's not worth it," they insisted.
Were they right? Were we just insane?
Our endless days at the academy finally ended with some of us becoming proud commissioned officers in the Indian Army. We were posted to various units across the length and breadth of the globe.
Some were landed with peace postings in exotic locales while some of us were (at the tender age of 21) plunged into bitter and gory combat where we were tested in every way a human can be tested.
Some perished over the years, some wounded and maimed for life. Few of us are civilians now, while some still serve selflessly.
This is 2009, twenty years have gone by. I now look back and ask questions that have dogged so many of us for so long: Why did we do it? Was it worth it? Were we pursuing a dream or was it just insanity?
Looking back and looking around now, I know that if I were to live this life a second time, I'd do it all over again.
The answers to my several questions lie in one four word phrase: "It was worth it."
This page is dedicated to my brothers in arms, who aren't with us today: Sameer Ul Islam, Freddie Merchant, Rajiv Laul, Chandrashekhsr, Maj Bhandarkar and many, many others.
For readers who may not know the names mentioned here, you don't need to but you must know that they were real people like you and I. They however, gave their "today" for our "tomorrow" without even being asked. How can we pay them back for such supreme sacrifice?
Make your life worthy of their sacrifices. Don't be mediocre, make a difference. Excel in everything you do.
Written by Captain Vinod Nair
First published at http://www.idiva.com/bin/idiva/BlogPage?theme=Captains%20corner
We applied, got selected and survived the rigorous training of the Indian Army. (Out of the estimated 5,00,000 people who apply to join the Indian Army as officers, less than 120 are successful every year.) We were from diverse backgrounds when first met at the Officer's Training Academy in Chennai.
There we were subjected to gruelling routines, ground to dust, thrashed first out of and then into shape. Our egos weren't bruised or battered - they were simply decimated!! Through these months of madness, in rare moments of reflection, we'd wonder about our lives.
Our classmates, relatives and friends in the real world were studying, fooling around or working while we were encapsulated, far removed from commerce, business, and the real world in general.
We had given up our families, our ambitions and dedicated our lives to the nation. We became each other's family and friends.
People from the real world called us fools and dreamers. "Why do you do it?" they asked. "It's not worth it," they insisted.
Were they right? Were we just insane?
Our endless days at the academy finally ended with some of us becoming proud commissioned officers in the Indian Army. We were posted to various units across the length and breadth of the globe.
Some were landed with peace postings in exotic locales while some of us were (at the tender age of 21) plunged into bitter and gory combat where we were tested in every way a human can be tested.
Some perished over the years, some wounded and maimed for life. Few of us are civilians now, while some still serve selflessly.
This is 2009, twenty years have gone by. I now look back and ask questions that have dogged so many of us for so long: Why did we do it? Was it worth it? Were we pursuing a dream or was it just insanity?
Looking back and looking around now, I know that if I were to live this life a second time, I'd do it all over again.
The answers to my several questions lie in one four word phrase: "It was worth it."
This page is dedicated to my brothers in arms, who aren't with us today: Sameer Ul Islam, Freddie Merchant, Rajiv Laul, Chandrashekhsr, Maj Bhandarkar and many, many others.
For readers who may not know the names mentioned here, you don't need to but you must know that they were real people like you and I. They however, gave their "today" for our "tomorrow" without even being asked. How can we pay them back for such supreme sacrifice?
Make your life worthy of their sacrifices. Don't be mediocre, make a difference. Excel in everything you do.
Written by Captain Vinod Nair
First published at http://www.idiva.com/bin/idiva/BlogPage?theme=Captains%20corner
01 March, 2009
Gym Sutra
Gym Sutra
Your regular gym sessions are far more important than you think. They can even rescue your sex life. Captain Vinod Nair tells you how
By Vikas Hotwani
If you are among the ones who pay an annual membership fee at the local gym, but visit it only a handful of times, this should motivate you. Being fit and healthy benefits all areas of your life — including sex. Those cardio and weight-training sessions can add that much-needed (or aspired) zing between the sheets.
Improves testosterone levels
Research has shown that regular exercise, especially squats and lunges, boosts the testosterone level in the body. Since the hormone plays a key role in one’s libido and performance, a boost there equals great sex.
Turns your partner on
A toned physique is undoubtedly the most potent turn-on for your partner. Even before the love-making session begins, the sight of toned abs, strong thighs and muscular arms makes you sexually desirable to your partner and starts the fire burning.
Moreover, it’s been observed that those who maintain a toned physique have a better perception of themselves which leads to higher confidence levels.
The different aspects of life aren’t compartmentalized and an overall sense of well-being is sure to catapult your sex life and even lead to higher satisfaction levels, for you and your partner alike. In fact, obesity is one of the key physical reasons for erectile dysfunction.
Not to forget, it can be quite something to be able to playfully throw your partner around in bed, right?
Improves stamina
A man who indulges in enough cardio-vascular exercises stands better chances of satisfying his partner. Regular cardio builds the body’s overall stamina, which means you last longer in bed. Cardio requires withstanding the pressure for a longer duration with a sustained and justified distribution over the workout’s time span.
For example, if you want your cardio session to last 30 minutes, you cannot sprint aggressively in the first five minutes and exhaust your energy. The endurance level will be distributed with the last five minutes being the most strenuous.
This attitude and conditioning of the body helps men last longer and preferably let the women achieve orgasm before them. This helps because men can orgasm only once while women can have many towards the later stages of the intercourse.
On the other hand, those who indulge in weight training achieve an orgasm much faster, as the aggression it induces makes patience take the back seat — which is why it is advisable for women. However, in the larger picture, it must be kept in mind that the two cannot replace each other’s benefits and a justified mix of weight-lifting and cardio is a must, for both men and women.
Beats libido killers
Stress is one of the biggest reasons for a dissatisfactory bedroom experience as it leads to many problems, right from reduced stamina to simply not being in mood. However, all that iron pumping and heavy cardio brings down the cortisol (stress hormone) level and induces a feel-good attitude.
Regular exercise is one of the biggest stress-busters for most people and lower stress levels means a healthier and a far more exciting sex life.
Aphrodisiacs, by chance
A healthy and well-balanced diet is one of the most important aspects of achieving fitness. After you work out, your body craves nutrition. For building muscle and repairing the damage, you need a diet high on zinc and proteins. Zinc is known for its aphrodisiac properties. Eat your way to a sizzling sex life with a diet rich in asparagus, onions, garlic and bananas.
Matter of position
Merely buying a copy of Kamasutra will not improve your sex life. Your body needs to have the flexibility and the endurance level to hold the positions that the ancient scriptures speak of.
You may ignore the extra layers of flab, but the fact remains that the added inches may restrict your urge to experiment in bed. When you hit the gym regularly, you build the strength needed to hold the positions for a longer time. Women who train their pelvic muscle groups have a better ability of achieving orgasm.
To enjoy overall well-being, a combination of four things is important — exercise, diet, sleep and the right attitude. While regular exercising and hitting the gym will give you fitness and have positive repercussions on your sex life, it’s not a guarantee if the right attitude is missing. It is even more important to be considerate and loving towards your partner, without which having a satisfactory lovemaking session would be virtually impossible.
