THE USHERING OF THE NEW YEAR – THE PERCEPTION OF CHANGE

Lunar Eclipse
Image via Wikipedia

ONCE IN A ‘BLUE MOON‘ – WELCOME TO NEW YEAR   :    

Once in a 'Blue Moon', we encounter a second Full Moon on New Year's Eve.

 

The sensory perception about Moon depends upon the place where we exist on this planet Earth. The visual experience of Moon is not the same, it is not absolute and is only relative.

 

In the United States, on New Year’s Eve, we had a ‘Blue Moon’ to ring in the Year 2010. As the saying goes, the Blue Moon is a rare event. In any given season, we encounter three Full Moons. Blue Moon is defined as the third Full Moon in a season with four Full Moons. It is also easy to define a Blue Moon as the second Full Moon in a given month. A Full Moon occurs every 29.5 days and most years have 12 Full Moons. An extra Full Moon in a month is described as a Blue Moon. The name has nothing to do with the color of our celestial neighbor. The first Full Moon of the month occurred on December 2nd. On Thursday, December 31, the New Year’s Eve, the Full Moon appeared for the second time. An extra Full Moon occurs every 2.5 years. New Year’s Eve Blue Moons are rarer occuring every 19 years. The last time was in 1990, and the next Full Moon comes on New Year’s Eve again in 2028.     

A partial Lunar Eclipse on New Year's Eve was visible in the East and not in the Americas.

 

While the United States ushered the New Year with a Blue Moon and in the Eastern Hemisphere, people celebrated the arrival of the New Year with a partial Lunar Eclipse when part of the Moon entered the Earth’s shadow. This Eclipse was not visible in the Americas. As to how we recognize the arrival of New Year depends upon the place where we live on this planet Earth. This New Year’s Blue Moon is unique to the place where we live.    

THE PERCEPTION OF CHANGE  :    

The experience of time on this planet Earth is an illusionary experience and is not an ‘absolute’ experience. In New York City, at Times Square thousands of people gathered on the New Year’s Eve to watch the “Ball” drop to ring in the New Year.    

The Magical Moment in Times Square. The JOY of ushering the New Year.

 

The future does not exist except in our expectation. The expectation that the Ball would drop at a precise moment is the anticipated future. The future gets transformed into the past in an instant when the Ball drops down. The past does not exist except in our memory. The present represents that instant in the future and past continuum. The New Year has arrived at the middle of the night not because of a perceptible ‘Change’ in the environment. The ‘Change’ is recognized by the use of a clock and the Ball in Times Square drops by perceiving the ‘Change’ in the clock’s time. Time is perceived by the ‘Change’ it brings. Man has invented calendars and clocks to affix numbers to the passage of time. The most a clock can give is the time an instant ago and not even the time ‘now’.    

In Indian Tradition, it is dawn that ushers a New Day and a New Year.

 

In Indian Tradition, the New Year is associated with more perceptible changes in the physical environment. According to Indian calendars, the New Year arrives during the Spring Season, and the New Year’s Day is heralded by the dawn with the Sun rising above the horizon.     

THE HISTORY OF TIME MEASUREMENT  :    

Earth’s rate of spin is the determinant of our day. The speed of the Earth’s rotation can be described in two ways: 1. The Angular or Omega Speed – the Earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours, or 15 degrees per hour, or 0.5 degrees of rotation in two minutes. 2. The Linear Speed or Velocity of a point on the surface of the Earth is about 1,000 miles/hour. A clock ( from the Latin Cloca – bell ) is an instrument for measuring time intervals of less than a day as opposed to a Calendar which measures time intervals greater than a day.    

Galileo Galilei ( 1564-1642 ) discovered the pendulum

 

The invention of Pendulum - The History of Time Measurement.

 

Dutch Scientist Christiaan Huygens the inventor of first Pendulum Clock

 

In 1656, Huygens determined the mathematical formula that related pendulum length to time and built the first pendulum driven Clock.

 

The Grandfather Clock - The division of the day into hours, minutes, and seconds helps us to recognize the passage of time. We have no sensory perception of Earth's spin that gives us alternate periods of light and darkness.

 

The day is measured in relation to the time taken for Earth’s rotation that causes perceptible environmental changes. Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens ushered us into the era of precision timekeeping. During 1884, Greenwich in England was adopted as the zero degree longitude. U.S. time zones came into existence in 1883, the global time zones came into use in 1884, and ‘daylight’ savings time came into use in 1915. However, the Earth is an erratic time keeper. The Earth’s rotation is affected by the tides, changing weather patterns, ocean currents, and polar ice variations. The net effect is that it is slowing, losing a few thousandths of a second per century. Half a billion years ago the planet took only 20 hours to make it through the day. In another 200 million years an Earth Day will last 25 hours. Man has acquired the ability to track the motion inside atomic nucleus. Picoseconds describe trillionths of a second, and Femtoseconds describe thousandths of a Picosecond. To give a better perspective, it could be stated that there are more Femtoseconds in one second than there were seconds in the past 31 million years.    

Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 developed the Gregorian Calendar that we use today.

 

The seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn and the phases of the Moon are used to measure the passage of time of a greater duration than a day. The Babylonians, and the Egyptians had used calendars. The Calendar developed by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 is accurate to a day in every 3,323 years. The Calendar is related to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Earth’s orbit around the Sun takes about 365 1/4 days. Earth orbits the Sun at a distance of about 93 million miles. Earth travels a distance of about 584 million miles per year at about a speed of 66,660 miles/hour. The Moon rotates on its axis and revolves around the Earth in about 29.5 days  and has helped man to devise the 30 day Lunar Calendar. Moon spins with the same period as its revolution around the Earth and hence the same face of the Moon always points towards the Earth.    

HUMAN CONCEPTS ABOUT TIME  :    

We run our lives by numbers on Clocks and Calendars. The Clocks and Calendars create the illusion that we live in a world of mathematically measured segments of time. Man acquired advanced language abilities to descirbe the past in terms of personal experience. Because of linguistic skills, man is able to communicate his expectations about future and reminisce about past events. Time is lloked upon as a flow like a river.    

Sir Issac Newton ( 1687 ) stated that the Flow of Time is Absolute.

 

Sir Issac Newton claims that the time “flows equably without relation to anything external.” In 1905, while postulating the Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein had observed that time is not absolute and that the measurement of time is affected by the motion of the observer.    

Albert Einstein stated that Time is not Absolute and is relative to the motion of the observer.

 

The relativity of time becomes significant only at very great speeds. Rapidly moving clocks tick more slowly than clocks at rest. Herman Minkowski, a mathematician, added time as the fourth dimension of three dimensional space. Time is seen as a dimension like height, and width, and it gives meaning to events and the order in which they occur. Gravity affects both time and light. Time is affected by the gravitational field of each celestial body and thus is unique to any one spot in the universe. The physicists tend to view time and space as the building blocks of the universe. However, time is not a substance and it is only a measuring tool. Motion and time are invariably linked. There can be no velocity without the concept of time. While time is not absolute, the speed of light ( 186,282 miles/second ) is absolute. Now, we have the practical ability to actually look at past while living in the present. By looking at light reaching us from a far away Galaxy, or a Supernova, we are looking as it was billions of years ago.    

THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK :    

The Biological Clock is an Internal Clock that monitors time and brings about changes that affect the body and its functions.

 

A  biologist sees time in the ‘internal clocks’ that keep all living entities in sync with nature. The body’s dominant time cycle is called the ‘Circadian Rhythm’ ( Latin Circa – approximately; and Dies – day or About a Day ). For most of us a normal circadian cycle is 25 hours. A seven day week could be described as a unit of time for the biological rhythms that regulate changes in body chemicals, the response pattern of the immune system, the rise and fall of heart beat and changes in circualtion display this periodicity of functioning. Human body undergoes age related changes in structure and function with the passage of time and it is unrelated to man’s ability to measure time or man’s concepts about time. Aging is a time related biological phenomenon on which man has very little control. The biological clock measures time and the activity of genes is selectively turned on or off. Apart from cell damage due to the products of cell metabolism, effects of physical environment, and biological agents, cells experience senescence. We are predestined to exist as mortal individuals and the human body experiences changes in its structure and function even if we fail to keep track of the passage of time. Humans lack the biological and physiological abilities to transform our physical bodies into sources of perpetual enjoyment. Time has influence over both animate and inanimate world. Apart from human existence, the existence of this created universe is subject to time’s Power of Dissolution. The White Dwarfs, the Brown Dwarfs, the Super Novae offer observable evidence about the effects of time on physical objects and its power to cause change, transformation, and eventually dissolution.    

WHERE ARE WE NOW ?    

Where were we in the year 2009? Where would we exist in the year 2011? In the year 2010, where are we now? Our measurement of time gives the illusionary experience of the material world in which we exist. Our experience of time is illusionary as we do not know as to when time began and we do not know as to when it may cease to exist. Indian thinkers have described time or “KAALA” as eternal and time existed before creation, and would continue to exist after dissolution of creation. During this middle interval, after creation and before its dissolution, time exists in relation to motion. When there is no motion in absolute terms, there would be no time interval that could be measured, and  the stillness arrests the flow of time. Since, time is related to movement, we need a reference point to know our exact position at any given instant. Our position on the surface of the Earth keeps changing as Earth participates in the motions of the Sun as a member of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Sun also revolves around the galactic center at a speed of about 155 miles/second and Earth participates in this motion along with the rest of the Solar System. We need to know the precise location of the Sun in the Milky Way Galaxy at any given time and also know the precise location of the Milky Way Galaxy in the universe in which it exists. Without this information, our experience and understanding of time remains purely a local experience relative to a spot in this universe of unknown dimensions.    

LINEAR  vs  CIRCULAR TIME FLOW  :    

Is past, present, and future are arranged in a straight line? In the West, time is more often viewed as a one-way track. The “monochronic” perception about time in the West could be related to its cultural beliefs such as resurrection which gives a sense of the arrow of time pointing in one direction. In India, time is viewed as a circle and all things are expected to return to a former state of existence. In nature, the seasons repeat themselves, and the living entities follow this pattern of cyclical growth and regeneration. According to the Indian concept of ‘Samsara’, the individual soul is eternal but is trapped in a cyclical existence of birth, death, and rebirth. The Indian concept of  ‘Karma’ also very firmly binds the individual soul to its past states of existence and the individual experiences the past in his present existence, and also in all of his future states of existence. The cyclical flow of time would let us experience the past and lets time to repeat itself.    

TIME’S POWER OF DISSOLUTION :    

Indian thinker Adi Shankaracharya has described Time's Power of Dissolution:"Maa kuru dhana, jana, yowvvana garvam, Harati nimeyshaat kaala sarvam, Mayaa maya midam akhilam hitvaa, Brahma padam tvam bravisa viditvaa.

 

 Time exerts a powerful influence over the qualitative aspects of human existence. Whatever qualities or attributes such as material wealth, power, status, and social position that man cherishes and desires most could be dissolved and rendered useless by the effects of time. Indian thinker Adi Shankaracharya has cautioned people to be aware of the powerful force of Illusion called ‘MAYA’ and we are asked to avoid the perceptual problems it generates. Since the manifested world and universe gives illusory experience, we need to be careful about the effects of time that tends to dissolve the manifested universe at an individual level and also as a collective human sensory experience. A philosopher had observed that:”Time is the Best Teacher, unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.” Humans have no choice. Time alters our ability to perceive the sensory experience and enjoyment of our physical body. Time with its Power of Dissolution would eventually compel us to investigate and to explore the Concept of Absolute and Unchanging Reality. The Strong Nuclear Force, the Weak Nuclear Force, Electromagnetism, and the Gravitational Force operate the Four Fundamental Interactions and the role of time has not been explained by physicists. Natural scientist Charles Darwin had observed that things in nature change with time. Does time exert a force entirely of its own to change things in nature? If time is viewed as a power or a force, who controls this force and what are the Laws that operate this Force? Indian thinkers are of the opinion that Purusha ( the Divine Soul ), Prakriti ( the material Nature ), and Kaala or Time are eternal and these three entities existed before formation of this created universe, will operate during the existence of this created universe, and eventually remain existing after the total dissolution of the present created universe. The flow of time is eternal, but time is not absolute. Purusha or the Supreme Divine Soul is the ultimate Controller of Energy in all of its forms. The Power of Time to dissolve the creation has no effect on the Creator. All the living entities are created by the Superior Energy of the Supreme Divine Soul, and the individual souls have the ability to exploit energy of an inferior source such as Prakriti ( material Nature ). The physical body experiences dissolution as per a predetermined time ( Kaala Sutra ), and the individual souls alone survive the dissolution of animate and inanimate world and universe.    

The Unchanging Ultimate and Absolute Reality is Unmanifested. In the manifested world and universe, everything is subject to change and gets changed, transformed, and eventually dissolved under the influence of time. Lord Rama has existed in this manifested world. But, the name, the two letters of "RA", and "MA" which are manifested in this physical world represent the Unmanifested Truth which is not subject to change and exists beyond the influence of time. Ra+ ma could be viewed like a mathematical formula to represent the Reality called Truth.

 

 ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE  : 

Everything that is born arrives with a plan for its dissolution. In the multicellular human organism, each individual cell has its life span and the human individual has his life span. How is the existence of the individual is established in a multicellular organism? Man may choose to define his essence, and the cells need to function to support the existence of the individual. Man’s identity is just one face of the coin, and the second face of the same coin represents the individuality of that person. Man exists as long as the individuality is maintained. Man is not capable of independent existence. The individuality is sustained because of ‘God Connection’; the Connection that connects the individual who is energy seeker with his energy provider. Man’s intellectual or physical effort is not the basis for this God Connection. As time flows, man lives his life span because of the mercy, compassion, and grace of the Creator, who had caused the existence of this object that has identity and individuality. 

Please view related blog post titled ‘The Perception of Reality-Maya is a Fundamental Force’  

https://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/the-perception-of-reality-maya-is-a-fundamental-force/   

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham,   

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,   

M.B.B.S.,  Class of   April, 1970.

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ
The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. BLESSINGS OF JESUS FROM MATTHEW 11:28
The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. BLESSINGS OF JESUS FROM MATTHEW 11:28

HUMAN EXISTENCE AND THE GAME OF CHESS:

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. CHRISTMAS DAY, A HOLIDAY ON DECEMBER 25, CELEBRATES THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. THE FOCUS UPON GOD’S UNCONDITIONED LOVE IS NOT ALWAYS EXPRESSED IN THIS TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION.

