WHAT A FATE ..III

WHAT A FATE ? .III

SCENE III

(Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and Cariappa lie on the ground gasping after some fast crazy steps singing the INA song. Both are struggling to come to feet. Sam is the first one to slowly get up.)

Sam. Yeah. What a crazy way of doing things. He pulls up Cariappa by hand. Cariappa (sits on bed coughing) His legs are trembling.

Cariappa. I do not know what happens to us when we speak to the great Netaji. We are so inspired.

Sam. True. Look Both of us are so old and weak and half dead and you were unable to stand even. But look we danced to glory to his tune and for some time forgot that we are 90 years plus. Uhhh. My bones are aching.. uh...uh...

Cariappa. That is the greatness of Netaji. He made heroes out of mere moles. But to day the dynastic rulers in India make moles and rats out of heroes. Competent guys are thrown in dust bin, side tracked and thrown into oblivion. See the fate of PV Narsimha Rao. What a fate he had finally! How about Gulzarilal Nanda..... Oh God my entire body has become shambles... eeee... eeee. ugh...ugh... hoi... ohh...mar gaya ( Dead)

Sam. Rather competent guys are castrated now like bulls are castrated

Cariappa. Look. Even now Netaji is so stiff and goose steps so well. I can not even lift my foot by few millimeters, leave aside stamping in IMA style. My leg does not lift even 6 inches.

Sam. Why not? He lived in Germany and you know German army goose steps... Quack...quack.. Heil Hitler...What a treat to watch? Hitler also used to return salute smartly in uniform...How about India? Better talk less... it is better

Cariappa. Yes Rather bitter.I know. ( Gasps for breath). Now what is our next action? I do not know when Netaji would visit us again.

Sam. We can go to him if we decide

Cariappa. Not this week. I am tired

Sam. Rather retired. And dead too But we can not die again. That is good part of death.

Cariappa. True. While living, army officers are dying every day at the hands of babus and seniors too. But once they really die they are I think happy. No more dying. In fact Army officers die the moment they are commissioned. Along with presidents parchment of commission they are also given death warrant. Suddenly I remember some thing Sam.


Sam. Sir What is it?

Cariappa. I gave a speech after India was given freedom by the whites in 1947, and you know my Hindi is rather very poor. In fact atrocious. I said “Aaaj ham Muft ho gaye hain”

Sam. Haa.. Haaa.. Hee. . Heee Hi, That means we have become of no value. That is called Phukat in Hindi mostly used in Bombay parlor. Sir You said very right thing although inadvertently. Don’t feel bad sir.

Cariappa. Although I never meant it, my words became true. Indian army to day became Phukat in the eyes of civilians and Babus and Topiwallahs.

Sam. Yeah. Truth can not be hidden. After independence once the civilian guys tasted power and knowing that army is limited to back benches in democracy, they got a cue. I am sure they went downgrading it with a fixed plan.

Cariappa. The guys may not like that.

Sam. But it is a fact as many feel true

( In the distance a song is played .. “ Watan ke rahe me.. Want ke naujawan Shaheed ho… Pukar te hai ye zamin aasman shahid Ho… Pukar the hain ye zamin aasman shaheed ho… Oh.. ohohooh…) Sam goes to window and peeps)

Cariappa. What is there?

Sam. Some Topewallahs are singing the song and going around on the street

Cariappa. What does the song mean. Tell me I am very weak in Hindi

Sam. I am also not that good. I wish Kavi Pradeep is here

( Suddenly Kavi Pradeep appears in front of Sam)

Pradeep. Good morning Marshals. Why you thought of my name suddenly? I am in heavens since long. Till today no one remembered me

Sam. That is very nice of you sir. We wanted to know the meaning of the song being played by the guys on the street

Pradeep .( Listens and wipes tears) They are giving a call to the youth to sacrifice themselves and become martyrs in the cause of nation

Sam. Good that is really good

Cariappa. What an inspiring song

Sam. True. But not for todays youth infact

Pradeep. Sir I penned thousands of patriotic songs and sang too. All were hits. Some were banned also for telling truth.

Cariappa. Look Pradeep truth is always disliked

Sam. I remember your famous song, “” Dekh tere sansar ki haalat kya ho gayi Bhagwan.. Kitna badal gaya insane…Oh kitna badal gaya insane.. Suraj na badla chand na badla

Cariappa. You guys know that I am bad at Hindi. Plesae tell me what you sang

Sam. It means, “ Oh God look at your creation and its state. Look How much the man has changed… The sun has not changed and the moon has not changed

Pradeep…. Naa badla re aasman .. Oh Kitna badal gayaa insaan

Cariappa.. Really a nice song. I know immediately after gaining independence and having gained power the politicians have ruined the nation within few years. Cuhurchill predicted long ago that India would be doomed by misrule by corrupt and self centered men. What is happening there is a clear reflection now.

Sam. Sir , But India is becoming a super power. That is what people say. We won wars and in IT sector we made name. We have sent a moon rocket and also have nuclear weapons.

Cariappa. Do you call it is all progress

Sam. Then what?

Cariappa. But human shave become heartless, corrupt and misrule goes on. All this will end finally by break up of this great country. Writing on the wall is there. Can’t you read them

Sam. Probably you are true sir..

Pradeep. ( sings) Aaya samay bada be danga… aaj aadmi bana laphanga ( To day the times have changed and men have become scoundrels…) Kahi pe jhagda kahi pe danga… Nach raha nar hokar nanaga… ( Fights here and fights there and man is dancing naked …)

Cariappa. Please go ahead Mr Pradeep. I enjoy it

Pradeep.. ( Sings) In heenki kaali kartootose hua ye mulk mashan.. Kitna.. ( the country has become a burial ground with the evil doings of these people…. How man has changed ?.) badal gaya insan

Cariappa. ( Cries loud…. Mera Bharath.. Mera Bharat and then wipes tears)

Sam(Goes to Cariappa ) Sir do not feel bad. That is the fate of India. Why have sentiments for such guys?

( In the meantime Raj kapoor comes in through a window in his usual comic style )

Rajkapoor. Goo morning every one here. Am here. I heard Pradeep ji singing and came in

Sam. Hoi Raj . How are you.

Raj.. Fine sir

Cariappa. Hello raj. Give us something from your side. You are greatly talented.

Raj. ( Dances some Bhangra steps smartly… shouts Oh Balle balle balle).. Sings.. Oh sachhte Phansi Chadde witche.. Hoo.. hoo.. hooo…..Oh sachhe phansi chadde witche aur jhoote mauj udave…aur jhoote mauj udave
Kya mai Jhoot Boliya.. Koina…. Hai koina…..

Cariappa. What does this mean Pradeep

Pradeep. Sir it means.. “ All truthful people shall climb gallows while cheats would enjoy. Did I say lies… No.. No …..)

Cariappa, Sam and raj dance Bhangra shouting Aaan huhu.. uh.. uh.. aaanhuhu….. while Pradeep claps

CURTAIN FALLS
Dr K Prabhakar Rao

DEATH OF GOD CAN HE BE KILLED ?

DEATH OF GOD… CAN HE BE KILLED?

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao (Retired)


Can God die? How? If he dies how he can be a God? God can never die. A lay man always feels so. He is eternal, universal, omnipresent and Omni potent. This has been leaned from scriptures world wide. As per Hindu belief, Lord Vishnu took up incarnation 9 times till now and the 10 th one is awaited. In these nine incarnations, first four were Ayonija. That means one born free of mother’s womb. It is direct manifestation rather. Any one born out of mother’s womb is a mortal and has to discard body on the earth sometime or other. That is the scientific law. However scriptures are silent at this at some places. The first four incarnations of Lord Vishnu as per Hindu belief were (1):

1.Matsyavatara………Form of Fish………..Saved Vedas from drowning and killed
Asura Somaka. Saved sages and species from deluge and destruction

2..Koormavatara… Form of Tortoise.. Supported Mount Mandhara on its shell while Asuras and Devas chrned ocean for nectar.

3.Varahavatara……. Form of Boar…Saved earth from drowning and killed Hiranyaksha the very powerful and destructive demon ever lived.

4.Narasimhavatara … Form of lion man.. Killed Hiranyakasipa brother of Hiranyaksha and blessed Prahlada the ardent devotee of Vishnu ( Son of Hiranyakasipa)

The scriptures describe that the Lord after accomplishing his mission returned to heavens. There is nothing like death and discarding of bodies.

5. Vamanavatara…He was born to Sage Kashyapa and his wife Aditi. He pushed Asura King Bali grand son of Prahlada to netherworld and restored heavens to gods. It is not clear how he reached heavens again. It must be believed that he had vanished and returned to heavens.

6. Parasuramavatara.. Born to Renuka and Sage Jamdagni and got rid off Kshatriya princes from earth 14 times by killing them waging war with his battle axe. He killed famous Kshatriya king Kartaveerarjuna with his battle axe. Finally he retired to Himalayas to do penance. Parsurama also again appeared in Ramavatara during the marriage of Rama when Rama broke the bow of Lord shiva as the test for the marriage. He subsequently retired for penance stating that his mission on the earth was over.He was again referred in Mahabharatha epic ( During Krishnavatara) who trained Bheeshma and also Karna in archery. It is believed that Parsurama retired to Himalayas to do penance and he had no further mission after Ramavatara. His divine powers probably came to an end.

