FREEWHEELING

About: A break free commentary on events on our Planet, anchored on the news of the world. Any comments beyond the story, are entirely mine, without prejudice -take it or leave it. This is a run from 22 May 2025 to 1 June 2025. Stories from Israel, Ukraine, India, and France.

Israel

On 21st May, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC were shot and killed outside the Jewish Museum in an act of antisemitic terrorism. The shooter, 30 years old Elias Rodriguez-living in Chicago-was quickly arrested, even while he was squealing, “Free Palestine”. After the cold-blooded murder, Elias had pulled out a keffiyeh from his bag and said, “I did it. I did it for Gaza”, and then shouted “Free Palestine”.The moral decrepitude in America-the land of the American Dream-is alarming and coupled with its gun-culture just about anybody can be shot dead-for the weirdest reason.

The lovely young couple, Yaron Lischinsky, 28 and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, who were murdered, were about to get engaged. Yaron had bought Sarah a ring to propose next week in Jerusalem. Instead of walking down the Aisle they have walked to their graves-for no fault of theirs. And for every fault of World Leaders tacitly supporting the terrorist Hamas and the Palestine cause.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Forces (IDF), began a new offensive in the Gaza with the objective of capturing 75% of the Strip in 2 months. The IDF mobilised forces and launched extensive attacks to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip. This is part of the opening moves of ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots’. And the expansion of the campaign in Gaza, to achieve all the goals of the war in Gaza, including the release of the remaining 58 hostages and the defeat of Hamas. Imagine, these hostages are in captivity for over 600 days!

Since early March, Israel had forbidden all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, saying Hamas was stealing and profiting from it. And why should one feed the enemy? But, Israel has relented and in the week of 18th May, a limited amount of food was delivered to the desperate people of Gaza, for the first time in a long time. Trucks loaded with food and supplies were allowed to enter Gaza. More than 90 trucks carrying flour, baby supplements and other food began dispersing aid into Southern Gaza. The United Nations, true to word, said this supply was ‘nowhere near enough’.

Ukraine

Despite persistent talks about a ceasefire, the Russia-Ukraine war only intensified and escalated to a new level. About two weeks ago, Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv killing at least 30 Ukrainians and injuring over 160 others. This caused United States President Donald Trump to flare, resulting in the US and Russia quarrelling in public. Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin was ‘playing with fire’, even as Russia amassed over 50,000 troops on Ukraine’s Border.

Then it was the turn of Ukraine. In a brilliant, incredible Trojan-horse style of historic strike, Ukraine smuggled in Drones in wooden crates deep into Russia, putting them in cargo trucks driven by unsuspecting Russians, where the roof would open remotely. And then launched the drones on Russian air fields with devastating effects destroying 41 Russian bomber aircraft across 4 air fields, some over 5000 kms from Ukraine. Ukraine called it ‘Operation Spiderweb’, which could well be the boldest and most brilliant mission in modern history.

Ukrainian drones struck four separate Russian strategic bomber bases, taking out Russian strategic aircraft, including A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22M3 bombers.

Russian bases struck include Belaya (4700 km from Ukraine), Dyagilevo (700 km), Olenya (2000 km), Ivanovo (900 km). Operation Spiderweb took over a year and a half of planning. Personally overseen by President Zelensky, executed by Vasyl Maliuk and the team at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Sources say all Ukrainian operatives involved are safely back in Ukraine.

Trump’s promise of ending the Israeli-Hamas War and the Russia-Ukraine War appears to have been made on water: both wars are galloping at an unhindered new pace. What next, a fight with Elon Musk?

India

Following the stupendous success of Operation Sindoor, India sent out various diplomatic teams to all corners of the World to explain the good of India, the bad of Pakistan, and the ugliness of terrorism. The diplomats were chosen across Party lines. And a stand-out selection was the flamboyant, eloquent-word smelling, Sashi Tharoor of the Opposition Congress Party who created a winsome stir. His own Congress Party did not name him, but India’s Prime Minister pulled ‘The Good’ Sashi by his medium-long locks and used him as a Trump card to hunt gold in America and the nearby regions.

Incidentally, the iconic spaghetti western masterpiece film directed by Sergio Leone, ‘The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly’ turns 50 this year. It starred Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach-roles etched in our memories forever. Its all mighty influence can still be felt in films made today.

Meanwhile, India began pulling rabbits out of the magical hat and showcased the immense damage done to Pakistan. Turkey, which supplied drones to Pakistan, faced the brunt of cancellation by Indian Tourists. It was also revealed that about 3000 Agniveers – recruited for a short stint in India’s Armed Forces among widespread criticism by the Opposition -did a fabulous job supporting various parts of Operation Sindoor.

India proved itself in unbelievable ways, and confidence is oozing through every pore.

Naxalism

India’s Home Minister had been promising for quite some time that he would bring India’s Naxalism menace to an end by the year 2026. He seems to be gunning for the year, and Naxalities are being gunned down in dozens.

On 14th May, India’s internal security forces achieved a historic success, towards a Naxal-free India. Thirty-one Naxalites were killed in the biggest-ever 21 days operation against Naxalism, in Karreguttalu Hill, at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. And the best pat is, that there were no casualties among the security forces. Maoist General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, was also killed in a 50-hour operation in Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmad forests, dealing a major blow to the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist, CPI(Maoist), leadership and network. Basavaraju, the most-wanted Naxal in the country with a bounty of INR 15 million on his head, was the ideological and tactical brain behind some of the deadliest Maoist attacks in India, in recent times. His death is being hailed as a decisive blow to the Maoist insurgency.

Karreguttalu Hill was the unified Headquarters of major Naxal organizations where indoctrination, Naxal training, use of weapons, and strategies for creating unrest in the country were carried out.

The birth of Naxalism can be traced to the uprising of 1967 in Naxalbari Village, West Bengal. The village that gave its name to the movement, was the site of a peasant revolt, instigated by communist leaders against land owners of the State. While India had obtained independence from the British in 1947, the country had retained the colonial land tenancy system. Under the British system, indigenous landlords were granted pieces of land in return for their collection of tax revenue and as in Medieval European feudal systems. These landlords subleased their land to peasants for half their yield. As brought out by India’s 1971 census, nearly 60% of the population was landless, the lion’s share of land being owned by the richest 4%.

While the 1967 Uprising marked the beginning of the Naxalite movement, as we know it today, its emergence and growth is a result of the various fragmentations of communist ideologies in India, over time.

The Naxalite insurgency started after the 1967 Naxalbari uprising and the subsequent split of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-CPI (M)-leading to the creation of a Marxist–Leninist faction. The faction splintered into various groups supportive of Maoist ideology, claiming to fight a rural rebellion and people’s war against the Government. The armed wing of the Maoists is called the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, mostly equipped with small arms. They have conducted multiple attacks on security forces and government workers, which have resulted in the deaths of more than 4,000 civilians and 2,500 security force personnel since the 2000s. The area of Naxalite influence, called the Red Corridor, consists of about 38 Districts, most of them in Central and East India. As of 2025, six districts–Bijapur Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra have been declared as ‘most affected’ by Naxalism.

The ‘father’ of Naxalism In India, is Charu Majumdar, a Communist leader, and founder and General Secretary of the Communist Party of India-CPI- (Marxist-Leninist). Born into a progressive landlord family in Siliguri in 1918, he became a communist during the Indian independence movement.

Majumdar initially joined the CPI, which was founded in December 1925. During the mid 1960s he organised a leftist faction in the CPI (Marxist) and following the Naxalbari uprising, this group came to be known as Naxalities. Mazumder argued that the ‘revolution’ must take the path of armed struggle, on the pattern of the Chinese Communist Revolution, emphasising that quotations from China’s, Chairman Mao Zedong should be studied and read aloud by illiterate peasants.

Majumdar was arrested in July 1972 and died in custody – in unclear circumstances.

The CPI (Maoist), simply called the Maoists, is banned in India as it aims to overthrow the Republic of India through protracted people’s war. In 2009-and onwards-India designated the party as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Naxalism is a futile effort by misguided people and India being a thriving democracy has evolved to solving its problems – including land-in a reasonable manner. And not through any armed struggle.

An Ever Growing Economy

On 25 May 2025 India officially became the 4th largest economy in the world sliding over Japan – now in the 5th place – and looking-up at Germany, China, and the United States ahead. India’s GDP is at USD 4.187 Trillion, and quickly behind is Japan at USD 4.186 Trillion. Germany is at USD 4.744 Trillion; China at USD 19.231 Trillion; and the United States, way up, at USD 30.507 Trillion.

Other over 1 Trillion Dollar economies-there are 19 of them-are the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Brazil, France, Russia, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Indonesia, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union (includes Poland, Switzerland, Netherlands).

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is an estimate of the Total value of finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders during a specified period, usually a year. GDP is commonly measured by using the expenditure method, which calculates GDP by adding the spending on new Consumer Goods, new Investment Spending, and the value of Net Exports.

France

The 78th edition of the annual Cannes Film Festival, 2025, held in Cannes, France, concluded on 24 May-having started on 13 May-with the Closing Ceremony. And it wasn’t an accident that coveted award, the Palme d’Or, was presented to Iranian Jafar Panahi for the film, ‘It Was Just an Accident’.

The Festival opened with the French comedy film, ‘Leave One Day’. And on the closing day ‘electricity left for a while’-a power outage, caused by arson, disrupted the morning screenings sessions.

The Cannes Jury was chaired by director Juliette Binoche to select the best of 21 films in the Competition. The jury consisted of Hollywood Actress Halle Berry, Payal Kapadia (Indian Director and screenwriter), Alba Rohrwacher, Leila Slimani, Dieudo Hamadi, Hong Sangsoo, Carlos Reygadas, and Jeremy Strong.

Jafar Panahi is one of Iran’s best known Directors. He is known to have consistently criticised the Islami Republic in his works, which landed him in jail too. His winning film is about 5 ex-prisoners who kidnap a man they think is the Officer who brutally abused them in jail. They contemplate the morality of killing their captive and whether he is actually who they believe him to be.

Some of the best films of the Festival are: Amrum, Bono:Stories of Surrender; The Chronology of Water (directional debut of Hollywood Actress Kristen Stewart); Eddington; Highest 2 Lowest; Homebound (India’s Neeraj Ghaywan’s Hindi-language tale about impoverished young men trying to escape their circumstances); The Love That Remains; The Mastermind; My Father’s Shadow; Resurrection; The Secret Agent; Sentimental Value (a layered family drama); Sirat; Sound of Falling; Urchin. Look out for them, the next time you go to the movies.

Well, who remembers the films? We all carry memories of the Red-Carpet walk and those amazing unbelievable, jaw-dropping, designer outfits-talking on their own -making style statements. Some of the best-dressed were:

Elle Fanning -in a sequinned aqua Armani Prive gown with pink roses and a crystal-lined neckline, a short train paired with diamond earrings; India’s Alia Bhatt – wearing an ivory-nude Schiaparelli gown with floral details, a tulle train, slick bun, day make-up, pearl studs, and a diamond ring; Eva Longoria – in a clear hour-glass dusty rose embellished gown from Tamara Ralph’s Collection; Dakota Johnson -in a cotton-candy pink fringe Gucci gown; Jennifer Lawrence – strapless white Dior Gown with a fan-like bodice; Heidi Klum- lost in a world of pink gradient organza petals; Romee Strijd – in a cream strapless ruffled feather dress. That sure ruffled a lot of us!

I wasn’t the least impressed by former Miss World India Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who I think wears Oprah Winfrey’s oversized clothes, or carpets, or fabric-hurriedly pulled off the shelf-that needs a ton of stitching. Maybe conscious about this, she wore sindoor on the first day: to cause a distraction? Nearby, on the nearby water front, the French Riviera, husband Abhishek Bachchan was having dinner with Mom.

More fashionable, spider web stories coming-up in the weeks ahead. Stay the course with Freewheeling.

FREEWHEELING

About: A break free commentary on events on our Planet, anchored on the news of the world. Any comments beyond the story, are entirely mine, without prejudice -take it or leave it. This is a run from 23 April 2025 to 21 May 2025. Superpower India; a New Pope; Old Wars; Eurovision, and the Met Gala 2025.

