Aneela Nike Post: 2023

Friday 22 December 2023

Becoming a writer!

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Becoming a writer!

He was a normal guy with a fairly decent 10-6 job in the city. After a few years he was disillusioned by the regular job and the boring routine. He decided to do something different. After some thought, he decided to do something creative. And writing was an option. But he wondered – will it work and pay me enough later. He took a plunge though some of his friends dissuaded him from his choice. He had made up his mind to becoming a writer as it promised him the creative freedom and a break from his old routine. He tells his story…..

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I was just another guy working 10-6, surrounded by MBAs, technocrats, IT experts, bankers and other experts. My job involved costing, planning and selling dreams. How long can one sell dreams, dreams too have a limit though many say you can dream unlimited. But I reached a point where my dreams reached a saturation point and difficult to achieve the target. And I was going crazy though I was being paid well.

It was an endless grind and I had no alternative. I was almost frustrated by my job of selling dreams to customers. But I somehow knew I was meant for something more, something different, something challenging, something creative and something of my own. This was constantly reminding me to do something different,

I loved to read. I would get lost in the books, dreaming of the day my name would grace the covers. It seemed a far-fetched dream difficult to achieve, but something inside told me, not impossible. That was the motivation I needed for the risk I was taking on a journey towards the unknown.

There was a hitch. All my friends and buddies told me that life as a writer is not easy and writers don’t make any money. Stick with your job, that’s your future. And so, I stuck for some more years. But slowly I started to realise it was eroding my self-respect. I started to feel suffocated and was looking for a way out.

So, I started to write. The days I didn’t write, I felt I was not serious enough settling for mediocrity. I was unhappy and slowly I fell in my own esteem. This pushed me into depression. I went crazy. Then came the turning point. The pandemic put the breaks to business, commerce and industry. People were being retrenched; I had no choice but to find a different career.

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Personally, I was relieved. It felt I was given a nod to take a plunge and take control of my life. And that’s when I gave my new dream a shot. I started writing. I decided to do my best. I decided to sit down and write for just 5-10 minutes. My mind was flooded with ideas, my heart raced as I poured my thoughts onto the paper, instead of typing directly on my laptop.

This sudden creative urge confused me. Then, without any hesitation, I deleted every single line and word I had scribbled. It was all gone in a moment. No one would ever know if it was a creative piece, literary masterpiece or a jumbled mess. I was in a daze. But I realized if I had to make it my profession I will have to slog.

But it taught me something important. That I can write and express my thoughts into words. This trial and error went for few more days. Then I gathered courage to write my experiences and show it to my friends, many of them appreciated my writing and liked the way I expressed my thoughts into words. This was the beginning of my new career. This gave me the confidence and boost I needed,

After months and almost a year of writing blogs and creative pieces, I got to write content for commercial projects. I am doing fairly well. I am my own boss. I write when I feel like. It has given me freedom, confidence and money. And I just love to express my thoughts into words. Slowly I have started to receive assignments which keeps me busy and gets me a decent remuneration. Now my dream is to get my name on the cover of a best-seller book. Dreams don’t end!

My advice to aspiring writers is unless you are financially stable, don’t quit your job for the time being. I could do it as I could bank on my savings and plunged into writing. And finally, after a lot of grind and pain, made it as my career. Devote an hour daily to writing and pick up the nuances of expressing yourself through writing. Pick the language you have a fairly good command and easy to express your thoughts. No doubt English has a wider reach. Read well to write well. Initially you may find it a bit tough to translate your thoughts into words and sentences. As you write, you will pick up the right way to express yourself easily. Don’t bother about rejections, keep writing till you get it right. Once confident you may start contributing articles, stories and readable content online. You may even start a blog on any subject and write about it. People across will read you and may even get feedback. And slowly once you are noticed, assignments may come your way.

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Sunday 17 December 2023

Who is Ranjoddas Pagi?

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Who is Ranjoddas Pagi?

