By: Jane Dalton The 25-year-old has used her ordeal to plead with the UN and world leaders for justice for Yazidi women captives Nadia Murad never had any ambitions to become a global rights campaigner, nor to work with Amal Clooney, let alone win a Nobel prize.
But, growing up, she was not to know how her life would be terrifyingly turned upside down in 2014, as Isis terrorists would take her and other Yazidi women and imprison them as sex slaves. Four years ago, when she was 21, she lived with her mother, her brothers, their wives and children in Kocho, northern Iraq. She worked on a farm and went to school, where she had just passed the eleventh grade. And then Isis fighters arrived. Murad and other young women were put on a bus, where the Isis members began groping the women – just the start of a traumatic ordeal that continued as she was offered up at a slave market, and dragged off by the first of her tormentors. Pressured to convert to Islam, she and others were imprisoned and raped. Describing her experience later on a visit to London, she said: “For us, the Yazidis, they killed the men and took the women and children. “They were committing all kinds: murder, rape and displacing people by force in the name of Islam. “Many people may think my story is difficult, but many more had more difficult than mine. “They killed six of my brothers, but there are families that have lost 10 brothers.” An escape attempt failed, and Murad was gang-raped as punishment. But on a second attempt, she eventually fled via an unlocked door and walked swiftly through the darkening streets of Mosul, her face covered by a long veil. She banged on the door of a house to beg for help. The family inside let her in and eventually smuggled her out of Isis territory, passing her off as the wife of one of the men. As they went through the last checkpoint, she spotted her photo on a flier showing wanted escapees. But she made it to a refugee camp and was accepted as a refugee to Germany in 2015. The Isis leadership had created a self-styled “religious” rationale to justify the sexual abuse of Yazidi women, and girls as young as nine. Murad then embarked on a mission to speak out against the crimes inflicted on her community. She has visited refugee camps, given evidence before the United Nations and addressed heads of state, describing her own ordeal to reinforce how genocide and slavery are still used as tools by Isis. She and Clooney addressed the UN together, reminding members that no Isis members had been prosecuted for crimes against the Yazidis. They argued Isis should be brought before an international court and prosecuted for genocide. She became the first UN goodwill ambassador for survivors of trafficking in 2016, pressing her concerns about thousands of Yazidi women and girls held in camps. In October 2016 Murad was jointly awarded the Sakharov Prize, the most prestigious human-rights prize in Europe. For her pains, she has received threats from Isis, and has heard that fighters want to recapture her. The following year she produced her memoir, The Last Girl. Courtesy: www.independent.co.uk
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11/20/2018 0 Comments The Love of the ForestA Brazilian Story by Aline Brasil
The sun rises above the Amazon rainforest and the huge, evergreen trees allow rays of light to pass between their leaves and paint the forest floor in dappled shadows. In one of the taller trees, little monkey Dora is waking up. Dora is a pretty little monkey with brown hair and a long tail. She wishes that she could sleep some more, but there is no time to lose. Today is the day of the big party. Monkeys will come from far and wide to attend the party, even from neighbouring countries such as Peru and Bolivia. The big party, held in the Brazilian part of the Amazon Rainforest, is always a very big success. There is music and dancing, and often a monkey will find a mate and fall in love. Dora is very excited because this year she has been asked to help the older monkeys of the community with the organizing of the party. This is a very great responsibility and there is no time to lose. Dora arrives at the meeting early and is very pleased to see her friend Tinga. Tinga is an indigenous name meaning ‘of white colour’. This is the perfect name for Dora’s friend as he has white hair and green eyes. Tinga is a very rare and shy monkey, but when he sees Dora his eyes light up with joy. The other monkeys often laugh at Tinga’s strange white hair and green eyes, but Dora does not like such jokes. She thinks that her friend is very handsome, even though her heart belongs to another monkey called Paco. Paco is a big, strong monkey with thick, black hair who lives in the forest on the very edge of Bolivia. Dora first met Paco at the big party the previous year. They danced together only once but Dora knew then that her heart belonged to him. She also remembers that Paco was arrogant, and that he did not pay her very much attention. He had said that Dora was too young, and that she was always lost in her own fantasy world. Despite all of this, Dora is looking forward to seeing Paco again, and such thoughts make her even more excited about the party. Chief Ubirajara, a very big and very brave monkey, calls the meeting to order and begins to hand out tasks to the assembled monkeys. Eventually it is Dora’s turn to be given her special task for the day, but the little monkey is so lost in her own thoughts that she does not hear Chief Ubirajara’s instructions. ‘…Dora! Dora! Have you been listening to a word I have said to you? You are always lost in your fantasy world, even today when there is so much work to be done.’ Dora is startled and stammers her reply. ‘I… I am very sorry, Chief Ubirajara. Could you please repeat what it is you would like me to do today.’ Chief Ubirajara is a little impatient with young Dora but he understands that she is still young and that she is also very excited about the party. ‘You must find for us the most beautiful and delicious cupuaçu and açai berries and the finest Brazil nuts for our feast tonight.’ Chief Ubirajara claps his hands and smiles at the eager faces gathered in the forest clearing. ‘Now that everyone knows what to do, let’s get to work!’ And so the monkeys part company, each one determined to fulfil their task in preparation for the big party. Dora very much likes the idea of being in charge of finding the food for the feast. She loves to explore the forest, jumping from branch to branch between the tall trees. She also loves to look at the beautiful plants and rich wildlife that fill her beloved forest. ‘I am the best person to chose for a job such as this,’ thinks Dora, as she sets off on her journey, determined to climb the tallest trees in order to find the most purple açais and sweetest cupuaçus. After many hours of hard work, Dora’s bag is filled with a rich bounty of fruits and nuts. She thinks how proud Chief Ubirajara will be when he sees what a good job she has done. This thought makes the little monkey very happy as she hoists the bag onto her shoulders and heads for home. When Dora is halfway home, her thoughts are interrupted by a strange sound in the forest. She looks all about her but does not see anything unusual. She tells herself to take extra care, but before long her thoughts drift again to the coming party and the dancing and celebrating that will be had by all. She thinks about how she will tidy her hair, and what she will say when she sees Paco. ‘I wonder if he will still think that I am too young. Even so, he will surely be impressed by the beautiful fruits and nuts I have gathered for the feast?’ Dora’s thoughts are interrupted again when she notices a rich, juicy cupuaçu on the forest floor in front of her. ‘How lucky to find a beautiful fruit such as this,’ she thinks, and runs to pick up the cupuaçu and add it to her bag. But as soon as Dora’s hand reaches out towards the fruit, a huge net pulls tight around her body and hoist the little monkey up into the air. Dora knows about such traps and is very scared. She cries out for help but the birds of the forest do not seem interested in her suffering. She struggles to free herself from the heavy netting but it is no use at all. ‘Help! Help me!’ cries Dora. But there are no animals around to help, and she is unable to wriggle free of the heavy netting by herself. A great sadness descends upon Dora; her strength leaves her and she is unable to struggle any longer. She does not understand why humans set such traps to capture the monkeys of the forest. Her eyes fill with tears at the thought of being dragged away from her home, of never again jumping from branch to branch among the ancient trees, or of experiencing the great rain storms. ‘We do not do the humans any harm,’ she thinks. ‘We enjoy the forest and only wish to be free. I love this forest so much and I would not know how to live if I were taken away from all of this rich life, all the beautiful fruits that grow in the trees and the fresh water that runs in the river. How will I survive if they take me away from my friend Tinga?’ Dora hears a sound coming from the trees at the edge of the clearing. Human voices! They are coming towards her. ‘This is the end!’ she thinks. ‘I cannot escape.’ As the voices get closer and closer, Dora thinks about how much she loves her forest, how much she has always loved her forest. Suddenly a wind whips up from the forest floor, a spinning whirlwind that heads straight for the humans. Dora can hear laughter in the air. Then a small boy appears out of nowhere. The boy has flaming red hair, he has very big ears, and his feet are pointing the wrong way, sticking out behind him as if twisted all the way around. The whirlwind comes to a stop and Dora realizes that this is, in fact, another boy; this boy appears very dark, he has only one leg and wears upon his head a bright red hood. He has a pipe in his mouth and is smiling gaily as if having a wonderful time. Dora cannot believe her eyes. ‘Is it really Curupira and Saci come to save me?’ she thinks. The little monkey had only heard of the two boys in stories told by her ancestors. Their existence belonged in legend and as such Dora was never sure if the legend was true. At that moment a voice fills Dora’s ears. ‘When you love the forest, little one, the forest also loves you. This is the protection that I send to you to keep you safe.’ Now Dora is sure that what she sees is real, and she is filled with gratitude and love. Saci begins to spin on his leg once more, creating a great whirlwind all about him. Curupira arms himself with an ugly face, and together the two head towards the humans making a terrible noise that would scare any grown man right down to his soul. The humans run from the forest as fast as they can, never once looking back towards Curupira and Saci; and they promise all the time that they will never again enter the forest to set their traps. When the humans have gone, Curupira and Saci free Dora from her net and make sure that she is not harmed in any way. The little monkey is so grateful that she offers her bag of fruits and nuts as a way of saying thank you to the brave boys of the forest. Curipira takes the bag with gratitude. He smiles at Dora saying, ‘always take care of the forest and the forest will always protect you in return.’ With these words he walks from the clearing on his backwards feet and disappears among the tall trees. Saci then turns into a whirlwind once again and spins off in to the forest behind his friend. Dora pauses for just a moment before running back in the direction of her home, eager to tell her magical story to the monkeys who are already dancing and celebrating at the big party. When she arrives back home, Dora apologizes to Chief Ubirajara for not bringing her bag of fruit as instructed. She eagerly explains how Curipira and Saci saved her from being kidnapped by the humans and of how she offered the fruit as a thank you for their bravery. Chief Ubirajara nods patiently at young Dora and seems only grateful that she has returned safely. Just then Paco steps out from the crowd that has gathered to hear Dora’s amazing story. ‘You are really a silly monkey, aren’t you!’ he says, in his proud voice. ‘Only a dreamer such as you could believe in the legend of Curupira and Saci.’ Dora realizes that Paco is actually a big fool. She tells herself that she will have nothing to do with him any longer. ‘He is too proud and arrogant and I have been foolish to feel anything for a monkey such as him,’ she thinks to herself. Then little Dora spots her friend Tinga entering the party from the forest. She runs towards him with a smile. Tinga is very happy to see that his friend is safe. ‘Where have you been, Dora? What happened?’ Dora tells Tinga all about her adventure in the forest. She tells about the humans and being caught in the net and meeting the two legends of the forest. Dora also realizes how much she cares for Tinga and remembers how it was him that she thought of the most when she was caught in the net, and how she felt so very sad at the thought of never seeing him again. Tinga and Dora are very happy and reach out and hug one another. ‘I am so glad that you are safe, Dora.’ ‘And I am glad to be with you again, Tinga,’ the little monkey says as she takes him by the hand and leads him onto the dance floor. The party fills with music and laughter. The sun goes down and the stars fill the night sky above the ancient rain forest. Dora and Tinga dance together all night long, happy to be with one another, happy to be at the big party in the forest. Out of the corner of her eye, Dora is sure she sees a whirlwind and a boy with flame red hair running between the trees in the forest. She is grateful to be surrounded by her friends and by the beautiful forest she calls home. Courtesy: http://worldstories.org.uk By: Aparna As your child grows up, you will see a new personality trait to who your child is becoming every day in her the tendency to develop habits. As each day progresses, your kid will probably outgrow an old habit or form a new one. Some habits could be annoying. But while others will surely make you feel thankful for bringing this wonderful new being into the world and having a chance to raise a new life. Storytime, however, though is one activity that your kid will not outgrow anytime soon. Whether you indulge in bedtime stories, or are slowly making progress in toward a better daytime reading habit for your child, or simply teaching your child good values, story time is always special. Inspiring and Motivational Short Stories for ChildrenHere are our top 5 picks of the best inspirational stories for kids that will make bonding with your child a delightful and as well as educational experience. 