India: Pahalgam Terror

It was a beautiful, quiet Tuesday afternoon on 22 April 2025, cool breeze in the air, in India’s ‘mini Switzerland’, Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, about 95 km east of Srinagar in India’s Jammu & Kashmir State. It was a full-blown tourist season. Hundreds had flocked to the accessible-by-foot-only spot, either on foot or climbing-up a pony for a ride. Honeymooning couples were doing Instagram reels, and children were frolicking on the lush green grass.

Suddenly, a group of gun-wielding and body-camera mounted Islamic (as identified later) terrorists, wearing Army fatigues, emerged from the dense pine forests surrounding the scenic spot. They approached the group of unsuspecting tourists and started firing indiscriminately, triggering fear and confusion. The men folk were rounded up: made to stand in a line, names asked, and their pants pulled down (to check for circumcision). They were told to recite the Kalma (a formal declaration of Islamic faith) and when they couldn’t, proving they were not Muslim, and that they were Hindu, the men were shot dead at point-bank range, leaving out the women. Recounted a woman survivor, after the killing of her husband she asked the attackers to kill her too. One of them responded -“I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi”.

By the time the Police/Army arrived the terrorists had vanished. It was about 20 minutes of unalloyed mayhem: one of the bloodiest Islamist attacks on Hindus in India- 26 men killed in cold blood. The Resistance Front, an affiliate of the Pakistan-based and sponsored, Laskhar-e-Taiba claimed responsibility for the bloody attack.

India was quick of the retaliatory-block spewing a volley of ‘potential energy’ loaded measures to strangulate and bring Pakistan to book. The Indus Water Treaty (IWT)-said to be unfair to India from the beginning-signed in 1960 was suspended indefinitely; Pakistan’s Diplomatic mission in India was downgraded reducing the level of official engagement; Pakistan’s military diplomats and Intelligence Officials declared as persona non grata; the Wagah-Attari Border was closed and the ceremonial beating the retreat parade was suspended; all currently valid Pakistan visas were revoked and Pakistanis asked to leave India within 24 hours; Indian airspace was closed for Pakistani commercial aircraft; trade ties snapped; shipping ties suspended; postal ties kept at abeyance; and a crackdown was launched on Pakistani origin digital and broadcast content.

The World Bank-brokered IWT allocates the waters of 6 rivers in the Indus Basin. India controls the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) with unrestricted use, while Pakistan has primary rights over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), though India can use them for non-consumptive purposes like hydropower. With the suspension of the IWP, Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces, key agricultural hubs, would face severe water shortages followed by reduced crop yields, food insecurity, and economic losses. The Wagah border crossing, near Amritsar (India) and Lahore (Pakistan), is a key trade and cultural link, famous for its daily flag-lowering ceremony. Closing the vital trade route will particularly impact trade in agricultural products and cement.

Meanwhile, India prepared for kinetic action and launched a very appropriately named ‘Operation Sindoor’. Sindoor is the vermilion, married Hindu women wear on the forehead, near the hairline, to signify that they are married.

Operation Sindoor: India Rises

On 7 May 2025, in a focused, measured, and non-escalatory manner, India’s Armed Forces struck nine places of Terrorist infrastructure-indoctrination, training and logistics facilities-inside Pakistan. Military facilities of Pakistan were deliberately not targeted with India demonstrating superb restraint in selection of targets and method of execution in its first kinetic response to the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

About 100 terrorists were smoked out of their dens and killed. But this was just the beginning. Pakistan vowed revenge, on the grounds that it has been attacked. The question of what will Pakistan attack in India was the ‘Elephant In The Room’ – with India having ‘no terror bases to boast’.

India then sent another strong and significant message by holding a Press Briefing to disseminate outcomes of the action by the Armed Forces. Two lady Officers, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with the Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri engaged with the media. The women took the lead, sharing details of the military’s precision strikes on terror targets in Pakistan. And they became instant hits on social media. It was a spectacular performance and my chest swelled with pride.

The next day, on 8th May, Pakistan retaliated with a massive drone swarm attack across India’s western states. India’s multi-layered air defence network-domestically built and augmented by Israeli and Russian systems-effortlessly neutralised nearly all of them. With this unwarranted attack, Pakistan had crossed a line. Should not they fight the terrorists rather than India? And Pakistan Army Officers were seen attending the funerals of the dead terrorists! Does India need more evidence of Pakistan’s complicity?

Then on 9th May, India took the fight to Pakistan, with additional strikes on six Pakistani military airbases and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) coordination hubs.

Meanwhile, India went on a war mode waking up its territorial forces and doing mock war drills across major cities. It declared that any further attack will be treated as an ‘Act of War’ and the response will be swift and brutal. India’s Prime Minister gave the Army Forces a free-hand to strike Pakistan at a time and place of their choosing. The Navy- targeting Karachi-the Army and the Air Force- other parts of Pakistan- were fully mobilised to beat the living daylights of Pakistan.

India not only defended its own airspace with a robust, layered architecture, but also in successfully penetrating the Chinese-made systems fielded by Pakistan. It’s a reminder that defence is not about what you buy—it’s about what you integrate. And after differentiation, India has integrated well.

On 10th May, an overwhelmed and bewildered Pakistan pleaded for a temporary halt in firing, which India thoughtfully accepted. India did not call it a ceasefire: the military referred to it as a ‘stoppage of firing’-a semantic but deliberate choice that reinforced its strategic control of the situation. Then, India declared that any further talks with Pakistan will be only on two issues: (1) Terror, and (2) the return of Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK) to India.

After just four days of calibrated military action and precision strikes, it was objectively conclusive that India achieved a massive victory. Operation Sindoor met and exceeded its strategic aims-destroying terrorist infrastructure, demonstrating military superiority, restoring deterrence, and unveiling a new national security doctrine. This was not a symbolic force. It was decisive power, clearly applied.

India handled this crisis without seeking international mediation. It enforced a doctrine on sovereign terms, using sovereign means. And it was not about occupation or regime change. It was a limited war executed for specific objectives.

Initially, I was disappointed by the quick ‘stoppage of firing’. I thought that India should have gone deeper, for the kill, ‘finishing Pakistan’ and retaking POK. But then, strategic success isn’t about the scale of destruction-it’s about achieving the desired political effect. India was not fighting for vengeance. It was fighting for deterrence. And it worked.

India’s restraint cannot be seen as weakness: it is evolved maturity. It imposed costs, redefined thresholds, and retained escalation dominance. India didn’t just respond to an attack. It changed the strategic equation. India also showcased ‘Made in India’ weaponry, which performance exceeded expectations (and killed the doubting Thomases). The Indian armed forces, under the leadership of veteran commanders, employed a powerful combination of air strikes, drone warfare, cold intimidation by a ready-to-strike Nadu, and ground intelligence to ensure maximum impact with minimal collateral damage.

In an age where many modern wars spiral into open-ended occupations, ‘forever wars’ or political confusion, Operation Sindoor stands apart. This was a demonstration of disciplined military strategy: clear goals, aligned ways and means, and adaptive execution in the face of unpredictable escalation-that too will a nuclear Power. India absorbed a blow, defined its objective, and achieved it—all within a contained timeframe. That kind of clarity is rare in modern war. The world could learn.

India showcased its ability to strike any target in Pakistan at will—terror sites, drone coordination hubs, even airbases. Meanwhile, Pakistan was unable to penetrate a single defended area inside India. That is not parity. That is overwhelming superiority. And that is how real deterrence is established.

Once the dust and the smoke settled, it was apparent that Pakistan had suffered Himalayan losses, and India had probably struck its nuclear bases, which unleashed a radioactive fear causing them to beg for an immediate ‘stoppage of firing’.

India easily won the war, but Pakistan made some ground in establishing a false narrative – which was lapped by foreign media and a few inside India- about Indian jets being downed, despite the Indian Air Force declaring that all Pilots returned safety to their respective bases.

The world with that deer-caught-in the headlights look woke up to a different India. Many countries tried to down-play India’s surgical war victory. And thanks to Pakistan’s devilish response, India got a fabulous opportunity to test its strategies, indigenous weapon systems, intelligence gathering and modern warfare techniques. Pakistan just woke up a sleeping Giant. And it’s never going to be the same again.

Other Wars

On 13th May, the terrorist Hamas released the last known living American Hostage in Gaza, Elan Alexander, 21, ending an 18 month ordeal that began on 7 October 2023. This decision by Hamas coincided with US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East. Probably to please him?

A native of New Jersey, Alexander was serving in the Israeli military near the Gaza border when he was abducted by Hamas. With this release, there are still 58 hostages out there. And Israel has decided to capture and fully control the Gaza Strip by mounting an unprecedented attack with the goal of ‘total victory’, to end the War.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Authority Leader of the West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas unloaded on Hamas, yelling, “Sons of dogs—hand over the hostages!” In a rare public rebuke, Abbas demands Hamas release captives, disarm, and cede control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority. He also slammed Hamas for giving Israel the excuse to destroy Gaza and warned of a new Nakba (ethnic cleansing of Palestine Arabs).

In the Russia-Ukraine war, both countries, goaded by the US President, are struggling to meet to find peace and end the war. A cease-fire hangs in the air, but the tough customer that Russia is, it would probably be on its terms.

Habemus Papam! We Have a Pope

On 7 May 2025, under the domed ceiling of the Michelangelo painted Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City, 133 Cardinals gathered to vote and elect the Catholic Church’s 267th Pope. Of the 135 eligible Cardinals, two-from Spain and Kenya-could not attend due to health reasons. 89 votes was required to obtain the two-thirds majority to elect a new Pope.

Once inside the Chapel, each one of the Cardinals took an oath of secrecy with one hand resting on a copy of the Gospel. This precludes them from ever sharing details of how the new Pope was elected.

Since the Conclave began in the afternoon, on Day One, only one set of Ballot Papers was distributed to the Cardinals, which ended-up in a black smoke off the Chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The morning session of Day Two began with two ballots and once again black smoke emerged signifying that no Pope was elected – this after three rounds. Then after lunch, after the fourth round of voting white smoke appeared in the evening, signifying the election of a new Pope. Habemus Papam. That was awfully quick!

Then it was announced that the 69 years old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, accepting to be Pope, and choosing the name of Leo XIV would be the next Pope – the first American Pope. Keeping with tradition, the new Pope stepped onto the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica and greeted the world with the blessing, ‘Urbi et Orbi’ (to the City-of Rome-and the World) followed by a message in Latin and Spanish.

The new Pope-known as Bob to his friends- also the new Bishop of Rome – was born on 14 September 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martinez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martin and John Joseph.

Prevost grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, studied and earned a Degree in Mathematics at the Villanova University in Pennsylvania. He also studied Philosophy. In August 1981 he took his solemn vows and went on to receive his theological education-a Diploma-at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. At the age of 27, he was sent to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquina, where he was ordained a priest on June 1982. Prevost obtained his licentiate in 1984 and thereafter spent decades as a missionary. He speaks multiple languages and plays amateur tennis besides reading, walking, and travelling-to new and diverse places.

Prevost spent 20 years in Peru, where he is a naturalised citizen and served as a Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023. He is a dual citizen of the US and Peru.

The late Pope Francis made him an Archbishop in January 2023 and created him a Cardinal in September that year, assigning him the Diaconate of Saint Monica, which he officially took possession of in January 2024.

The choice of regnal name aligns him with a lineage of Pope known for strong leadership and doctrinal clarity.

The newly-minted Pope looks fresh and full of energy, and I’m hoping he spreads the right Word across the world.

Music and Gala

Austrian Singer Johannes Pietsch (stage name JJ), 24, won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, Switzerland on 17 May 2025, Saturday with the song ‘Wasted Love’, which features operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno touch, coming from JJ’s classical music training. JJ said that his song is about failed romance conveying the message that ‘love is the strongest force on planet Earth, and love persevered’. He is the first Eurovision winner with Filipino ancestry, and to be identified as homosexual.

Israeli musician and pop music singer Yuval Raphael, 24, was placed second for the song, ‘New Day Will Rise’, but topped the Eurovision Public Vote. Her performance was marred by tensions over Israel’s participation amid its ongoing conflict in Gaza. Over the past year the European Broadcasting Union, which conducts the Eurovision, steadfastly refused any and all calls for Israel to be barred from the competition.

Fashion’s biggest night out, The 2025 Met Gala was held on 5 May 2025 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, United States, with the theme, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ focussing on black dandyism and its various iterations. The dress code of, ‘Tailored for You’ centred on menswear challenged designers to reinterpret tailoring traditions for their female clients. It sought to examine the importance of clothing and style to the formation of black identities in the Atlantic diaspora.