Sam Manekshaw in his last days remembered this rustic old man called Pagi. In 2008, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was admitted to Wellington Hospital, Tamil Nadu. He often kept muttering a name Pagi-Pagi during the days of his ill-health and semi-conscious state. The doctors were baffled and one day asked, Sir, who is this Paagi?

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Who is Ranjoddas Pagi? An actor, sportsman, businessman or a politician. No, he is none of them. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw remembered him during his last days. Not many must have heard his name and those who have heard about him is mostly after a movie was made after him. Ranchoddas Pagi worked as a scout on behalf of the Indian Army. His story is featured in a 2021 film Bhuj: The Pride of India, where his character of an Indian Army Scout and R&AW agent is played by Sanjay Dutt. His story is quite unique and interesting.

Before the Indo-Pak border skirmishes had turned into a battlefield in 1965, many Pakistani incursions took place in the Rann of Kutch villages. During that time Pagi’s played a crucial role in the Indian Army in the fight against the enemy. His contribution was valuable for the Indian army to drive away and defeat the enemy.

Pagi was born in a family of Pathapur Gathras or Pithapur village (now Pakistan), a village near India-Pakistan Border. He migrated to India after Partition of India in 1947. Pagi means 'guide', the person who shows the way in the desert. Ranchoddas, was affectionately called 'Pagi' by General Sam Manekshaw. Ranchoddas Pagi's life changed when, aged 58, he was appointed the police guide by the Banaskantha Superintendent of Police, Vanraj Singh Jhala. He was recruited by the Indian Army as a scout.

In 1965, the Pakistani army in a sudden move captured many villages in the Kutch area just before the Indo-Pakistani War as a diversionary tactics. Pagi went into the captured areas to gather information from both villagers and his own relatives. These inputs greatly assisted the Indian army. In one of his most remarkable achievements, Ranchod Pagi traced the location of 1200 enemy soldiers hiding in the wilderness in full darkness. He also helped the Indian army capture several key posts during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. His efforts during the wars of 1965 and 1971 are said to have saved thousands of Indian soldiers.

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This story is based on what Field Marshal Sam Bahadur himself narrated. In 1971, India had won the war. General Manekshaw was in Dhaka and ordered that Pagi be invited for dinner that day. A chopper was sent. While boarding the chopper, a bag belonging to Pagi remained left on the ground and the chopper was turned back to pick it up. The officers opened the bag before placing it in the helicopter as per the rules and were stunned because it had two rotis, onions and a dish of gram flour (Gathiya). One half of the meal was eaten by Sam Manekshaw and the other by Pagi for dinner. This is the bonding they had, one a Field Marshal and the other a rustic old man from the desert.

The guide's skill was such that after seeing the footprints of the camel, he used to tell how many men are riding on it. By looking at the footprints of humans, he used to guess their weight, their age and how far they must have gone. His estimations had the exactness of a computer analyst. He had this special skill and talent after years of living in the desert areas. And this special skill helped the Indian army immensely.

In the beginning of 1965 war, in a surprise move Pakistan Army captured Vidhkot in Kutch border in Gujarat. In this encounter, about 100 Indian soldiers were killed. Later a 10,000 men Indian Army contingent was mobilized to neutralize the enemy, and had to reach Chharkot in three days. The need for Ranchoddas Pagi was felt for the first time by the army and his services were called for. Ranchordas Pagi took charge as a scout on behalf of the Indian Army.

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Due to his understanding of the desert paths, he guided the army to the destination 12 hours before the scheduled time. He was personally chosen by Sam Manekshaw to guide the army and a special post was created in the army, Pagi, meaning, the person with in-depth knowledge of the feet and to analyze foot marks.

The location and approximate number of 1200 Pakistani soldiers hiding in the Indian border was revealed based only by their footprints, and that was enough for the Indian Army to launch an assault and win that front. It is said that he also helped the forces during war at Harami nala at a Channel of Sir Creek which is a Heaven for infiltrators and Smugglers.

