The King’s Gambit: Chapter 2 (The Soldier)

From Vereesh:

``Roohi 241 / Romair 242 . . . well I guess I will sharpen up the debugging skills BUT BUT BUT . . . gentleman in question could have had Afghan or German or Tamil Brahmin grandmother and still been tall / fair / blue-eyed / aquiline nose without having Pathan blood . . . could have gone to any decent school in India, why only Mayo or MGD . . . his Sikhni fiancee could have gone to school anywhere including Hounslow or T-ronto . . . and yes, NDA has to be followed by IMA if you want to be an Army Officer EXCEPT in certain non-regular branches like Medical, Vet, JAG, and certain postings I don`t want to talk about, maybe our hero was out there doing stuff?

I did raise the issue of the RajRif and Rajput regiments with a cousin of mine . . . there is now enough intermingling but yes, Roohi is correct.

There are enough Pakistani & Indian military officers who go for further training to European and American destinations, often together. Likewise on UN postings.``

From Roohi:

``Romair - The Rajput Regiment and Rajputana Rifles are completely different ! I posted some data on the article board about the two.

BTW something like Simran maybe more suitable for the girl instead of Pooja if she is Sikh. and nothing personal about the Pathan Mom but be realistic !!

Mayo College Ajmer is really a boys boarding school (aka the Eton of India) set up in 1870 by the British for the Princes of Rajputana. Just the architecture is amazing - the boarding houses were made by the princely states like Bikaner, Alwar, Jaipur etc and one Prince lived there with a huge staff - now ofcourse it`s the other way around. Check it out at www.mayocollege.com - your Vijay could have been House Prefect and Polo captain before NDA :-) They even have a Prithvi Raj House building !!``

From Roohi:

``Romair #242

Hey, another hole in the Soldier is that Vijay didn`t go to IMA Dehradoon - you can skip National Defence Academy and Sandhurst but you HAVE to go to Indian Military Academy, Dehradoon to be an officer of the Indian Army, I think.``

From Roohi:

``Romair #233

Just read your The Warrior - hope it`s OK to give you some feedback here ... Funny - that could be my family ... just a couple of things though

- Vijay should have gone to Mayo College Ajmer (like all my cousins, don`t have any brothers) to have the right academic background

- his mother was a Pathan (!!!!) that would have had his Dad and him disinherited and thrown out on their butts by a proper Thakur Granddaddy, believe me Rajputs can be 5.11, fair and handsome without the Pathan genes

- Rajputana Rifles and Rajput Regiment are not the same (I have cousins in both)

- the ceremony should have had some religious element to it - Aarti and Tikka by proud (but not pathan)Mom at the Haveli or the family purohit at Amba temple

- the men usually all wear bandhani saffas for ceremonies

- Pooja should have gone to MGD (Maharani Gayatri Devi School Jaipur) or Sophia Ajmer and should be called Padmini (my big sister Mini`s name) or Yashaswini or something

- Thakurs NEVER seem to get too far in the top level in the Indian army - they are just not cut out for the politics and much happier commanding men``

The Rajputana Rifles and Rajput Regiment are not the same ...........

THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES

• Regimental Centre: Delhi Cantonment.

• Regimental Insignia: Bugle and Cords, with the letters `RR` in the centre, all below a pair of crossed Katars (Rajput daggers).

• Motto: Veer Bhogya Vasundhara (Brave enjoy the riches of earth).

• War Cry: Raja Ram Chandra Ki Jai (Victory to Raja Ram Chandra).

..................Bole Nara Haidiri Ya Ali.

Post-Independence

• Theatre Honours: Jammu & Kashmir, 1965.

• Battle Honours: Punch, Asal Uttar, Charwa, Basantar and Myanamati.

• Honours & Awards: 1 Param Vir Chakra, 1 Ashok Chakra, 1 Padma Bushan, 11 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 10 Maha Vir Chakras, 8 Kirti Chakras, 11 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 1 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 41 Vir Chakras, 25 Shaurya Chakras, 112 Sena Medals (including Bar), 36 Vishisht Seva Medals, 2 Yudh Seva Medals, 85 Mention-in-Despatches and 55 Arjun Awards.

comments: The Rajputana Rifles is the senior most Rifle Regiment of the Indian Army. Its first battalion was raised as far back as in January 1775. The Regiment, as it stands today was formed in 1921-22 during general re-organisation of the Indian Army. Battalions from the Bombay and Bengal Armies were also added in the Regiment. Each of the battalions, from the Bombay and Bengal Armies, have a long and glorious past. They have taken part in some of the bloodiest battles in many theatres of the world.