Improves testosterone levels
Research has shown that regular exercise, especially squats and lunges, boosts the testosterone level in the body. Since the hormone plays a key role in one’s libido and performance, a boost there equals great sex.
Turns your partner on
A toned physique is undoubtedly the most potent turn-on for your partner. Even before the love-making session begins, the sight of toned abs, strong thighs and muscular arms makes you sexually desirable to your partner and starts the fire burning.
Moreover, it’s been observed that those who maintain a toned physique have a better perception of themselves which leads to higher confidence levels.
The different aspects of life aren’t compartmentalized and an overall sense of well-being is sure to catapult your sex life and even lead to higher satisfaction levels, for you and your partner alike. In fact, obesity is one of the key physical reasons for erectile dysfunction.
Not to forget, it can be quite something to be able to playfully throw your partner around in bed, right?
Improves stamina
A man who indulges in enough cardio-vascular exercises stands better chances of satisfying his partner. Regular cardio builds the body’s overall stamina, which means you last longer in bed. Cardio requires withstanding the pressure for a longer duration with a sustained and justified distribution over the workout’s time span.
For example, if you want your cardio session to last 30 minutes, you cannot sprint aggressively in the first five minutes and exhaust your energy. The endurance level will be distributed with the last five minutes being the most strenuous.
This attitude and conditioning of the body helps men last longer and preferably let the women achieve orgasm before them. This helps because men can orgasm only once while women can have many towards the later stages of the intercourse.
On the other hand, those who indulge in weight training achieve an orgasm much faster, as the aggression it induces makes patience take the back seat — which is why it is advisable for women. However, in the larger picture, it must be kept in mind that the two cannot replace each other’s benefits and a justified mix of weight-lifting and cardio is a must, for both men and women.
Beats libido killers
Stress is one of the biggest reasons for a dissatisfactory bedroom experience as it leads to many problems, right from reduced stamina to simply not being in mood. However, all that iron pumping and heavy cardio brings down the cortisol (stress hormone) level and induces a feel-good attitude.
Regular exercise is one of the biggest stress-busters for most people and lower stress levels means a healthier and a far more exciting sex life.
Aphrodisiacs, by chance
A healthy and well-balanced diet is one of the most important aspects of achieving fitness. After you work out, your body craves nutrition. For building muscle and repairing the damage, you need a diet high on zinc and proteins. Zinc is known for its aphrodisiac properties. Eat your way to a sizzling sex life with a diet rich in asparagus, onions, garlic and bananas.
Matter of position
Merely buying a copy of Kamasutra will not improve your sex life. Your body needs to have the flexibility and the endurance level to hold the positions that the ancient scriptures speak of.
You may ignore the extra layers of flab, but the fact remains that the added inches may restrict your urge to experiment in bed. When you hit the gym regularly, you build the strength needed to hold the positions for a longer time. Women who train their pelvic muscle groups have a better ability of achieving orgasm.
To enjoy overall well-being, a combination of four things is important — exercise, diet, sleep and the right attitude. While regular exercising and hitting the gym will give you fitness and have positive repercussions on your sex life, it’s not a guarantee if the right attitude is missing. It is even more important to be considerate and loving towards your partner, without which having a satisfactory lovemaking session would be virtually impossible.
TIP
Next time you hit the gym, make sure you don’t leave out good old push-ups and pull-ups. While push-ups are quite similar to the missionary position and exercise all the right muscles required for better performance, pull-ups help train your arms to support your body weight during intercourse.
(Captain Vinod Nair is a life coach and excellence guru)
Next time you hit the gym, make sure you don’t leave out good old push-ups and pull-ups. While push-ups are quite similar to the missionary position and exercise all the right muscles required for better performance, pull-ups help train your arms to support your body weight during intercourse.
(Captain Vinod Nair is a life coach and excellence guru)
Published in Mumbai Mirror 28 Feb 09 (page 22)
15 February, 2009
Warren Buffet's advice for 2009
We begin this New Year with dampened enthusiasm and dented optimism. Our happiness is diluted and our peace is threatened by the financial illness that has infected our families, organizations and nations. Everyone is desperate to find a remedy that will cure their financial illness and help them recover their financial health. They expect the financial experts to provide them with remedies, forgetting the fact that it is these experts who created this financial mess.
Every new year, I adopt a couple of old maxims as my beacons to guide my future. This self-prescribed therapy has ensured that with each passing year, I grow wiser and not older.
This year, I invite you to tap into the financial wisdom of our elders along with me, and become financially wiser.
1. Hard work: All hard work bring a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
2. Laziness: A sleeping lobster is carried away by the water current.
3. Earnings: Never depend on a single source of income. [At least make your Investments get you second earning]
4. Spending: If you buy things you don't need, you'll soon sell things you need.
5. Savings: Don't save what is left after spending; Spend what is left after saving.
6. Borrowings: The borrower becomes the lender's slave.
7. Accounting: It's no use carrying an umbrella, if your shoes are leaking.
8. Auditing: Beware of little expenses; A small leak can sink a large ship.
9. Risk-taking: Never test the depth of the river with both feet. [ Have an alternate plan ready ]
10. Investment: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
I'm certain that those who have already been practicing these principles remain financially healthy. I'm equally confident that those who resolve to start practicing these principles will quickly regain their financial health.
Let us become wiser and lead a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful life.
16 January, 2009
Tips for running the Mumbai Marathon
Congratulations on your plan to run the Mumbai marathon! Here are a few tips that may help you sail through the run.
Before the run
1. Shoes & socks: Shoes should be firm, supportive, yet well ventilated running shoes that allow your feet to breathe. If the shoes aren't your regular training shoes, wear them on at least one 16 km run at marathon pace. This test run will determine whether you're likely to develop blisters or get sore feet before it's too late. If the shoes bother you on this run, get yourself another pair.
2. Clothing: Ideally the best for running would be a compression top above and leggings below. If however, that is not available, you wear short and open shorts along with a loose single above.
3. Equipment: Wear a light and comfortable watch while running. It helps keep things in perspective and curb panic attacks.
4. Nutrition: Follow a well balanced diet with proper nutrition. Do NOT over eat for strength. Remember the heavier you are, the more baggage you have to run with. Do notice that all world class athletes are very slim and on the thinner side.
5. Hydrate yourself: Have plenty of water and vitamins. Glucose and Gatorade are excellent options.
6. I-pod: A good music player helps distract the mind while running. Do watch your wires though, they should be tucked under your clothes to avoid irritation and distraction. Load any kind of music that helps you run.
7. Familiarize yourself: Know the route and make notes of landmarks, ups, downs and distances.
8. On the day of the race, wake up at least 3 – 4 hours before the run. If you can eat something, it will give you enough time to have it mostly digested before the start. Second, it will help keep you from feeling sluggish on the starting line.