I view human existence as a game of chess. Depending upon the nature of the opponent, human existence faces challenges from several directions which may not be anticipated and man may or may not be able to escape from the danger posed to his existence. 

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. CHRIST – THE DIVINE CHESS PLAYER

The popular game of chess is played on a chessboard by two players each with 16 pieces. The game pieces have varying abilities of movement over the chessboard. The piece identified as ‘King’ can move in all directions but can only move by one space during a given move.    

Human Existence could be viewed as a Game of Chess. If I am the player, who would be my opponent?
Human existence could be viewed as a game of chess. In the game of chess, the King moves one space in any direction.

The object of the game of chess is to ‘checkmate’ the opposing player’s King. The move that is known as ‘Checkmate’ wins the chess game by checking the opponent’s King so that it cannot be protected. The condition of the King after such a move indicates complete defeat or that the King is dead.

Human existence could be viewed as a game of chess. The crucial move known as ‘Checkmate’ and Its relevance to human existence

Human Existence could be compared to the game of chess. A variety of physical, chemical, and biological factors constantly challenge human existence. The man learns to survive by making the necessary moves and by deploying all of his defensive mechanisms and resources. During his life’s journey, the man eventually finds himself in a position without any escape route. Just like the ‘Checkmated’ King, the man may get cornered in a situation which is beyond his control. The chess game pieces have no ability other than the movement that is allowed by the rules of the game. Unlike the chess game, the man whose existence is ‘Checkmated’, the man whose existence is undefended; the man who is not capable of making any more moves to protect his own existence, may get rescued by an ‘Uplifting Power’; and such an ‘Upward’ move is not described in the game of chess.     

MAN vs GOD – THE JOY OF GETTING ‘CHECKMATED’:

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. MAN vs GOD – THE JOY OF GETTING ‘CHECKMATED’.
The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. IN HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ‘SURPRISED BY JOY, C.S. LEWIS DESCRIBED A GAME OF CHESS.

 Clive Staples Lewis (1898 – 1963), Oxford and Cambridge Scholar, novelist, writer of stories for children, and  Literary Critic, in his Autobiographical Sketch titled ‘Surprised by Joy’ has visualized his existence as that of a ‘Divine Pursuit’. It is not the man who searches and eventually finds God. It is rather God who pursues the man throughout his life’s moves. God is the one who searches for man and not vice versa. God goes about seeking the souls that are His. If a man wanders off, God goes to the man in order to reconcile him. God’s searching for man is serious and is not ostensible. If life could be described as  Man vs  God Chess Game; God skillfully places the man in a position which gives no option of escape and finally God captures the man. C.S. Lewis has entitled the penultimate chapter of his Autobiography as “Checkmate.” Lewis describes God as the Divine Chess player who gradually maneuvers him into an impossible position. “All over the board, my pieces were in the most disadvantageous positions. Soon I could no longer cherish even the illusion that the initiative lay with me. My Adversary began to make His final moves.” When God is the Divine Chess player, getting ‘Checkmated’ is only a moment of great Joy. The man who is defeated, the man who is pursued, and the man who is outmaneuvered, is saved by the ‘Uplifting Power’ of Mercy, Grace, and Compassion of the Divine Chess player.     

THE UPLIFTING POWER OF CHRIST:

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS. THE UPLIFTING POWER OF CHRIST

In the New Testament Book John, Chapter 10, Jesus describes Himself. In verse 11, He states: “I am the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Jesus.

And He further clarifies in verses 14 and 15 by stating: “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ.

 THE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK:     

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. LUKE, CHAPTER 19, VERSE 10: “FOR THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE WHAT WAS LOST.”

As the shepherd marches ahead, the sheep of his flock follow him from behind and recognize him by the commands of his voice.

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ

In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 18, verses 12 to 14, Jesus describes the Parable of the Lost Sheep: “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”  

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ

God is not really willing that any of us should be lost. In case we choose to wander off, He is willing to search for us, find us and take us back to His Home. And after saving the lost sheep, Jesus tells about the shepherd: “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” (Luke, Chapter 15, verses 3-7).

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ

God actually delights Himself by finding the lost among us.     

THE PROBLEM OF BLACK SHEEP:

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. BLACK SHEEP – WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

The problem of “Black Sheep” is not about its color. The word ‘black’ reflects the discredited status of the sheep. Black Sheep means a member of a family or group regarded as not so respectable or successful as the rest. The flock rejects one of its own, and the discredited member is described as the “Black Sheep.” The Shepherd tends to His flock of sheep who recognize Him and follow Him.

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ.

In John, Chapter 10, verse 9, Jesus describes Himself as the Gate of His sheep pen, and said: “If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” What happens to the “Black Sheep” who is not a member of His flock?  The non-member could be described as a disbeliever. Who would rescue the “Black Sheep” that has wandered off? As a discredited member of my community and my country, the concept of “Black Sheep” and its “Uplift” is of great interest and concern to me.

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. THE PROBLEM OF “BLACK SHEEP” – WOULD THE GOOD SHEPHERD LOOK FOR LOST “BLACK SHEEP”?

Jesus assures us that He is aware of the existence of sheep that may not belong to His sheep pen.

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ.

In John, Chapter 10, verse 16, Jesus gives a sense of great hope to others who may not know Him and may not live under His protection: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be One flock and One Shepherd.”

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. JESUS WOULD ALSO FIND THE OTHER SHEEP THAT ARE NOT OF HIS SHEEP PEN. THERE SHALL BE ONE FLOCK AND ONE SHEPHERD.

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS:

 The Joy of Christmas comes from the fact that God knows you, and He takes pleasure in finding you and He gets you back into His Protection even if you have wandered away from Him and got lost. He is aware of the sheep that are not in His sheep pen. Even the “Black Sheep” belong to His sheep pen and He would rejoice when He rescues one lost sheep.    

The Joy of Christmas – The Uplifting Power of Christ. BLESSINGS OF JESUS FROM MATTHEW 11:28

THE RISING SUN – THE LAND OF TIBET

The Rising Sun gives us a sense of hope and it also tells us about the Challenge.

THE RISING SUN – A HOPE AND A CHALLENGE  :

THE RISING SUN - THE LAND OF TIBET : THE SUNRISE AT POTALA PALACE, LHASA GIVES ME A SENSE OF HOPE AND AT THE SAME TIME IT REMINDS ME THAT THERE IS A GREAT CHALLENGE AHEAD OF THAT PROMISE OF HOPE.
THE RISING SUN – THE LAND OF TIBET : THE SUNRISE AT POTALA PALACE, LHASA GIVES ME A SENSE OF HOPE AND AT THE SAME TIME IT REMINDS ME THAT THERE IS A GREAT CHALLENGE AHEAD OF THAT PROMISE OF HOPE.

When a celestial body like Sun appears above the horizon, we know that it would continue to ascend to a higher position and attain a greater height or a higher level and the rising Sun gives us a sense of hope and a hope for a better future. At the same time, we recognize that to advance to a higher position, man faces a challenge. It needs moral effort, physical struggle and we need to overcome the obstacles in our path and hence the picture of the rising Sun reminds us about the challenge that awaits us. Without effort and struggle, there can be no real upward movement in our lives, or in the life of people, or in the history of a Nation. The Land of Tibet lives on this hope and the people of Tibet need to struggle to realize this hope.

WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY  2009  :

10th December, 2009 marked the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and it also marked the 20th anniversary of H.H. Dalai Lama winning Nobel Peace Prize.

10th December,2009 marks the 20th anniversary of H.H. Dalai Lama winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Tibetans still face arbitrary detention, torture, and discrimination on racial, ethnic, and religious grounds. Tibetans face exploitation, oppression, persecution, and other forms of deprivation. There is no respect and there is no tolerance of Tibetan religious practices and Tibetan cutural institutions. As we observe the World Human Rights Day, we need to be reminded about this challenge that we face in the Land of Tibet.

THE SPIRITS OF SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE

PRIME MINISTER INDIRA GANDHI – A FLAME THAT GOT EXTINGUISHED

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
Operation Eagle(1971)-Public Grievance Registration Number: MODEF/E/2011/00761 dated 24 September, 2011 is asking Government of India to give due recognition to a participant of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts that initiated the Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971. This was India’s Undeclared War on Pakistan that started on November 03, 1971.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 31, 1984.
R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.
Organization: Special Frontier Force-Establishment No. 22-Vikas Regiment
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with President Richard Nixon on November 03, 1971 while I was taking part in Operation Eagle to initiate Liberation of Bangladesh with military action in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with President Richard Nixon on November 03, 1971 while I was taking part in Operation Eagle to initiate Liberation of Bangladesh with military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took the executive responsibility to initiate military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to initiate Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971. The Battle Plan was named Operation Eagle.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi took the executive responsibility to initiate military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to initiate the Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971. The Battle Plan was named Operation Eagle.
On completion of my military training and medical internship, I was sent on deputation to serve in Special Frontier Force(Establishment No. 22), a multinational defense alliance/pact which is supervised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretariat/The Directorate General of Security.
On completion of my military training and medical internship, I was sent on deputation to serve in Special Frontier Force (Establishment No. 22), a multinational defense alliance/pact which is supervised by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretariat/The Directorate General of Security.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A Flame that got extinguished on October 3, 1984.
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Tarangini – The Wave Theory of Immortality

Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality
TRIBUTE TO REBBAPRAGADA SURYANARAYANA MURTHY
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality.
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. Mother’s Date of Death: September 17, 1998. Father’s Date of Death: October 10, 2009.

How can a man survive after his death?   

This is not a discussion about “Afterlife” or “Hereafter”. This is not a discussion about death, resurrection and “Everlasting Life”. This is not a discussion about man’s historical legacy, his enduring fame after death, or about his perpetual existence in a Heavenly Mansion after his physical death. This is also not a discussion about transmigration or reincarnation of the human soul. The concept of immortality describes deathlessness or the idea of “Lasting forever”. In the material realm, everything that is born must die.

Tarangini – The Wave Theory of Immortality. The Indian tradition often compares the problem of transient human existence to that of beads of air and water that precariously live for short moments of time.

The fleeting experience of human existence is often compared to the existence of an air bubble on the surface of a Lotus leaf. The material body cannot enter the immaterial realm. Only a “TARANG” or a Wave that is not attached to any physical or material entity, a Wave that is set free and remains in motion, could make the transition and journey into the immortal realm.   

‘TARANG’ – ABOUT RIPPLES, WAVES, AND WAVE MOTION:   

Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. Ripples are undulating movements on the surface of water.

Ripples are little waves or undulating movements on the surface of water when the surface is stirred or ruffled by a breeze. We can also cause ripples by dropping a pebble into standing or still waters. Ripple suggests movement and is the result of a disturbance in the prevailing calm. The word ‘wave’ also describes a ridge or swell moving along the surface of a liquid or body of water as a result of disturbance, as by wind.

Tarangini – The Wave Theory of Immortality. Light or Electromagnetic Energy and Sound Energy are propagated as Waves.

In Physics, a wave is defined as a periodic motion or disturbance consisting of a series of many oscillations that propagate through a medium or space, as in the propagation of sound or light. Hence waves should be understood not only as the result of a disturbance such as the motion of an object, but also as a change in an electric current, or an alteration of an electromagnetic field. The disturbance is transported from one point to another by a wave, but the medium through which it travels does not undergo a net displacement.

Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. The understanding of Wave Mechanics.

Wave Mechanics is the branch of Physics that describes the motion of particles, as atoms, and elementary or fundamental particles, by wave motion. In Physics, waves are typically described in terms of their frequency or wavelength; the distance measured in the direction of progression of a wave, from any given point to the next point characterized by the same phase. Quantum physics is the study of matter and energy at the most fundamental level. It aims to uncover the properties and behaviors of the very building blocks of nature.

While many quantum experiments examine very small objects, such as electrons and photons, quantum phenomena are all around us, acting on every scale. However, we may not be able to detect them easily in larger objects. This may give the wrong impression that quantum phenomena are bizarre or otherworldly. In fact, quantum science closes gaps in our knowledge of physics to give us a more complete picture of our everyday lives.

Quantum discoveries have been incorporated into our foundational understanding of materials, chemistry, biology, and astronomy. These discoveries are a valuable resource for innovation, giving rise to devices such as lasers and transistors, and enabling real progress on technologies once considered purely speculative, such as quantum computers. Physicists are exploring the potential of quantum science to transform our view of gravity and its connection to space and time. Quantum science may even reveal how everything in the universe (or in multiple universes) is connected to everything else through higher dimensions that our senses cannot comprehend.

Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. The concept of Mental Wavelength.

In colloquial usage, the term Mental Wavelength is used to describe a way of thinking, understanding etc., The commonly used phrase of being ‘on the same wavelength’ describes a state of mutual understanding or accord.   

What are ‘Thought Waves’  or  ‘Mental Waves’?   

THE GENERATION OF THOUGHTS AND THE PROPAGATION OF THOUGHT
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. What are thought waves or mental waves?
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. What are thought waves or mental waves?
BRAIN AREAS - GENERATION OF THOUGHT - VOCALIZATION OF THOUGHT.
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. What are thought waves or mental waves?

The word ‘idea’ describes something a person thinks, a thought, a mental conception or image. The word ‘concept’ refers to something conceived in the mind. But, ideas and concepts must be vocalized by the brain and otherwise, their existence would remain unknown. Brain has to generate thoughts and express them or communicate them in a manner that permits others to understand the contents of those thoughts.

Tarangini – The Wave Theory of Immortality.

A brain at rest, calm or tranquil could be visualized like a pond of water which is still with no ripples and waves  seen. ‘Thought’ arrives like a disturbance and stirs up the resting brain. Thoughts arrive in waves and each represents movement of negatively charged ions or electrical activity and movement of electrical signals or nerve impulses between different areas of the brain. Just like in Wave Mechanics described in Physics, ‘thought waves’ have to move by wave motion, a series of electrical discharges before they find their physical expression.   

THOUGHT IS A BRAIN’S CHILD:   

Tarangini – The Wave Theory of Immortality.