Celebrities included Zendaya, Demi Moore, Diana Ross, Rihanna (showing off her third baby bump), Colman Domingo, Formula One Star Sir Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, Dapper Dan, Kylie Jenner, Halle Berry (in a stunning sheer mermaid gown with an endlessly plunging neckline and strategically placed stripes), Anne Hathaway, Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Kim Kardashian, Cynthia Erivo, Cardi B, Pop legend Madonna (in a cream tuxedo and cigar combo)… to list a few. Punjabi musician Diljit Dosanjh, in a first appearance, emulated an early Indian dandy of the 20th century. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan walked in with a cane and statement jewellery hugging his neck.

A slick array of blazers, pants, and ties abounded. Whether shorts suits formal tailcoats, or vests worn without jackets, suiting dominated the night in all different forms and iterations. Zendaya’s Louis Vuitton three-piece cream suit and wide-brimmed hat was a standout tailored look. A few gowns and skirt looks also stole the show. A memorable one was American rapper Andre Lauren Benjamin (Andre 3000) showing-up with a black and white piano strung to his back and a black trash bag as a purse.

Overall, it proved to be one of the most stylish, memorable Met Gala carpets in history.

The most popular star was a 28-year-old debutant, Lalisa Manoban, K-pop star Lisa, best known for her stint with the band ‘Blackpink’ who ruled the roost, with a staggering USD 21.3 million in Media Impact Value (MIV). This means that her red carpet appearance at the Gala earned her USD21.3 million through just social media.

Lisa appeared dressed in a Louis Vuitton (Lisa is Global Ambassador for the brand) outfit, a black bodysuit with an eyelet long-sleeved jacket over the top. She paired the bodysuit with a pearl and gold waist chain, a pair of Vuitton branded tights and a black and white bowler bag. Lisa faced some backlash for featuring American civil rights activist Rosa Park’s face on her underwear. But the controversy did help Lisa trend on social media for a considerable amount of time, potentially leading to her topping the Power Rankings this year.

More stylishly tailored and precision stories coming-up in the weeks ahead. Freely wear Freewheeling.

RADIO Blaa Blaa

About: a look back at the times of vintage Valve Radios in Tamil Nadu, India. And sounds of that time.

Many decades ago, in the 1970s and 1980s, in the bygone days, when Television was yet to happen, and modern-day radios and transistors were just beginning to find space on the Store shelves, I recall the simple pleasures of listening to the vintage ‘Valve Radios’. You had to switch it on and wait for donkey years for it to warm up when a beautiful fluorescent green glow indicator tells you that it is ‘on air’. Then you tune it with a knob, which pulls an indicator across a AM/SW, KHz/MHz wavelength lighted scale-screen. You also had press keyboard buttons or turn-switches to choose a Radio band. The only brands available then were, PHILIPS, MURPHY, BUSH…and the kind.

I first started listening to the radio during the school holidays in my native village in Tamil Nadu. The radio waves were mercilessly controlled by the State Government with prime slots being full of farmer friendly programmes. How to grow your crops, what fertiliser to use, how to identify pests and crop diseases: experts dishing out all kind of cow dung and buffalo-wash advice. Awfully boring stuff for a kid like me studying in a happening English-medium Boarding School and with the sound of music ringing in my ears. Films songs occupied the next best slots with dedicated timings, which were not too many. And you had to look-up the local Newspaper to find the schedule.

The influence of cinema, as the only means of entertainment, was loud and film songs were always in the air. Yesteryear Tamil Hero M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Shivaji Ganesan film songs rendered by the iconic TMS (T M Soundararajan) were ‘top-of –the-valve chart’ stuff. TMS used to change his voice to suit MGR and Shivaji and by the tone I could guess whether it was an MGR or a Shivaji film. We had memorable song lyrics those days with likes of Poet Kannadasan being extremely popular. Two types of Film songs were played on the Radio: one whatever the Radio Station chose and the other -listener’s song requests. Hit songs had many listeners queuing-up for them to be played and one could guess the song, based on the movie name and the huge request wish list.

Radio Ceylon – Rupavahini– effortlessly beamed from nearby Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) out-witted the Local Stations – All India Radio – and had Tamil households in a swoon. They had at a very early stage mastered the art of commercial radio broadcasting with various ear-capturing programmes. I still remember the name of Radio Jockey K S Raja who was perhaps the first kind of such ‘Wave Superstars’. And his opening of the day with Birthday Wishes (Pirantha naal vazthukal) and songs had a never-ending fan following.

Meanwhile, years rolled by valve radios were hitting the attics and transistor radios and tape-recorders were flooding the markets. MGR & Shivaji made way for Actors Rajinikant & Kamal Hassan and TMS was overrun by the likes of singers S P Balasubramanian and Yesudas. ‘Foreign made’ was becoming fashionable and Japanese Radios available in the smuggled goods markets did roaring business. It was almost mandatory for any Indian travelling to Ceylon to return with a National Panasonic Transistor Radio cum tape-recorder.

I bought my first National Panasonic in the late 1970’s and thanks to my thinking in English became an addict of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The Voice of America – though around – could not be heard and it sounded almost seriously iron-clad Russian. I religiously listened to the hourly news bulletins – sometimes perched on top of my pet Buffalo – book readings, story-telling, plays, and of course ‘Musical shows’ – The Gloria Hunniford Show being my all time favourite. She had a fabulous soft-as-silk, warm, and mesmerising voice, which prompted me to write to her with a song request. She replied with a signed photograph (it did not disappoint) and played my song request all the way from England! I still treasure that black & white photograph, which arrived by monkey-mail.

Oh, those were the Radio blaa blaa times!

FREEWHEELING

About: A break free commentary on events on our Planet, anchored on the news of the world. Any comments beyond the story, are entirely mine, without prejudice -take it or leave it. This is a run from 15 April 2025 to 22 April 2025: Boeing on China ground; making the West great again; war & peace; death of a Pope; roof collapse; the biology of sex; and possible new life in our Universe.

Boeing in China: Stuck on the Ground

US President Donald Trump rockets up the Tariff War imposing an astounding 250% tariff on Chinese goods entering America. Earlier in a tit-for-tat, Tom & Jerry play, China plainly cancelled its Plane Orders on Boeing. China’s Airlines were ordered not to take further deliveries of Boeing’s jet planes made in America. China’s top three Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines are due to take delivery of 45, 53, and 81 Boeing jets respectively between 2025 and 2027. Now, this could result in Boeing flying-out these planes to other countries. The COVID pandemic had set the Aircraft Industry years behind in manufacturing aircraft and this was a comeback period.

Boeing’s rival Airbus, based in Europe, holds a dominant position in the Chinese market. But Airbus is not in a position to meet all of China’s Orders.

China should take a Boeing flight to Washington with a hand-shake plan and negotiate a deal with Trump to shake up the skies.

Make the West Great Again

Then it was the turn of Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – she’s a superstar-to catch a flight to Washington, for trade talks. Was the European Union looking? And was it on a Boeing or an Airbus?I missed that part of the flight!

Meloni called on Trump to form a historic alliance between Italy and the US. She acknowledged the rift between the US and Europe, but said now’s the time to fix it. Then came the invitation: “I want to thank President Trump for having accepted an invitation to pay an official visit to Rome, and consider the possibility in that occasion to meet also with Europe.” And she closed with the line that said it all: “The goal for me is, ‘Make the West Great Again.’

Talk straight, drop the drama, and find common ground. Is China listening?

I reckon the Oval Office must be wearing-out thin-with all that inflow and outflow of footfalls!

Wars

With Donald Trump being inaugurated in January this year, his promises on ending the Israel-Hamas War and the Russia -Ukraine War seemed to be working in the beginning. And cheers could be heard. But in a near about a U turn, for the worse, the wars have got into a ‘cushy slot’ (for the perpetrators – Hamas & Russia)and are progressing at their own sound pace.

Sudden: Easter Peace

The United States is almost giving up on bringing about a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine War after negotiations were not translating into tangible outcomes. Ukraine had previously offered a 30-day ceasefire, which was shrugged-off by Russia, and it went on with the fighting as if it heard nothing.

Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a brief Easter ceasefire: a declaration met with skepticism in Ukraine as the war enters a crucial phase, and US-led negotiations stall.

The timing, the brevity, the sudden, unilateral nature of it all seemed just a knee-jerk effort. If Ukraine and its allies needed proof of Moscow’s wild cynicism when it comes to peace, the announcement provided just that.

Putin said ‘all hostilities’ would halt between 6 pm, Moscow time on 19 April, Saturday and midnight on 21 April, Monday. ‘We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example,’ he said, adding that the truce would help Russia determine how sincere Ukraine is about wanting to reach a ceasefire. However, just hours after the announcement, Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of ‘not-stopping’ and continuing the fighting.

Unwavering Israel

Yet again, Hamas has rejected Israeli’s most recent ceasefire offer, instead calling for a comprehensive proposal to end the war. The rejection prompted Israeli lawmakers to issue calls for an immediate escalation in Gaza, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to unleash ‘hell’ and pursue ‘complete victory’.

The Israeli ceasefire proposal did not guarantee an end to the war and called for a disarmament of Gaza, both of which have been red lines for Hamas. The terrorist organization refuses to give up its weapons and demands that any proposal includes a ‘permanent end’ (that’s awfully hard to define?) to the war.

The Israeli plan called for a 45-day truce, during which the two sides would aim to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. Under the proposal, the remaining 59 hostages would be released in stages, starting with American-Israeli Edan Alexander on the first day of the truce as a ‘special gesture’ to the US. A further nine Israeli hostages would be released in two stages in exchange for 120 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and more than 1,100 detainees held without charge since 7 October 2023. The proposal also demands that Hamas provide information about the remaining living Israeli hostages. This in exchange for information about the Palestinian detainees, and the release of the bodies of 16 deceased Israeli hostages, for the remains of 160 deceased Palestinians held by Israel.

In keeping with its style of working, The United Nations issued a dire warning over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying lifesaving supplies were nearing ‘total depletion’ due to Israel’s blocking of aid entering the Gaza.

Roof Collapse

In one of the deadliest non-natural disasters in the history of the Dominican Republic, the roof of the iconic Jet Set Nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed in the early hours of 10 April 2025 morning, with at least 500 people inside. Over 200 died and another 150 were injured-about 190 were rescued alive. The collapse happened during a performance of merengue (a Caribbean style of dance, music) artist Rubby Perez and his orchestra. The dead included Perez whose body was recovered from the scene. Two former Major League Baseball players are also among the victims.

The Jet Set Nightclub Building began as a movie theatre in 1973 and was converted into the Nightclub in 1994. It underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015 featuring 2-storey high ceilings over an expansive open dance floor, which could hold 1000 standing and 700 seated visitors. The building had large air-conditioners and electric generators on the roof-top and large stage lighting and loudspeakers mounted in the ceiling. Top Heavy? In the year 2023, the roof caught fire after lightning struck an electric generator, but was deemed structurally safe by firefighters. Experts say that the roof was inadequately supposed by columns on the sides, and could have collapsed under its own weight.

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, an island country in the Caribbean Sea, and one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities.

The Pope Dies

The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the spiritual leader of catholics worldwide, Pope Francis died at the age of 88, on 21 April 2025, Easter Monday, at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He had been the ‘Peoples Pope’ for a reformative 12 years. And in recent times, he was going through a prolonged period of illness, struggling to carry out God’s work.

Roman Catholics believe the Pope represents a direct line back to Jesus Christ. And is considered a living successor to St Peter, who was chief among Christ’s initial disciples, the Apostles. That gives him unhindered power and to make decisions on issues of faith and morality over the entire Catholic Church. He is an important source of authority for the world’s roughly 1.4 billion Catholics.

In addition to consulting the Bible for guidance, Catholics also turn to the teachings of the Pope for finding their way through the vicissitudes of life.

About half of all Christians worldwide are Roman Catholics. Other divisions, including Protestants and Orthodox Christians, do not recognise the Pope’s authority. The Pope lives in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, surrounded by the Italian capital, Rome. The Pope does not receive a salary, but all his travel and living expenses is paid for by the Vatican.