7. Ramavatara.. Lord Rama killed Ravana and Kumbhakarna and destroyed scores of Asuras and established rule of truth. Rama along with his brothers gave up body in Sarayu river at Ayodhya after a long rule and reached heavens.

8. Krishnavatara.. Lord Krishna killed many demons and his maternal uncle Kamsa and established Dharma in the land. Evil was destroyed. He guided great Mahabharatha war in which evil was destroyed. He preached Gita on the battle field. Krishna gave up his body to reach heavens. Scriptures say that a hunter accidentally shot an arrow at Krishna that pierced his foot and went through his body. Krishna was resting under a tree in a forest.


Note. Certain sections do not consider Krishna as separate incarnation of Vishnu. He himself is Vishnu

9.Balarama.. Incarnation of a portion of Lord ( Seshanaga the divine serpent) as Brother of Krishna. He Killed many Asuras and remained neutral in the Mahabharatha war. He kept away from controversies. He gave up body through Yoga at sea side after Yadava clan destroyed itself by infighting. His soul passed into ocean as a streak of silver beam.

OR

9. Buddhavatara.. He was born to a royal couple in India, King Suddhodhana and Mayavathi as Siddhartha. Lord Buddha guided people on spiritual path and preached non violence. He gave up body after 80 years and it is believed that he died due to food poisoning when he ate food offered to him by a devotee. The aspect of Buddha being considered as the incarnation of Vishnu is debatable and a section of Hindus do not accept it. He is simply considered as an enlightened man.

10. Kalikavatara. A Horse riding warrior yet to arrive who would destroy evil and establish Dharma in the land. Some say he has already taken birth somewhere.

Note.. All sections accept 10 incarnations of Vishnu. They differ with respect to Balarama, Krishna and Buddha.

Thus we see that God manifested at times directly and also disappeared on his own after accomplishing the mission. But those manifestations that were out of mothers womb had to shed mortal body ultimately. However scriptures do not bluntly write this fact as divinity is attached to these manifestations. In most respectful way scriptures state that they attained heavens. That is most respectful way of stating the ultimate truth instead of saying he finally died or killed.

Christianity has different perceptions. Jesus is considered as son of God who took birth on the earth to save people. He died on the cross and on the third day rose to life , appeared to men and again ascended heavens. That is resurrection and a Christian has to subscribe to this if he has to be Christian. It is believed that all great souls like Prophets have element of Godliness in them and are sent to guide humanity on to a right track. Jesus also arrived on the earth to guide humanity. Jesus said to his disciples (2):

“Have faith in me when I say that the father is one with me and that I am one with father. Or else, have faith in me simply because of things I do”. (John 14.11)(CEV)

“Every one who has faith in me also has faith in the one who has sent me. And every one who has seen me has seen the one who sent me. I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark” (John 12.44, 46) (CEV)

“I am the true vine and my father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch of mine that does produce fruit, so that it produces even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you”. {John 15.1-3) (CEV)

When Pharisees asked Jesus “where is your father”, he replied, “If you knew me, you would know my father” (John 8.19) (CEV)

Judaism hasn’t accepted these proclamations of Jesus. Some scholars believe that the role as proclaimed by Jesus was not intended by him but was the inclusion at a later date after his death, resurrection and journey to the heaven .But the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus clearly indicate that he was a divine force and had divine role to play.Inspite of the above, Jesus was a human being made of flesh and blood. Jesus shed blood on the Cross for the sake of humanity and sinners. These facts led to the propagation of two concepts such as Trinity and incarnation. Jesus is seen much more than a preacher and teacher. All his actions have divinity and he spoke several times about his role and the purpose for which he has taken birth in flesh and blood. He is seen as the incarnation of God and the Gospels are clear on this aspect. At the festival of shelters, Jesus preached in the temple. He said:

“I am not teaching something that I thought up. What I teach comes from the one who sent me. If you want to really obey god, you will know if what I teach comes from god or from me. If I wanted to bring honor to myself I would speak for myself. But I want to honor the one who sent me. That is why I tell the truth and not a lie”. (John7.16-18). (CEV)

The above passage clearly indicates that Jesus has come down on a mission from the God. He has not claimed that he was the God. He only said that he was sent by the God .In this context, it is relevant and appropriate to quote following passages from the New Testament:

“Long ago God spoke in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his son to bring his message to us. God created universe by his son and everything someday belongs to the son. God’s son has all the brightness of God’s own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together.”(Hebrews1.1-3)(CEV)

… “God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear son who forgives our sins and sets us free.”

Christ is exactly like God who cannot be seen
He is the first born son superior to all creation.
Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth
Everything seen and unseen including all forces and powers
and all rulers and authorities
All things were created by God’s son and everything was made for him
God’s son was before all else,
and by him everything is held together
He is the head of his body which is the church
He is the very beginning, the first to be raised from death,
so that he would be above all others.
God himself was pleased to live fully in his son
And God was pleased for him to make peace.
By sacrificing his blood on Cross
So that all beings in heavens and on earth
Would be brought back to God. (Colossians1.13- 20) (CEV)

From the above verses, it is seen that Jesus was a divine person. He was distinct from God. But he was also associated with his father i.e. God. The world was created through him. It indicates that Jesus was pre existent. Human beings that were created had in them something that was pre-existent. Jesus was a human being. But he is a god like person. It is the presence of God embodied in a human form. In all the religions of the world only God is empowered to forgive the sins. But Jesus forgives sins. This also supports the aspect of divinity of Jesus and his association with the God (3).

During the speech Peter said words to the effect that you have killed the god (4). He said,
“ You rejected Jesus who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free. And you killed the one who leads people to life” ( Act 3:14 CEV)

Although Jesus claimed himself to be the son of God it is assumed that having faith in Jesus is same as having faith in God. Thus killing Jesus is same as killing the God (Although God can not be killed). Prophets preach all good things as message of God and killing the prophets is amounting to rejecting Gods words and amounting to killing him. Faith in him is to be destroyed.
When we do not accept the teachings of a prophet, it means that we have no faith in his teachings. Usually men try to cling on their own beliefs. It is very difficult to change ones perceptions and beliefs and men mostly do not see reason and try to harm others. It is intolerance to a great extent. With intolerance, anger and hatred also grows. In case of Jesus the same thing happened. He was handed over to Romans and although Pirate wanted to set him free having found nothing wrong with him, the priests insisted that he be put to death and Pilate had no option and Jesus was crucified. Jesus knew that he would be crucified and this fact he foretold several times earlier. This is clear in Bible (Matthew 16:21,Marks 8:31, Luke 9:22-27) So death was not a surprise to Jesus. He came on a mission from heavens and had to achieve it. He had to shed his blood for others to be saved. After ensuring mission is over he had to go. Of course resurrection that forms the most important factor of Christianity goes to prove that Jesus was divine and was God incarnate. The divinity in him made Peter to exclaim that the people had killed the God who did not realize the good things in him that only manifest in God like persons. People who live by deceit and other bad traits that are not prescribed infact aim at killing the Gods words. To some extent such people are killing the God. But at some stage patience would also run out and such people have to suffer ultimately. Destruction of cities Sodom and the other by fire in past is attributed to Gods wrath. It has to be believed that God also has the capacity to punish people for ill conduct and inability to change. Therefore certain section of people tries to kill God by their conduct while all such people have to answer at the time of judgment. All religions say this in clear terms.


Bibliography

1. Bammera Potanamatya ( 15 century), Andhra Mahabhagavatham ( Telugu poetry), Volume I and II,Vavilla Ramasastrulu, Chennai, Tamil nadu, India,

2.New Testament, Commemorative edition, CEV, American Bible Society, New York, 1998

3.Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( Retired), God, Jesus and Christianity, Faithcommons.org, July 07, 11:46

4. New Testament, Commemorative edition, CEV, American Bible Society, New York, 1998, PP 156

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

Major of Malegaon

MAJOR OF MALEGAON

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao (Retired)

