Redefining Horizons

  The Big Bang The Iran war started with a bang, in fact, a series of big bangs. Unlike the big bang that is said to have started the universe, the bangs from the 30-odd bombs dropped over multiple locations in Tehran were meant to create a new world order. The precision-guided air-launched ballistic missiles that first climbed into their sub-orbital trajectory in the “near space” and darted down at extremely high speeds onto the secure compound where Ayatollah Khamenei lived. It was Operation Epic Fury, unveiled. Immediately thereafter, Prime Minister Benjamin Nethenyahu and President Trump declared that the ‘evil regime’ has been decapitated.  This was on 28 Feb 2026.  The world waited to see the high-speed evolution where the Iranians took to the streets in multitudes, overturned the regime, chased the mullahs out, and installed someone Uncle Sam, the benevolent and righteous, liked. After all, the Iranians under a repressive regime deserved redemption. All sorts...

  In the last two parts of the article on the Iran War, we saw the events leading up to the current war in the Gulf.  We concluded the second part with a promise to crystal-gaze at how the war would impact all of us, especially us in India.   A Quick Recap   The USA had engineered the fall of the Rial in Iran. Its economy, already weighed down by years of US sanctions, made it even worse. It soon triggered public unrest, but did not result in the regime change America wanted. Meanwhile, America had demanded the capping of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The indirect talks in the Omani Embassy in Geneva between Mr Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister and Mr Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, with adviser Jared Kushner, a businessman and President Trump’s son-in-law of the United States, were mediated by Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the Foreign Minister of Oman. On 26 Feb, they parted ways, agreeing to meet in Vienna, Austria, in early March. The technical-level...

  Happy New Year    May this year bring each one of you, and your loved ones, happiness, good health and a sense of safety. Being located in more than 180 different countries, we are separated by time, space, geography, and cultural backgrounds, but we are united in our quest for serious reading. Thank you for choosing to read my articles. Thank you for sharing my articles with your friends. Please use the comment section under each article published to engage in discussion and exchange thoughts on the subject discussed.  Now to the topic of the Day -  When silence prevails,  “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” “There is wisdom in silence.” “Learn to listen.” “Silence is Golden.” “Do you always have to speak?” “Can't you keep quiet?” “Why should you speak for him?” Irrespective of our nationalities, it is likely that we grew up having heard one or more of the above statements or questions. These are a few of the dictums that condit...

  A few days back, I was driving home from the neighbouring city. Seeing the painstakingly laid and beautifully crafted white line continuously snaking along like an endless work of art on the road, I asked my wife, “Saw that line?” We were negotiating a blind curve on the road. Both sides of the road had white lines clearly showing the edges. The broad line with reflectors in the middle of the road was meant to separate the traffic, and drivers are expected to keep their vehicles within their side of the line. Roads in this part of the country have many curves and gradients. They are well-marked and take on a high density of traffic. Almost all trucks on Indian roads have their rears marked with “Blow Horn” along with other funny and sometimes philosophical quotes. Unlike in the West, where honking is considered uncivil, here, signage asking drivers to ‘blow horn’ can be found along the road, across the country.  Before my wife could answer, a car, without any warning, overto...

  “Veettil Oonu,” ( വീട്ടിൽ ഊണ് ), the board outside the roadside restaurant in the town screamed. The two Malayalam words literally mean 'home food’. Everyone knows that home food is prepared and served at home. The restaurant that screamed ‘home food’ was neither home nor homely. It kept the hearth going for its owners and workers. Such boards are common along the length and breadth of Kerala. How can anyone buy ‘home food’ in a wayside restaurant? Everyone knows it is a blatant lie.  If you walk into such a restaurant hoping to eat something homely, you could be disappointed. The food they serve is a ‘meal’ sold in all restaurants across Kerala. ‘Meals,’ for the uninitiated, means an unlimited supply of rice and curry, served on a banana leaf or plate. If you thought Veettil Oonu would be cheaper than normal meals in other restaurants, maybe if you are lucky, you could be right. Anyway, people still walk in knowing that the board screams untruth. The name sells. Why are na...