Along with the guidance of the army in the 1971 war, getting ammunition to the front was also part of Pagi's work. Pagi's role was important in the victory of the Indian forces in Palinagar town of Pakistan. Sam Manekshaw appreciated his services and himself gave a cash prize of ₹300 for his service.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died on 27 June 2008, and in 2009 aged 108 years, Pagi also took voluntary retirement from the army. Pagi died on 2013 at the age of 112 years. He had been honoured by both the police and the Border Security Force (BSF). A border post of Suigam in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, at the international border region of North Gujarat was named Ranchhoddas Post by BSF. First time that an army post was named after a common man and his statue installed at the place.

He received several awards including Sangram Medal, Police Medal and Samar Seva Star – for his role in the 1965 and 1971 wars. In 2007, He was congratulated by Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat in the Independence Day celebration held at Palanpur. And if Sam Manekshaw had great things to say about Ranchoddas Pagi even during his last days, then he surely deserves your attention. He was special. This a story of an ordinary Indian who did extraordinary things for his motherland.

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Tuesday 28 November 2023

The Folly of Pakistan, Cricket & Fans!

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The Folly of Pakistan, Cricket & Fans!

The World Cup 2023 is over. Australians won the championship though India was considered favorites as they won all their matches on the way to the finals. The grand event will be remembered for the great performances by batsmen, bowlers and fantastic catches and fielding from the participating countries. It will also be remembered for the controversies created by fans. But mainly it will be remembered for the folly of Pakistanis, cricketers, ex-cricketers and Pakistani fans who expose their poor knowledge to world.

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ICC should select Pak experts in the special panel of Corrupt Practices in World Cup matches! It seems they have great expertise in this. They accuse Indian players of malpractices in the World Cup as they can't digest India's undefeated run. One Pakistani talks of chip in the ball for extra swing and movement. Another ex-cricketer says, the umpires must check the ball after every over. The Pakistan ex-cricketers who have played the game at the top level tend to speak like duffers. This exposes their mindset be it sportsmen, illiterate people or TV anchors.

Another says, India uses special ball for its matches. Another ignorant Paki talks of how two balls used at either end. Another, talks of lighter ball for spinners and heavy ball for pacers. Another Pak ex-cricketer, I think it was Shikandar Bakt, said, the Indian captain throws the coin too far and manipulates the decision. This helps India to win matches. Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram chastened the Pakistan ex-cricketers and anchors for their senseless outbursts that make them a laughing stock in the cricketing world.

Some Pakistanis accuse, it's not ICC but BCCI that's conducting the World Cup matches. Another foolish Pak woman announced, it's Israel and America who are ensuring India's victory in all matches. And since no Pak spectators were present in the stadium, Pakistan lost. This exposes the lack of education, poor IQ and makes Pakistan a laughing stock in the world. And they are not taken seriously.

The Pakistan cricket team, though it could not perform credibly in this entire World Cup, has managed to grab its share of controversy during its brief stay in India. Some argue Pakistan team shouldn’t have gone to India in the first place. And Indian team doesn’t come play in Pakistan as they are scared of the Pak team. This clearly exposes them of not being up to date with current affairs and the reason why India and Pakistan do not play cricket series in either country, except international matches which both are bound to as per ICC rules.

The Pak team has gone back home after a dismal show against India and a bad performance against Afghanistan, both its neighbors, but during this period, the Pakistani cricket team managed to remain in the news due to controversial statements coming from its former and present players. Basically, they can’t digest India hosting the World Cup and winning all their matches. And the world appreciating the organizing of such a big event without any issues. This comes from their mindset and hatred for India.

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First of all, as soon as the Pakistan team reached India for the 2023 World Cup, PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf created controversy by calling India an enemy country. This is the mindset of Pakistanis. However, as the issue escalated, PCB issued a statement and apologized. Such is the thinking of Pak officials.