There is no doubt that media in India is over projecting the Malegaon Major episode in which a serving Army officer of the rank of Lt Col and some retired officers are being questioned for abetting the blasts in Malegaon in Maharashtra in which few persons were killed. These officers are being suspected of sympathizers of Hindu outfit. Media in fact is surviving on such masala (Indicates sensational) type news and trying to over do things. In fact, the recent articles on Indian Army etc in news papers is the part of substantial and spirited plan by the vested interests in media to defame Indian army and its officers in a systematic campaign. Why they do not do the same thing to police and civilian officers? Because this is sensational. Secondly if they write about them they would be screwed immediately. Army can not do any thing except representing to MOD and feel unhappy. But police and civilian govt can twist tails by other methods. They are overdoing things to project as if army is aiding terrorism. Even in Tehelca graft cases army guys were over blown while civilian corrupt guys are still going strong. People have forgotten about them. Army guys have been already punished. Hope they would derive some wisdom soon and act on national interests than some personal benefits by denigrating some organization that can not defend themselves
I agree that civilians and every one looks at army as the last bastion in the present crumbling Indian nation that is getting devoid of values and truthful living. It is not only in India but also in the entire world that Army stands out as the model of discipline and blemish less conduct. . My point of contention is the extra enthusiasm that is being shown by the media in their depictions in TV through clippings, flash news and scrolling as if the whole army has gone backing terrorists in this country. In fact, Army as an organization, if it has to take sides and bring pressure on minorities in this country, they would not have confined themselves to the barracks all these days. They would have been on the streets wielding Self loading Rifles (SLR) with bayonets and AK 47 through a Coup de tat long ago. The very fact of the Indian army remaining on the back seat itself is the indication of its commitment and loyalty to the constitution and norms of democracy in this country. One can not deny this fact. The only problem what Army had was their long standing and frustrating issue of pay and problems of equivalence with civil counterparts. Army has to be top in the country in all aspects and people expect this. Then, why Army is being given step motherly treatment in this country? A sure point for Ministry of Defence (MOD) about grievances of army personnel. Why army has to beg for its dues? Again there is a limit to this. You do not expect unionism in their representations. Civilian govt reacts and raises the bogy of discipline when these representations reach some limit and when they become defensive and are cornered. That is what happened when the Three Chiefs represented that they would not implement pay commission recommendations recently. MOD even hinted action and gave a veiled threat. Ball immediately rolled back as usual. It was just saber rattling. Probably Army guys are getting prepared to accept screwing till the next pay commission because there is no way out for them. Army does not fight on empty stomachs in any country.Cases of indiscipline In fact are there everywhere, so also in India.
Infact Army was kept aloof from the civilian influence over the years before independence. Army Cantonments are located far away from civilian areas and civilian residential areas were not allowed to grow close by. Except some civilian servants staying in the out- hoses in officers residences, not many civilians were there in cantonments. The officers were also trained at Academies such that they were out of civilian influences and purely remained professional. This went on for very long even in sixties. With passage of time and encroachment of civilian areas in cantonments, interaction became more and more.Officers and men are more informed now. Earlier, the only information channels were newspapers and radio. But with technical explosion in recent times, availability of TV everywhere and the recent growth of internet world wide , army no more remains a frog in the well . It has undergone great change. The regimental traditions too have dwindled. How many times dinner nights ( silent ?) are held in military units that used to be very common in sixtees where stiff lipped officers say To the president while drinking toast ( Actually water poured in wine cups inlieu of real wine.. after all this is a Gandhian land)? Influence of Civilian coduct on army is natural. One can not be a passive on looker always. However it does not mean that Army has to directly involve in civilian politics. Years ago talking politics was a taboo in army. Even to day it is a taboo. Yet people are more informed today and they do harbor views. Army is viewed as a Holy cow all these days and we wish it remains. But circumstances do make influence on organizations. Army is no exception.
It is alleged now that army officers leaked the expertise of explosives to the shady men to assemble bombs. The important point now to note is that technical expertise for assembling an explosive device is no more a big secret. One can always get information on internet in great details including the various make shift explosives and initiating devices. A normal cracker manufacturer can supply the know how. A bit of ingenuity is what required and all the terrorists have this. In AP state in Royala seema areas it is alleged that almost every house manufactures bombs. Arlagadda is famous for local country bombs. Terrorists in India no more need an inspiration or technical advice for assembling explosive devices and initiating them. The second aspect is the psychological support to these outfits. This greatly depends on moral fiber of the uniformed men. I like to draw the attention to formation of Indian National Army that was formed and commanded by distinguished Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose years ago. The members were invariably the captured soldiers from British Indian Army. They were the loyal troops of India. But Netaji could transform them to join INA. That was the national inspiration to which they were drawn. It is also true therefore that blind loyalty need not be eternal and depends on many other factors. In India there is no reason to doubt about the loyalty of uniformed forces. The present tussle between Civilian Babus and political leaders with army has to be sorted out or else trouble would soon appear and this could be the reason for erosion of much cherished values. One can read the blog posts on the sites to know the situation to day. See the reactions of men for the article in India Express. Writing on the wall has to be seen. Better done earlier it is better. Secondly, the vicious TV campaign against the army should be stopped and blocked forthwith as this is doing very great damage to the entire nation. In fact such investigations even if they are to be conducted should have been out of public sight as this could do great damage to the morale of troops. The investigation team is being blamed for leaking information to media. Why it should be done?
There is no doubt that law is above every one. But there have to some procedures. It can not be free for all and wild actions. All these arrests may not stand in court as the evidence could prove to be false. Then what happens? If Purohit and all others are acquitted in a court of law can the government that remains a mute witness to the happenings bring back the respect to Purohit and others even if retired? Can they take away black scar from army’s face? They can not do it. So the present over enthusiasm should be curbed. Investigations must go on no doubt. This should not be washing of dirty linen in public. That is going on now. If Purohit and others get acquitted can they file defamatory suit against the agencies that are highlighting the show at present They should in fact. Can the bitterness be taken away from army that could finally prove dangerous and disastrous to the country at a later stage?
Indiscipline is there occasionally in all organizations. So army too. But such incidents are negligent in army. Police forces are also disciplined in this country to a great extent except few incidents of CRPF going out in mutiny some time ago and Army had to disarm them in which a Major was killed. My point is that isolated incidents should not be overblown. At present, there is a great tussle between Army officers and the civilian Babus ( IAS men). Naturally these civilian men are in better position to defend themselves as they are at governing end. As some one said earlier that Army has to be under civil control. But not under civilian babu control. That is what happening now. The guys who are deciding about army appear to be prejudiced as seen by most of the people in uniform. All actions have to be transparent in governing. But that is not so in India. The tussle has gone for very long since the days of C- in- C and later FM Cariappa.To day’s crisis involving babus and army guys is the outcome of this long standing frustration and unhappiness over inability to bring MOD on its line.My point is why media does not focus high on various charges on civilians and Police guys although there are many instances. Most of the civilian cases are unnoticed and do not get attention. Most of the news papers can not function if they are out of favor of the ruling elite. Defamation suits would follow soon. They will not get government advertisements. There are very few who can stand out with a stiff back bone. Such establishments and their leaders are trapped in various charges in this country. It is a known fact that those who rule do not expose their limitations and shortcomings while others are pressed on. Otherwise for them there is no existence.
This country is a democratic country. Periodic elections bring these guys including shady and corrupt guys to power. Can a political party win if the deeds are exposed? So they would go all out to scrub off all muck shit under the mat. The ruling elite and parties have their own people in media. They will take care of this. Army has nothing like this except to give some press statements that are also severely edited and censored. Therefore my contention is that media should play a positive role in promoting army image than on sensationalism that of late has taken charge of journalism in this country that is getting devoid of all values and decent governing. Remember how American media handled Water Gate cases and other President Clinton’s cases about sex? They did not spare them. Can we do such things in India? I am sure we shall not.


Dr K Prabhkar Rao

INTO PAST WITH PAIN .. V

INTO THE PAST WITH PAIN.. V

SCENE V


{Gandhi is seen walking on the streets of Dallas down town, Texas in the evening hours. It is falling light and lot of guys are roaming here and there. Gandhi tries to cross over the road at a junction. Suddenly a car comes to a halt with great sound. Gandhi is dragged aside by a police man)

Police man. Hey. Buddy, What is happening? Want to die. Gonna crazy. Looks a mad guy. Wanna a kick on your….a…

Gandhi. No sir. I am not mad. I am trying to go over to other side of road

Police man. You can not just go there like that. You have to press the button on the pole and wait for the signal to show. Or else you will be crushed. You were lucky that I was here. You guys can not follow any rules and regulations. Undisciplined bunch indeed.

Gandhi. Sorry sir. Do not get angry. I never knew all this. I tried to cross over as I do in India. You are correct. Indians are devoid of any discipline.

Police man. Are you from India? I never went there. I read stories about India. Don’t you have signals like this in your country?

Gandhi. At some places we have. But they will never work. We do not have buttons like this.We cross whenever feel like even if lights are there. Even cows, dogs and buffaloes, dogs and cats and pigs, lizards cross roads whenever and wherever they feel like. Crows and eagles make nests on the traffic lights. The red, amber and green lights all glow at once in some places. People do not know what to do. They go everywhere
( Police man looks astonished)

Police man, Very strange. Yet you survive to live? How about cars? Don’t they travel on roads?
Gandhi. They do. They also have tyres. They also can go in whatever way they like. Motorcyclists can overtake on both sides of car. Only thing they can not do is to overtake from beneath the car or over the car. Some times two wheeler drivers lift off front wheel and drive. Some times they also throw eggs at cars.

Police man.( Laughs ) Haa. Haa. Hi.hi….hi. Sir you must be joking

Gandhi. No sir. I am telling the truth.( Sings )


India is wild place
Where none will have solace
All the guys roam on the roads
Looking like dirty toads

None cares for the rule of law
They guys are rusty and raw
They travel as they feel
Dragging their feet and heel

Police man. Well sir.. You appear to be a poet too. Thank you sir for enlightening me about great India.. What a great nation? I wish I was born there. No rules and nothing . Enjoy to glory. Haa. Haa…. I wish I am appointed as a police man in India. It is my life’s ambition. I shall pray to Christ to give me life there.

Gandhi. But Christians do not believe in re birth. You go to heavens or eternally to hell.

Police man. Yeah . forgot about it. I shall change over to Hinduism. I shall join Hare Rama Hare Krishna…..

Gandhi That is ok.. ( Picks up his long stick and walks on the pavement)

( The street corner is dark and at the bend a youngster in jeans and T shirt encounters him)

Youth. Hoi old man . Stop. Who are you? Pay up what you have

( He draws a pistol from pocket and points at Gandhi )

Gandhi. What is this my son? Do you know who I am?