A papal funeral is traditionally an elaborate affair, but Pope Francis recently approved plans to make the whole procedure less complex. Previous Popes were buried in three nested coffins made of cypress, lead, and oak. Pope Francis has opted for a simple wooden coffin lined with zinc. He has also scrapped the tradition of placing the Pope’s body on a raised platform-known as a catafalque-in St Peter’s Basilica for public viewing. Instead, mourners will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the coffin, with the lid removed. Francis will also be the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican. He will be laid to rest in the Basilica of St Mary Major, one of four major papal basilicas in Rome. A basilica is a church which has been granted special significance and privileges by the Vatican, and the major basilicas have a particular connection to the Pope.

The Pope’s death will set in motion a centuries-old ‘smoking’ process of electing a new Pope – chosen by the Catholic Church’s College of Cardinals: all men, appointed directly by the Pope and who are usually ordained Bishops. There are currently 252 Catholic Cardinals, 138 of whom are eligible to vote for the new Pope. The others are over the age of 80, which means they cannot take part in the election, although they can join in the debate over the selection.

During the time between the Pope’s death and the election of a new Pope, the College of Cardinals governs the Church.

The cardinals will be summoned to a meeting at the Vatican, followed by the Conclave, as the election is known, which is held in strict secrecy – no phones, no contact or communication with the outside world. The Conclave will be inside the famous Sistine Chapel – the ceiling and upper walls of which is painted by Michelangelo. The intent is that the Holy Spirit guides the election, free from politics or outside influence.

Individual cardinals vote for their preferred candidate until a winner is determined, a process, which can take several days. Each Cardinal writes the name of his chosen candidate on a ballot, folds it, and places it in a chalice on the altar. Then they pray, “ I call as my witness Christ The Lord who will be my judge”. A two-thirds majority is required to elect a Pope. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned. Chemicals are added to the smoke to signal the outcome. Black-no decision; white – we have a Pope. In previous centuries, voting has gone on for weeks or months. Some cardinals have even died during Conclaves.

The only clue on the progress of the election is the smoke that emerges twice a day from burning the cardinals’ ballot papers. Black smoke signals failure. The traditional white smoke means a Pope has been chosen. After the white smoke goes up, the new Pope normally appears within an hour on the balcony overlooking St Peter’s Square. A senior cardinal participating in the Conclave will announce the decision with the words “Habemus Papam”-Latin for “We have a Pope”. He will then introduce the new Pope by his chosen papal name, which may or may not be his original given name. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but he chose a different name for his papacy in honour of St Francis of Assisi.

The Pope/Pontiff/Holy Father then gives his first blessing, Urbi et Orbi (to the City and to the World). The bells of St. Peter’s ring and Christians around the world rejoice.

Of the 266 Popes chosen to date, 217 have been from Italy.

I hope to see a new Pope who would be meaningfully conservative, following strict Church doctrine, spreading the teachings of the Bible, and diligently minding the welfare of ‘His Flock’ all over the world.

The Biology of Sex

We, modern humans, have been living on Earth for more than three hundred thousand years and often the basic definitions of male-who is a man, and female-who is a woman, become fuzzy, lost in translation, and get challenged, confusing too. To complicate things we have people sliding in-between calling themselves transgenders.

This April, the United Kingdom’s Supreme Court, tasked with the legal definition of a woman under the UK’s Equality Act, ruled that the law defines women as people born biologically female. Wonder what took them so long to get into the X & Y chromosomes of sex? The five judges sitting on judgement gave an unanimous decision – woman in the Equality Law refers to biological women-based on biological sex. That means holders of a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)- trans women – are not women in the eyes of the law. It makes it awfully clear that if a space or service is designated as women only, a person who was born male but identifies as a woman does not have a right to use that space or service.

This is a huge win for ‘real’ women, ‘real’ men, and sanity in the UK and the West. And has far-reaching consequences for the transgender community-it could restrict trans women from single-sex spaces such as toilets, prisons, and rape centres. Also leading to change in gender rules in various sports.

Going back to the reason why we are here.

In the year 2018 a law passed by the Scottish Parliament called for 50% female representation on the boards of Scottish Public Bodies. Its definition included trans women whose gender is legally affirmed with a GRC. This resulted in a campaign by, ‘For Woman Scotland (FWS)’ to challenge the law in court saying the Scottish Govt had overstepped its powers by effectively redefining the meaning of a woman. The FWS lost the case, it had filed, in a Scottish Court in 2022, but was allowed to take the matter to the UK Supreme Court, which then made the ‘biological’ judgement. Science indeed works!

Harry Potter Author, J K Rowling, a prominent supporter of the Group, said the verdict protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. It took three extraordinary tenacious Scottish women of the FWS, with an army behind them, to get this case heard in the Supreme Court. And win. You better not mess with Scottish Women!

To refresh our Biology Lessons: Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 in total): one set comes from each biological parent. Out of the 23 pairs, one pair is the sex chromosomes, called the X and Y chromosomes. People with XX are assigned female at birth while people with XY are assigned male at birth. Though rare, other combinations of sex chromosomes are possible. The other 22 pairs are autosomes or non-sex chromosomes.

Biology has definitive answers to X and Y issues. No doubt at all.

Planet K2-18b

Biology is suddenly leaning-in everywhere. This real science is back with a bang?

Scientists, Astronomers in particular, are always up to crazy things. Inventing completely out-of-the-box or discovering something we never knew about.

In keeping with the science of things, a team of astronomers detected what they cautiously call the most promising signs to date of a possible bio-signature, or signs of past or present life linked to biological activity, on an Exoplanet named K2-18b. No definitive declaration as yet!

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, the team detected chemical fingerprints within the atmosphere of K2-18b that suggest the presence of Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) and potentially Dimethyl Disulfide (DMDS). On Earth, both molecules are only produced by microbial life, typically marine phytoplankton.

K2-18b, located 124 light-years from Earth, could be a Hycean world: a potentially habitable planet entirely covered in liquid water with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Leading the study is Nikku Madhusudhan, Professor of Astrophysics and Exoplanetary science at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy. Madhusudhan and his colleagues first theorised the concept of Hycean worlds in 2021 after determining there may be liquid water oceans on K2-18b.

The planet is located within the habitable zone of its star, meaning that the world is at just the right temperature and distance from the star to host liquid water on its surface.

However, other experts believe that while the results promise excitement, confirming the existence of life beyond Earth-and even deciding what type of exoplanet K2-18b is-will take much more time and data. Astrophysicist Sara Seager, a professor of Physics, Planetary Science, Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said independent teams have completely different interpretations of the planet itself.

Hycean refers to a newly proposed type of exoplanet, a portmanteau of ‘hydrogen’ and ‘ocean’. These are thought to be planets with vast liquid water oceans, like Earth, but also have thick hydrogen-rich atmospheres. They are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, making them a type of super-Earth or mini-Neptune. Hycean worlds are envisioned as having a significant amount of water, potentially covering the entire planet, similar to Earth. However, they also have a much thicker hydrogen-rich atmosphere than Earth, which could be a significant factor in their habitability.

Meanwhile, how do we get to K2-18b? We need another kind of Elon Musk to get the job done.

More biologically revealing stories coming-up. Find your own space with white, ‘smoking hot’ Freewheeling.

FREEWHEELING

About: A break free commentary on events on our Planet, anchored on the news of the world. Any comments beyond the story, are entirely mine, without prejudice -take it or leave it. This is a run from 3 April 2025 to 14 April 2025: Trump mania, Dire Wolves, India’s Waqf Bill, and the Mumbai Terror mastermind.

Tariff Mania: Trumponomics

United States (US) of America’s President Donald Trump has been on a flamboyant James-bondish shake & stir roll ever since he took Office this January, and the momentum only gathers multiple hues every day.

Over the past many weeks, ‘Tariff’ has been the most used word in the world of Trade and has perhaps acquired a cult status. I reckon a kid’s first word might just be ‘tariff’, instead of mommy!

Tariff is tax charged, at a country’s borders, on goods imported from other countries. Typically, tariffs are a percentage of a product’s value. E.g., a 25% tariff on a USD 10 product would mean an additional USD 2.50 charge. Reciprocal Tariff would mean they are based on what countries already charge a country, say the United States, in the form of existing tariffs, plus non-tariff barriers such as regulations. Companies that bring foreign goods into a country have to pay such tax to the Government at the border points.

Trump says ‘tariff’ is his favourite word and for decades he has argued that the US should it to boost its economy. Tariffs will encourage US consumers to buy more American-made goods, increase the amount of tax raised, and lead to a huge spurt of investment in the country. The aim is to reduce the gap between the value of goods the US buys from other countries and the value of those it sells to them.

Trump’s rant is that America has been taken advantage of by ‘cheaters’ and ‘pillaged’ by foreigners.

The US slammed Reciprocal Tariffs on a host of countries-imports from the rest of the World. A unilateral 10% on imports from all countries was the first to kick-in with US Customs Agents beginning to make collections on 5 April 2025 at Seaports, Airports, and Customs Ware-Houses. This ushers in America’s full rejection of the post-World War-II system of mutually agreed tariff rates. The claim is that 10% tariff on all nations and much higher rates of up to 50% on individual countries will boost the US economy and protect jobs. However, many nations will face much higher tariffs, starting on 9 April 2025.

A Trade Lawyer said, “This is the single biggest trade action of our lifetime. It is expected the tariffs will evolve over time as countries seek to negotiate lower rates. This is a pretty seismic and significant shift in the way that we trade with every country on Earth”.

These tariffs include 49% on Cambodian products, 46% on Vietnamese imports and an extra 34% on those from China (in addition to 20% tariffs previously announced). Goods from the European Union (EU) will be taxed at 20% and that from India at 27%. Trump’s higher Reciprocal Tariff rates of 11% to 50% are due to take effect on 9 April 2025.

On the sidelines, Trump’s buddy Elon Musk, told a political event in Italy that he hoped to see complete freedom of trade between the US and EU, which he described as ‘a zero tariff situation’. Canada and Mexico were exempt from Trump’s latest duties but still face a 25% tariff imposed recently on goods that do not comply with rules of origin under a North American trade accord.

While Trump’s Order exempted 1,000 product categories from the new tariffs such as pharmaceuticals, uranium and semiconductors, he is considering new duties on some of them. Later, it was announced that smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices were exempt from Reciprocal Tariffs.

The announcement sent the world into a tizzy hammering financial markets. And Stock Markets dived and plunged all over the World raising concerns of a recession. Many of them bounced back-some quickly others gradually, licking their wounds. Meanwhile, countries scrambled their best negotiators to fly to the US for talks. One of the first off the blocks, was Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu – hit by a 17% tariff – who ‘red-tied’ with Trump in the Oval Office. Netanyahu promised to eliminate Israel’s trade surplus with the US and also remove trade barriers. They showed-off their ‘best-friends equations’. The US is Israel’s closely ally and largest single trading partner.

China responded by imposing retaliatory Tariffs of 85% on America. And in turn America raised the bar even further going up to 120%. However, amidst the storm, Trump unilaterally called a 90 day ‘Tariff Cease-Fire’ with the rest of the world with the exception of China. India stayed calm and withered the Trump tempest for the present.

Wonder how all of this is going to end – call it crazy or is it disruptive deal-making?

Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi

I first came to know about Dire Wolves in the George R R Martin’s, fantasy novel A Game of Thrones (also a major TV series) where they are portrayed as a species of wolf, but much larger and significantly more intelligent than the normal wolves. Though considered as pets to the main characters they were much more. It was the animal featured on the House Stark sigil (an inscribed symbol considered to have magical powers) and thus incredibly important to the Northern Rulers of the mythical period. In ‘Game of Thrones’ premiere, a litter of Dire Wolves was discovered, with each Stark child allowed to care for one, and with the animals quickly bonding with their corresponding owners.

Touching ‘terra firma’, the Dire Wolf once roamed an American range that extended as far south as Venezuela and as far north as Canada, but then the species went extinct-not a single one has been seen in over 10,000 years.

Enter a company called Colossal Biosciences, which pulled off a staggering Jurassic Park Science feat and resurrected the extinct Dire Wolves, much like Dinosaurs came alive in the movie. Plenty of Dire Wolf remains have been discovered across the Americas, which presented the opportunity for Colossal Biosciences to bring them back to life.

Relying on deft genetic engineering and ancient, preserved DNA, Colossal Biosciences scientists deciphered the Dire Wolf genome, rewrote the genetic code of the common Gray Wolf to match it, and, using domestic dogs as surrogate mothers, brought Romulus, Remus, and their sister, 2-month-old Khaleesi, into the world during three separate births last year and early this year. In doing so, effectively, for the first time, de-extincting a line of beasts whose live gene pool vanished long ago.