9. Rest: Give your body rest at least 24 – 48 hours before the run.
10. Stretch and warm up before the run.
During the run
1. Stay calm and confident while running, keep your mind distracted to avoid panic attacks that make you stop.
2. Watch your breathing. Keep it steady and calm.
3. Don’t waste your energy training to get to the front in the beginning. Pace yourself calmly. In the first 7 km, identify and latch on to the runners you’d like to run with for the rest of the race.
4. Stay Hydrated: Keep sipping small amounts of sports drink / water regularly.
5. Watch your knees. Forward movement of your knees means progress. Backward swining of the feet is wasted energy. So watch your style of running.
After the run
1. Stretch your muscles and cool down to avoid cramps and muscle pulls.
2. In case of any uneasiness or injuries, visit a Doctor immediately because some injuries can be internal.
3. Hydrate yourself.
4. Rest and allow your body to recover rather than party the same night.
5. Your body has been well trained and groomed. Don’t give into temptation and start binging on unhealthy food.
Before the run
1. Shoes & socks: Shoes should be firm, supportive, yet well ventilated running shoes that allow your feet to breathe. If the shoes aren't your regular training shoes, wear them on at least one 16 km run at marathon pace. This test run will determine whether you're likely to develop blisters or get sore feet before it's too late. If the shoes bother you on this run, get yourself another pair.
2. Clothing: Ideally the best for running would be a compression top above and leggings below. If however, that is not available, you wear short and open shorts along with a loose single above.
3. Equipment: Wear a light and comfortable watch while running. It helps keep things in perspective and curb panic attacks.
4. Nutrition: Follow a well balanced diet with proper nutrition. Do NOT over eat for strength. Remember the heavier you are, the more baggage you have to run with. Do notice that all world class athletes are very slim and on the thinner side.
5. Hydrate yourself: Have plenty of water and vitamins. Glucose and Gatorade are excellent options.
6. I-pod: A good music player helps distract the mind while running. Do watch your wires though, they should be tucked under your clothes to avoid irritation and distraction. Load any kind of music that helps you run.
7. Familiarize yourself: Know the route and make notes of landmarks, ups, downs and distances.
8. On the day of the race, wake up at least 3 – 4 hours before the run. If you can eat something, it will give you enough time to have it mostly digested before the start. Second, it will help keep you from feeling sluggish on the starting line.
9. Rest: Give your body rest at least 24 – 48 hours before the run.
10. Stretch and warm up before the run.
During the run
1. Stay calm and confident while running, keep your mind distracted to avoid panic attacks that make you stop.
2. Watch your breathing. Keep it steady and calm.
3. Don’t waste your energy training to get to the front in the beginning. Pace yourself calmly. In the first 7 km, identify and latch on to the runners you’d like to run with for the rest of the race.
4. Stay Hydrated: Keep sipping small amounts of sports drink / water regularly.
5. Watch your knees. Forward movement of your knees means progress. Backward swining of the feet is wasted energy. So watch your style of running.
After the run
1. Stretch your muscles and cool down to avoid cramps and muscle pulls.
2. In case of any uneasiness or injuries, visit a Doctor immediately because some injuries can be internal.
3. Hydrate yourself.
4. Rest and allow your body to recover rather than party the same night.
5. Your body has been well trained and groomed. Don’t give into temptation and start binging on unhealthy food.
23 December, 2008
EMERGENCY FIRST AID FOR HEART ATTACK
EMERGENCY FIRST AID FOR HEART ATTACK
Reviewed by Dr Neal Uren, consultant cardiologist and Dr Reginald Odbert, GP
Important: this is a brief guide to the emergency help that can be given in the event of a heart attack or cardiac arrest before the arrival of emergency services. It is not intended as a replacement for a first aid or resuscitation course.
What should you do if someone has a heart attack? If someone has a cardiac arrest or heart attack, there are only a few minutes to act before it is too late. It is vital to know what to do beforehand. To perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and artificial respiration (mouth to mouth resuscitation) effectively, training and frequent practice on resuscitation dummies are essential. How can you tell if someone is having a heart attack? If the person is unconscious:
• Are they breathing? Look at the patient's chest to see if it is rising and falling. • Do they have a pulse? Place two fingers on one or other side of the person's voice box in their throat to feel if they have a carotid pulse. If the patient has a pulse but is not breathing: • Could it be because of suffocation? Feel inside the mouth with a finger to see if there is anything blocking it or the windpipe and remove any food or other objects. Provided that dentures are not broken, it is better not to remove them. • Call for help immediately, stating that the casualty is not breathing, and provide resuscitation (see below) until the patient begins to breathe or the ambulance arrives.
If there is no breathing or pulse, the patient has had a cardiac arrest. What help is needed? • If possible, raise the legs up 12 to 18 inches to allow more blood to flow towards the heart • Immediately place the palm of your hand flat on the patient's chest just over the lower part of the sternum (breast bone) and press your hand in a pumping motion once or twice by using the other hand. This may make the heart beat again.
If these actions do not restore a pulse or if the subject doesn't begin to breathe again: • Call for help, stating that the casualty is having a cardiac arrest but stay with the patient. • Find out if anyone else present knows CPR. • Provide artificial respiration immediately. • Begin CPR immediately.
How to give artificial respiration• Tilt the head back and lift up the chin. • Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air. • Take a deep breath and seal your own mouth over the person's mouth. • Breathe slowly into the person's mouth - it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest. • Do this twice. • Check to see if the chest rises as you breathe into the patient. • If it does, enough air is being blown in. • If there is resistance, try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again. • Repeat this procedure until help arrives or the person starts breathing again.
Artificial respiration and CPR should both be performed at the same time • If possible, get someone else to help - one person to perform artificial respiration and the other to perform CPR. (This is not easily done without prior practice and it is well worth attending sessions on CPR training to become familiar with the technique.) • The ratio of chest compressions to breaths is 15:2 for both one-person and two-person CPR. • Continue until the ambulance arrives or the patient gets a pulse and starts to breathe again. • If the pulse returns and breathing begins but the person remains unconscious, roll them gently onto their side into the recovery position. This way mucus or vomit can get out of the mouth and will not obstruct the patient's breathing. It also prevents the tongue from falling back and blocking the air passage.
Make sure the patient continues breathing and has a pulse until the ambulance arrives • If you succeed in resuscitating the person who has been taken ill, he or she may be confused and alarmed by all the commotion. Keep the patient warm and calm by quietly, but clearly, telling them what has happened. Again, it needs to be emphasised that the only way to provide proper first aid and resuscitation is through learning the technique, then regular practice and guidance. How to Perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)There is no substitute for learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but emergencies don't wait for training. These instructions are for conventional adult CPR. If you've never been trained in CPR and the victim collapsed in front of you, use hands-only CPR.