1. The Sad PeacockThis beautiful story about making the best of what you have is our first pick for this list. A comparison is inevitable and starts pretty early in life. Though ambition is not a bad thing, there is usually a very thin line progressing to greed. It can run both ways, parents may end up pushing their children so hard that kids may end up frustrated. On the other hand, kids may end up demanding for more, without regard to what they have already and this may end up making them selfish. Here is a wonderful story about a peacock who almost went the same way. So, there was this once a beautiful peacock who was all but dancing on a rainy day. He was busy admiring his plumage. However, he was suddenly reminded of his shortcoming in a rough voice. All the joy beaten out of him, he was almost in tears. Suddenly, when he heard a nightingale singing nearby. Listening to the nightingale’s sweet voice, his own shortcoming was once again thrown into sharp relief became very evident. He began wondering why he was jinxed in such a manner. At that moment, when Juno, the leader of the Gods, appeared and addressed to the peacock. “Why are you upset?” Juno asked the peacock. The peacock complained about his rough voice and how he was sad because of it. “The nightingale has such a beautiful voice. Why don’t I?” After listening to the peacock, Juno explained, “ that every living being is special in his or her own way. They are and made in a certain manner that serves the greater purpose. Yes, the nightingale is blessed with a beautiful voice, but you are also blessed – with such a beautiful and glittering plumage! The trick is acceptance and making the most of what you have.” The peacock understood how silly he had been in comparing himself to others and forgetting his own blessings. He realized that day that everyone was unique in some way or the other. Moral Of The StorySelf-acceptance is the first step to happiness. Make the best of what you have rather than being unhappy about what you don’t. 2. The Turtle and the HareThis story has been told and retold over the ages, but is certainly a story that will teach your child an important lesson that will stay for life. You can stick to the classic or make your own version with different variables that will nonetheless impart the valuable lesson that your child needs to learn. The hare is not only a beautiful little creature but is known for its speed and cleverness. Turtles, on the other hand, are amphibians that are more down to earth and, of course, slower in all aspects of life. One fine day, the hare bragged and came up with the idea of holding a race with the turtle. The turtle agreed, and the race began. The hare managed to get a good lead over the turtle because he was an excellent runner. However, such was the ego of the hare that it not only goes way ahead of the turtle but also decides to take a nap at some distance just before the finish line. Such was the ego of the hare that he was convinced he would easily win even if he slept for some time to rub it in. The turtle, on the other hand, was far slower than the hare. However, he keeps up with the race with determination and without cutting corners. The turtle managed to reach the finish line just as the hare was waking up! He, nevertheless won the race even though he was a far slower runner than the hare and not even rubbing it in the hare’s face. Moral Of The StoryAs long as you are steady and determined, you will always win, no matter what your speed is. Laziness is your enemy, as is pride. 3. The Two GardenersLetting go is probably one story lesson that can teach both the child and the parent a valuable lesson. Children are hands down very impressionable and sensitive, and there are times when you as a parent might not want to accept that a line needs to be drawn, they need to become independent. Therefore, here is a story that talks about the challenges of learning to do things on your own through stronger roots. Once there lived two neighbours who used to grow the same plants in their respective gardens. One neighbour was fussy and took extreme care of her plants. The other neighbour did what was required but left leaves of the plants alone to grow as they pleased. On a fine evening, there was a huge storm, accompanied by rainfall. The storm destroyed many of the plants. The next morning, when the fussy neighbour woke up, she found that the plants have had been uprooted and destroyed. However, when the more relaxed neighbour woke up, she found that though the damage to her plants was minor her plants were still firmly rooted. The plant of the relaxed neighbour had learnt to do things on its own. So, it had done its bit of work, grown deep roots, and made a place for itself in the soil. Thus, it had stood firm even in the storm. However, the fussy neighbour used to do everything for the plant, thereby not teaching the plant how to sustain on its own. Moral Of The StorySooner or later, you have to let go and become independent. Unless you stop fussing, nothing will work on its own. The plant of the normal neighbour had done its bit of work and made a place for itself thereby standing firm. The fussy neighbour did everything for the plant, thereby not teaching the plant how to sustain on its own. 4. The Three FishesRounding off the list is this beautiful story about the three fishes. Once again this story is about teaching your child how to be wise when encountering a problem and never to forget to help others in need.