A thought that is conceived in the brain of a thinker could have an existence of its own. The thinker has to sever the connection between himself and his thought. A child is born, is set free to lead an independent and free existence when the cord that connects the mother and the child is severed. A ‘thought wave’ which is no longer attached to the thinker exists with an identity of its own.   

“TARANGINI” – THE WAVE THEORY OF IMMORTALITY:   

Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality.

The word ‘TARANG’ means a wave or motion which is the property of a wave. The word “TARANGINI” means a moving, flowing, or running stream or river. The act of flowing gives the water a life of its own. The stream or river is alive as long as the water is flowing. If the thoughts, ideas, and mental conceptions of a person are propagated to another person; and if such propagation of ‘thought waves’ continues from one generation to the next, the wave is said to be in motion and the quality of being alive is imparted to that ‘thought wave’. I would like to draw an analogy between the fluidity that manifests as a flowing stream and the fluidity of a mind that lets a ‘thought wave’ to propagate. The attribute called ‘life’ exists as long as the wave continues to move and is in motion.

The propagation of ‘thought waves’ across generational lines describes my ‘Wave Theory of Immortality’. There are numerous human mental concepts, ideas, ‘thought waves’ or ‘mental waves’ that are ‘immortalized’ and these ‘waves’ are still in motion, flowing from one generation to the next. The human identity may not be known as the human person who had originally conceived the thought and has set it into motion did not attach his/her physical identity to that particular ‘thought wave’. These immortal ‘thought waves’ have originated in the minds of men who always exist in relation to their physical environment. An immortal thought exists in the context of a human personality in whom the mental ‘disturbance’ took birth and has continued to survive, and has continued to move, and is still flowing through the minds of others who got exposed to this ‘mental wave’. I choose to define the “Indian Identity” in terms of such immortal thoughts that took birth in the Land of India known as Bharat. Human minds have conceived the concepts of Satya (Truth), Dharma (Right Conduct), Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Shanti (Peace), Paapa (Sin), Punya (meritorious acts),Punarjanma (Rebirth ), Samsara (the cycle of Birth, Death, and Rebirth), Aatma ( Human Soul ), Paramatma (Divine Soul), Vidhi (Fate), Karma (Action and its consequences), and various others which establish a specific relationship between the man and the physical environment in which he exists. Immortality as an idea is entertained by people of different cultures. In each culture, the idea is expressed in a different context. In the Land of Bharat, the idea of immortality is not discussed in terms of physical death, resurrection and Everlasting Life after the process of ‘Resurrection’. Immortality is not about perpetual existence in a Heavenly Mansion. In the opinion of Indian thinkers, the mortal body cannot be transported to a Heavenly Abode. Immortality is not about eternal or enduring fame. The fame belongs to a physical entity and it remains in the physical realm in relationship with the physical environment. In the Indian Tradition, the fame of an individual is considered to be eternal or lasting forever if it survives as long as water flows down the River of Ganga or Ganges. Indian thinkers have connected the concept of Immortality is to an unchanging Reality described as Sat (Truth) + Chit (Knowledge) + Ananda (Bliss). These immortal ‘thought waves’ have given us a group identity.

River Ganga meandering through the Shivalik ranges near Rishikesh symbolizes my WAVE THEORY OF IMMORTALITY. Man always exists in constant relationship with his physical environment. Immortality is not about perpetual residence in a Heavenly Mansion. Immortality is associated with the idea of Ultimate Reality which is represented by SAT+CHIT+ANANDA. In this physical world, the Indian Identity is immortalized by the flowing River adoringly described as Mother Ganges.
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality.

We need to constantly remind ourselves that each mental concept has taken its birth in the mind of an individual and the immortal thought has moved away from the physical identity of that individual. These ‘thought waves’ or ‘mental waves’ would continue to flow across the Land of Bharat as long as water continues to flow in a River that is admiringly described as Ganga Maa or Mother Ganges. Indian Tradition has always visualized ‘thought waves’ as a running or flowing Stream or River. In the physical environment, a flowing or running Stream or River represents the perpetual hydrological cycle, the cycle involving the evaporation from the sea, precipitation such as snow and rain, and the return flow to the sea. In relative terms, humans lead a transient existence, and the rivers stream until eternity.

SHANKARA  –  IS HE DEAD OR ALIVE?   

SHANKARA – IS HE DEAD OR ALIVE ? “ManO Buddhyahamkaara,Chittaani Na aHam;Na Karnam, Na Jihvaa, Na cha Ghraana, Neytrey;Na cha Vyoma, Bhumir, Na TejO, Na VaayuH;Chidaananda RuupaH; ShivO aHam, ShivO aHam.”

Adi Shankaracharya has expressed his identity as that of SHIVA and that of SHIVA alone. He had excluded mind, intellect, ego, and conscience from his identity. His identity is not related to human knowledge, and the human brain that exists in this physical universe. He had excluded the sensory organs of hearing, taste, smell, and vision from his identity.His identity is not related to the human knowledge that is derived from sensory organs, or sense perceptions. He had excluded Sky( Ether ), Earth, Fire, and Air from his identity. His identity goes beyond the limits of the physical universe and his identity transcends the ‘Immanent’ Realm. 

However, Shankara did not exclude his ‘thought wave’ from the description of his identity. His ‘thought wave’ is the bearer of his identity. His thought, the mental wave or ‘Tarang’ identifies itself as True Knowledge of Bliss which is personified as ‘Shiva’. This ‘thought wave’ that is set into motion is still flowing and this “TARANGINI” is still alive and it describes the quality of Immortality. Shankara is alive as long as the mental concept of “Shiv O Aham” continues to create mental vibrations and causes electrical discharges in the nerve cells of human brains and these invisible oscillations gain physical expression and is vocalized as the thought to describe the identity of the individual as “I am Shiva”, and “I am Shiva” and this alone is my ‘True Identity’.

I would like to draw an analogy between the Fluidity that manifests as a Flowing Stream and the Fluidity of a Mind that lets a 'thought wave' to propagate.
Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality.

Next time, when you look at a Running or Flowing Stream or River, let that ‘TARANGINI’ connect you ‘The Wave Theory of Immortality’.   

A ‘thought wave’ which took its birth in a human mind begins an existence of its own and when the thought is expressed or vocalized it begins a journey of its own. The mortal human body just belongs to the physical realm. A ‘thought wave’ or TARANG that contains the True Knowledge of Blissful existence travels beyond the limits of materialistic realm and enters the transcendental realm. Its identity with a person described as Shiva makes it deathless or immortal.   

Tarangini. The Wave Theory of Immortality. Ripples are undulating movements on the surface of water. The word ‘TARANG’ refers to ripple or wave seen on the surface of water.

THE BATTLE OF WORDS – GETTING KILLED IS DIVINE

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, the exchange of words could escalate into open warfare.
The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

THE BATTLE OF WORDS – MAN vs WOMAN 

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus, the exchange of words could escalate into open warfare. Women while initiating conversation with men begin in the mode of interrogation. Women tend to open up with a sharp question. Some questions that are often asked are; Who are you?, What have you been doing?, Where have you been?, and What else? When questioned by a female partner, men tend to give straight, and short answers. Women never get impressed by brief and matter of fact statements. While men try to use a specific word to project a specific image associated with that word, women are adept in interpreting that word using an alternate image. Women’s zeal to prolong the conversation is often motivated by a desire to probe the man further. When the grilling begins, man relents, starts using words of endearment with his responses to defuse the situation and to take cover. Once the Battle of Words begins, women tend to remain focussed on the battle as long as they have the ammunition. Women ignore all words of endearment used by the men as they view it as a distraction and fear that they may not be able to accomplish their mission of winning the Battle of Words. The inhabitants of Venus would not stop until a total victory is firmly grasped. Man, specially the Most Auspicious One, not only is willing to accept a defeat but also lovingly chooses to get killed in the duel of words. Getting killed is Divine when the Battle of Words involves your female life partner. 