Youth. I could not care you silly guy. How do I know you? I see you first time

Gandhi. Look! I am Gandhi. Original Gandhi not a fake Gandhi that go about now in India. I am Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the Bapu to all Indians. The father of nation that is India. I am the darling of India. Did you not hear the great song sung by Rafi after my death? ( Sings)

Suno..Suno.. Oh.. Duniya walo bapoo kee jo amar kahaani
Wo bapu jo poojya kitnaa.. Jitnaa Gangaa maa ka Pani… eeee. eee.. eee

( Listen! Oh! the people of world, the story of Bapu.. He was most revered as the holy Ganga waters..)

Youth. Laughs, Hey.. Hey.. Hii.. Hi. You said father of India. Then who is mother?

Gandhi ( Getting embarrassed) Son !Such questions are not asked. There is one called Bharat Maata. Maata means mother. But I am not husband of Bharat maata. They just give titles out of respect. I brought freedom to India, you know! . I fought Englishmen peacefully.

Youth. Come on! Silly man! Do not joke and pull fast one on me. You don’t even have proper clothes and a gun. Look like a skeleton. How could you fight the Britishers?

Gandhi. I did. You believe

Youth. You know old man. In America, Washington and his Generals fought with big armies for some years to drive out Englishmen and gained independence. I cannot believe you. You are trying to be smart. Trying to trick me ( Cocks up his pistol ). Come on! No more stories. Cough up your money or you are dead..

Gandhi. Do not shoot. I have nothing. Takes out 25 cents coin and gives to him

Youth. Shit. It is foolish to shoot you. A bullet would be wasted. Better I keep it. Kicks Gandhi hard and takes out his shawl and watch and stick too. (Runs away from the scene). ( Gandhi falls on the ground and cries Hai Ram.. Hai Ram….eee…eee.eee)


( A man is seen approaching.. Foot steps are heard.. The man slowly approaches Gandhi)

Gandhi ( Looks at the man )( weeps) Look Washington sir. See What is happening in your country? I am robbed by a guy. He had pistol.

Washington. (Slowly raises Gandhi by Hand). I am sorry Mr Gandhi for whatever has happened to you. You know! every one in US carries a pistol with him. This street is particularly dangerous. You know! Some bad guys are there everywhere. Any how , you do not have any thing with you except these scanty clothes and rotten Chappals.

Gandhi. I had nothing. So he did not shoot. He said shooting me was a waste for him. It is a disgrace to his pistol. His bullet was more costly than my life. (Cries again.. beating his chest… Mera Bharat.. Mera Bharat.. Am I so useless? Eee….eeeee….eeee)

Washington. Mr Gandhi. Be bold! Do not cry like a woman. You were so brave and fought the Englishmen without a gun. Crying like this does not suit you. Take pride in yourself. Did you not face bullets of Godse bravely?

Gandhi ( Wipes his tears) It is OK . Yes sir . Godse did not give me any chance to speak and bravely face. He just stepped in bowed to me and whipped out the pistol from his palm and shot me like a ugly duck. People say I cried Hey ram.. Hey Ram…I do not know whether I said any thing at that time.. Thanks Mr Washington sir. You were just in time.

Washington. Mr Gandhi. I read that you just said… uugh…oooh…aaah… uugh and there was no word of Ram. People say it is all fabrication to glorify you. Mr Gandhi Look! Just do not roam wherever you likeas if in India. This is America. People are different here. Values are different. Here Human life has little value . Every joker has a gun here and is trigger happy. Some shoot to test their gun.

Gandhi. Looks so. But why don’t you ban unlicensed guns?

Washington. Mr Gandhi. There is no licensing system here. Any one can purchase a gun from free market like vegetables. It is the birth right of people guaranteed by Constitution. Now tell me Gandhi! Where do you want to go? Should I send back to your India?

Gandhi. Sir Please drop me some where near a place where many Indians live. I can not be a swan among crows

Washington.. No.. No.. It is other way…. Sure by all means. I shall drop you sir

( Washington drives him down to a nearby township in his Horse carraige . At Arlington he vanishes )

(Gandhi walks on a roadside lawn and sits on a bench. In the mean time a couple obviously Indian stroll there with a baby in a pram)

Man. Hey! You old guy! What are you doing here? Can’t you put some better clothes? Why are you half naked? Don’t you have some shame?

Gandhi. Sir I am Gandhi. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi from India (sings)

I am the Gandhi bald and bold
At present on India I have no hold
My name is used by all
To grow in name very tall.

The real Gandhi died long ago
Pseudo Gandhis have lot of ego
Most of them are Gandhis but fake
They are like wasted out ground nut cake

These guys imitate my name
That helps them to get some fame
These guys are not worth single rupee
Of course they gulp barrels of coffee

( Gandhi does some jig singing the song)


Lady. That is a good poem. The name I heard some where.

Man. Now a days every one wants to be a Gandhi in India.

Gandhi.. No.. No.. I am real Gandhi.. known as Bapu.. You must have seen the movie of Sunil Dutt’s son. See me. I am bald and have a watch also.

Lady. Then why there are other Gandhis in India? What they do? Keep shamming! Fooling people around?

Gandhi. They use my name to gain power and sympathy

Man. (Laughs).. Haa..haaa.. hii….hii

Lady. Clever guys indeed. But you died long ago. Why are you here? Did they drive you out?

Gandhi. Not really, To some extent. I was already driven out by Godse. Whatever was left the present political leaders have done. No one bothers for me there. They remember me on my death day and some times on birth day. My birth day coincides with that of Lal Bahadur Shastri. So it is diluted.

Lady. Do not bother. You had enough of run. What else do you want old man ? You can not be at Top always. How can you take credit eternally? How long you want people to worship you. Enough of it. Got sick of it.Others also deserve some thing. As it is we feel you are an over glorified than really deserved. There are so many other guys deserving credit and they are neglected. Why you only are glorified? Guys in India have no other job. A bunch of funny lot creating false history.

Gandhi. You appear to be Indian. Were you not brought up in India. You appear to hate Gandhi and country too.

Lady.. No… no. Not like that. I love India. My father came to America when I was just three years. I was saved from India and from memory of Gandhi.

Gandhi. That is the reason you do not know much about me. Look girl ! I am not that bad as you imagine. All history books in India glorify me and my deeds to mountain heights. Other guys are just mentioned and some are not even mentioned. Their deeds are white washed. You know! Subhas Chandra Bose was a big contender for my position. Where he has gone with his jack boots and INA uniform? No one knows. All have been white washed. He got cross with me and became Congress President. I bowled a googly much better than Murlidharan of Lanka at him. He just vanished. The history books hardly mention about him. Some times, there is no photograph of Subhas. Only congress leaders are highlighted. That is the policy. Children will learn what we state and teach them. Congress government ruled India till Rajiv Gandhi lost elections except for a brief period of two years after emergency. By that time India was covered by congress grass. Do you know that grass. That causes itching and allergy and asthma. That is the plenty of time for managing the history in India. There is no questioning. Children’s brains are fully loaded with Gandhi and his deeds. You escaped that. You got a pretty kid. What have you put the name? Is it Jawaharlal, Mohandas Karamchand? Or Indira or Rajiv or rahul or Priyanka, the Indian national heroes?

Lady. No… No.. I have named him “Out of focus” But all call him Hocus phocus.

Gandhi. Strange name really

Lady Has to be. (She pushes the pram as the kid starts crying)

Gandhi. Why he is suddenly crying?

Lady. In fact last night we went a Halloween party in our colony. There he saw some hideous faces and Dracula etc. He got scared. The moment he saw you in this dress he got scared and is crying

Gandhi.. Oh! Do not cry baby. I am not a Dracula. I even do not have normal teeth. How can be a Dracula? I am a simple dark bania ( Trader) from Gujarat in India. I can not leave this dress that I wear. I am identified with this. If I leave this, no one remembers me and look at me. Even police guys would catch me and put me in lock up for scantly being dressed. Even street dogs would chase me

I put on this loose drape
Although it looks like a rain cape
I put on some strange foot wear
Sure it is not out of the skin of a bear

I carry with me this long stick
With this I give the street dogs some kick
I also put on the Watch at my waist
That is found to be a big national waste
,
Lady. Mr. Gandhi.. You also appear to be a poet

Gandhi. (Laughs) Some time I write and recite poetry. What else I can do?

Lady.. Ok Mr. Gandhi. See you. I have better things to do than waste time in chit chatting with you. Bye… See you..Okhe.Okhe.. Feel great… Wow (She walks away pushing the pram)

Gandhi. (Wipes tears) (Sings)

Kyo Yaad aa rahe hain gujre huye zamane
Yeh dukh bhare fasane.. ye….ye…ye,, Rothe huye taraane

( Why am I remembering the bye gone days
Thetragic stories and sad crying songs..) ( From Anmol Ghadi )

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

INTO PAST WITH PAIN

INTO PAST WITH PAIN
SCENE IV


( Washington and others are seated on Chairs They look tired. In the mean time drinks trolley enters the room along with an orderly. He also brings various snacks and some soft and hard drinks )

Washington. Gentlemen. It is time we have some snacks and few drinks Bearer! please serve to all their favorite drinks.