RAJPUT REGIMENT



The Rajput Regimental center is in Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The regiment now a days recruits Rajputs, Gujars, Bengalis, Brahmins, Muslims, Jats, Ahirs, Mazhabi & Ramdasia Sikhs and Dogras. A war memorial was erected at Fetehgarh in 1932. It is in a form of a chattri, with its dome resting on six pillars, each representing a battalion at that time and bearing its crest. The regimental motto is Sarvatra Vijaya, which means Victory Everywhere and the war cry is Bajrang Bali Ki Jai.

The honours and awards tally for the Rajputs is as follows (from Infantry in India):Pre-Independence: 1 VC, 1 GC, 10 DSO, 33 MC, 10 IOM, 27 MM and 46 IDSM.

Post-Independence: 1 PVC, 1 AC, 7 MVC, 12 KC, 58 VrC, 20 SC, 67 SM, 4 YSM.

vereesh 40; Hrithak Roshan is married to the cousin of a friend of mine. Part of Feroze Khan and Sanjay Khan`s family is settled in Pakistan. Come to think of it, he would make a good Vijay Chauhan. Fits the description perfectly. Amitabh could be his father. And Dilip Kumar could be the grandfather.

Absolute conspiracy! Read about it here!! Aishwarya Rai`s father files a police complaint against Salman Khan for smashing up their family car!!! Aishwarya Rai reports for shooting with black eye!!!! Salman Khan wears blue jeans!!!!!

Yet another case of Muslim boy/s not getting it on with Hindu girl/s.

Kashmir must be resolved before such things go out of hand.

Alternately, Aishwarya Rai`s family must make the right choice, baby, unfortunately she already does stuff for Coke with Hrithik Roshan.

aside: does that make Coke a Hindu drink?

Reply Veeresh # 37

“Now I will have to make it bananas?”

Compare Banana Puja with Baingan Puja. You decide. Flan club has no opinion either way.

Yes dear Zafar of Veeresh Malik Fan Club Fame (Thank You!!) . . . for some time I have now been thinking of starting a religion and infact got presentation in powerpoint on a complete religion based on baingan (brinjals) . . . in consideration of which I allot you the world rights on taking over baingan seed market.

Now I will have to make it bananas?

There is no justice. There is no Miss Mann either.

Reply veeresh # 34

``As for your extended family making the right or wrong choice 54 years, again, what difference did it make to, say, the price of bananas in Cape Town?``

Dear Mr Veeresh,

I too have been thinking exactly this thing. IMHO Banana Monopoly was disturbed by this action, thereby leading by hook and by crook to end of Apartheid in South Africa. We should all think about it, and show gratitude. On the other hand, banana monopoly might actually have been strengthened, so opposite can also be true.

Aapka number one fan

Zafar Al-Talib

SHAH 32 = SHATRU SINHA 9 = ?? . . . look, since you are going on and on like the proverbial stuck record about Hindu/Muslims marrying each other in India, and want specific proof of Hindu girls marrying Muslim boys (non losers both) then may I start with, say Dilip Kumar (Yusuf Bhai to some) marrying almost every heroine of his day . . . then move on to Feroz Khan, Sanjay et al . . . lately we got Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan &c&c marrying Hindu girls in every darn movie you can think of . . . so dude what difference does it make to anybody?

As for your extended family making the right or wrong choice 54 years, again, what difference did it make to, say, the price of bananas in Cape Town?

My only worry is that inspite of your family and you making the right/wrong choice, you still don`t seem to have the guts to come out with your real name at chowk. . . don`t worry. Don`t fear either.

Glen #31:

``17-year-old kills mother for haranguing him over studies``

Shah #30:

``YOUTH BEATEN TO DEATH``

Deodrant #29:

``Pak restaurant owner murdered in London PTI``

Ok guys, what`s your point? That crime exists in India and elsewhere where these events occurred? I don`t understand why people cut-paste run-of-the-mill crime stories on Chowk. If you want to make a political or sociological comment based on these stories, please state it clearly and do us all a favour.