Kastvam? Shuuli, mrugaya bhishajam;Neela KantaH Priye aham, Kekaam yekaam kuru;PasupatiH,naiva drushtey vishaaney;Sthaanuur Mughdhey, na vadati taruH; Jeeviteysa ShivaayaaH, gachha atavyaam; iti Hatha VachaH paatu va Chandra ChuudaH.

THE BATTLE OF WORDS BETWEEN THE “FIRST COUPLE” 

Parvati :  Kastvam?  =  Who are You? 

Shiva:  Shuli  = The one with “TRIDENT”, the bearer of a Spear. 

Parvati:  Mrugaya bheshajam  = ( Go and )  Find medicine. 

Parvati pays no attention to the tradition that allows men to identify themselves by the personal weapon they carry. Lord Vishnu is often identified as “CHAKRI” for He uses “Sudarshan Chakra” as His personal weapon. People who worship Lord Shiva recognize Him as the bearer of “TRISHULA” or “TRIDENT”, a Spear. Parvati ignores the image attached to the word “Shuli” and uses an alternate meaning attached to the word “Shuli”. The word “Shula” is a disease entity which is characterized by stomach ache. She interprets “Shuli” as a person with a disease entity called “Shula” and hence She very mockingly suggests to Lord Shiva to go and find some medicine for His stomach ache. 

Shiva: Priye + Aham + Neela KantaH = My Most Beloved, I am the One with Dark Blue Neck. 

Lord Shiva ignores Parvati’s mocking suggestion to find medicine, and very politely responds with the word “Neela KantaH” which is often used to describe Him. As per the legend, Lord Shiva had protected the world from being consumed by a dangerous poisonous gas called “Hala Hala” and had safely retained it in His throat and the deadly poison had imparted a dark blue color to His throat and contributed to His name and He is very popularly known as “Neela KantaH”. 

"Neela KantaH" or Pavo cristatus, family Phasianidae, a large pheasant with a metallic blue green body; the male is celebrated for its beauty and is endowed with strong "CROWING" voice.
The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

Parvati:  Kekaam + Yekaam + Kuru =  ( You ) Shout loudly (with Your “CROWING” voice) once. 

Parvati not only avoids identifying Lord Shiva as “Neelkanth” but also She challenges Him to give a demonstration of His voice. Birds are very often identified by their unique bird calls or songs. The Indian Blue Peacock utters a long mournful scream . Parvati is unwilling to look at Lord Shiva’s throat and identify Him as “Neela KantaH” and She challenges Him to verify His identity through a demonstration of the quality of the sound that comes from His throat. 

PASUPATI, BULL - Bos indicus, Zebu, the Brahman Bull; family Bovidae.
The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

Shiva: Pasupati  =  The Lord of all four legged creatures; the Lord of all living entities. 

Lord Shiva is not provoked by Parvati’s suggestion to give a demonstration of His voice by giving a loud call. He very politely gives Her a different answer and identifies Himself as the Lord of all creatures and He rides a Bull known as “Nandi”. 

Parvati  : Naiva + drushtey + vishaaney = ( I am ) Not able to see the Horns. 

Parvati makes a literal interpretation of the word “Pasupati” which means a bull and responds to Lord Shiva with a bit of sarcasm commenting that She is not able to find the Horns, a very characteristic feature of a bull. 

Shiva: O’ + Mugdha (y)  + Sathanur  = O’ Sweet faced One, I am “Immovable”. 

Lord Shiva is very patient, does not argue about the meaning of the word “Pasupati,” and tactfully changes the subject and speaks of His Personal Quality with which people identify Him. He is famously known for His Steadfastness and the word “Sthanu” signifies this personality trait and character. He also demonstrates no signs of  irritation in His manner of speech and He very carefully chooses His words and responds to Parvati with a compliment about Her beautiful face which is full of charm and youthful exuberance. 

Ficus religiosa or the Bodhi Tree is often worshipped in India. The tree is also described as "Sthaanuu" which means immovable.
The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

Parvati:   Na + vadati + taruH  =   A ‘tree’ cannot speak ! ( How could a ‘tree’ talk ? ) 

Parvati shows no interest in evaluating Lord Shiva’s character and steadfastness and interprets the word “Sthanu” in a very simple manner and further comments  that if the description of “Sthanu” is correct; She will not expect to hear  any words as the trees are not endowed with the faculty of speech. 

Shiva: Jeevitesa + Shivaya  = ( I am ) the Life Partner of Parvati. 

Lord Shiva uses His final and ultimate weapon in this Battle of Words. The word ” SHIVA” also relates to “Parvati”. By claiming that He is the Life Partner of Parvati, Lord Shiva intends to charm Her with His words and yet the same time give an appropriate response to Her question of “KASTVAM” with which She has initiated this Battle of Words. 

Parvati:  Gachha +  Atavyaam  =  Run to the forest. 

The alternate meaning of the word “Shiva” is Jackal. Parvati who is fully focussed upon winning the Battle of Words is not in a mood to succumb to the magic of Lord Shiva’s endearing words. Parvati amply demonstrates Her adeptness in interpreting words as per the circumstances of the Battle. Jackals are very timid animals. They simply run away when they are challenged by voice. Parvati taunts Lord Shiva and tells Him to run to the forest for He has called Himself a Jackal by using the word “Shiva” to describe His Identity. 

The humble  and shy Indian Jackal is also described as "SHIVA".
The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

Iti Hatha Vachah paatu va Chandra ChuudaH  =  The Lord whose hair locks are adorned by the Crescent-shaped Moon, who is thus killed in the Battle of Words may protect me. 

Lord Shiva- Shuuli, Neela kantaH, Pasupati, Sthaanuu, Chandra ChuudaH.
The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

The Lord has chosen not to win the Battle of Words. Ordinary mortals should not even attempt to succeed in such a Battle of Words. Following the Lord’s example, the men of Mars must choose to get killed in a Battle of Words granting victory to the women of Venus. 

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, 

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, 

M.B.B.S.,  Class of  April, 1970.

The Battle of Words. Man vs Woman. Getting Killed is Divine.

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. ESTABLISHMENT NO. 22 – OPERATION EAGLE: A COVERT MILITARY ACTION SANCTIONED BY PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO SECURE PEACE IN THE REGION NOW KNOWN AS THE REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH.
CHTs locator map in purple in Bangladesh
The Phantoms of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Fifth Army in Bangladesh.
The Comic Strip Superhero- The Phantom,The Ghost Who Walks.
The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Comic Strip Superhero – The Phantom,The Ghost Who Walks.
Lee Falk created the fictional Superhero known as PHANTOM
The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Lee Falk created the fictional Superhero known as PHANTOM

LEE FALK’S PHANTOM:

Leon Harrison Gross, popularly known as Lee Falk had created the comic strip superhero ‘The Phantom, The Ghost Who Walks’. The story of Phantom was initially set in the deep woods of Bengal of India. Later, the setting of the story moved to the jungles of the fictional African country of Bangalla. In that story, the true nature of Phantom is only known to the PYGMY tribe, the natives of the forest.