The Dire Wolf genome that was analysed was extracted from two ancient samples: one a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Sheridan Pit, Ohio; the other a 72,000-year-old ear bone unearthed in American Falls, Idaho. The samples were lent by the museums that housed them.

Recall, the mythical story, Romulus and Remus were suckled by a she-wolf in Lupercal Cave before being rescued by a shepherd. Romulus went on to build the ancient city of Rome (they say after killing Remus). ‘Khaleesi’ means Queen and is derived from Dothraki (a fictional language in George R R Martin’s fantasy novels and Game of Thrones).

Romulus and Remus are enjoying their puppy life: chasing, tussling, nipping, nuzzling, and the kind. But what is very un-puppy like is their huge size and behaviour: the snowy white 6-month-olds already measure nearly 4 feet long and weigh about 36 kg. But the angelic exuberance puppies exhibit in the presence of humans-trotting up for hugs, belly rubs, kisses-is completely absent. They keep their distance, flinching and retreating if a person approaches. These pups were the first to produce a howl that hadn’t been heard on Earth in over 10,000 years!

The Dire Wolf isn’t the only animal that Colossal Biosciences, which was founded in 2021 and currently employs 130 scientists, wants to bring back. Also on their de-extinction wish list is the Woolly Mammoth, the Dodo, and the Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger. Already, in March, the company surprised the science community with the news that it had copied mammoth DNA to create a Woolly Mouse, a chimeric critter with the long golden coat, and the accelerated fat metabolism of the Mammoth.

Since their births, the Dire Wolves are living on a 2,000-acre ecological Preserve at a location in the US that Colossal Biosciences keeps secret for obvious reasons. The Preserve is surrounded by a 10 feet fence and includes a smaller six-acre site with a veterinary clinic, an extreme-weather shelter, and natural dens where the wolves can securely retreat. A staff of veterinarians looks out for the animals around the clock. The wolves are fed a diet of beef, horse, and deer meat as well as liver and other offal, along with puppy chow to provide vital nutrients. When they were just weaned, the meat was served pureed, which is similar to the partially digested meat a mother will regurgitate to feed her young. Now the food is presented whole so the wolves can tear it apart as they would if they had hunted it down. So far, they have not actually killed any small, live prey that may have ventured into their enclosure.

Should extinct animals be brought back to life? Imagine if we bring back Dinosaurs and allow them to roam the Earth. And going a step further, how about our ancient cousins Neanderthals? While the scientific feat is surely spectacular should not we be circumspect and draw a line somewhere? Unless we want to make some new kind of species and release them on the Moon or Mars and allow them to evolve – hoping one day they fly back to Earth or welcome us on their Planet-as a bloodline Alien?

India’s Waqf Bill

The Background, Basics

The word ‘Waqf’ is from the Arabic word ‘Waqufa’ meaning, to detain or to hold or tie up. Waqf is the permanent dedication by a person professing Islam, of movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by Muslim/Islamic Law as pious, religious or charitable. And and any other use or sale of the property is prohibited. Once designated so, a Waqf property is considered inalienable, and cannot be inherited, gifted or sold and the ownership is transferred from the person making the Waqf to Allah- bestowing it to Him-making it irrevocable. ‘Waqif’ is a person who creates a Waqf. In the absence of a physically tangible entity, a ‘Mutawalli’ is appointed by the Waqif, to manage or administer a Waqf property.

In India, through The Waqf Act 1954, State Waqf Boards (SWBs) were created in every State, for the first time, to manage Waqf properties within the State. This Act led to the establishment of the Central Waqf Council (CWC)of India in 1964 to oversee and supervise State Waqf Boards and enable a centralised administration. Several amendments to the Waqf Act of 1954 were carried out in 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1984 to further improve the administration of Waqf properties.

Then came the Waqf Act, 1995, which repealed the 1954 Act and its amendments. It provided for the power and functions of the CWC, SWB, and a Chief Executive Officer, and also the duties of Mutawalli. It also created Waqf Tribunals -special courts with powers similar to civil courts – which decisions were final and could not be challenged in civil courts. The Tribunals were like kangaroo courts, and surprisingly were outside the purview of Indian Civil Law.

The Government estimates that Waqf Boards currently control 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across India with an estimated value of 1.2 lakh crores. India has the largest Waqf holding in the World. Further, Waqf Board is the largest landowner in India after the Armed Forces, and the Indian Railways. There are 356,051 Waqf Estates registered under Waqf Board; 872,328 immovable properties and 16,713 movable properties registered under the Waqf Board.

This mammoth establishment created a plethora of issues such as, limited diversity in constitution of SWBs and CWC, misuse of power and non-maintenance of proper accounts by Mutawallis, lack of effective coordination with local revenue authorities, issues of removal of encroachments, registration and declaration of title of Waqf properties, sweeping power to Waqf Boards for claiming properties resulting in disputes and litigation, non-applicability of Limitation Act resulting in creating disharmony among communities, low and negligible income from Waqf properties, etc.

Over to the Present: Key Changes

India’s Parliament after intense debate passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 on 2 April 2025, with the lower House, the Lok Sabha passing it with 288 voting in favour and 232 against. The next day, the upper House, the Rajya Sabha approved the Bill with 128 in favour, to 95 against the legislation. The Rajya Sabha held a discussion on the Bill for around 12 hours before clearing it. Then the President of India signed it into law on 8 April 2025 and notified it for implementation in The Gazette of India.

The Waqf Amendment Act of 2025, allows Waqf to be formed by: declaration; or endowment when the line of succession ends (called Waqf-alal-aulad). Only a person practicing Islam for at least five years may declare a Waqf and the person must own the property being declared. It removes ‘Waqf by user’, where properties could be deemed as Waqf based solely on prolonged use for religious purposes. It also adds that Waqf-alal-aulad must not result in denial of inheritance rights to the donor’s heirs including women. Any government property identified as Waqf will cease to be so. The District Collector of the area will determine ownership in case of uncertainty and put it up for approval by the Government.

The New Bill brings in representation for the Bohra and Agakhani Muslim communities in addition to the exiting Shia and Sunni, if they have functional Waqf. The SWB/CWC will have at least two women Muslims and two non-muslims excluding ex-officio members. This brings in wider representation – being property and does not interfere with religious practices.

The ‘kangaroo court power’ of the Tribunals was brought under check: a Tribunal’s orders may now be appealed in a civil High Court within 90 days.

The central government can make rules regarding: registration; publication of accounts of Waqf; and publication of proceedings of WBs. Under the Act, State government may get the accounts of Waqfs audited at any point.

The Waqf Amendment is a watershed moment in India clearing the grey areas in the law, which meandered outside it, bringing better accountability, representation, and control.

While most States in India remained calm, the State of West Bengal began boiling: violent anti-Waqf Amendment clashes erupted in Murshidabad. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) an off-shoot of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) appears to have played a significant role in instigating violence holding door-to-door campaigns ‘falsely claiming that the Centre was using the Waqf law to snatch everything owned by Muslims’. Central Forces were called-in to contain the violence especially against Hindus, who abandoned their homes in fear.

The Govt of West Bengal is failing to contain the loot, arson, and vandalism and its Chief Minister declared the State will not implement the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 -that’s a direct challenge against the law made by Parliament. This could have incited and instigated the violence and such speech should be abhorred.

The Return: India’s 26/11

In a superb diplomatic and security victory milestone for India, it got a stranglehold on on one of the master-minds and conspirators of the Mumbai Terror Attacks of 26 November 2008 (26/11). A total of 175 people died-including 9 of the attackers in that horrific, bloody attack, which shook India. A lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was physically caught by the unforgettable heroic Tukaram Omble – who gave up his life in the process, being shot by Kasab in close range, multiple times. Kasab was tried by India’s courts and hanged to death in the Yerawada Central Jail in 2012. Also in my memory stays Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the National Security Guards (NSG) who died in a heroic rescue mission by India’s Commandos in the Taj Hotel. The attackers belonged to the Pakistan based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), supported by Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a 64-year old Canadian citizen, of Pakistan origin was extradited to India on 10 April 2025, after 16years. A former Pakistan Army Medical Corps turned Immigration Consultant. Rana’s childhood friend and co-conspirator David Coleman Headley is in a US jail, sentenced to 35years for his role. Rana now faces justice under full-force of Indian law.

The man primarily responsible for getting Rana extradited to India is Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, who led India’s arguments in a US court. The proceedings, saw a spirited legal fight between Krishnan and another extradition veteran Paul Garlick QC, who represented Rana.

Tahawwur Rana provided the blueprint that helped LeT carry out the terror attacks in Mumbai. He helped David Headley obtain a multi-entry business visa to India. Both of them worked in close co-ordination with Pakistan’s ISI and had made a detailed attack plan to target Chatrapati Shivaji terminus, Taj Mahal Hotel, Nariman House and the Cama & Albless Hospital. David Headley in India took the help of Hollywood Director & Film-maker Mahesh Bhatt’s son Rahul Bhatt to reconnoiter places in Mumbai. Rana also provided Headley with the required finances for the operation.

The expectation is that Tahawwur Rana will be sentenced, after India coaxes out of him, more information, details, and names of any other conspirators.

More stirring stories ahead. Have a blast with ‘Freewheeling’.

FREEWHEELING

About: A break free commentary on events on our Planet, anchored on the news of the world, garnished with humour. Any comments beyond the story, are entirely mine, without prejudice -take it or leave it. This is a run from 14 March 2025 to 2 April 2025.

Enter the Dragon

It took Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring back stranded Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), who were first deposited in the cold, in Space, by Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft in June 2024.

Boeing’s Starliner, with stars in its eyes, carried two astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams in its first ever human crew carrying mission. It was intended to be a 8-day-stay and its successful return-with the crew’s hair intact-meant NASA could certify Boeing’s spacecraft to make routine trips to and from the ISS. Elon Musk’s SpaceX had already reached that exalted status and was freaking out making round trips-about 44 trips to the ISS (only Elon’s young son did not make the grade, as yet). The Starliner encountered serious problems with its thrusters, and its propulsion system was leaking helium gas like a sieve. Boeing’s Engineers worked furiously to resolve the issue and succeeded, but NASA decided not to risk lives and ordered the return of Starliner without the crew. And it did return ‘pretty safely’ in September 2024. Meanwhile, Sunita Williams let loose all her hair (and even had Donald Trump counting the strands) and in typical Indian tradition perhaps decided not to tie it until she returns Home. Thank India, it worked.

Now, enter the Dragon.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is capable of carrying up to 7 passengers to and from Earth orbit, and beyond. It is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth, and is the first private spacecraft to take humans to the space station.

Sunita’s hair relayed the message, and a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft lifted-off on 14 March 2025 from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida with a crew of 4, consisting of NASA Astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian Cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Is this not collaboration among fighting Nations at its best? The inward crew will spend 6 months in Space until another crew replaces them. Sunita Williams, who had been the commander of the Space Station, handed over to the new team, and after ‘taming her hair’ shifted into home gear.

Returning along with Sunitha and Butch-both of them after a nine month stay-will be NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Aleksandr Gorbunov, who have themselves been in Space for 6 months.

The reusable Crew Dragon Freedom Capsule undocked from the ISS and successfully splashed down off the cost of Florida on 18 March 2025 and was well received with a splash of applause by a pod of dolphins swimming in the neighbourhood. The crew were then successfully extracted from the Capsule and planted on Earth. Looking forward to them growing at Home.

Wars

Israel got back to its old ways, collapsing the ceasefire agreement with Hamas as the latter was not keeping its side of Agreements in releasing hostages. There are now 59 hostages still being held in brutal captivity. And Israel started a major ground offensive in Gaza to clear, seize and occupy large swaths of land, in addition to many other plans to kill the devil. I would say that Israel must annex some Gaza territory every day for every hostage not released.

On the sidelines, ‘Negotiation Liking Nations’ Egypt and Qatar are desperately trying to revive the ceasefire and tunnel a deal in the dry desert conditions. And I wonder why the people of Gaza are not rising-up against Hamas for making their lives unalloyed hell. Wait, someone heard, there is indeed some rumblings of an uprising demanding that Hamas release the hostages and get out of their lives. But it begs the question, is this true? The same civilians that cheered the 7 October barbarism have turned a new leaf, unbelievable? It is yet another drama by Hamas?

