By now everyone must be aware of what’s happening in the Gaza strip, including criticism of Israel’s actions. Yet, I defy any Indian not to feel a modicum of wistfulness at the forcefulness of Israel’s reaction, wishing we had the nerve to do the same with Pakistan.
Sure, Israel had come under a lot of international condemnation for their actions. They have been accused of ‘using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.’ My feelings on this are mixed. Sure they could have used crude homemade bombs like the other side, but what would that have achieved? If you have to retaliate, do so with such vigour that it is at least a deterrent. Otherwise why bother at all? Why not be like India, only pleading and whining at international fora? Speaking of which, what has the international community done about it? Diddly squat. America is, as it always has, supporting Israel.
I know this is just the rant of a helpless people, let down repeatedly by their government. I know that bombing Pakistan is not an option. Not even ‘surgical strikes.’ Because, for sure, it will result in a war and that is not a desirable option. Not least of all because both are nuclear capable states but because it would be deleterious to an already weakened economy.
So we’ll do what we always do. ‘Exhort the international community using gentle persuasion.’ Meanwhile, we’ll roll out the red carpet for Bill Clinton, soon-to-be-appointed special envoy to Kashmir.
On that cheery note, Happy New Year.
When tall, suave, handsome Kaustav Kapoor walks into her office, ditzy private investigator Kasthuri (aka Katie) Kumar has anything but detection on her mind. He is, after all, a scion of Bollywood’s first family—perhaps he has a role for her? Perhaps she will, at last, get to sashay down the red carpet in a designer gown, with flash bulbs following her every move?
But Kapoor’s intentions are much more prosaic: he wishes Katie to trace the heroine of his new blockbuster (and, if Katie’s read the glossies correctly, his life) who is mysteriously AWOL. Despite her misgivings, Katie finds herself unable to refuse the task entrusted to her, and thereon follows a bewildering hunt for the film star across a trail of corpses.
And if that isn’t excitement enough, she has to contend with the maddening and mysterious, but, oh-so-hot, Tejas Deshpande.
The first in a brand new detective series.
IN BOOKSTORES NOW.
Smita Jain's Weblog 
the difference is obvious,Pak has nuclear weapons and Gaza doesn’t have any…
And as for the idea of using an sledgehammer to crack a nut,i think it is an understatement.
end of the more kids are left orphaned and they are always liable to becoming terrorists…
Smita,
India is a nation with leaders, without any vision. It lost the grand opportunity in 1971, to finish off Pakistan for ever. Even Late Indira Gandhi failed to see what would come in next four decades. If it was Israel, it would never allow Pakistan to raise its ugly head, and would never allow it to build up its nuclear-defence industrial complexes, simply bomb those to rubble every time they construct those.
India’s soft underbelly, is its leadership, that are incompetent, and lack any strategic vision.
The vast infrastructure of Dawood Ibrahim in Mumbai makes it a piece of cake for the terrorisrs to strike at will. The congress party that has ruled India for most part, did nothing to build any database of terror suspects. All they can do is to oppose anti-terror legislations and appease the minorities for vote.
Neel
india simply doesn’t has the guts, but that can change with narendra modi becoming pm.
Israel hasn’t declared a Holy War on the rest of the world, or a determination that Judaism be the ruling, dominant world religion and law. Muslims, though not collectively, but certainly in communities worldwide have declared a Holy War and a determination that Sharia law rules where we now have the Westminster form of government, ie Britain, France, Germany and Australia. Britain particularly is the recipient of such outrageous demands. Australia has only had an inkling so far, but nevertheless, homegrown Aussie sons of Arabs are already voicing demands along similar lines.
Given this context, isn’t Israel within its right to retaliate, and the Palestinians a bit out of kilter with the rest of the world. The rest of the world doesn’t want a Muslim authority, yet Muslim sects are pushing for a Muslim authority. Christians, Buddhists and Jews aren’t urging total dominatiopn by their particular brand of reality. Why can’t the Arabs live alongside the rest of humanity ?
What is it with these people ?
Hamas throw rocks at the Israelis, who respond by bombing the Palestinians’ buildings, which gives Hamas more rocks to throw at the Israelis….
Wow, smitajain, I’m disappointed….
@vishesh unni raghunathan, that’s always a risk. So what do you do? Some sections of the population will always be unhappy. In my opinion, you might as well be tough.
@Neel, unfortunately, even then BJP did nothing about it. They kept crying out about a common civil code. Yet what did they do? Zilch. As for us allowing Pakistan to become a nuclear capable state, you are right. As one of the commentators mentioned, we pissed away an opportunity in 1971 to quash Pakistan.
@rightwriter, you’re voicing the opinions of many in recent times 🙂
@gigdiary, I’m confused. On the one hand you laud Israeli action and then you say you’re disappointed with my views.:-) We, in india, have the same problem.