Orderly.. Sure sir. With pleasure

( He goes first to Gandhi who is very close to the trolley)

Orderly. What do you like to have sir? Some roasted brains of goat and Manhattan

Gandhi. (Gets scared ). What is this? Brains of goat! Thanks, you have not served brains of some men . You know all my life in India I had goats milk and vegetables. I can not imagine even looking art Goat’s brain. I want peeled banana and goats milk if you have


Churchill. Do not trouble him. Leave him alone. He was like this when he came to England for discussions with us and met king too.

Washington. Mr Gandhi. You may like to have some fried ham with pepper and salt..
Gandhi. How can I eat pig’s meat?

Orderly. Sir! why don’t you try beef patties

Gandhi. ( Closes his ears and eyes) Oh God! What a place I have come? Cow meat? Look gentlemen!. Cow is highly revered animal in India. How can I accept killing of cows and eating?. Some thing atrocious indeed. (Looking a the brains of Goat Gandhi gets giddy and falls down. He gets convulsions. Froth comes out of his mouth)

( All rush to Gandhi…Churchill sprinkles water on Gandhi’s face. After few seconds Gandhi gets up, Shakes himself, Yawns and goes to chair… In the mean time a doctor comes and examines Gandhi and declares him fit)

Gandhi. I hope the doctor is good

Washington. Why not? He is top class. Not like one in India who gets a seat by paying plenty of money to a medical College.

Gandhi. I have no answer

Washington. (Says to himself.. What type of charcter this guy is?) Look Mr Gandhi . You are not in India. You are in USA now. Know! There are scores of Indians in USA who eat everything here. Every year scores of students are rushing here rather fleeing your country and they say for education. It is nice. We are getting technical man power at no cost to us. These guys will never go back. In fact you are the technical mills for us.

Churchill. The moment they land in USA they feel liberated from the oppressing restrictions in India, dirty and crowded streets. Insanitary roads, colonies, filthy public toilets, Corrupt technical Institutions, pot bellied corrupt politicians, Challan wielding police men, Oh you touch any thing. It is shit there. Over crowded buses and trains, hundreds of cattle on the roads,…. Oh… horrible indeed

Washington. Of course also from people roaming everywhere in India crowding every place, restaurants, hotels, bus stations, trains, cinema halls, air ports, toilets, offices what else and what not. These guys will take oath at statue of liberty that they will never go back to India to suffer at any cost. They prefer to die here than dying every day there. I learnt that packs of buffaloes roam on Indian streets even in major towns and squat on roads. Some also travel along with buses side by side.

Churchill. Some time camels and elephants also are seen on roads. Occasionally some rides on a horse. I think he takes horse for a marriage procession. It is strange. The guy who can not properly sit on a donkey also wants to sit on horse for that particular instant holding sword and putting on turban.

Gandhi. That is the culture. Probably you will not appreciate. But all Indian students are not like that. I heard some guys went back from USA recently.

Washington. That is because they were finding difficult to manage here.

Gandhi. With Obama coming now I do not know what will happen to Indians here? People say he is against outsourcing.

Washington.. We can not say any thing now. We have to wait and see. In fact some quarters are already questioning us. Why allow so many Indians here? They claim that Indians and others are destroying American native scene and it is no more remaining the same what we had earlier. By the by, you guys, why do you run to America. Why can’t you guys live in your own place? You guys run to us and then cry aloud if something happens.

Churchill. Look Sir, wherever Indians are there they do not adopt local culture, They maintain their identity even if they are given citizenship.

Washington. I heard many Indian parents prefer to bring up their daughters in India rather than in USA for obvious reasons. They are scared these girls get westernized. But they do not want to leave USA and its comforts. What type of people are these?

Churchill ( Laughs haa… haa.. haa ) That is the most Indian like. They want everything American when comes to dollars, style, bobbed hair, hair dyes, blouses, skirts, cars, jeans, T shirts and yanky style of slang,.. saying…. Yeah….. yeah…wow, great, Okhe… Okhe…. But not culture. They do not want to amalgamate in local culture. They run again to get married in India and bring some more here for every ones agony.

Washington. I heard this many times from others too. But they contributed to Americas growth also.

Churchill. That is why they are being tolerated.

Gandhi. With Obama in seat can we expect some thing good for Indians? I am very sad that many Indian students have been done to death in some of the places. Till now no one has been caught

Washington. I feel very sad and disturbed. Such killings have no place in American society.

Gandhi. Why only Indian students are being targeted? Is their any one up against us? Do they want us to go away?

Washington. I can not say. Some time ago there were some organizations such as dot busters in some places who attacked Indians as they were seen as aliens an taking away their jobs.

Gandhi. Yeah. I thought that was over. May be some one is at it again

Washington. Mr Gandhi! please do not worry. We are at it. We will not allow it go out of hand. ( He gets up and draws his sword and raises it high and looks at the sky) ( Sings)

Oh God in heavens!Now you know
No more killings Of Indians in this state
We are getting some how a bad name
Let us now go back to our great fame

I shall catch hold and chew the villains of evil
From this land we shall drive away the followers of devil
Mr Gandhi! stay in peace here for many years
And kindly wipe away your flowing tears

Mr Gandhi! do not teach us your non violence
We have been showing you guys great benevolence
Indians have to mix in American culture
And not earn dollars and run away like vultures

Churchill. Very great sir.. ( Claps)

( Washington cools down and brings down his sword and puts it in its scabbard and then takes his seat)

Gandhi. I hope more will not be killed before such things are stopped

( Sings)

Indian students are after American land
Bitten by the virus to join western band
Some guys in this land are after their blood
While Indian students reach America in flood

(In the mean time John Dulles the former Secretary of State comes into the room )

Dulles. Good morning every one.

(Looks at Washington and bows to him while Washington appreciates by gesture)

Washington. How are you Mr Dulles?

Dulles. Very fine sir by your blessings. Sir what is the matter? Why this assembly?

Churchill. Mr Gandhi from India came here and wants Americans to follow non violence

Dulles. I can see. The craze has not left them. Do you know sir! They started some thing called non alignment movement ( NAM)

Washington. I read about it. But India aligned with Soviets. Bulganin and Krushchev had happy time visiting India. Soviets sold them many tanks and guns etc. In their view all this was non alignment.

Dulles. Sir I called Non alignment was a sin. All the guys were after my blood. I did not care. Why should I?

Washington. ( Looking a bit embarrassed) That was past Mr Dulles. Any how NAM is literally dead. It is lying in coffin to be nailed. Any thing not active. will rot and perish. If your army is idle for long it will rot and become inefficient and useless. At appropriate time when needed, it will be non effective

Gandhi. I sense some thing in this

Washington. India had a nice time after 1971 war with Pakistan. Except Kargil operation there was nothing for them. It was rather idle for long.

Churchill. True. Now army is struggling for higher pay and perks and are at loggerheads with civilian government officials. They are unhappy because they feel they were systematically downgraded.

Washington. No one downgrades another one. Mostly it is self doing. Any how it is their headache. Let them do whatever they want to do. We have enough headaches

Gandhi. When heads are there, aches also will be there

Dulles. Good Joke sir ( Laughs.. Hee… Hee.. Haa.. Haa …Huu..Huu. Hoo)

Churchill. One way to keep army in India active is to take part in Afghanistan along with other troops. I am sure some guys are itching.

Dulles. True. At least for Foreign Service medals. I think they were not given such medal for operation in Lanka

Washington. True, because they lost there. They were hammered black and blue very well there.

Gandhi.. Look friends. Indian army is one of the finest force in world. It has helped Englishmen and Americans in World War II and brought laurels. Till last they remained loyal to the King of England. They are patriotic and very loyal to President of India now

Washington. Even when they feel downgraded by the civilians. How strange the loyalty is?
Gandhi. That is the best part of being an Indian

Dulles. I have reservations sir.

Churchill. So you suffered slavery for centuries and foreign rule. Foreign tribes ruled you. Then Muslims and then Europeans ruled you. What is the use of such loyalty when you loose your freedom and are enslaved?

Gandhi. Non violence is in blood of India. We were taught non violence by Buddha much before Jesus. Asoka practiced it

Dulles. Thus the race became dull. Fighting spirit disappeared. So they preferred Non alignment. Best way to escape. A better word for escapism. Nasser of Egypt, Tito of Yugoslavia and Sukarno of Indonesia beat drums along with Nehru. It was a strange phenomenon in those days.

Washington. Any how all those things are over now. Now Mr Gandhi. Tell me what we must do?

Gandhi. That is better sir. First thing is to stop Iraq war. Call all the guys back. Look after families of those who died in war. Call off Afghan war. Make peace with Al Qaeda and Taliban. Call Mullah Omar, Bin Laden for a dinner at White House. Close down all your military bases worldwide. Disband some of your army units. Sell away your tanks.Dismatle your missiles. Make peace with Iran. Help them build whatever they want to do. If you can not help keep quiet. Do fasting at Iran’s embassies against their nuclear programme. If they slap you take it and show other cheek. Release all prisoners of war and terrorists.

Washington. Do all these things and then thoroughly get screwed by Al Qaeda again.