Meanwhile, Israel announced that it is going to take back full ‘security control’ of Gaza. Enough is enough.

On another War front, on 18 March 2025, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin grabbed the phone and spent over 2 hours talking about ending the Russia-Ukraine War and also about improving frosty relations between them. Love was in the air. The blood and treasure that Ukraine and Russia have been spending in the war would be better spent on the needs of their people-that’s wisdom oozing through every pore. The wily Putin deflected Cupid’s arrows, did not hug an immediate ceasefire, but said he will not police every move and every breath of Ukraine’s electricity grids and gas supplies. The dialogue goes on and a breakthrough ‘may or may-not’ be expected. And Putin is an awfully tough customer. That’s the way it is. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President has put off his plans for shopping for new suits.

India: Traitors, Poop, and Loose Cash

Freedom of Speech needs freedom to be more freely defined in India. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, called Maharashtra’s State’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a Traitor (gaddaar) in a show titled ‘New India’. Kamra referred to Shinde’s 2022 defection from the Shiv Sena, which triggered a major political crisis leading to a vertical split in the Shiv Sena and subsequently Shinde’s Group being ‘legally’ recognised as the real Shiv Sena – with the Bow & Arrow. In the Show, Kamra sang a parody of a Bollywood song alluding to Shinde as a traitor, outraging his supporters who called it derogatory. The studio in Habitiat, Mumbai where the Show was shot, was attacked by Shiv Sena supporters who ransacked the place and made meat of the furniture.

Freedom of speech works on a knife-edge. Shinde is surely not a traitor as the Law of the Land-the Courts-has said that he leads the ‘real’ Shiv Sena, and further he has won the people’s trust by winning the Elections. The traitor is now on the other shoe? Surely comedy is great fun with the laughs it generates, but where is the fine control and ‘honouring facts? Looking back, the undivided Shiv Sena was the original traitor after winning the Elections jointly with the Bharathiya Janata party (BJP) and then dumping them. The Shiv Sena supporters are surely outside the law – taking law into their own hands in going physically after the Physical Studio. And they should be dealt with as per the law. Surely they have no right to react in the manner they did. Unless you want to make a comedy of ‘self defence’? Finally, why cannot our Politicians and famous people just laugh it off with a shrug, take things in their stride?

In another stinking story in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu, Health Department sanitary workers – about 20 of them in uniform – invaded the house of Savukku Shankar, a You-Tube and Political Activist, and dumped sewage waste and human faeces in his house in Chennai. And hurled the choicest expletives, and used abusive language on his Mom who was alone at home. This is supposed to be in the wake of some comments and allegations made by Savukku Shankar about sanitary workers, Greater Chennai Police, and the Commissioner of Police. Since when did Sanitary Workers not get dirty? And again, taking law into their dirty hands? The poop deserves to be its rightful place- underground. Surely, this is a smelly new trend in India.

Swinging over to India’s Capital New Delhi, for Justice Yashwant Varma, a judge of the Delhi High Court, the Festival of Holi turned unholy when a fire broke out in his official Bungalow, on the night of 14 March 2025. Actually, it was in an outhouse on the grounds and the fire burnt through bundles of cash stashed in the store room. About four-five bags of partially charred Indian currency notes – estimated to about INR 150 million – were discovered by firefighters who doused the flames and captured digital evidence. Of course, Justice Varma categorically denied the ‘money hoarding’ labelling it-you guessed it-a larger conspiracy to tarnish his (great?) reputation. There was an attempt to quickly transfer the Judge to another Court, which was protested by the lawyers of the receiving Court. Why should we handle such dirt? And don’t we have to guard our reputation, as well?

The discovery of the cash-stash was a thunderbolt strike on the reputation of the Indian Judiciary. Are they a law unto themselves, answerable to none? The method of selection of Judges to such Posts was naturally called into question. And there is a colourful fire burning right now in the house of the Judiciary! Urgent reforms needed here-before the next fire!

Earth Shakes

Earthquakes are back with a Big Bang. Since when did they leave? Myanmar, already reeling with internal insurgency and a footloose Army was struck by a 7.7 magnitude Earthquake on 28 March 2025. It killed over 2700 people, injured over 3900 people and caused the collapse of numerous man-made structures.

In faraway Bangkok, Thailand, about 1000 km from the epicentre, a lone unfinished under-construction high-rise building fell unbelievably, like the proverbial pack of cards, into a pile of dust. Experts reasoned that it was because a ‘flat slab’ construction process was adopted, where floors are made to rest directly on columns, without using beams. And Thailand wasn’t thinking Earthquake resistant construction at all?

The Earth’s upper layer is split into different sections called tectonic plates. These plates are moving constantly, which causes earthquakes and volcanoes. And Myanmar sits uneasy atop the convergence of four of these tectonic plates-the Eurasian, the Indian, the Sunda, and the Burma plates. Like it or not Myanmar is considered to be one of the most geologically active areas in the World.

More earth shaking stories ahead. Ride with ‘Freewheeling’.

FREEWHEELING

About: A footloose commentary on events on our Planet, anchored on the news of the world, garnished with humour. Any comments beyond the story, are entirely mine, without prejudice -take it or leave it. This is a run from January 2025 to 13 March 2025.

It looks like the New Year 2025 had just begun, and we are already in the middle of March, moving at the speed of light, trying to spy Einstein on the stands. It appears that Elon Musk (and his little son) is the only person living on the Planet, and at some distance is Trump trying to find his space. Suddenly, Elon’s Starlink is already rocketing into India, riding with Jio (Hello Reliance) and Airtel (Hello Bharti) linking up in mysterious ways to space the air waves in this part of the world.

The United States (US) President Donald Trump began his new term with a big-bang, giving an awfully blunt, straight-talking, commencement of presidency address. His disruptive ideas had everybody in a swoon-deeply shaken and stirred: deporting illegals in America to all parts of the world in handsome chains; throwing tariffs around like hitting balls of various shapes out of the ground; boxing with Ukraine’s President in the White House, pushing Ukraine to the red corner; and making love to Russia’s President Putin (who surely accepted the advances and smiled like a Cheshire cat). Trump’s Vice-President, Vance sent Europe scurrying to do things it thought it could never do-but is the best for it -and had it fuming through every available nostril.

Meanwhile, India’s Prime Minister earned a great negotiator medal in the US’ White House; hugged France’s Macron-too tight for Brigette-in France; and found a new winning streak in State Elections in India. Talk about the Modi magic rising-up again. The comeback of the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) in Delhi was after 27 years and people hope to see more stars in clearer skies, and breathe longer with cleaner air while imbibing the ‘spirits’ of Scotland & Ireland. Last heard, India’s PM was in Mauritius adorning himself with yet another Highest Award medal. I reckon, the 56-inch chest can hold…and perhaps is growing wider, to match India’s GDP.

Israel saw many of its hostages, held by the barbaric terrorists Hamas, released in bits and pieces in a ceasefire that kicked-in, in January and seems to be holding. The large-scale fighting is off the hook, while the small-scale surgical strikes keeps the fire burning. Trump issued yet another ultimatum to release all the hostages or face the wrath of Israel. The bad guys have been holding Israel to ransom for almost two years and Israel is pregnant with revenge. Rightfully so.

I say, one state of Israel is the best solution-from the River to the Sea-with its people digging their heels, living in the land that was always their homeland. Think about the biblical Moses-the promised land and the Ten Commandments; Samson- strength in the hair; David- sling-shot Goliath; Solomon -oozing wisdom…and many others. So much to look up to! I wish every country in the world would stand-up and scream, ‘Release the hostages now-bring them Home’ or forget we can do any kind of business with you.

After some spanking in America and hot desert talk in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine has agreed to a cool 30 days cease-fire with Russia. And Russia is still cogitating over it-eyeing more land and sea? Hope to see Ukraine’s President wearing a nice suit, soon. And America gleaming with rare-earth metals on its chest. Else, the laughs are on Ukraine?

With the United Nations loosing all its teeth (did it have any at all?) and becoming redundant in these war spring times, we need a make-over. If I were Russia, I would say, disband NATO and yell at Europe to find other means of safeguarding themselves: how about learning some self-defence. And we are always ’near-by’, across the Border, to lend a helping hand and offer a ‘Bear Hug’. Ask India if you have any doubts!

The world’s largest gathering of people in one place, the Maha Kumbh Mela happened in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and other upstream and downstream places on the River Ganges between 13 January and 26 February 2025. The Mela was at the Triveni Sangam-the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, after a gap of about 144 years due to a rare celestial alignment, making it a once-in-a-lifetime event for Hindus all over the world. Believers swelled the banks, and it was a sight of humanity, to behold, with visitors of one 660 million making the pilgrimage. The world is surely a cleaner place-in many dimensions-what with past mistakes and sins of life cleansed with a holy dip in the holy Ganges. Special cleansing bacteria took care of the rest, claimed some scientists.

In India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, a Russian name wearing Chief Minister created havoc on learning a third language. Never mind Russian, he thought in Tamil and fumbled in ecstasy in English. His Members of Parliament rocked Parliament, black & red, on a perceived insult and extracted an apology from the Centre’s Education Minister, while quietly worshipping (and building statues for) a man who called the Tamil language barbaric; unfit even to earn beggar wages; and encouraged everyone to talk to their maids in English. And advocated that at least Tamil Nadu remains forever a British State. Caught in the headlights are the kids who dream of learning three languages to improve their cognitive and learning abilities: says the New Education Policy of India. Early in the year, the Russian name Chief Minister claimed that the technology of smelting Iron was developed in Tamil Nadu about 5,300 years ago. The Iron Age just got older. Other claims have rusted. Wonder, who will come out with more shine!

The Oscars -the 97th Academy Awards- was staged in March 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, US. The film ‘Anora’ won a leading five awards, including Best Picture. Other winners included ‘The Brutalist’ with three awards; ‘Dune: Part Two’, ‘Emilia Perez’, and ‘Wicked’ with two awards each.

Adrien Brody, acting in The Brutalist, won the Best Actor Award; Mikey Madison, being Anora, dressed-up to become Best Actress. The Brutalist is about a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor who immigrates to the US to achieve the American Dream. Anora is about a stripper from New York marrying the wealthy son of a Russian Oligarch in a Cinderalla moment. The fairytale hits the ground when the Russian parents try to annul the marriage.

In Tennis sport, Australian Open 2025, Italy’s Jannik Sinner swept aside Russian Alexander Zverev to retain the men’s singles title. In the Women’s singles final, America’s Madison Keys beat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka to get the keys to the Cup. Afterwards, Jannik found out he had sinned and accepted a three-month suspension after testing positive for dope-the banned substance clostebol- during the 2024 Indian Wells tournament. That seems a light punishment -until the next sin?

And in New York, two men were hospitalised with histoplasmosis (a lung infection) after growing weed using bat poop! Innovation is the real word, these days. Nothing artificial about it.

In cricket sport, Team India became Champions in the Champions One-Day Cricket Tournament held in Dubai, sending the Kiwis wingless to New Zealand. This is India’s third grasp of the Cup, and they won without losing a match. India’s iconic cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, now firmly bats in the commentary box, danced the game of his life-on the border of the field- and had Bollywood’s dancing stars looking bewildered. Even the costume was clever, with Gavaskar wearing pants of what could have been the better part of the mini-skirt of his fellow woman Anchor. How do they face this kind of competition?

More stories ahead. Wheel with ‘Freewheeling’.

WORLD INTHAVAARAM, 2024-52

About: the world this week, 22 December to 28 December 2024: Wars of the world; Germany’s terror; France’s horror; A former Indian Prime Minister dies; and death of Japanese small car-maker.

Everywhere

The world is reeking with a lot more violence and mayhem, other than the visible wars rolling in Ukraine, the Middle East-Gaza, and to a lesser degree in Sudan, Myanmar, and some other countries. And the War took yet another deadly turn, with the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen launching rockets into Israel and Israel returning the favour more in kind. This week, Israel went hammer & thongs on neutralising the ‘Houthis threat’, bombarding their strongholds, besides wiping out key infrastructure in Yemen.

Germany’s Terror

Late last week, on 20th December, Germany’s Magdeburg Christmas Market was the scene of a horrendous terror attack. A 50-year-old man, originally from Saudi Arabia and living in Germany for close to two decades ploughed his car through the Market causing two deaths (including a child) and injuring about 80 people. The man, a Doctor, Taleb Abdulmohsen, was promptly arrested by Police.