17-year-old kills mother for haranguing

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

him over studies

HT Correspondent

(New Delhi,

A 17-year-old bludgeoned his mother to death in Mehrauli in south Delhi on Monday. Reportedly, his mother would harangue him over his poor academic performance and his girlfriend.

The boy had failed to clear the IIT screening on December 30. Ever since, his 43-year-old mother Ranjana Choudhary had been criticising him for not studying enough and spending time with his girlfriend instead. She also used to threaten to ground him. The night before the murder, she is reported to have beaten him up with a broom.

The next morning, the boy sneaked up behind her in the kitchen while she was making breakfast and struck her on the head with a hammer.

Later, he washed the blood stains off his kurta and the hammer and hid the two in his cupboard. Then he called up the police who registered a case of murder.

Joint Commissioner (Southern Range) Amod Kanth said, ``Initially he misled us and said that around 8.30 am a lady had come to meet his mother whom she did not want to meet. Then he also introduced a florist to the scene. But since he was continuously giving contradictory statements, we decided to search the house and thus found his kurta and hammer.``

However, it was only after the police questioned the domestic help and the chauffeurs and searched the house and found the bloody kurta that the boy confessed.

The boy`s father and 13-year-old sister were also in the house at the time of the murder, but claim they heard nothing.

Police said the boy belongs to an affluent family. His father Gautam owns a leather business.

The boy has been remanded in a juvenile home. Kanth said, ``The Juvenile Justice Act is very liberal and in most such cases children are let off

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Pak restaurant owner murdered in London PTI



London, January 21

A Pakistani restaurant owner was murdered in front of customers allegedly by a group of Asians armed with knives and metal bats in Southall, in West London, popularly known as `Little India`.

Forty one-year-old Imtiaz Hussain Syed, president of the Pakistan Muslim league, West London, popularly known as `Pappu Shah` was stabbed to death and his nephew Amir Shah, 40, was seriously injured when about 20 people burst into the Lahori Village Restaurant on Saturday night.

Though the police has refused to identify the assailants, eyewitnesses said they were Sikhs and the trouble began when they were prevented from consuming liquor in the restaurant.

Seven people, aged between 18 and 24, have been arrested and police in Southall have launched a murder investigation.

Earlier reports had said an Indian restaurant owner was killed but on verification it was found that the restaurant owner was a Pakistani.

Chief Superintendent Peter Goulding, Borough Commander for Ealing said, ``This was a brutal and seemingly unprovoked attack in full view of a number of customers. If anyone witnessed this attack or believes they have information about who was involved, please contact police.``

A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Monday that at about 2315 hrs (local time) on January 19, police were informed about a serious disturbance at the restaurant on the Broadway, junction with Townsend Road, Southall.

On arrival officers found two `Asian men` (both Pakistanis) lying on the pavement with serious injuries. Both men were taken to hospital where Imtiaz Hussain, who had sustained stab wounds in the back and chest, was pronounced dead at 0020 hours yesterday.

Amir Shah remains in critical condition and has suffered serious head injuries, possibly hit by a blunt instrument.

ShatruSinhaDingDong #9 . . .what is wrong with Muslim girls being wooed by Hindu boys? And how does it play on any sentiment? Happens all the time in India, girls being wooed by boys and often possibly more often the other way around meaning boys being wooed by girls.

See, if you objected to girls being wooed by girls or boys by boys I could understand.

As for the rest, my regards to your extended family.

Shatru Sinha #9:

``Isnt movie Zubeida ,about a prince of Rajputana marrying a divorced muslim lady ?I did not see the movie but it is one of the spate of movies showing muslim girls being wooed by Hindu hero .An obvious attempt to injure minority feelings in India``

No, you insecure moron. Zubedia was scripted by Khalid Mohamed based on a true story. Apparently, his mother was Zubeida in real life.

semipreciousme 22; There is a little more male chauvinism in the story.

The most powerful character in this story is actually a female (quite a bit more powerful than Rafi Qureshi). She will be introduced in a chapter or two. She will be in and out of the story briefly. There is another young female character, who will be introduced in the next chapter, who will play a very prominent role in the story.

There are quite a few more subtle points on various issues, one of which you have picked up.

soysauce 23; I think you have hit the nail on the head. The definition and tilt of the word, ``hostile`` and ``love`` is what causes most of the conflicts in the world. What is hostile for one person is love for another.

vereesh 24; Now, you are really starting to scare me. Thanks for the kind words however. Two chapters is a bit too early. Let me send in three or four more chapters. If you still feel the same after reading the coming chapters, then I will be more than happy to contact you.

THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE: WAR BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND INDIA

By Richard Reeves

LOS ANGELES -- President Bush (news - web sites), like Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) before him, often seems to know more about what he`s doing than what he`s saying. He showed that again last Monday when he referred to Pakistanis as ``the Pakis,`` a local equivalent of the ``N`` word for African-Americans.

No big deal, that one, a small splash in the ocean of 24-hour news cycles. His bigger rhetorical problem is talking of all terrorism as being equal -- ``immoral equivalence,`` to turn a conservative phrase around. The constant American refrain about our right to seek out and crush terrorism is being repeated, distorted and perverted around the world -- anywhere aggressive leaders and petty tyrants want an excuse to attack or assassinate opponents.

As always, one man`s terrorist is another man`s freedom fighter, and branding dissenters as terrorists has become the rallying cry of the good, the bad and the ugly -- the worst of them so far being President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who is justifying his purges of opponents and dissenters as part of the American drive against terrorists.

The Bush rhetoric has also given some cover to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites) in ratcheting up his war against the Palestinians, perhaps rolling back the fragile chances for peace and ordinary life in both Israel and the pseudo-country of Palestine. More immediately and even more dangerous, the American world footprint in tracking terrorists or sympathizers has given India the upper hand in trying to crush Pakistan`s endless guerrilla warfare along the border between them in divided Kashmir (news - web sites), the beautiful land controlled in the west by Pakistan and in the east by India.

No one has a monopoly on righteousness in South Asia. India`s occupation of Kashmir for more than 50 years is essentially illegal, at least under its agreement under U.N. mandates to hold a plebiscite to give the Kashmiris themselves the chance to choose between being part of India or Pakistan. The conventional wisdom has always been that because the great majority of Kashmiris are Muslims, they would vote for being part of Pakistan -- which is why India has never allowed a real election. (Many people now believe that if there were a plebiscite and it included a chance to vote for ``None of the above,`` younger Kashmiris would vote for independence rather than affiliation with Pakistan or India.)

But there will be no real vote. And no matter how many Pakistan-Indian handshakes are shown on television, Pakistan will continue fighting (or terrorizing) at a relatively low level to dramatize India`s military occupation of the richer part of Kashmir. The dangers building up now could lead to one of the worst wars in history, possibly involving nuclear weapons, possibly leading to the breakup of Pakistan, a country of more than 140 million people, and endless all-out war in Afghanistan (news - web sites) -- as India and Pakistan (and perhaps China and Iran) contend for influence in a ``new`` Afghanistan.

We, particularly President Bush, have to remind ourselves every day of what happened the first time the United States sided with a military dictatorship in Pakistan. That was the famous ``tilt`` toward Pakistan of 1971. The word was used in secret National Security Council meetings as Henry Kissinger conveyed orders from President Richard Nixon. That time, thinking the Americans would come save them, Pakistan lost half their country. That Pakistan-India war began when the military government in West Pakistan tried to subdue a separatist movement in East Pakistan, killing hundreds of thousands of its own people, before India intervened, attacking in the east and crushing the Pakistani army, eliminating East Pakistan and fathering the country now called Bangladesh.

That one ended with Pakistan`s military president, Yahya Khan, sitting in a freshly dug pit covered by sandbags above his head, behind the army chief of staff`s residence in Rawalpindi -- the building President Pervez Musharraf now lives in -- telling aides that the Americans would soon come to save them from India. The Americans never came, of course, and Pakistan, its army imprisoned by India for years, was reduced to half its former size and population.

That could happen again. Pakistan has a history of hearing only what it wants to hear, maintaining the delusion that it is India`s equal, when in fact it has as much chance of prevailing in war as Canada would if it challenged the United States. This time it is up to President Bush, whose use of the word ``Paki`` shows he is still learning about the politics of the 1.2 billion people on the Indian subcontinent, to speak carefully. The wrong words -- leading Pakistan to delude itself again that we will protect them as a reward for help in Afghanistan, or leading India to think we will not -- could result in the beginning of one of the worst wars in history, the first between nuclear powers. East of Afghanistan, President Bush must choose both words and actions to turn the war against terrorism into a war against war itself.