There were three fishes living in a pond. These fishes were friends and practically did everything together. One day, a fisherman came across the pond and was delighted to see so many fishes. He invited fellow fishermen, and they made plans to cast the nets. The wisest of the fishes made plans to find a different pond. While one of the fishes agreed, the third one of them denied saying that the pond was home and he shall not vacate it. The third fish further said that there had never been any danger in the pond. “I don’t see the point of leaving this pond. I think it is cowardly.” The first two fish were unable to convince their friend, and so they decided to part ways. The next day, when the fishermen cast their nets, the first two fishes escaped. However, while the third one gets caught. He had been unable to identify and act upon the problem and was now paying the price of neglecting danger. Moral Of The StoryIt pays to be wise when faced with a problem. Remember that and every problem is different and therefore has a different solution. Courtesy: parenting.firstcry.com 10/23/2018 0 Comments 5 Insane True Survival StoriesWhat would you do if you were out on an adventure – or simply going about your day – and something went horribly wrong? Here, we recount five insane true survival stories, that show that sometimes the human spirit, and a bit of ingenuity and luck, can help overcome incredible odds. Between a Rock and a Hard Place Photo By: Michael Alvarez “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” – that is the name of Aron Ralston’s book about the days he spent trapped in a canyon with his arm lodged between a giant boulder and the canyon wall. The canyoneer had been out climbing in the Blue John Canyon of Utah (in the US), when a boulder fell onto his arm. Unfortunately, unlike he would usually, he had not let anyone know he was going hiking, so he knew that no one was likely to come for him. With just a small amount of water and food with him, he knew he had to take matters into his own hands or die. Being an engineer, he first tried to create a pulley-system to try to lift the rock off his hand, and he also tried to carve the rock from around his hand but nothing worked. As the days went on it became clear to him that his only chance of survival would be to amputate his arm, but he just needed to figure out how. A few times he tried to cut or stab into his skin, but his knife wasn’t sharp enough to cut through his arm bones. He ended up breaking his arm, and using the sharpest blade of his cheap multi-tool to cut through the skin, tendons and other tissue. In the end, this worked although he also needed to get out of the canyon quickly to avoid losing too much blood. Incredibly, he had also created some videos, while trapped, as a farewell to his family, and he’d also carved his name and date of birth into the wall near him. After amputating his arm he had to rappel down a 20 meter wall one-handed, and faced a long hike back to his car, but luckily some tourists found him and called for help. Later the stone was dislodged (by a huge team of people) and his arm was retrieved and cremated. Check out these interviews here and here for more information, and watch this Hollywood movie, called “127 hours,” about his mountain odyssey here. 440 Days AdriftEl Salvadorian man Jose Salvador Alvarenga, spent about 13 months lost at sea. He had set off on a fishing trip off the coast of Mexico when a storm blew him off course, he spent the next year adrift in the Pacific Ocean, coming ashore in early 2014 on the Marshall Islands. In a “Life of Pi”-esque story, he survived by eating raw fish, turtles, small birds, sharks and drinking rainwater. While some have claimed doubts about parts of his story, overall many experts say the story holds up – even though it is an incredible tale of survival! Stranded in the Andes Photo By: Phil Le Blanc/Corbis In 1972, a plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby union team (and others) crashed in the Andes. The plane had 45 people aboard, and about a quarter died in the crash with a further few dying shortly after. Of the 27 to survive the initial few days, a further 8 died in an avalanche that swept over the wreckage, where the survivors had been taking refuge from the cold conditions of the Andes mountain range. In the end, 16 of those on the flight survived some two months in the hostile environment with little food, no source of heat, plus at very high altitude. In part, they survived by eating the flesh of those who had died. At one low point, they heard radio reports that the search for them had been abandoned. In any case, many weeks into the ordeal some of the survivors set off to try to find help, after several days walking they found some locals who called for help, and all the living were saved. A book recounting the story called “Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors” was a critical success, while there’s been many documentaries made about the 72-day odyssey, including this one here. There was also a movie made in 1993, with Ethan Hawke in it, simply called “Alive,” which is worth watching! This is one of the great true survival stories. Trapped in an Ice CaveMountaineers Mark Inglis and Phil Doole became trapped in a snow cave on Aoraki/Mt Cook in 1982, due to an intense blizzard. Both survived off minimal rations that they had with them, and endured frostbite with Mark Inglis ending up loosing both legs, because of the damage the frostbite caused require both his legs be amputated below the knee. He went to to climb Mount Everest and was the first to do so with two limbs missing. Mountain Madness Photo By: Simon Yates