Abdulmohsen had fled Saudi Arabia carrying the weight of rape accusations and implications in serious crimes. Saudi Arabia had formally requested that he be extradited, but Germany had denied the request citing human rights concerns, despite clear evidence of his criminal activities.

Post-Asylum in Germany Abdulmohsen reinvented himself as a dissident, publicly declaring himself an atheist and ex-Muslim, perhaps aimed at securing full asylum protection in Germany. And began working in a government hospital as a psychiatrist. Shockingly, while holding this position, he was publicly active in criminal activities, including human trafficking-smuggling young girls. Abdulmohsen made explicit threats against Germany, which authorities dismissed as ‘freedom of expression’.

France’s Horror

After a three-month trial, a French Court found Dominique Pelicot, 72, guilty of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife, Gisele Pelicot, for almost a decade, and inviting more than 70 strangers to rape her unconscious body in a case that horrified the world.

All the ’50 strangers (out of the 70) – the co-defendants, who were traced out – were also found guilty of charges brought on them. Gisele Pelicot, 72, the victim had waived her right to anonymity, and became a symbol of female courage and resilience during the trial.

Dominique Pelicot pleaded guilty to the charges, and a panel of five judges sentenced him to the maximum of 20 years in jail. The court found 46 of the other defendants guilty of rape, 2 guilty of attempted rape and 2 guilty of sexual assault, handing down sentences of between 3 and 15 years in jail.

Dominique Pelicot, denied misleading the men, whom he had met online, saying they knew exactly what they were doing. “I am a rapist like the others in this room,” he said during testimony.

The Pelicots’ children, David, Caroline, and Florian, arrived in court to hear the verdict alongside their mother. The siblings have spoken out forcibly against their father, rejecting his pleas for forgiveness.

The strangers come from all walks of life: lorry drivers, soldiers, firefighters, security guards, farm workers, a supermarket worker, a journalist, and the unemployed. The youngest was just 22 when he entered Gisele Pelicot’s bedroom, while the oldest was in his early 70s. Many had children and were in relationships. Most lived within a 50km radius of the Pelicots’ picturesque village of Mazan, which nestles in the vineyards, below Mont Ventoux.

The case only came to light in 2020, when Dominique was caught trying to take photographs up the skirts of women in a supermarket. Police then discovered more than 20,000 photos and videos on his computer drives revealing the horrifying secrets that he had hidden, from his now ex-wife, for a decade.

Dominique Pelicot had worked as an electrician and an estate agent and was married to Gisele for 50 years. He put powerful tranquilisers into his wife’s food and coffee that put her to sleep for hours. Gisele said she was worried she was developing Alzheimer’s or had a brain tumour because of the memory gaps.

She says she hopes the enormous interest in her case will help other women who have suffered sexual abuse, and brushes off praise for her own bravery in letting the world see her pain. “It’s not courage. It is determination to change things,” she said. “This is not just my battle, but that of all rape victims.”

Meanwhile, in India’s Tamil Nadu, the State BJP President, K Annamalai, took to the ancient Indian technique of self-flagellation -whipping himself six times-to highlight the apathy of the Police and State Government in the case of a sexual assault of a student on the campus of the premier Institute of Anna University, in Chennai. The intent seems to be to shock the political system out of its stupor on horrific acts of sexual violence and Police inaction in the State. It was a powerful a message as it was dramatic. He has vowed to walk barefoot until the State Government is ousted – the next elections are due in 2026, unless we are missing something.

India: a Former Prime Minister Passes

This week, former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Dr Manmohan Singh– the 13th PM of India- died at the ripe age of 92 due to age related illness. He was PM for two five year terms, between 2004 and 2014.

Though, by default, the Leader of the Lok Sabha-Members of Parliament(MP) directly elected by the people – goes on to become the PM, Dr Manmohan Singh is the only long-serving PM who never got himself elected to the Lok Sabha. He was a Rajya Sabha MP throughout his term, having lost the only time he contested as a Lok Sabha candidate in 1999, from South Delhi. The Constitution allows this, but it’s a ‘tacit understanding’ that a PM gets himself elected from the Lok Sabha – The House of the People. In that sense, he was an unelected Prime Minister.

Though he was PM of India for a decade, it was his stint as Finance Minister under former PM, P V Narashima Rao (PVNR) that gained him unforgettable fame for unshackling India’s Economy-the stifling Licence Raj-and unleashing the animal spirits in the Economy. He transformed into action PVNR’s vision of heralding the bold economic reforms of 1991, which forever transformed India. PVNR had inducted the apolitical Economist that Dr Manmohan Singh was, and gave him the ‘freedom’ to do what it takes to get the country out of the severe economic crisis that India faced. A hesitant Dr Manmohan Singh (what would the Party Chief say?) was encouraged by PVNR to deliver, along with his Commerce Minister, P. Chidambaram. As PM he shouldered the responsibility of the managing the politics ‘of whatever tough decisions his Finance Minister had to make’ to get India’s economy on the move.

Over the next few years, Dr Manmohan Singh carried out several path-breaking structural reforms that liberalised India’s highly regulated economy. And these measures proved successful in averting the crisis of the time – pulling India from the brink of bankruptcy.

But in later years as a ‘compromise’ or ‘accidental’ Prime Minister, he failed to capitalise on the stupendous job he did as Finance Minister, and roll out the next generation economic reforms. Maybe, it was because PVNR wasn’t around to lend the backbone?

Dr Manmohan Singh came to be viewed as a weak, remote-controlled (by the Congress Party Chief) Prime Minister. And a record number of scams were uncovered during his second tenure as PM, though he himself had an unblemished record: he was considered, wise, thoughtful, and scrupulously honest. He attributed his failure to be tougher – especially in acting against scam-tainted Ministers-to what to called ‘compulsions of coalition politics – some compromises have to be made’.

Born in Gah in what is today Pakistan, Dr Manmohan Singh’s family migrated to India during its partition in 1947. After obtaining his doctorate in economics from the University of Oxford he worked for the United Nations. He began his bureaucratic career when he was hired as an advisor in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During the 1970s and 1980s, Dr Manmohan Singh held several key posts in the Government of India, such as Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank, and head of the Planning Commission.

One of the best moments in his tenure as PM, was striking a civil nuclear deal with the United States. Others, such as the important National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act (RTI) were passed by the Parliament in 2005. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was also created soon after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, as need for a central agency to combat terrorism was realised- He was criticised for not doing enough by going after (‘hot pursuit’) the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack-one of India’ worst ever. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)was established in February 2009, an agency which went on to implement the Multipurpose National Identity Card -Aadhaar-with the objective of increasing national security and facilitating e-governance.

Dr Manmohan Singh married Gursharan Kaur in 1958. They have three daughters, Upinder Singh, Daman Singh, and Amrit Singh. Upinder Singh is a professor of history at Ashoka University. Daman Singh is a graduate of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and the Institute of Rural Management, Anand, Gujarat. Amrit Singh is a Staff Attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union in the United States.

Japan: Death of a Small Car-Maker

Osamu Suzuki, 94, an ingenious ‘penny-pincher’ who led Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corporation for more than four decades and played a key role in turning India into a flourishing auto market, died of lymphoma, on Christmas Day.

He steered the Company ambitiously, during his time as either chief executive or chairman, out of its primary market of mini-vehicles.The inexpensive, boxy, 660cc cars specific to Japan benefited from generous tax breaks, but demanded a stringent reining-in of costs that proved to be a key part of Suzuki Motor’s DNA.

Osamu Suzuki’s thriftiness was legendary: he would order factory ceilings lowered to save on air-conditioning and fly economy class on airplanes even at an advanced age.

“Forever,” or “until the day I die,” were signature humorous responses with which he parried queries about how long he would stay at the company, on which he retained a tight stranglehold into his 70s and 80s.

In the 1970s, he saved the company from the brink of collapse by convincing Toyota Motor to supply engines that met new emissions regulations, but which Suzuki Motor had yet to develop. More success followed with the 1979 launch of the Alto mini-vehicle, which became a massive hit, boosting the automaker’s bargaining power when it tied up with General Motors in 1981.

Osamu Suzuki then took a big and risky decision to invest a year’s worth of the company’s earnings to build a national car maker for India. His personal interest was motivated by a strong desire “to be number one somewhere in the world”.

The Indian Government had just nationalised Maruti, set up in 1971 as a pet project of Sanjay Gandhi, son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to produce an affordable, ‘people’s car’, made in India. Maruti needed a foreign partner, but early collaboration with Renault fell through. Team Maruti team knocked on many doors but was snubbed widely by brands including Fiat and Subaru and initially also by Suzuki Motor.

The partnership only came about after a Suzuki Motor Director in India saw a newspaper article about a potential Maruti deal with Japanese small-car rival Daihatsu. On learning that the Maruti team had been turned away he hastily invited the team back to Japan, asking for a second chance. A letter of intent was signed within months. And the rest is history.

The first car, the Maruti 800 hatchback based on the Alto, was launched in 1983, becoming an instant success. Today, Maruti Suzuki majority-held by Suzuki Motor commands roughly 40% of India’s car market.

In class-conscious India, Suzuki also ushered in change, insisting on equality in the workplace, ordering open-plan offices, a single canteen and uniforms for executives and assembly-line workers alike.

Not all endeavours were a success, however, when nearing his 80th birthday, Osamu Suzuki clinched a multi-billion-dollar tie-up with German giant automaker Volkswagen(VW) in December 2009. Touted as a match made in heaven, it soon faltered, with Suzuki Motor accusing its new top shareholder of trying to control it, while VW objected to the Japanese firm’s purchase of diesel engines from Fiat. Suzuki Motor took VW to an international arbitration court in less than two years, eventually succeeding in buying back the stake of 19.9% it had sold to Volkswagen.

Osamu Suzuki, who often cited golf and work as the key to his health, finally passed the baton as CEO to his son Toshihiro in 2016, and stayed on as Chairman for another five years until age 91, keeping an advisory role until the end.

Since 2016, his company has deepened ties with the world’s biggest carmaker Toyota, which acquired a 5% stake in Suzuki Motor in 2019. Maruti Suzuki is set to supply electric cars for Toyota from next year. Said Toyota of him, “He was a father figure who developed Japan’s kei car (mini vehicle) and nurtured it into Japan’s people’s car”.

During Osamu Suzuki’s reign Suzuki Motor was transformed into a global conglomerate successful spreading to 190 countries where it has a significant presence. He had the vision to avoid a direct fight with the other global auto manufacturers who were competing with each other using cutting-edge technology. Instead, he looked out for unexplored markets with small but modern cars which changed the automobile trends in the countries he entered. In India, for example, he introduced small modern cars when the market was dominated by old fashioned, outdated cars, thereby, revolutionising the auto industry.

Osamu Suzuki’s fiscal prudence is one of the reasons behind the rise of Suzuki Motor Corporation to the status of an auto giant by selling small low priced cars, still making a profit.

Born Osamu Matsuda, Osamu started his career as a loan officer in a local bank. His life took a turn when he married Shoko Suzuki, the granddaughter of the patriarch of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Michio Suzuki. As the Suzuki family did not have a male heir, Osamu was married into the family, and following the Japanese custom, Osamu took up the family name of Suzuki, to become Osamu Suzuki. He is the fourth adopted son to run the company. He joined the company in 1958 and worked upwards through the ranks to become President two decades later.

Shoko and Osamu Suzuki have three children and the family lives in Hamamatsu city, in Japan.

More small and big stories coming-up in the weeks ahead. Drive with World Inthavaaram.

WORLD INTHAVAARAM, 2024-51

About: the world this week, 15 December to 21 December 2024: the wars; death of a tabla titan; Top Gun honours for Tom Cruise; India – State and Parliament; Test Cricket, and a fabulous Indian spinner retires.

Everywhere

The Wars

A top Russian General accused of using chemical weapons on the battlefields in Ukraine was killed in a bomb blast in Moscow early Tuesday-an attack swiftly claimed by Ukraine.

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who headed Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces was killed, along with an assistant, by a remotely detonated bomb planted in an electric scooter outside an apartment building. This came a day after Ukrainian prosecutors sentenced Kirillov, in absentia, for Russia’s use of banned chemical weapons in the ongoing war.

With Hamas down but not out, Hezbollah almost out, and Syria staring a grim possibility of returning to the Stone Age, Israel turned its sights on the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen.