THE PHANTOMS OF CHITTAGONG: THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH       

Major General Sujan Singh Uban, AVSM, the former Inspector General of the Special Frontier Force.
Major General Sujan Singh Uban, AVSM, the former Inspector General of the Special Frontier Force. The Commander of ‘The Phantoms of Chittagong’.

Allied Publishers of India had published this book on April 1, 1985. The author of this Phantom fiction is Major General(Retd)Sujan Singh Uban. He had commanded the Special Frontier Force in the rank of Inspector General. In his story, General Uban narrated the military exploits of the Special Frontier Force during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. General Uban was deputed to carry out a hazardous operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. His force was airlifted to the northeast corner of India and had reached the border of Mizoram State and had proceeded on foot to accomplish its mission. The force had operated independently in the most difficult terrain of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts

For the success of this operation, General Uban was awarded the medal for distinguished service of exceptional order known as ‘Param Vishisht Seva Medal’ ( PVSM). Just like the ‘bush people’ of the forests of Bangalla know the true nature of PHANTOM, the native forest dwellers of the Chittagong Hill Tracts described as ‘CHAKMA’ know the true nature of the Phantoms, the ‘Fifth Army’ in Bangladesh. The Chakmas have eyes that can see. They had silently witnessed the movements of the Fifth Army. General Uban may not have contacted these denizens of the forests. He may have no clue as to what the Chakma might have seen. In the execution of General Urban’s military plan some of the Phantoms, gallant members of the Fifth Army sacrificed their lives. General Uban was not present when the real heroes were cremated or buried. Apart from myself, I presume that the Chakma might have seen where the ‘Phantoms of Chittagong’ were buried. 

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands(December 1985 to December 1989) – Lieutenant General(Retd) TS Oberoi, PVSM, VrC., former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Southern Command, Pune, former Inspector General, Special Frontier Force, former Commandant, Headquarters Establishment No. 22. He is the tall person in this photo wearing dark brown turban. I knew him since 1971. Under his able leadership, the Liberation of Bangladesh had commenced in the year 1971 during the Indo-Pak War.Apart from his military wisdom, he took a good care of all men under his Command. While I was proceeding to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, he had individually greeted all the members of my team and had delayed the departure of aircraft to ensure that a hot breakfast was served to all the men boarding the aircraft. He paid personal attention to all the aspects of the military mission to ensure the wellbeing of men apart from achieving success in accomplishing the military task. The sense of warmth he radiated is easily felt when we meet him in person. His grandson provided me the link to this photo. Photo Credit – Trishna-Ajay-Picasa Web Album.

THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE FIFTH ARMY:       

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Operation Eagle. The military action to initiate the Liberation of Bangladesh involved the use of this US Marine Corps Service Rifle. I declined to use the US Service Rifle M14 and had no Service Weapon for self-defence.

General Uban in his book did not describe the full story about his military expedition to Bangladesh. He did not describe the Medical Evacuation Plan for his operation.

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. MS-8466 CAPTAIN R.R. NARASIMHAM, AMC/SSC. During the 1971 War, at a critical juncture, as the Unit waited for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s decision, this Medical Officer acted with decisive Courage inside the enemy territory and had accomplished his military Mission.

In the history of the Indian Army Medical Corps, a unique chapter was added in the forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts. It would be my privilege to narrate that historical moment. General Uban may not be aware of the fact that I had actually marched into enemy territory without my personal weapon to defend myself.

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. I was trained in the use of a 9mm SMG or Sten Gun which is very similar to the gun shown in this photo image. I had chosen to march into enemy territory without my personal weapon to defend myself. When I reported for duty, I learned that my South Column Unit had no Sten Guns on their inventory. War is a team effort. My contribution to this team effort is not based upon firing bullets from my Sten Gun. I had totally discarded any concerns about my personal safety and worked for the success of the team. I have shown Courage by not carrying this Sten Gun and in following my team like a shadow and confronting the enemy as a TEAM.
The Phantoms of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Untold Story of the Fifth Army in Bangladesh. Where was my Sten Gun?

General Uban was not aware of the ‘SERMON’ delivered by Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan, my South Column Unit Commander in Kaptai. On Friday, December 17, 1971 morning, the religious worship service for Bangla Muslims of Kaptai was conducted by Colonel Narayan, a non-Muslim. I shared this story at my blog post titled ‘A Sermon in Kaptai, Bangladesh’.      

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. On Friday, December 17, 1971, Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan, Commander of South Column Unit of Operation Eagle conducted the Friday Worship Service for Bangla Muslims of Kaptai, Rangamati District, Bangladesh.
A Personal Tribute to Colonel B K Narayan, The Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kaaba-07.jpg
A Sermon in Kaptai, Bangladesh Ops 1971-72. A personal tribute to Colonel B K Narayan, Islamic Scholar who served in Olive Green Uniform. The Imam of Friday Prayer in Kaptai on December 17, 1971: Glorious Quran, Surah VIII, SPOILS OF WAR, Verse 01: “And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah.Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower.”

General Uban was not aware of the use of Telugu language in military radio communications during a crucial phase of our Unit’s encounter with the enemy. Our enemy was not in a position to comprehend a South Indian language like Telugu. Myself and Colonel Narayan took advantage of the language barriers and had openly communicated in Telugu language. The enemy might have intercepted and listened to our radio conversations but did not decipher our messages. During 1971 War, for brief moments, the airwaves in Chittagong Hill tracts had carried words spoken in Telugu.       

The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. AN-PRC-25 US Army Backpack VHF Radio. We used the radio communicating in Telugu language.

General Uban is entitled to take credit for his military plan. However, the real credit goes to the person who had executed  the plan on the ground. Lieutenant General T S Oberoi, PVSM, VrC  who was the General Officer Commanding – in – Chief at Headquarters Southern Command, Pune during 1982-85 should get the real credit. I knew General Oberoi. In 1971, he was a Brigadier. While I was heading to Kumbhigram airfield, he had personally seen me off in the early morning hours at Sarsawa airfield. He delayed the departure of the aircraft. He insisted that the men must be served a hot breakfast before boarding the plane. I remember him for his sense of devotion to the men he had commanded. He displayed this devotion in his actions and the manner in which the military plan was executed on the ground. Rajiv Gandhi. the Prime Minister of India had simply overlooked his merit and had denied him the opportunity to serve the nation as the Chief of Army Staff. I had also served under General K S Sundarji at the First Armoured Division. In my blog post titled ‘Living Under The Shadow – A Prescription For Death’ dated June 22, 2009, I wrote that I could not perform the simple task of medical evacuation when I was called to attend upon his ailing wife. Whereas while serving under the Command of Brigadier Oberoi, in the forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts, I had written a new Chapter in the History Books of the Indian Army Medical Corps. Based upon that story, I ask the Government of India to award me the Gallantry Award Vir Chakra that was recommended but not presented. A  gallantry award is not the equivalent of winning a lottery ticket. The award is only a recognition of a past event that had taken place. History cannot be rewritten. Apart from the Citation recommending me for this decoration, my Annual Confidential Report for the year 1971, Colonel Iqbal Singh’s Remarks on my application for Direct Permanent Commission – AMC Examination held in 1972 are part of the documents archived at Ministry of Defence, New Delhi. My actions in Chittagong Hill Tracts were witnessed by Bangla Muslim refugees who had accompanied us and more interestingly by a young Chakma man who had silently observed me while I cared and comforted the battle casualties. I am happy to narrate this Untold Story. Kindly view my Blog Post:

The Medical Plan for Fifth Army in Bangladesh – The Experience of Madhurya in Chittagong Hill Tracts. 