There are three types of CPR that we will cover in this manual:
1. CPR for infants (0 – 1 year)
2. CPR for children (1- 8 years)
3. CPR for adults
Infant CPR (0 – 1 year)1. Stay SafeChildren may be infected with contagious diseases. If you are concerned about possible exposure to contagious disease, take universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment, if available. 2. Try to wake the infantLittle babies respond well having the soles of their feet rubbed or tapped. For infants more than 2 months old, tap their shoulder or chest. In either case, call out his name in a loud voice. Don't hurt the baby but be aggressive; you're trying to wake him up. If the infant does not wake up, have someone emergency services immediately. If no one else is available to call, continue to step 3 and do CPR for about 2 minutes before emergency services. 3. Open the airway and check for breathingPut the baby on a flat, hard surface like a table or the floor. Tilt the infant's head back a little to open the airway. Put an ear to the baby's mouth and listen for breathing sounds. While listening, watch the chest to see if it's rising and falling. If you don't see or hear any signs of breathing, go to step 4 immediately. If the baby is breathing, then emergency services immediately if no one else has already done it. If the baby vomits, turn him to the side to keep him from choking on the vomit. If the baby stops breathing, go to step 4. 4. Give the baby two breathsIf the baby is not breathing, give him two breaths. Cover the baby's entire mouth and nose with your mouth and gently blow until you see his or her chest rise. Let the air escape - the chest will go back down - and give one more breath. If no air goes in when you try to blow, adjust the baby's head and try again. If that doesn't work, then go to step 5. 5. Begin chest compressionsPut two fingers on the breastbone directly between the baby's nipples. Push straight down about an inch and then let the chest all the way back up. Do that 30 times, about twice per second. After 30 pushes on the chest, give the baby two more rescue breaths (as described in step 4). Keep going - 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths - for about two minutes. If you still haven't called 911 yet, do it now. Keep doing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths until the baby starts breathing on his own, or until help arrives.Tips:1. When checking for breathing, if you're not sure then assume the baby isn't breathing. It's much worse to assume a baby is breathing and not do anything than to assume he or she isn't and start rescue breaths. 2. Put a book under the baby's shoulders -- if you have time -- to help keep his head tilted back. 3. When asking someone else to call emergency services, make sure you tell them why they are calling. If not, they may not tell the emergency services exactly what's going on. If the emergency services knows the baby isn't breathing or responding, the dispatcher may be able to give you instructions to help over the phone.
Child CPR (1 – 8 years of age)
1. Stay SafeChildren may be infected with contagious diseases. If you are concerned about possible exposure to contagious disease, take universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment, if available. 2. Try to Wake the ChildGently tap or shake the child's shoulders and call out his or her name in a loud voice. Don't hurt the child, but be aggressive, you're trying to wake them up. If the child does not wake up, have someone call emergency services immediately. If no one else is available to call emergency services, continue to step 3 and do CPR for about 2 minutes before calling emergency services. 3. Open the Airway and Check for BreathingPut the child on a flat, hard surface, such as a table or the floor. Tilt the child's head back a little to open the airway. Put an ear to the child's mouth and listen for breathing sounds. While listening, watch the chest to see if it's rising and falling. If you don't see or hear any signs of breathing, go to step 4 immediately. If the child is breathing, then call emergency services immediately if no one else has already done so. If the child vomits, turn the child to the side to keep him or her from choking on the vomit. If the child stops breathing, go to step 4. 4. Give the Child Two BreathsIf the child is not breathing, give him or her two breaths. Cover the child's mouth with yours, and pinch his or her nose closed with your hand. Gently blow until you see his or her chest rise. Let the air escape; the chest will go back down. Then give one more breath. If no air goes in when you try to blow, adjust the child's head and try again. If that doesn't work, then go to step 5. 5. Begin Chest CompressionsPut the heel of one of your hands on the child's breast bone (directly between the child's nipples). Push straight down about 1.5 inches, then let the chest retract all the way back up. Do that 30 times, about twice per second. After 30 pushes on the chest, give the child two more rescue breaths (as described in step 4). Keep going -- 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths -- for about two minutes. If you still haven't called emergency services yet, do it now. Keep doing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths until the child starts breathing on his or her own, or until help arrives.Tips:1. When checking for breathing, if you're not sure then assume the child isn't breathing. It's much worse to assume a kid is breathing and not do anything than to assume he or she isn't and start rescue breaths. 2. Put a book under the child's shoulders, if you have time to help keep his or her head tilted back. 3. When asking someone else to call emergency services, make sure you tell them why they are calling. If not, they may not tell the emergency services exactly what's going on. If the emergency services knows the baby isn't breathing or responding, the dispatcher may be able to give you instructions to help over the phone.
Adult CPR:Difficulty: EasyTime Required: CPR should start as soon as possible
1. Stay Safe! The worst thing a rescuer can do is become another victim. Follow precautions and wear personal protective equipment if you have it. Use common sense and stay away from potential hazards. 2. Attempt to wake victim. Briskly rub your knuckles against the victim's sternum. If the victim does not wake, emergency services and proceed to step 3. If the victim wakes, moans, or moves, then CPR is not necessary at this time. Call emergency services if the victim is confused or not able to speak. 3. Begin rescue breathing. Open the victim's airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method. Put your ear to the victim's open mouth: • look for chest movement • listen for air flowing through the mouth or nose • feel for air on your cheek If there is no breathing, pinch the victim's nose; make a seal over the victim's mouth with yours. Give the victim a breath big enough to make the chest rise. Let the chest fall, then repeat the rescue breath once more. Begin chest compressions. Place the heel of your hand in the middle of the victim's chest. Put your other hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced. Compress the chest about 1-1/2 to 2 inches (4-5 cm). Allow the chest to completely recoil before the next compression. Compress the chest at a rate equal to 100/minute. Perform 30 compressions at this rate. Repeat rescue breaths. Open the airway with head-tilt, chin-lift again. This time, go directly to rescue breaths without checking for breathing again. Give one breath, making sure the chest rises and falls, then give another. Perform 30 more chest compressions. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for about two minutes. Stop compressions and recheck victim for breathing. If the victim is not breathing, continue chest compressions and rescue breaths. Keep going until help arrives.Tips:1. Chest compressions are extremely important. If you are not comfortable giving rescue breaths, still perform chest compressions! 2. It's normal to feel pops and snaps when you first begin chest compressions - DON'T STOP! You aren't going to make the victim any worse. Cardiac arrest is as bad as it gets. 3. When performing chest compressions, do not let your hands bounce. Let the chest fully recoil, but keep the heel of your hand in contact with the sternum at all times.
Reference:2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Circulation. 2005 Dec 13;112(24 Suppl):IV1-203. Epub 2005 Nov 28
09 December, 2008
Heroes At The Taj - Michael Pollack
Heroes At The Taj
Michael Pollack, 12.01.08, 07:40 PM EST
My story begins innocuously, with a dinner reservation in a world-class hotel. It ends 12 hours later after the Indian army freed us.
My point is not to sensationalize events. It is to express my gratitude and pay tribute to the staff of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, who sacrificed their lives so that we could survive. They, along with the Indian army, are the true heroes that emerged from this tragedy.
My wife, Anjali, and I were married in the Taj's Crystal Ballroom. Her parents were married there, too, and so were Shiv and Reshma, the couple with whom we had dinner plans. In fact, my wife and Reshma, both Bombay girls, grew up hanging out and partying the night away there and at the Oberoi Hotel, another terrorist target.