Dulles. What a fallcy Mr Gandhi? Is it possible now a days. You could not achieve in your own land. Once British protection was over for you, look Mr Gandhi you were shot like a sitting duck by your own man Nathuram Godse. No one could save you. Do you want the Americans get shot like you. I am sorry Mr Gandhi. American Presidents can not allow such Hara-kiri. You see what Mr Bush did to them. That is the correct way of dealing such guys. If you want, go and sing your song in front of them. We want to live and we want our kids to live and prosper. We also want others kids to prosper too. But we do not want to get killed like a coward. Mr Gandhi ! Look Non violence is another word for cowardice and impotence..

Gandhi ( murmurs.. this guy is very strange indeed). (He gets up and picks up his stick.) Hello Mr Washington sir! . Please remember my words. I am your well wisher. Please think it over. Don’t listen to this guy Winston Churchill and John Dulles too. I hope Mr Obama would do something in this direction.

Dulles. That is fine. Remember Mr Gandhi! Obama is American first and then some thing to others. I am sure he will take care of Americans and its place in world. He has already said he would hunt down Al Qaeda leaders and kill or capture Osama bin Laden and that is his first priority. Even if whole American army has to be deployed, he would do.

( Gandhi says bye to all and slowly walks off.. Indian national anthem Janagana mana Adhinayak jaya hey is played)


Dr K Prabhakar Rao

INTO THE PAST WITH PAIN

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

SCENE III


( The door opens and a sentry runs- in excited .. All look at him with great concern.)

Washington. What is the matter dear? Why are you so excited?

Sentry.. Sir.. Sir ( He is gasping )

Washington. Come on!Tell me what happened? Has Al-Qaida attacked again? Have they attacked White House? Have they bombed Capitol House. Come- on !tell me

Sentry.. ( Looking a bit composed) Nothing like that sir

Washington. Then why are you not telling?

Sentry. Sir Barack Obama has won presidential election

Washington. Yeah…Thank God. Great news indeed

Churchill.. At last the surprise is over. No more tensions. It was getting on to my nerves

Gandhi. I am very happy. Americans are great indeed. They have atlast elected a black African American.( Gets up from Chair and dances few steps)

Washington. Mr Gandhi. That is fine. Kindly take your seat. But he is not black looking. He looks an African no doubt. But he is fair like any white.

Churchill. Such things do happen. Mixing up.

Gandhi. At last America is free from the charge of discrimination. I am thrilled

Washington. True. We are happy that Americans have proved to the world that their’s is real democracy

Churchill. Mr Gandhi. You boast so much about yourselves and country. Could you produce at least one Prime Minister in India who is from the category of untouchables

Washington. What is this untouchable word. Mr Churchill! What is this? What happens if some one touches? Will he burn away or gets 440 volt shock?

Churchill. Sir, Nothing like that. They are also like every one. In India caste system is practiced as part of Hinduism. There are four castes called Brahmins ( Priestly class), Kashatriyas ( Warrior class), Vaisya ( Trading class), and Shoodra ( Servent class) and Untouchables are worst than Shoodra class.

Washington. Are they still practicing it?

Gandhi. Yeah, we are still practicing the caste system. Untouchability has been banned in India and is punishable.

Washington. What punishment? Are they hanged or deported?

Gandhi. Not that severe. First of all the offense can not be proved. So the case goes on and on.. Finally nothing comes out of the case. All are happy at the end. No worry at all in the end except lawyers make money

Churchill. That is the truth. But I heard it is still exists and I read in news papers

Gandhi. True. I also read. But mostly has gone. But caste structure has become stronger now. Government leaders have used caste card to divide the society to create vote banks. No one wants caste to go. Now untouchables that are Dalits have made a front and also are fighting among themselves. But outwardly the Indian leaders shout at pitch of voice against caste. But they prefer it. A great hypocrisy indeed. No one wants the caste to go. It is a big boo to Indian political guys.

Churchill. Your policy of reservations has done more damage in your country. Rather ruined you guys. You do not know where to go now. I am sure you would be drowned soon…you guys deserve it(claps in happiness)

Gandhi. I wish it. I tried to eradicate Untouchability. But failed. Now I became an untouchable in India. No one wants me now. Only on October 2 and 30 January they act of remembering me. The leaders go to Rajghat where I was cremated in 1948 and sing songs and do some thamasha ( Drama) of spinning yarn.. sing Ragupathi Raghava Rajaa Ram..They put on white clothes as if very pure and sit down on white cloth spread on the lawn. Once the function is over they run after the chairs. They then vanish only to indulge in acts of mischief, corruption and nepotism… Silly guys indeed.

Washington. I read in news papers that some time ago some vandals damaged your tomb at Rajghat

Gandhi. Yeah. They did. I wish they completely destroyed it.

Wsahington. How atrocious?

Gandhi. Sir . But you can not claim credit for eradication of slavery in USA. Black African Americans were slaves in America for long. It was to the credit of great Lincoln that it has gone. Martin Luther king was another person who should get credit. But poor guy was shot and killed.

Washington ( A bit upset) I am not taking credit… Yeah.. True.. Rather true. Some times it happens. Why were you killed Mr Gandhi? For same reason he too.

Churchill. You claim as the second largest democracy in world. Why could you not make Jagjivan Ram, your Dalit leader as Prime Minister?


Washington. Who is this Jagjivan Ram.? What is Dalit? How he has come in-between?

Churchill. Sir. Dalit is the latest word for the untouchables in India. Gandhi coined a name Harijan ( Gods man). It was in vogue for long. Now they want to be called Dalits means oppressed and exploited. They do not call them untouchables now openly.

Washington. That means trouble is still there.

( In the mean time Jagjivan Ram enters the room. He is walking with a stick at snails pace and puts on cap.)

Jagjivan Ram.. Good morning Gentlemen. I am Ram.. Jagjivan Ram. You guys remembered my name. So I have to be here.

Washington. Sir, What is so great about you.

Ram. There is nothing great about me. I also never said there is some thing great about me. I was the Defense minister of India during Indo Pak war of 1965 in which Pakistani American Patton tanks were shot like ducks and we collected hundreds of Patton tanks mostly shot and called the place Patton nagar.. I was the undisputed leader of all Harijans (Untouchables class and downtrodden). I was to become the PM of India. But I was set aside by all means. I have to blame Sanjeeva Reddy the President for this ( Cries.. oooh…oooh..eeee… I was not made PM..eeee…..eeee ).

Washington. ( Uncomfortably ) Why remember Patton Tanks? It was the failure of Pakistanis. They did not know how to use them. Pakistanis brought shame to American tanks.

( In the mean time Jagjivan Ram continues to cry and sings)

Ham jeeke kya… aa.. karenge.. Jab dil hee toota gaya… aaaa….aaa…aaa

Washington. Mr Churchill what does he say?

Churchill.Sir! He is singing the famous Hindi song of late KL Saigal. It means what is the use of living when my heart is broken

Washington. Who is this KL Sehgal.. Sounds like seagull

Gandhi. Sir KL Saigal was the greatest actor singer of Hindi films of 20 th century. He passed away at the age of 42 years. He is immortalized by his songs

Washington. That is great of him. I wish I see him some time.

Churchill. Do not cry Mr Ram. Be brave. Whatever it is.You were the stron defense minister. It is your internal politics too. The fact is that, sir you lost the boat because you were a Harijan leader

Ram. True.

Washington. How sad?

Ram. I am happy that Obama has won.

Washington. We too.

Churchil. Americans have lot of hopes on Obama. Can he end Iraq war?

Washinton. We have to wait and see. He can not all of a sudden bring back troops. Saying is ok before as a candidate. Now after assuming office many things have to be seen.

Churchill. If he withdraws suddenly, there could be great vacuum in Iraq and thugs can rise rapidly damaging our interests

Gandhi. I feel some how all American troops must be recalled within one week after he assumes office. Whatever happens to Iraq we are not bothered. Let Iraqis go to hell. God can take care of them. If it does not happen Americans should protest peacefully without violence

Washington. But we are bothered Gandhi. That means non violence in US too

Gandhi Yeah. Very true. They may go on fasting also

Washington. Fasting with Americans? Are you crazy? Are you talking out of your hat? You know! Our guys can not stay one second without food from Macdonald, Beef patties and drink…. They keep eating all the time like Komodo dragons…They may do fasting for few hours after filling themselves…. Drinking Coke

Gandhi. They have to change ( Sings)

Fasting means they must really fast
If required they must fast till the last
This is also one way of loosing weight
And many Guys in this land are like railway crates

Washington.( Laughs ) Hoo… Haa… Hii. Heee.. Haaa . Mr Gandhi that was really good
But look at me. I am trim and smart, not like Mr Churchill.

Churchill.( Looks embarrassed and pulls up his pant) Hii….Hiii.Heee

Gandhi. Sir, what is this Komodo dragon?

Washington. Mr Gandhi. Komodo dragon lives in Komodo Island and surrounding islands in Indonesia. They are very large monitor lizards and reach to a length of 10 to 12 feet. Some call them as land crocodiles. They are the largest Lizards in the world. They are voracious hunters and meat eaters. Two Komodo dragons can eat away a full buffalo in an hour . They are highly dangerous and people mistake them as dragons as they have large forked red tongues which are pushed and pulled from the mouth and appears like flame from a distance.