Lieutenant General T S Oberoi, the Southern Army Commander during 1983, the former Inspector General of Special Frontier Force is seen in this photo wearing a helmet. The photo was taken during 1982 while he had visited A S C Centre, Bangalore. He would have executed Operation Blue Star with due care and concern to save the lives of his men and the civilians.

I want to express my sense of appreciation and give my warmest regards to Mr. Siddique Ahmed who served at Karnaphuli Complex at Chandraghona near Kaptai and had joined our Unit during the execution of Operation Eagle. I thank him for sharing his comments on this post.

R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,     

Service Number: MS-8466, Rank: CAPTAIN,  Branch: Army Medical Corps/Short Service Regular Commission,

Designation: Medical Officer, South Column Operation Eagle, 1971-72,

Organization: Headquarters Establishment No. 22  C/O  56  APO.

THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH - THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS.
The Phantoms of Chittagong – A story from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH. A VIEW OF MIZO HILLS (INDIA) FROM THE CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS.
The Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh are very significant achievements of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As I was then serving in an Establishment under the Cabinet Secretariat, I had direct and personal understanding of her Foreign Policy Initiatives and would call her as the ‘Creator of the Phantoms of Chittagong’. She had personally approved our military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the conduct of this War, we had faced a very critical moment and it needed her personal intervention and a decision that she alone could make. I rendered my services and had overcome the challenge posed by that critical situation. The importance of this situation could be understood as it needed an intervention from the Prime Minister. I am now asking the Government of India to recognize my GALLANT response in enemy’s territory without any concern for my personal safety.
Whole Dude – Whole Expedition: In 1971, Special Frontier Force initiated Liberation of Bangladesh with military action in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with Battle Plan Code-named Operation Eagle. This Operation is not governed by Army Act 1950.

MRITYUNJAYA-THE VICTORY OVER DEATH

Mrityunjaya Maha Mantra. The Victory Over Death.

The ancient Vedic Book of Rig Veda, in a hymn known as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, expresses a very unique idea or concept about conquering death. Man is a mortal being. Just like a fully ripened fruit falls off from a tree, a man ripe in age, even when not afflicted by any disease or sickness, would encounter natural physical death.

The hymn suggests that a man can become ‘immortal’ and could conquer physical death by simply severing his psychological attachment to his own life. This act of cutting attachments to free oneself to secure victory over physical death is compared to the act of harvesting Cucumbers.

Mrityunjaya Maha Mantra. The Victory Over Death.
Mrityunjaya Mahamantra. Victory over death.
Mrityunjaya Maha Mantra. Victory Over Death.

ABOUT BHAVANAJAGAT

Welcome to Bhavanajagat and I invite you to read my page ‘About Bhavanajagat’ and get introduced to my ideas and thoughts which also describe my Indian Identity.”I am Consciousness, therefore I am” is my proposition to examine the status of man in nature, to understand human condition, to explain human existence, and to derive further truths. My physical condition in the material world may not describe my true identity. In the Indian Tradition, we are encouraged to think of Identity in relationship to an unchanging ‘Ultimate Reality’. At the same time, every idea, and thought that were expressed in the Land of India are firmly associated with the physical geography of the Land. I currently live in Ann Arbor, Michigan and when I look up towards the sky and find the Sun, I recognize the Sun as Vyomanatha and as one who traverses across ‘Vindhya Veedhi’, a path that traverses the Vindhya Mountains of India.When I see the Huron River that flows through the City of Ann Arbor, it instantly reminds me of the rivers such as Godavari, and Ganga that flow across the Land of India. Kindly share your ideas and thoughts in the spirit of Rig Vedic statement which reflects the idea of receiving noble thoughts from all directions. Please use the Hyperlink to view the page; ‘ABOUT BHAVANAJAGAT’. 

RA MA - The Two letters are a source of inspiration to millions of people across India. In the field of Art, Literature, and Music, the personality of Rama inspires people to creatively express their thoughts and ideas.
RA MA – The Two letters are a source of inspiration to millions of people across India. In the field of Art, Literature, and Music, the personality of Rama inspires people to creatively express their thoughts and ideas.

https://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/about 

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S., 

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, 

M.B.B.S.  Class of  April,  1970.

A PRAYER TO GANESHA

Lord Ganesha carved in wood
A prayer to Lord Ganesha for success with humility.
Decorated Indian elephant
Decorated Indian elephant. The Zoomorphic form of Lord Ganesha is derived from the face of Asiatic/Indian Elephant. It provides a very interesting concept about finding Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in the performance of human actions by simply meditating upon this face which gives the mental composure and removes obstacles in performing actions. Photo Credit:Faraz Usmani, Said&Done’s Photostream. http://www.flickr.com/photos/faraz27989/315075930/
Decorated Indian elephants
A prayer to Lord Ganesha for success with humility.
Lord Ganesha
A prayer to Lord Ganesha for success with humility.

Sri Vakra Tunda Mahaa kaaya,  

Koti Surya Sama Prabhaa,  

Nir vighnam Kuru me Deva,  

Subha karyeshu Sarvada.  

I seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha in all of my actions that intend to promote my well-being or help in promoting the well-being of others.  

While reflecting upon Lord Ganesha it is important to understand the ‘zoomorphic’ form represented in Indian Culture. He is popularly known as the God with Elephant’s head. There are two species of elephants. Elephas maximus is native to India and Southeastern Asia. Loxodonta africana, the second elephant species is known as the African elephant. The ears of the Indian elephant are considerably smaller than those of the African elephant which has large ears with a flatter head.Indian elephants are extensively used as ceremonial animals and are also widely drafted for a variety of purposes. African elephant is never used as a ceremonial animal and used as a draft animal to a very small extent. Lord Ganesha cannot be portrayed with the head of an African elephant. He cannot be depicted with two tusks. He has one tusk and it could only resemble the tusk of an Indian elephant. The long, flexible snout known as ‘trunk’ of Ganesha must always show a bend in its curvature and is never depicted straight and hence the hymn identifies Him as “VAKRA TUNDA”. Some European artists who had no clue about the differences between the two elephant species had depicted Lord Ganesha with the head of an African elephant. The Lord is connected to the Land of India and only the Indian elephant has the honor to represent His zoomorphic form. 

Please also read the related blog post titled ‘ A prayer to Lord Ganesha for success with humility’ 

https://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2007/05/18/entry-for-may-18-2007-a-prayer-to-lord-ganesha-for-success-with-humility/

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S., 

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, 

M.B.B.S., Class of April, 1970