The four of us arrived at the Taj around 9:30 p.m. for dinner at the Golden Dragon, one of the better Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. We were a little early, and our table wasn't ready. So we walked next door to the Harbour Bar and had barely begun to enjoy our beers when the host told us our table was ready. We decided to stay and finish our drinks.
Thirty seconds later, we heard what sounded like a heavy tray smashing to the ground. This was followed by 20 or 30 similar sounds and then absolute silence. We crouched behind a table just feet away from what we now knew were gunmen. Terrorists had stormed the lobby and were firing indiscriminately.
We tried to break the glass window in front of us with a chair, but it wouldn't budge. The Harbour Bar's hostess, who had remained at her post, motioned to us that it was safe to make a run for the stairwell. She mentioned, in passing, that there was a dead body right outside in the corridor. We believe this courageous woman was murdered after we ran away.
(We later learned that minutes after we climbed the stairs, terrorists came into the Harbour Bar, shot everyone who was there and executed those next door at the Golden Dragon. The staff there was equally brave, locking their patrons into a basement wine cellar to protect them. But the terrorists managed to break through and lob in grenades that killed everyone in the basement.)
We took refuge in the small office of the kitchen of another restaurant, Wasabi, on the second floor. Its chef and staff served the four of us food and drink and even apologized for the inconvenience we were suffering.
Through text messaging, e-mail on BlackBerrys and a small TV in the office, we realized the full extent of the terrorist attack on Mumbai. We figured we were in a secure place for the moment. There was also no way out.
At around 11:30 p.m., the kitchen went silent. We took a massive wooden table and pushed it up against the door, turned off all the lights and hid. All of the kitchen workers remained outside; not one staff member had run.
The terrorists repeatedly slammed against our door. We heard them ask the chef in Hindi if anyone was inside the office. He responded calmly: "No one is in there. It's empty." That is the second time the Taj staff saved our lives.
After about 20 minutes, other staff members escorted us down a corridor to an area called The Chambers, a members-only area of the hotel. There were about 250 people in six rooms. Inside, the staff was serving sandwiches and alcohol. People were nervous, but cautiously optimistic. We were told The Chambers was the safest place we could be because the army was now guarding its two entrances and the streets were still dangerous. There had been attacks at a major railway station and a hospital.
But then, a member of parliament phoned into a live newscast and let the world know that hundreds of people--including CEOs, foreigners and members of parliament--were "secure and safe in The Chambers together." Adding to the escalating tension and chaos was the fact that, via text and cellphone, we knew that the dome of the Taj was on fire and that it could move downward.
At around 2 a.m., the staff attempted an evacuation. We all lined up to head down a dark fire escape exit. But after five minutes, grenade blasts and automatic weapon fire pierced the air. A mad stampede ensued to get out of the stairwell and take cover back inside The Chambers.
After that near-miss, my wife and I decided we should hide in different rooms. While we hoped to be together at the end, our primary obligation was to our children. We wanted to keep one parent alive. Because I am American and my wife is Indian, and news reports said the terrorists were targeting U.S. and U.K. nationals, I believed I would further endanger her life if we were together in a hostage situation.
So when we ran back to The Chambers I hid in a toilet stall with a floor-to-ceiling door and my wife stayed with our friends, who fled to a large room across the hall.
For the next seven hours, I lay in the fetal position, keeping in touch with Anjali via BlackBerry. I was joined in the stall by Joe, a Nigerian national with a U.S. green card. I managed to get in touch with the FBI, and several agents gave me status updates throughout the night.
I cannot even begin to explain the level of adrenaline running through my system at this point. It was this hyper-aware state where every sound, every smell, every piece of information was ultra-acute, analyzed and processed so that we could make the best decisions and maximize the odds of survival.
Was the fire above us life-threatening? What floor was it on? Were the commandos near us, or were they terrorists? Why is it so quiet? Did the commandos survive? If the terrorists come into the bathroom and to the door, when they fire in, how can I make my body as small as possible? If Joe gets killed before me in this situation, how can I throw his body on mine to barricade the door? If the Indian commandos liberate the rest in the other room, how will they know where I am? Do the terrorists have suicide vests? Will the roof stand? How can I make sure the FBI knows where Anjali and I are? When is it safe to stand up and attempt to urinate?
Meanwhile, Anjali and the others were across the corridor in a mass of people lying on the floor and clinging to each other. People barely moved for seven hours, and for the last three hours they felt it was too unsafe to even text. While I was tucked behind a couple walls of marble and granite in my toilet stall, she was feet from bullets flying back and forth. After our failed evacuation, most of the people in the fire escape stairwell and many staff members who attempted to protect the guests were shot and killed.
The 10 minutes around 2:30 a.m. were the most frightening. Rather than the back-and-forth of gunfire, we just heard single, punctuated shots. We later learned that the terrorists went along a different corridor of The Chambers, room by room, and systematically executed everyone: women, elderly, Muslims, Hindus, foreigners. A group huddled next to Anjali was devout Bori Muslims who would have been slaughtered just like everyone else, had the terrorists gone into their room. Everyone was in deep prayer and most, Anjali included, had accepted that their lives were likely over. It was terrorism in its purest form. No one was spared.
The next five hours were filled with the sounds of an intense grenade/gun battle between the Indian commandos and the terrorists. It was fought in darkness; each side was trying to outflank the other.
By the time dawn broke, the commandos had successfully secured our corridor. A young commando led out the people packed into Anjali's room. When one woman asked whether it was safe to leave, the commando replied: "Don't worry, you have nothing to fear. The first bullets have to go through me."
The corridor was laced with broken glass and bullet casings. Every table was turned over or destroyed. The ceilings and walls were littered with hundreds of bullet holes. Blood stains were everywhere, though, fortunately, there were no dead bodies to be seen.
A few minutes after Anjali had vacated, Joe and I peeked out of our stall. We saw multiple commandos and smiled widely. I had lost my right shoe while sprinting to the toilet so I grabbed a sheet from the floor, wrapped it around my foot and proceeded to walk over the debris to the hotel lobby.
Anjali and I embraced for the first time in seven hours in the Taj's ground floor entrance. I didn't know whether she was dead or injured because we hadn't been able to text for the past three hours.
I wanted to take a picture of us on my BlackBerry, but Anjali wanted us to get out of there before doing anything.
She was right--our ordeal wasn't completely over. A large bus pulled up in front of the Taj to collect us and, just about as it was fully loaded, gunfire erupted again. The terrorists were still alive and firing automatic weapons at the bus. Anjali was the last to get on the bus, and she eventually escaped in our friend's car. I ducked under some concrete barriers for cover and wound up the subject of photos that were later splashed across the media. Shortly thereafter, an ambulance came and drove a few of us to safety. An hour later, Anjali and I were again reunited at her parents' home. Our Thanksgiving had just gained a lot more meaning.