This week, the Houtis launched a ballistic missile into Israel’s Tel Aviv damaging a school, but no injuries were reported. The missile was intercepted by Israel. Within hours, in a quick response Israel completely paralyzed three Houthi-controlled Ports in Yemen during airstrikes, targeting capital Sanaa for the first time. Dozens of fighter jets, along with refuelling aircraft, hit targets up to 2,000 km from Israel.

Wonder how Israel plans to deal with the ‘Mother Ship’ – Iran.

On another front, news floats-in that hostage deal negotiations between Hamas and Israel are nearing conclusion. As part of the deal, Palestinian terrorists convicted of murder will be exiled to Turkey and Iran. Discussion is ongoing regarding the names and sentences of the Palestinian prisoners who will be freed as part of the deal. The deal being worked on would consist of three phases. The first phase, which would last 45 days, all Israeli civilians and female soldiers being held hostage in Gaza would be released and Israel’s troops would withdraw from the centre of cities, coastal roads, and an area along the Gaza-Egypt border. In addition, residents of northern Gaza would return to their homes. In the second phase, the remaining hostages would be freed, and the Israel would complete its withdrawal from Gaza. The third phase would be a permanent ceasefire and the end of the current war. Will it work out this time?

Wah Ustad!

This week Zakir Hussain Allarakha Qureshi the legendary tabla virtuoso and global ambassador of Indian classical music died, aged 73, in San Francisco, United States. His death was due to health complications. Besides being a percussionist, Zakir Hussain was a music composer, music producer, and film actor.

The tabla-a pair of drums used in Indian classical music-is historically viewed as an accompaniment to the main performance.

Think Tabla, and Zakir Hussain flashes across the mind with those trademark long curly locks of hair, which danced to his fingers that made music in the iconic Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea advertisement, of the 1980s. Taj Mahal Tea was a premium Indian tea brand launched in 1966.

The advertisement opens with Hussain seated against the backdrop of the beautiful Taj Mahal, effortlessly playing the tabla. Later, he sipped on a cup of Taj tea. When a voiceover praises him saying, “wah ustad, wah” (Wow Ustad – as skilled musician- Wow!) he responds, “Arre huzoor, wah Taj boliye!”( Come on-annoyingly- sir, praise the Taj). This exchange, though brief, became iconic, drumming itself in the collective memory of Indians. At a time when television was still a novelty in India, the advertisement resonated with viewers for its simple yet impactful message and Zakir’s humble charisma. The television commercial portrayed the perfection in playing the tabla as the result of hours of dedicated work, just like the work of a master tea blender. Wow indeed!

Zakir Hussain was the eldest son of tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi. Two of his brothers Taufiq Qureshi- a percussionist-and Fazal Qureshi-a tabla player-are also in Indian classical music. He spent his early days in Mumbai training, under his father; studied at St. Michael’s School Mahim, Mumbai; and graduated from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai. He moved to the United States in 1970, where he lived and ‘played’, up to his death. And kept the long hippie locks!

Zakir Hussain was a child prodigy and collaborated with Indian classical icons like Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, and Shivkumar Sharma and global musicians like John McLaughlin and George Harrison. His journey, from a child prodigy to an internationally celebrated percussionist, is a masterclass in balancing tradition and innovation.

Hussain played on George Harrison’s (lead guitarist of the famous Beatles) 1973 album ‘Living in the Material World’ and John Handy’s 1973 album ‘Hard Work’. He also performed on Van Morrison’s 1979 album ‘Into the Music’ and ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’s (an American Band) 1983 album ‘Powerlight’.

Hussain joined Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead(an American Rock Band) to create the special album ‘Planet Drum’, featuring drummers from different parts of the world including Vikku Vinayakram (known as the God of Ghatam) from India. The first Planet Drum album, released in 1991 and went on to win the 1992 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album – the first Grammy ever awarded in this category. In later years the same team came together to make the album ‘The Global Drum Project’, which won the Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 51st Grammy Awards Ceremony in 2009.

Awards came by the beat to Zakir Hussain. He won a total of four Grammys over his career. India awarded him the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan besides the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for contributions to Hindustani Classical Music.

Hussain composed, performed, and acted as Indian music advisor for the Malayalam film ‘Vanaprastham’-a 1999 Cannes Film Festival entry, and won awards at the 2000 Istanbul International Film Festival, Turkey; 2000 Mumbai International Film Festival in India, and 2000 National Film Awards, India.

He has composed soundtracks for several movies, most notably ‘In Custody’ and ‘The Mystic Masseur’ by Ismail Merchant. And has played tabla on the soundtracks of Francis Coppola’s ‘Apocalypse Now’, Bernardo Bertolucci’s ‘Little Buddha’, among other films. He starred in several films specifically showcasing his musical performance both solo and with different bands, including the 1998 documentary ‘Zakir and His Friends’. Hussain co-starred as Inder Lal in the 1983 Merchant Ivory film ‘Heat and Dust’, for which he was an associate music director.

In 2016, Hussain was among many musicians invited by President Obama to the International Jazz Day 2016 All-Star Global Concert at the White House.

Eight years after Zakir Hussain moved to the US, he met, dated and married Antonia Minnecola, a Kathak dancer and teacher, who was also his Manager. They have two daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. Anisa graduated from UCLA and is a film-maker. Isabella is studying dance in Manhattan. The story goes that Hussain married Antonia without telling his mother who had rigid views, and Hussain was the first to marry outside his community. But his father was there to marry him off. And took on the responsibility to explain to his mother to bring her on-board. In later years his mother met Antonia and grew to like her.

Hussain’s life revolved around rhythm from the very beginning. He leaves behind a timeless legacy that will inspire generations.

Top Gun Cruise

Tom Cruise, 62, was awarded the US Navy’s highest civilian honour for outstanding contributions to the military with his screen roles. The Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Cruise during a ceremony this week at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey. Tom Cruise expressed his gratitude for the ‘extraordinary acknowledgement’.

Cruise happened to be around in the neighbourhood, working on his next film, ‘Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning’, due for release in May 2025.

Tom Cruise’s lead role as a young naval aviator. Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, a in the 1986 smash hit ‘Top Gun’ shot him into celebrity status, and the film’s record-breaking success spiked military enlistment. The Navy thanked the action hero, who it said had “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform”. The movie Top Gun was so influential that the Navy even set up recruitment tables in theatres screening the movie.

Tom Cruise reprised his role as Lieutenant Pete Mitchell in the 2022 sequel ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, which the Navy said ‘reinvigorated’ military interest from younger audiences.

The prestigious civilian honour was previously awarded to Academy Award winners Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for their work in the World War II movie ‘Saving Private Ryan’.

Cricket, Rain, and Ashwin

The Third India versus Australia Cricket Test Match played at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, had a third force trying to get in to bowl, bat, keep, and howl. Rain wrecked havoc throughout the match, and ultimately had the final say. The Test ended in a draw, which saw India struggling at one point way behind Australia. And defeat was staring down on them. Thanks to the rain, ‘they escaped jail’.

Then there was a fourth force, well actually an announcement. India’s ace spinner Ashwin Ravichandran, 38 called it quits and announced retirement from International Cricket. Ashwin is widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners of all time. He represented the national team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy-where he bowled the match-winning final over. He plays for Tamil Nadu and South Zone in domestic cricket and for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

First, some mind-boggling statistics.

Ashwin took 537 wickets in 106 tests with 37 five-wicket hauls; made 3,503 Test runs with six centuries and 14 half centuries. He Played 116 ODIs and took 156 wickets and 65 T20s with 72 wickets. He was the fastest bowler to reach 300 test wickets in terms of number of innings. He is one of the only three players to have scored 3,000 runs and taken 500 wickets in Tests. As of September 2024, he is the highest-ranked bowler in the ICC men’s player rankings and the highest rated Indian bowler ever in Test cricket.

He played as a right-arm off spin bowler and a handy lower order batsman. Ashwin started as an opening batsman but dropped down the order due to limited success and turned into an off-break bowler. He made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in December 2006 and captained the team the following season. In 2011, Ashwin made his Test debut against the fiery West Indies and became the seventh Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul on debut.

He had greater success with the turning tracks in the Indian subcontinent. He won the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year awards for 2016. He has been named five times to the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year and was named in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Decade 2011–20. In 2015, he was awarded the Arjuna award by the Government of India.

In his bowling, Ashwin produces several variations and flights the ball, thereby giving it more chance to spin and dip on the batsman. In addition to his normal off-breaks, he produces an arm ball and the carrom ball, the latter of which he uses frequently in the shorter formats. In IPL 2013, he bowled leg-breaks and googly as well. He evolved his carrom ball from the soduku ball, a finger-flicked leg-break used in tennis ball cricket on the streets of Chennai. However, he refrains from bowling the doosra as it requires him to bend and straighten his arm, which he finds difficult to do.

Ashwin resides in Chennai Tamilnadu. He married his childhood sweet-heart, Prithi Narayanan in November 2011, and the couple have two daughters.

I get that creepy feeling that Ashwin has placed his himself above the country. He could have waited till the end of the India-Australia Test series to announce his retirement. His Dad said he was humiliated, but Ashwin quickly called for it to be ignored. Whatever, good luck to him.

India Melange

State

There was outrage in Tamil Nadu, which saw the funeral procession of a convicted terrorist S A Basha attended by a huge crowd, with 2000 to 5000 police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel being deployed in Coimbatore City! SA Basha was sentenced to life for the 1998 Coimbatore Bomb Blasts.

On 14 February 1998, bombs went off at 12 locations in Coimbatore city, just ahead of BJP leader LK Advani’s visit, killing 58 people and injuring another 200. Basha was found guilty by the Courts and was sentenced to life imprisonment along with 12 others in 2007. Fundamentalist organisations including the Al-Ummah founded by Basha, the All India Jihad Committee, and Islamic Defence Force, were all held responsible for the 1998 bombings.

Basha founded Al-Ummah after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on in December 1992. As ties between Muslims and Hindus in Coimbatore and elsewhere became increasingly strained, Al-Ummah was able to radicalise young Muslims.

Basha was granted parole recently for undergoing medical treatment for an illness and died when he failed to respond to treatment.

It was a shame to see political parties such as Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) an Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Seeman, alongside many Muslim and Kongu leaders vying with each other to ‘condole the death’. These parties has earlier demanded the release of those sentenced for the 1998 blasts.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the state government for granting permission to Basha’s funeral procession, accusing it of ‘minority appeasement’.

Centre

India’s Parliament is working its Winter Session and conducting business has become a heated job with the Opposition Parties shouting-down the Government and disrupting proceeding over finicky issues. The Government introduced the ambitious ‘One Nation One Election Bill’ and promptly sent it to a Parliament Committee for more discussions.

Journalist Tavleen Singh (who I follow on X) described a controversy over a supposed insult to Ambedkar-architect of India’s Constitution-as nothing to do with him, but a juvenile high jinx more suitable to a rowdy school yard.

Towards the end of the week it became bloody with the Leader of the Opposition – Rahul Gandhi-accused of pushing a senior BJP MP leading to this fall and admission to Hospital.

India’s Parliament is a place to watch when in session: guaranteed entertainment. They seem to discuss everything, except what matters for the country.

More top-gun stories coming-up in the weeks ahead. Stay with World Inthavaaram.

This is my Blog where I essay stories on life about and around me, on subjects that stir and shake me up, as I turn, and make life's pages count: hoping to inspire you to live your own story!

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India

Naxalism

An Ever Growing Economy

France

India: Pahalgam Terror

Operation Sindoor: India Rises

Other Wars

Habemus Papam! We Have a Pope

Music and Gala

Boeing in China: Stuck on the Ground

Make the West Great Again

Wars

Sudden: Easter Peace

Unwavering Israel

Roof Collapse

The Pope Dies

The Biology of Sex

Planet K2-18b

Tariff Mania: Trumponomics

Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi

India’s Waqf Bill

The Background, Basics

Over to the Present: Key Changes

The Return: India’s 26/11

Enter the Dragon

Wars

India: Traitors, Poop, and Loose Cash

Earth Shakes

Everywhere

Germany’s Terror

France’s Horror

India: a Former Prime Minister Passes

Japan: Death of a Small Car-Maker

Everywhere

The Wars

Wah Ustad!

Top Gun Cruise

Cricket, Rain, and Ashwin

India Melange

State

Centre

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