Gandhi .Oh God! How dangerous! That means they are far more dangerous than Englishmen. I wish I take all of them and set them free in India near parliament House and all state capitals. The guys in India have become so corrupt now, I am getting worked up. ( Gandhi gets up from his chair and raises his fist shakes it violently and sings). I want these corrupt guys eaten by Komodos on Delhi streets. (Does vicious break dance.. singing)

The guys in India have become corrupt and rotten
Such guys are required to be thoroughly beaten
Leave all komodo in India and set them free
And watch the fun from top of a tree

The Komodos would strip them bare
Pull out their entrails that is no doubt fair
Their muscles and bones would be chewed to pulp
And komodos are happy to eat them and gulp

Komodos in India should be bred in millions
Even if it costs to the country in billions
The crooked guys in India should be thrown to these beasts
And they would be happy at the tasty feast

Komodo should be India’s national beast
Every month we should give them good feast
In all nooks and corners they must be bred
And with blood of its victims their mouths should get red

Washington. Come on Mr Gandhi! You were just now preaching non violence to us. What is this? You preach such cruelty! Strange really! What happened to you?

Gandhi.. ( Shakes his head violently)So sorry sir. Kindly pardon me. I was a bit upset with corrupt Indian leaders.

Churchill. Come on Mr Gandhi. This is a bit too much. . You better stay as you like in India with Komodos and Gotzillahs if you find any. Make it your national animal. Sorry it is not animal. It is a reptile class. Better leave us to out fate and we would be happy. As it is, we have many problems ( Sings)

We in West want to live in our way
This is the truth come what may
You guys in the East are mad and crazy
In work too you are found to be dull and lazy

( Churchill laughs.. Heee….heeee…..Haaa…..Haa…. huu..huu and puffs clouds of smoke from the cigar engulfing every one, while Gandhi coughs vigorously)

Gandhi. Gentlemen cigarette smoking is dangerous to health.( coughs…) ( Sings)

Mr Curchill ! smoking is just bad
That makes me very sad
Your lungs are sure to dry
Killing you like a fish under the sky


Churchill. That is OK Mr Gandhi. Take care of your health first

Do not bother for me
Take care of your worn out knee
I am strong and stout
While you are already dead and out

Washington..( Laughs) Haa.. Haa. Heee. Hee… Bye Mr Gandhi. Take care of yourself and your non violence

(Gandhi gets up from seat , picks up his stick and walks off slowly coughing loudly )
Dr K Prabhakar Rao

INTO THE PAST WITH PAIN

TO THE PAST WITH PAIN

SCENE II

Washington. What type of non violence you propose Mr Gandhi?

Gandhi. Sir. This will be completely no violence. If some one slaps you on cheek
show other cheek


Washington. How dare some one slap me , the father of USA?

Gandhi. Sir, I do not mean you sir personally.

Mountabatten. Sir! He is repeating what Lord Jesus said years ago as stated in Holy Bible

Washington. Yeah.. It is the statement of Jesus. How can you adopt it? Credit must go to Jesus for preaching non violence. I am sure not for you. Although Jesus preached it no one is able to follow. Even Jesus was killed by Romans

Gandhi. I am not taking credit any way. People in India have attributed to me. What can I do? They attribute all good things to me. I know I do not deserve them. it is not may fault.

Washington. I hope you are not posing as modest. How it is possible in todays world?

Mountabatten. The guys will think you are impotent, spineless not and incapable. So you accept everything

Gandhi . Not exactly like that

Mountbatten. You preached non violence in India. But could you stop riots at the time of partition of your country?

Gandhi.. (Murmurs some thing)

Mountbatten.Mr Gandhi, Say some thing. I was witness for everything in India. Although your fasts and processions were non violent in few cases, soon the reactions were violent, You could not stop them.

Atlee. Mr Gandhi. In your own country Bhagat Singh took up to violence. Subhas Chandra Bose adopted armed resistance and waged war against the British empire. Where was your non violence?

Washington. If we had to adopt fasts and strikes, non co operation and the methods of non violence against British crown, we could not have got freedom. We would have been butchered summarily. Not even a fair trail would have been there.

Churchill. Very true Mr Washington sir. A bit harsh. We kill but after a fair trail. Things should appear legitimate in history. Why the King would give freedom? If we had won the war at that time surely the American Generals captured would have been sent to Gallows for waging war ( Including Washington .. says within himself).This is a standard practice in Englnd. East India Company did this to so many in Indian revolutionaries in 1857 and even earlier to Veera pandya Kattabomman, theTamil Palegar.. and his followers at Panchala Kurichhi near Madras ( Chennai)

Gandhi. I feel sad for them. Their sacrifices paved way for freedom. It kindled spirit of freedom. (Sings )

Do not boast Mr Churchill, of your deeds of ill
Which your country committed at free will
Those perished souls still hover in the sky
In agony and dispair they still loudly cry

Washington. What a nice lecture from you and show of sentiments!. But we can not be impressed

Gandhi. But sir, you shall realize non violence as a great tool

Washington.. Sorry Mr Gandhi. Few years ago the damned AlQaeda terrorists crashed aero planes along with passengers into WTC in New York. Thousands were killed. You expect that we pray to the fools and sadists and thugs to pardon us and be liberal with us and yet pardon them? Show our other cheek to them. Then invite them to bomb America again. What a nonsense talk! Are we so incompetent and incompoos…. Come on Mr Gandhi. We are Americans. The great Americans. We brought Hitler to knees. We brought doom to Japan who bombed at pearl harbour.We believe in Gun. You know bearing arms is our birth right. One can purchase a gun in free market. Nothing like licence and other non sense like in India and England ( sings)

We Americans live with a gun
And feel they are of great fun
We conquer the world with them
Yet we stay fine and trim

Churchill.. Hear.. Hear, Fine sir, great poen indeed.
Gandhi. So are crimes too. Youngsters shoot in schools and colleges and kill professors in America.
Washington. You are no way better. Any one can get an unlicensed weapon in India. Country made guns are plenty there. These are enough for crimes. I read daily in news papers. You boast of Non violence. There are ample crimes in India .Girls get molested in Hostels. Police can not catch them. Sadist lovers have killed girls in cold blood. Sadists kill girls in hostels.Could you hang them? Some crazy guys killed innocent passengers in Kakateeya express some years ago by setting fire to the bogie. Could you hang the culprit? You developed cold feet and set aside death sentence because he was a down trodden and belonged to Scheduled caste that is only practiced in India. Do you how many are killed in faction feuds in Andhra Pradesh? How many are killed in Naxal violence? Police men are freely killed by communists. Do you know? Where is the end to terrorist killings in Jammu and Kashmir? Recently 70 guys were killed in Assam blasts and many in Hyderabad and Delhi and Godhra. Do you read news papers? I have infinite lists to read. You waged wars against Pakistan four times. Why you did not practice non violence? Saying is very easy Mr Gandhi. Whom you are trying to impress Mr Gandhi?

Gandhi. Sir, I am astonished at yourknowledge. How do you know all these things?

Washington. That is why I am the father of USA the only super power in world.

Gandhi. Sir. I am not saying that all these things are not happening in India. I know these. You are hundred percent correct sir. In silence I cry. I beat my chest when no one sees. See my chest it is full of bones only. This happened by continuous crying and chest beating. What can I do? I gave them freedom from slavery. Now the Indian rulers have become slaves of mischief, corruption, cheating and you name one bad trait, it is with them. ( Sighs )

I also cry in despair
And India no one can repair
The leaders are happy sitting in chair
And they feel in politics all is fair

I shed tears in streams and torrents
While my body shivers as if under current
I weep in despair
While India is beyond any repair


Atlee. Well said Mr Gandhi. I Am impressed. But Has India become that bad ethically? You have turned into a poet too.

Churchill. Do you know Mr Gandhi ? I was very much against granting freedom to you guys. You guys were not worth of it. I knew your guys would sell away the country.So , I then told, “ We would be handing over poor India to a bunch of Opportunists ( Rascals in low tone) where even a loaf of bread and glass of water would be taxed. Do you remember it? (Blows out puffs of smoke)

Gandhi. Very much sir. It is still ringing in my ears. There was uproar in Congress

Churchill.But my prophecy came true. In your own heart you know what is happening in India. Still I say many rascals rule at every nook in India. I have no worry. I am straight forward and frank.

Gandhi. It is slightly unfair

Churchill. I do not mince words Mr Gandhi. You know that since long

Atlee ( Appears a bit uncomfortable). Ok Gentlemen. I have some urgent work. Bye ( He goes out)

CURTAIN FALLS

INTOPAST WITH PAIN

INTO THE PAST WITH PAIN
Scene I

Prof Dr Colonel K Prabhakar Rao ( retired)

Some where in heavens a fair, handsome elderly man is sitting on a majestic seat. He is putting on uniform of a General of American army of freedom struggle. He is also putting on a sword. He is gazing into distance. A knock is heard on the door

Elderly man. Hey who is there? Please come in.

(Visitor walks in . He is frail, ill clad with no upper garment. He is putting on a loin cloth with some drape. A watch hangs at his waist. He wears round type spectacles.He is bald shriveled and walks with a long stick. )

Visitor. Hello, MrWashington. How are you? You may not be knowing me. I am Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi of India. I am also called Father of Indian nation

Washington.( Removes his hat and scratches his head) Welcome sir. But I do not think I have any idea about you. We are probably centuries apart. Probably Roosevelt and Harry

Truman would be knowing about you. They were your contemporaries.