Some may say our survival was due to random luck, others might credit divine intervention. But 72 hours removed from these events, I can assure you only one thing: Far fewer people would have survived if it weren't for the extreme selflessness shown by the Taj staff, who organized us, catered to us and then, in the end, literally died for us.
They complemented the extreme bravery and courage of the Indian commandos, who, in a pitch-black setting and unfamiliar, tightly packed terrain, valiantly held the terrorists at bay.
It is also amazing that, out of our entire group, not one person screamed or panicked. There was an eerie but quiet calm that pervaded--one more thing that got us all out alive. Even people in adjacent rooms, who were being executed, kept silent.
It is much easier to destroy than to build, yet somehow humanity has managed to build far more than it has ever destroyed. Likewise, in a period of crisis, it is much easier to find faults and failings rather than to celebrate the good deeds. It is now time to commemorate our heroes.
Michael Pollack is a general partner of Glenhill Capital, a firm he co-founded in 2001.
Michael Pollack, 12.01.08, 07:40 PM EST
My story begins innocuously, with a dinner reservation in a world-class hotel. It ends 12 hours later after the Indian army freed us.
My point is not to sensationalize events. It is to express my gratitude and pay tribute to the staff of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, who sacrificed their lives so that we could survive. They, along with the Indian army, are the true heroes that emerged from this tragedy.
My wife, Anjali, and I were married in the Taj's Crystal Ballroom. Her parents were married there, too, and so were Shiv and Reshma, the couple with whom we had dinner plans. In fact, my wife and Reshma, both Bombay girls, grew up hanging out and partying the night away there and at the Oberoi Hotel, another terrorist target.
The four of us arrived at the Taj around 9:30 p.m. for dinner at the Golden Dragon, one of the better Chinese restaurants in Mumbai. We were a little early, and our table wasn't ready. So we walked next door to the Harbour Bar and had barely begun to enjoy our beers when the host told us our table was ready. We decided to stay and finish our drinks.
Thirty seconds later, we heard what sounded like a heavy tray smashing to the ground. This was followed by 20 or 30 similar sounds and then absolute silence. We crouched behind a table just feet away from what we now knew were gunmen. Terrorists had stormed the lobby and were firing indiscriminately.
We tried to break the glass window in front of us with a chair, but it wouldn't budge. The Harbour Bar's hostess, who had remained at her post, motioned to us that it was safe to make a run for the stairwell. She mentioned, in passing, that there was a dead body right outside in the corridor. We believe this courageous woman was murdered after we ran away.
(We later learned that minutes after we climbed the stairs, terrorists came into the Harbour Bar, shot everyone who was there and executed those next door at the Golden Dragon. The staff there was equally brave, locking their patrons into a basement wine cellar to protect them. But the terrorists managed to break through and lob in grenades that killed everyone in the basement.)
We took refuge in the small office of the kitchen of another restaurant, Wasabi, on the second floor. Its chef and staff served the four of us food and drink and even apologized for the inconvenience we were suffering.
Through text messaging, e-mail on BlackBerrys and a small TV in the office, we realized the full extent of the terrorist attack on Mumbai. We figured we were in a secure place for the moment. There was also no way out.
At around 11:30 p.m., the kitchen went silent. We took a massive wooden table and pushed it up against the door, turned off all the lights and hid. All of the kitchen workers remained outside; not one staff member had run.
The terrorists repeatedly slammed against our door. We heard them ask the chef in Hindi if anyone was inside the office. He responded calmly: "No one is in there. It's empty." That is the second time the Taj staff saved our lives.
After about 20 minutes, other staff members escorted us down a corridor to an area called The Chambers, a members-only area of the hotel. There were about 250 people in six rooms. Inside, the staff was serving sandwiches and alcohol. People were nervous, but cautiously optimistic. We were told The Chambers was the safest place we could be because the army was now guarding its two entrances and the streets were still dangerous. There had been attacks at a major railway station and a hospital.
But then, a member of parliament phoned into a live newscast and let the world know that hundreds of people--including CEOs, foreigners and members of parliament--were "secure and safe in The Chambers together." Adding to the escalating tension and chaos was the fact that, via text and cellphone, we knew that the dome of the Taj was on fire and that it could move downward.
At around 2 a.m., the staff attempted an evacuation. We all lined up to head down a dark fire escape exit. But after five minutes, grenade blasts and automatic weapon fire pierced the air. A mad stampede ensued to get out of the stairwell and take cover back inside The Chambers.
After that near-miss, my wife and I decided we should hide in different rooms. While we hoped to be together at the end, our primary obligation was to our children. We wanted to keep one parent alive. Because I am American and my wife is Indian, and news reports said the terrorists were targeting U.S. and U.K. nationals, I believed I would further endanger her life if we were together in a hostage situation.
So when we ran back to The Chambers I hid in a toilet stall with a floor-to-ceiling door and my wife stayed with our friends, who fled to a large room across the hall.
For the next seven hours, I lay in the fetal position, keeping in touch with Anjali via BlackBerry. I was joined in the stall by Joe, a Nigerian national with a U.S. green card. I managed to get in touch with the FBI, and several agents gave me status updates throughout the night.
I cannot even begin to explain the level of adrenaline running through my system at this point. It was this hyper-aware state where every sound, every smell, every piece of information was ultra-acute, analyzed and processed so that we could make the best decisions and maximize the odds of survival.
Was the fire above us life-threatening? What floor was it on? Were the commandos near us, or were they terrorists? Why is it so quiet? Did the commandos survive? If the terrorists come into the bathroom and to the door, when they fire in, how can I make my body as small as possible? If Joe gets killed before me in this situation, how can I throw his body on mine to barricade the door? If the Indian commandos liberate the rest in the other room, how will they know where I am? Do the terrorists have suicide vests? Will the roof stand? How can I make sure the FBI knows where Anjali and I are? When is it safe to stand up and attempt to urinate?
Meanwhile, Anjali and the others were across the corridor in a mass of people lying on the floor and clinging to each other. People barely moved for seven hours, and for the last three hours they felt it was too unsafe to even text. While I was tucked behind a couple walls of marble and granite in my toilet stall, she was feet from bullets flying back and forth. After our failed evacuation, most of the people in the fire escape stairwell and many staff members who attempted to protect the guests were shot and killed.
The 10 minutes around 2:30 a.m. were the most frightening. Rather than the back-and-forth of gunfire, we just heard single, punctuated shots. We later learned that the terrorists went along a different corridor of The Chambers, room by room, and systematically executed everyone: women, elderly, Muslims, Hindus, foreigners. A group huddled next to Anjali was devout Bori Muslims who would have been slaughtered just like everyone else, had the terrorists gone into their room. Everyone was in deep prayer and most, Anjali included, had accepted that their lives were likely over. It was terrorism in its purest form. No one was spared.
The next five hours were filled with the sounds of an intense grenade/gun battle between the Indian commandos and the terrorists. It was fought in darkness; each side was trying to outflank the other.
By the time dawn broke, the commandos had successfully secured our corridor. A young commando led out the people packed into Anjali's room. When one woman asked whether it was safe to leave, the commando replied: "Don't worry, you have nothing to fear. The first bullets have to go through me."