This did not stop here, as rather than letting their game do all the talking on the field, the Pakistani cricketers made a fool of themselves by making statements like their players were not being given beef in their food, due to which their performance declined. Even the team coach, Mickey Arthur, made an absurd allegation when he said that Dil-Dil Pakistan songs are not being played in the stadium, due to which the team is not able to perform on the field. Arthur and some former Pakistani players also alleged that the spectators in Ahmedabad did not treat Pakistani players well. The PCB even complained to the ICC in this regard, but the ICC ignored it and did not take any action on it. They were looking for excuses to cover up their bad performances and show India in poor light. They didn’t succeed and had to go back to face the fans wrath at home.

To add to the controversies, its former player Abdul Razzaq, while talking about the poor performance of his home team at the ICC Cricket World Cup, made an unsavory comment about Indian actor Aishwarya Rai, after which he had to issue a public apology. This is the level of absurdity they stoop to though as a cricketer he has travelled abroad.

Additionally, during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, a dispute unfolded as former Pakistani cricketer Hasan Raza accused the Indian bowling squad by alleging that the Indian pacers were benefiting from manipulated cricket balls, purportedly supplied either by the International Cricket Council (ICC) or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He was trying to imply that the balls were specially crafted to amplify the bowlers' capacity to generate swing and seam movement. Raza also accused the ICC of manipulating the DRS technology in favour of the Indian team. Such is their level of intelligence, knowing well it will be endorsed by the local fans.

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Not just in the game, the Pakistani players have also tried to create religious controversy when the team's former main selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, claimed in a video that Indian cricketer Harbhajan was so impressed with Maulana Tariq Jameel that he even contemplated converting to Islam. Harbhajan immediately responded adequately. Harbhajan, while reacting to Haq's claims, completely denied the story and said that he is a 'proud Sikh' and tweeted on X, 'Yeh kon sa nasha pee kar baat kar raha hai? I am a proud Indian and proud Sikh..yeh Bakwaas log kuch bi bakte hai'. It may be noted here that after the rift between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq intensified, Haq quit his post, and the PCB later accepted the former skipper's resignation.

A video showing Mohammad Rizwan offering namaz on the field during the break in the team's match against the Netherlands in the 2023 World Cup also went viral on social media. What was the need to do this on the field. If he so desired, he could have done it in private, in the Pak dressing room. It could also be to incite the crowd.

The Pakistan players seemed to be paying more attention to politics than their performance during the World Cup. Their wicketkeeper and batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, caused controversy when he dedicated his country's victory against Sri Lanka to Palestine on social media platform X. According to some reports, the furious ICC ordered Rizwan to delete his tweets, which he refused to do. I am not aware if any action is contemplated.

The Pakistan team's dismal performance reminds cricket fans of the hugely popular 'Mauka Mauka' ad during the 2015 World Cup, which captured the emotions of the game from a heartbroken Pakistani fan's perspective. Once again, much to the disappointment of the Pakistani fans, the team, under the captaincy of Babar Azam, could win only 4 out of 9 matches, forcing it to exit the tournament. Pakistan failed to reach the World Cup finals for the third straight time. The dismal performance also led the team's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, to resign.

The problem with Pakistan is that they can't tolerate India's success in any field, including cricket. They simply believe they and their religion is superior and the khafirs are jealous of their success. And all gang up to defeat Pakistan. Unaware of the actual economic and political situation in Pakistan, they believe they are better than India. They live in a dream world of their own.

This shows the thinking and mentality of the Pakistani people who are fed with hatred, propaganda, fake news and lies, by the media, little knowing about the truth and the bad state of their country. They are not willing to even believe the truth spoken by educated and well-informed Pakistanis. They simply can't take it that India is better than Pakistan in every field. As Pakistan political analyst Sajid Tarar said, I thought Pakistan was 50 years behind India but now I feel its 100 years behind India after seeing the achievements and development in India.

No wonder educated Pakistanis abroad say, their country is over 50-100 years behind India, and there’s no comparison between the two countries. Even former part, Bangladesh is much better off than Pakistan. They fear that at this rate the future looks bleak for their country who tend to mix religion with everything. They feel education, open media and a knowledgeable and honest leader can bring about change in their country. Some even vouch for better relations with India to improve their situation back home. And some honestly believe India can lift them from their downhill journey.

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