Gandhi. Yeah. Truman ruled America after I died.

Washington. It is better I get some aide to guide me about you
( He claps and a sentry walks in. Washington requests him to go and fetch Roosvelt)
After some time Mr Roosevelt arrives limping

Roosevelt. Hoi Mr Washington. What is the matter? Who is this early visitor here

Washington. Welcome Mr Roosevelt. This is Mr. Gandhi. He says he was the father of nation i.e. India

Roosevelt. Yeah. Now I recollect. This person was an active freedom fighter during British rule in India. He believes in non violence a strange policy.

Washington. But why he has come with such scanty clothes to see me the father of great American nation.

Roosevelt. He believes that most of the Indians can not afford proper clothes and are very poor. He represents them. So he feels that it is appropriate to put this dress.

Washington. That is strange. But that was long time ago. Now where is the problem? Indians have improved greatly. Atleast now he can put on good clothes. Why impress others.

Roosevelt. Sir that is up to him. Britishers called him half naked fakir. What can we do?

Washington. What brings you here Mr Gandhi?

Gandhi. Nothing special. I want to promote non violence that I practice and with which I freed India

( In the mean time the door opens and a fat looking guy with cigar in mouth wearing dark full suit walks in. He has few strands of hair on his head.
Roosevelt. Hello Mr Winston Churchill.. Welcome. How nice to see you here?

Churchill. Hello Mr. Roosevelt. (He looks uncomfortably at Gandhi ) Hello Mr Gandhi. How are you?

Gandhi. Hello Mr. Churchill. Nice to see you.

Churchill. How is India? I have been following India and its progress ever since you were freed from us

Washington. What does that mean. Were Indians slaves earlier as we had black Americans with us.

Churchill. Not slaves in real sense. But to a great extent true. India was ruled by England

Washington. How bad! Such a large country was a slave ? Strange in deed! Can not believe!

Roosevelt. True. They fought a war in 1857 . It was more a rebellion by troops. Indians proudly call it a First battle for independence.

Churchill. No it was just a mutiny. Most of the princes favored Englishmen and helped East India Company. It can not be a war of independence. Only some unhappy guys took part in it.

Gandhi. No it was a struggle of independence

Churchill. Come on Gandhi. You are learned. How can it be? Then why so many princes did not join the struggle? Hyderabad Nawab Afzaluddaula the Nizam, Maharaja of Gwalior, Punjab Kings were all with us.

Gandhi.. They were selfish. Not patriots( Murmurs some thing and keeps quiet.)

Churchill. Look Gandhi . You may call it any thing. It was a mutiny and some type of rebellion that was crushed with iron hand.

Gandhi. But it inspired people of India for freedom.

Churchill. May be to some extent

Washington. I do not know how Englishmen left India. Gandhi says they were forced out by non violence. Just recall how hard we had to fight English armies to gain freedom.

Churchill. So you know the importance and value of independence and cherish it.

( In the mean time Atlee and Mountbatten walk in)

Washington. Hello friends please be seated. Nice to see you guys here

Gandhi. Hello Mr Mountbatten and Mr Atlee. How are you?

Mountbatten. Hello Mr Gandhi. How come you are here? Are you planning any fast here too? We were tired of you.

Gandhi ( Laughs) Nothing like that. I am on the task of promoting non violence here too

Atlee. That is fine Mr Gandhi

Mountbatten.Mr Gandhi. It will not work here. It worked in India because Englishmen were gentlemen. They gave you fair trials. Your tricks would not have worked in any other country.. You would have been put behind bars eternally long ago along with your close aides and followers.

Washington. I am sure you would have been packed off much earlier in such countries. If Saddam Hussein would have been the ruler you and your men like leaders would have been sent to gallows long ago. You were probably lucky that Englishmen ruled you and you got away from them.

Churchill. Look! What Godse has done to you after we left. We protected you. Your own country including Nehru could not protect you. What a tragedy? Godse just shot you like sitting duck amidst large crowd with a pistol.

Gandhi. Why worry about those things now? I feel pain in my stomach now. Godse’s bullets still cause pain to me. It is past now.

Roosevelt. Mr Washington. Kindly excuse me. I have some work, ( He greets all and walks away)

SCENE II
Washington. What type of non violence you propose Mr Gandhi

Gandhi. Sir. This will be completely no violence. If some one slaps you on cheek
show other cheek


Washington. How dare some one slap me , the father of USA

Gandhi. Sir, I do not mean you sir personally.

Mountabatten. Sir He is repeating what Lord Jesus said years ago as stated in Holy Bible

Washington. Yeah.. It is the statement of Jesus. How can you adopt it? Credit must go to Jesus for preaching non violence. I am sure not for you. Although Jesus preached it no one is able to follow. Even Jesus was killed by Romans

Gandhi. I am not taking credit any way. People in India have attributed to me. What can I do? They attribute all good things to me. I know I do not deserve them.

Washington. I hope you are not posing as modest. How it is possible in todays world?

Mountabatten. The guys will think you are impotent, spineless not and incapable. So you accept everything

Gandhi . Not exactly like that

Mountbatten. You preached non violence in India. But could you stop riots at the time of partition of your country?

Gandhi.. (Murmurs some thing)

Mountbatten. I was witness for everything in India. Although your fasts and processions were non violent in few cases, soon the reactions were violent, You could not stop them.

Atlee. Mr Gandhi. In your own country Bhagat Singh took up to violence. Subhas Chandra Bose adopted armed resistance and waged war against the British empire. Where was your non violence?

Washington. If we had to adopt fasts and strikes, non co operation and the methods of non violence against British crown, we could not have got freedom. We would have been butchered summarily. Not even a fair trail would have been there.

Churchill. Very true Mr Washington sir. A bit harsh. We kill but after a fair trail. Things should appear legitimate in history. Why the King would give freedom? If we had won the war at that time surely the American Generals captured would have been sent to Gallows for waging war ( Including Washington .. says within himself).This is a standard practice in Englnd. East India Company did this to so may in Indian revolutionaries in 1857 and even earlier to Veera pandya Kattabomman, theTamil Palegar..

Gandhi. I feel sad for them. Their sacrifices paved way for freedom. It kindled spirit of freedom. (Sings )

Do not boast Mr Churchill, of your deeds of ill
Which your country committed at free will
Those perished souls still hover in the sky
In agony and dispair they still loudly cry

Washington. What a nice lecture from you and show of sentiments!. But we can not be impressed

Gandhi. But sir you shall realize non violence as a great tool

Washington.. Sorry Mr Gandhi. Few years ago the damned AlQaeda terrorists crashed aero planes along with passengers into WTC in New York. Thousands were killed. You expect that we pray to the fools and sadists and thugs to pardon us and be liberal with us and yet pardon them? Show our other cheek to them. Hen invite them to bomb America again. What a nonsense talk! Are we so incompetent and incompoos…. Come on Mr Gandhi. We are Americans. We believe in Gun. You know bearing arms is our birth right. One can purchase a gun in free market. Nothing like licence and other non sense like in India and England

Gandhi. So are crimes too. Youngsters shoot in schools and colleges and kill professors in America

Washington. You are no way better. Any one can get an unlicensed weapon in India. Country made guns are plenty there. These are enough for crimes. I read daily in news papers. You boast of Non violence. There are ample crimes in India .Girls get molested in Hostels. Police can not catch them. Sadist lovers have killed girls in cold blood. Could you hang them? Some crazy guys killed innocent passengers in Kakateeya express some years ago by setting fire to the bogie. Could you hang the culprit. You developed cold feet and set aside death sentence because he was a down trodden and belonged to Scheduled caste that is only practiced in India. Do you how many are killed in faction feuds in Andhra Pradesh. How many are killed in Naxal violence? Police men are freely killed by communists. Do you know? Where is the end to terrorist killings in Jammu and Kashmir. Recently 70 guys were killed in Assam blasts and many in Hyderabad and Delhi and Godhra. Do you read news papers? I have infinite lists to read. You waged wars against Pakistan four times. Why you did not practice non violence? Saying is very easy Mr Gandhi. Whom you are trying to impress Mr Gandhi?

Gandhi. Sir How do you know all these things?

Wahsington. That is why I am the father of USA the only super power in world.

Gandhi. I am not saying that all these things are not happening in India. I know these. In silence I cry. I beat my chest when no one sees. See my chest it is full of bones only. This happened by continuous crying and chest beating.

I also cry in despair
And India no one can repair
The leaders are happy sitting in chair
And they feel in politics all is fair

Atlee. Well said Mr Gandhi. Am impressed. You have turned into a poet too.

Churchill. Do you know Mr Gandhi . I was very much against granting freedom to you guys. I then told, “ We would handing over poor India to a bunch of Opportunists ( Rascals in low tone) where even a loaf of bread and glass of water would be taxed. Do you remember it?

Gandhi. Very much sir. It is still ringing in my ears. There was an uproar in Congress

Churchill.But my prophecy came true. In your own heart you know what is happening in India. Still I say many rascals rule at every nook in India.

Gandhi. It is slightly unfair

Churchill. I do not mince words Mr Gandhi. You know that since long

Atlee. Ok Gentlemen. I have some urgent work. Bye ( He goes out)
CURTAIN DROPS
To be Continued


Dr K Prabhakar Rao









To be continued