The corridor was laced with broken glass and bullet casings. Every table was turned over or destroyed. The ceilings and walls were littered with hundreds of bullet holes. Blood stains were everywhere, though, fortunately, there were no dead bodies to be seen.
A few minutes after Anjali had vacated, Joe and I peeked out of our stall. We saw multiple commandos and smiled widely. I had lost my right shoe while sprinting to the toilet so I grabbed a sheet from the floor, wrapped it around my foot and proceeded to walk over the debris to the hotel lobby.
Anjali and I embraced for the first time in seven hours in the Taj's ground floor entrance. I didn't know whether she was dead or injured because we hadn't been able to text for the past three hours.
I wanted to take a picture of us on my BlackBerry, but Anjali wanted us to get out of there before doing anything.
She was right--our ordeal wasn't completely over. A large bus pulled up in front of the Taj to collect us and, just about as it was fully loaded, gunfire erupted again. The terrorists were still alive and firing automatic weapons at the bus. Anjali was the last to get on the bus, and she eventually escaped in our friend's car. I ducked under some concrete barriers for cover and wound up the subject of photos that were later splashed across the media. Shortly thereafter, an ambulance came and drove a few of us to safety. An hour later, Anjali and I were again reunited at her parents' home. Our Thanksgiving had just gained a lot more meaning.
Some may say our survival was due to random luck, others might credit divine intervention. But 72 hours removed from these events, I can assure you only one thing: Far fewer people would have survived if it weren't for the extreme selflessness shown by the Taj staff, who organized us, catered to us and then, in the end, literally died for us.
They complemented the extreme bravery and courage of the Indian commandos, who, in a pitch-black setting and unfamiliar, tightly packed terrain, valiantly held the terrorists at bay.
It is also amazing that, out of our entire group, not one person screamed or panicked. There was an eerie but quiet calm that pervaded--one more thing that got us all out alive. Even people in adjacent rooms, who were being executed, kept silent.
It is much easier to destroy than to build, yet somehow humanity has managed to build far more than it has ever destroyed. Likewise, in a period of crisis, it is much easier to find faults and failings rather than to celebrate the good deeds. It is now time to commemorate our heroes.
Michael Pollack is a general partner of Glenhill Capital, a firm he co-founded in 2001.
05 December, 2008
DISASTER MANAGEMENT TRAINING
DISASTER MANAGEMENT TRAINING
“In the recent terror strikes on the Taj, Trident and CST in Mumbai, our casualties may have been lower if we citizens knew how to protect ourselves and those around us.”
– Ex Captain Vinod Nair
How prepared are you and your employees / family members for unforseen disaster?
Objective
To make individuals capable of taking care of themselves and those around them when unforeseen disaster and / or danger strikes.
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
Contents
Module 1: Medical Emergencies
· First aid
· Dealing with heart attacks
· Asthma attacks
· Injuries, bullet & stab wounds
· Bleeding
· Burns
· Chemical disasters
· Fractures
· Administering CPR
· Road traffic accidents
Module 2: Air & Sea Emergencies
Survival and rescue in office emergencies
Survival and rescue in home emergencies
Sea disaster survival
Air disaster survival
· Drowning
· Fire extinguishers
Ordinance recognition and handling procedures
Module 3: Terror Attacks & Miscellaneous disasters
Pre-emptive automatic preservation processes
How to think during a disaster
Recognising and identifying potentially dangerous situations
Dealing with panic (own and others)
Managing others who may get hysterical, traumatised
Basic health and fitness
· Terrorist strike
· Mob handling
Post Traumatic services and management
Protecting yourself and others
The expected learning outcomes are:
· Participants will understand how to protect themselves during disasters
· Participants will understand how to protect others around them during disasters
· Increased level of confidence
· Less dependence on others
· Enhanced leadership traits
Pedagogy
1. Activity based, full of situation reaction tests, demonstrations, case studies, role plays, group discussions, interventions & concept explanation by Faculty
2. Participants would be put through various activities in leadership and team member roles, they methods would be observed and feedback will be shared along with guidelines for improvement.
3. Activities will be individual and team based.
4. Participants will perform and learn under situations varying from mild to intense pressure.
5. Every participant will submit an action plan after the program.
6. Regardless of seniority, every participant must participate in activities.
7. Workshop will be conducted by KIMMAYA trainers who are experienced and have expertise in fitness, health, safety and other relevant areas. Every safety precaution will be taken to ensure a wonderful yet safe experience.
Requirements
· Participants must be dressed comfortably in their daily wear with adequate protection from the sun.
· Participants must carry writing material.
Faculty
1. Module 1 will be conducted by a Doctor.
2. Module 2 will be conducted by a professional trained on air and sea safety including ex army personnel.
3. Module 3 will be conducted by an ex army officer, trained in commando warfare and experienced in live combat.
Kimmaya is run by Captain Vinod Nair, an ex army officer who has undergone commando training, has served in Jammu & Kashmir for 2 years (during which he saw plenty of action) and has a Sainya Seva Medal for meritorious service.
Warm regards, Vinod Nair Director
Kimmaya Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
+919833514159
Web: www.kimmaya.com
“In the recent terror strikes on the Taj, Trident and CST in Mumbai, our casualties may have been lower if we citizens knew how to protect ourselves and those around us.”
– Ex Captain Vinod Nair
How prepared are you and your employees / family members for unforseen disaster?
Objective
To make individuals capable of taking care of themselves and those around them when unforeseen disaster and / or danger strikes.
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
Contents
Module 1: Medical Emergencies
· First aid
· Dealing with heart attacks
· Asthma attacks
· Injuries, bullet & stab wounds
· Bleeding
· Burns
· Chemical disasters
· Fractures
· Administering CPR
· Road traffic accidents
Module 2: Air & Sea Emergencies
Survival and rescue in office emergencies
Survival and rescue in home emergencies
Sea disaster survival
Air disaster survival
· Drowning
· Fire extinguishers
Ordinance recognition and handling procedures
Module 3: Terror Attacks & Miscellaneous disasters
Pre-emptive automatic preservation processes
How to think during a disaster
Recognising and identifying potentially dangerous situations
Dealing with panic (own and others)
Managing others who may get hysterical, traumatised
Basic health and fitness
· Terrorist strike
· Mob handling
Post Traumatic services and management
Protecting yourself and others
The expected learning outcomes are:
· Participants will understand how to protect themselves during disasters
· Participants will understand how to protect others around them during disasters
· Increased level of confidence
· Less dependence on others
· Enhanced leadership traits
Pedagogy
1. Activity based, full of situation reaction tests, demonstrations, case studies, role plays, group discussions, interventions & concept explanation by Faculty
2. Participants would be put through various activities in leadership and team member roles, they methods would be observed and feedback will be shared along with guidelines for improvement.
3. Activities will be individual and team based.
4. Participants will perform and learn under situations varying from mild to intense pressure.
5. Every participant will submit an action plan after the program.
6. Regardless of seniority, every participant must participate in activities.
7. Workshop will be conducted by KIMMAYA trainers who are experienced and have expertise in fitness, health, safety and other relevant areas. Every safety precaution will be taken to ensure a wonderful yet safe experience.
