Monthly Archives: October 2016

Remembering the Sikhicide

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This was written two years ago to mark the 30th anniversary of the mass killing of Sikhs in India, following the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
The situation, two years later, remains pretty much the same, with politicians of all hues and the media, as well as the present state and Central governments, doing nothing. For everyone, but the victims, the “riots”, as they call it, are a closed chapter.

Mandeep Singh's avatarMANDEEPSINGS

1984 anti sikh riots delhi (4)Thirty years ago to the day, a genocide against innocent Sikhs in India started. Thirty years ago, also to the day, top ruling Congress Party politicians led gangs of goons who went about torching Sikh homes in several Delhi localities. It was also then Sikhs, young and old, who were butchered – shot, slit and tires flung around their necks and set ablaze. It was then that the police and administration looked the other way, and even assisted the killers, identifying Sikh households to target. Around 3,500 Sikhs died in Delhi alone and several hundreds others in other parts of India.
All this because a “tree” called Indira Gandhi had “fallen” and her son, Rajeev had said the “earth has to shake when a large tree falls.” But then, Mrs Gandhi was killed by her Sikh bodyguards for having desecrated the Golden Temple, Sikhs’ holiest shrine – which led to…

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Sikhicide: No Media No Cry

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This was written two years ago to mark the 30th anniversary of the mass killing of Sikhs in India, following the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
The situation, two years later, remains pretty much the same, with politicians of all hues and the media, as well as the present state and Central governments, doing nothing. For everyone, but the victims, the “riots”, as they call it, are a closed chapter.

Mandeep Singh's avatarMANDEEPSINGS

1984-a1-bodyI am hurt today. I feel insulted. I am appalled and ashamed of the politicians and the system we have in India.
The media is also silent – not one of the channels is discussing the 1984 incidents even when they can have lengthy tirades on non-issues like a police officer not tying his shoelaces!
Thirty years to the day, watching television with my parents, we saw the aftermath of the genocide against Sikhs in the Indian capital, New Delhi and other parts of the country.
We saw rows upon rows of burnt houses and vehicles and I found mother weeping and muttering under her breath. We were aghast, and she was disconsolate. After all, what wrong had these thousands of people done?
Yes, a Sikh had shot dead Prime Minister Indira Gandhi but did that mean the entire community would be targeted? Sadly, it did, then.
I was expecting…

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Bahrain’s Bougainvillea bazaar

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The Bougainvillea is out in force in Bahrain. It’s everywhere, in full bloom.
While this hardy plant is perfectly capable of weathering the harsh summer, it’s rather colourless, dull and drab. But, come October and the easing of the heat, it comes out with a vengeance and shows its true element.
Our own garden, in keeping with the “mood” everywhere, is in full bloom as well!

The weekend sale

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manonstreet
This gentleman, perhaps well into his 80s, sells “electronics” at a roadside “flea market” over the weekend. While it is creditable that even at this ripe old age, he has found something useful to do, it’s quite amazing to see all those things he’s selling actually work – be it the “vintage” mobile phones, the watches or the ancient transistor radio!
Full marks to enterprise!

Toddy time

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Hitting the bottle 🙂

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The writing on the wall says: “Do not use abusive language”

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Almost all of the brew was “left over”

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That’s the Toddy “Hotel”

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The earthen pots that store the concoction

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The “bar” owner and the “offering” to the Gods

If there was one thing I really wanted to experience while in Kerala, it was the local brew, toddy! I was told there are bars everywhere that offer the drink, an alcoholic beverage collected from the sap of various species of palm trees like date palms and coconut palms.
A friend of my host in Kollam was generous enough to drive several miles to a “Toddy Hotel” where we procured a one litre bottle and sat down to “drink.”
One sip and I had had enough. It was acidic and bitter at the same time, not the sweet concoction I was told it is and it smelt awful. Since I am far from a regular drinker, this was nothing but disgusting.
Less than a quarter of a glass was far too much for me to sip and it promptly went into the drain. However, our friend was quite at ease with a glassful and had the remaining transferred to a smaller bottle to take along with him as we left.
Before that, however, I went around the “bar” and found several “cabins” and “Family space” where, I was told, men and women and sit together, drink and eat. The women will not necessarily have the toddy but will indulge in delicacies like beef fry and fish.
The whole place gave a rather unclean and unkempt look and was far from inviting for anyone like me whose only purpose was to “take a look” at what the fuss was all about.
And, yes, I did ask why we had to drive over 15 minutes when such places were supposed to be “everywhere”. The answer: “We do not drink near where we stay. We always go to the other areas.”
That made sense!