Requirements
· Participants must be dressed comfortably in their daily wear with adequate protection from the sun.
· Participants must carry writing material.
Faculty
1. Module 1 will be conducted by a Doctor.
2. Module 2 will be conducted by a professional trained on air and sea safety including ex army personnel.
3. Module 3 will be conducted by an ex army officer, trained in commando warfare and experienced in live combat.
Kimmaya is run by Captain Vinod Nair, an ex army officer who has undergone commando training, has served in Jammu & Kashmir for 2 years (during which he saw plenty of action) and has a Sainya Seva Medal for meritorious service.
Warm regards, Vinod Nair Director
Kimmaya Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
+919833514159
Web: www.kimmaya.com
30 November, 2008
HOW MUCH, WHAT & WHEN TO EAT
Over 23 years of experimenting with my own body and guiding others on has taught me a lot about health and fitness. One of the main lessons I’ve learnt is that diet and exercise go hand in hand. One without the other leads to an imbalance. Some of the fittest athletes and army officers I’ve known have died suddenly of heart attacks after the age of 40. This is mainly because they reduced their exercise but continued their eating. Imbalance between diet and exercise invariably leads to trouble.
Questions abound. What is the correct balance, how does one strike it? There are two parts, diet and exercise. For this article let’s restrict ourselves to answering questions about diet that every health conscious person faces: ‘how much, what and when to eat’.
Question 1: How much to eat
Though type of food consumed matters greatly, on an average, we need to balance out calories burnt against calories consumed. To lose weight, we must burn more than we consume and to gain weight, we must consume more than we burn. To maintain weight, a balance is required. I have come across a few people who don’t gain weight easily so they indulge without a thought. This myth is often busted at a high price. People who appear thin from outside are not immune to the dangers over eating. Over eating can lead to accumulation of cholesterol, triglycerides, clogging of arteries, etc. Most of these will not be visible from outside before a lot of damage is already done.
Question 2: What to eat
Most of us understand that it’s important to stay away from high fat, fried foods, etc. However, in cases of people trying to gain weight, there is a tendency to eat a lot of exactly these foods. Here’s a tip: regardless of whether you are trying to gain or lose weight, please stay away from the following and allied foods: High fat, high sugar, foods with sugar listed in the first three contents, fried foods, excessive intake of alcohol, refined white food and smoking. These won’t just make you gain weight, they’ll make you unhealthy and can lead to a painful and early demise too!
Eat healthy food regardless of weight gain or loss. For those who’d like to gain weight, exercise and build muscle (yes women too!). Increase your protein intake proportionately; do not indulge for the sake of weight gain. For those who’d like to lose weight, you could look at trying foods that increase metabolism like pepper, green tea, etc. Metabolism also increases with the right type of exercise.
On an average, people with high protein diets tend to look tighter, healthier and have better shaped bodies. This however does not in any way mean that you give up carbohydrates.
Question 3: When to eat
There are several different schools of thought here. The main ones are:
1. Have three distinct meals a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2. Eat only when hungry.
3. Have several small meals a day.
Here are two bits of information that will throw light on this topic:
1. Studies indicate that whenever food enters our stomach, the body processes it. This processing costs us calories, on an average a minimum of 100 calories is expended in burning any food in our system.
2. Our metabolism gets activated every time it has to process food.
Let’s work with the above two nuggets of information. Rather than consuming large amounts of food occasionally, it may make more sense to eat several small meals each comprising around a hundred calories or less throughout the day.
This way, our metabolism stays active and we expend at least a hundred calories in processing each meal. This could be a lot of expended calories over several meals a day.
Lastly, I believe that our body gets affected by the moon (just like high and low tide) and our metabolism speeds up and slows down accordingly. I therefore recommend that you finish your last meal before 7pm every day.
To get to your best shape and to maintain it, use scientific tools, facts and figures. Take help from experts they may have more technical information and case study experience than you. Always observe and understand your body type because no one has more access to your body and its reactions than you. We are what we eat so eat healthy foods, think healthy thoughts and live a healthy life.
Written by: Captain Vinod Nair
Questions abound. What is the correct balance, how does one strike it? There are two parts, diet and exercise. For this article let’s restrict ourselves to answering questions about diet that every health conscious person faces: ‘how much, what and when to eat’.
Question 1: How much to eat
Though type of food consumed matters greatly, on an average, we need to balance out calories burnt against calories consumed. To lose weight, we must burn more than we consume and to gain weight, we must consume more than we burn. To maintain weight, a balance is required. I have come across a few people who don’t gain weight easily so they indulge without a thought. This myth is often busted at a high price. People who appear thin from outside are not immune to the dangers over eating. Over eating can lead to accumulation of cholesterol, triglycerides, clogging of arteries, etc. Most of these will not be visible from outside before a lot of damage is already done.
Question 2: What to eat
Most of us understand that it’s important to stay away from high fat, fried foods, etc. However, in cases of people trying to gain weight, there is a tendency to eat a lot of exactly these foods. Here’s a tip: regardless of whether you are trying to gain or lose weight, please stay away from the following and allied foods: High fat, high sugar, foods with sugar listed in the first three contents, fried foods, excessive intake of alcohol, refined white food and smoking. These won’t just make you gain weight, they’ll make you unhealthy and can lead to a painful and early demise too!
Eat healthy food regardless of weight gain or loss. For those who’d like to gain weight, exercise and build muscle (yes women too!). Increase your protein intake proportionately; do not indulge for the sake of weight gain. For those who’d like to lose weight, you could look at trying foods that increase metabolism like pepper, green tea, etc. Metabolism also increases with the right type of exercise.
On an average, people with high protein diets tend to look tighter, healthier and have better shaped bodies. This however does not in any way mean that you give up carbohydrates.
Question 3: When to eat
There are several different schools of thought here. The main ones are:
1. Have three distinct meals a day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2. Eat only when hungry.
3. Have several small meals a day.
Here are two bits of information that will throw light on this topic:
1. Studies indicate that whenever food enters our stomach, the body processes it. This processing costs us calories, on an average a minimum of 100 calories is expended in burning any food in our system.
2. Our metabolism gets activated every time it has to process food.
Let’s work with the above two nuggets of information. Rather than consuming large amounts of food occasionally, it may make more sense to eat several small meals each comprising around a hundred calories or less throughout the day.
This way, our metabolism stays active and we expend at least a hundred calories in processing each meal. This could be a lot of expended calories over several meals a day.
Lastly, I believe that our body gets affected by the moon (just like high and low tide) and our metabolism speeds up and slows down accordingly. I therefore recommend that you finish your last meal before 7pm every day.
To get to your best shape and to maintain it, use scientific tools, facts and figures. Take help from experts they may have more technical information and case study experience than you. Always observe and understand your body type because no one has more access to your body and its reactions than you. We are what we eat so eat healthy foods, think healthy thoughts and live a healthy life.
Written by: Captain Vinod Nair
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