The year was 1985, when two British mountaineers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, were attempting to climb the Siula Grande and reach the 6344 meter summit of the mountain located in the Peruvian Andes. After reaching the peak, the pair were caught in a storm, in which Joe Simpson broke his leg. His mate, Simon Yates, knew the pair were in a tough spot but tried several times to lower his injured companion on a 90 meter rope down rock faces. At one point Simon Yates accidentally lowered his friend over an overhang, but the man with the broken leg had no way of letting his friend know he was just hanging in mid-air. The storm was so fierce there was zero visibility. For about an hour Yates held onto the rope, with the full wait of Simpson dragging him closer to the edge. Yates made the decision to cut the rope, thinking he had to do so to survive himself. In an incredible feat, Simpson survived the fall, crashing through a glacier and crawling back to camp. A documentary, called “Touching the Void” has been made, about the incident. Simon Yates received criticism in certain circles for his action of “cutting the rope” going against an informal mountaineering code, although Simpson himself has said that if the situation had been reversed, he would have done the same. Courtesy:www.adventureherald.com By: Aparajita Mishra Mil jate hai kuch desh premi, jinhe marne se kuch fark nhi pdta. I remember this dialogue from the film Baby, that does full justice to describe our soldiers in the army. The Indian Army. With so many stories and instances that proved the intrepidity of the brave soldiers, we as citizens should salute and revere them. Just mere words filled with right adjectives can never do full justice as we can never thank them enough for what they do for us, but we can at least take a moment and remember these brave hearts and their contribution towards the country’s tranquility. And therefore, with this article, let’s take a moment to pay reverence to these brave hearted soldiers. Since listing every milestone in this would be a humongous task, we bring forward some of the remarkable stories by the Indian Army. 1. The war of 1967: When the brave Indian soldiers defeated China and defended SikkimNathu La Incident: Since border tactics was a common thing that the Chinese Army used to instigate India, the Indian Army decided to lay down wire to fence the border. As soon as the fencing work commenced, the Chinese Commissioner came to the Indian side and asked them to stop the work. There was a heated argument and the Commissioner left. And just after a few minutes, Chinese troops indulged in heavy gun fire. Contemplating China’s aggression, Indian side opened fire too. The effective firing resulted in the damage of Chinese bunkers and the death toll was over 400, resulting in China’s defeat. Cho La Incident: China couldn’t accept their defeat at Nathu La incident, and they planned an unprecedented attack again at Cho La pass. China lost its 40 elite commandos. The end of the battle witnessed China leaving Sikkim once and for all. Two brave officers – Capt. Dagar and Major Harbhajan Singh died a valiant death. 2. When Captain Vikram Batra displayed an example of valor. Captain Vikram Batra, was an officer of the Indian Army and was posthumously awarded with the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest and most prestigious award for valour, for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir between India and Pakistan. He celebrated the capture of Point 5140, at an altitude of 17,000 feet, which was under the illegal possession of the Pakistani soldiers. Despite being fired at by heavy machine guns, Captain Batra and his men managed to destroy 2 machine gun posts. Captain Batra’s gallantry was proved when he single-handedly killed 3 enemy fighters in a dangerous combat. He died rescuing an injured officer while leading his men on a successful assault on Point 4875. Fact Source 3. When the Indian Army helped in the annexation of Goa, against Portuguese Republic in 1961.When India became independent in 1947, Goa remained under Portuguese control. The Indian government of Jawaharlal Nehru insisted that Goa, along with a few other minor Portuguese holdings, be turned over to India. The 1961 Indian annexation of Goa was an action by India’s armed forces that ended Portuguese rule in its Indian enclaves in 1961. The operation, code named ‘Operation Vijay’ by the Indian government involved air, sea, and land strikes for over 36 hours, and was a decisive victory for India, ending 451 years of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa. Fact Source 4. When 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal single-handedly destroyed numerous Pakistani tanks and troops, denying Pakistan to enter the Indian soil.During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, a bridge was constructed across Basantar river so that the soldiers could crack the enemy-mine field. But half way through, the enemy raided the bridge. The sufficiently armored Pakistan regiment, attacked the Indian troops, which were outnumbered. Therefore, the commander of Squadron sought assistance from Arun Khetrapal. As soon as he got the message, he got into the enemy’s neck and captured many soldiers. Meanwhile, Pakistan blew India’s second tank. Arun Khetrapal single-handedly destroyed 4 tanks of Pakistan. In return, Pakistan wrecked the other two tanks, one of which was Arun Khetrapal’s. He didn’t accept defeat and continued to fight even in his flaming tank. The commander of his troop ordered to abandon his tank, but Khetrapal replied: “No Sir. I’m not going to abandon my tank. My gun is working and I’ll get these bastards.” And because of this gallant soldier, Pakistan couldn’t enter the Indian soil. Fact Source 5. When Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey’s bravery led to India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil war.“If death strikes before I prove my blood, I swear I will kill death.” These were the words of Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey. During the 1999 Kargil war, he led his troop to capture the Jubar top. During this, Pakistan continued to fire on his men. Demonstrating an act of bravery, he went ahead of his troop and fired a lot of bullets. He was wounded by bullets on the leg and shoulder. As a part of Operation Vijay, he was asked to clear the enemy positions amidst heavy shooting. Bravely striking the 1st enemy position, he killed 2 enemies and destroyed the 2nd position by killing 2 more. While clearing 3rd, bullets injured his shoulder and legs. Undaunted, he continued to lead the assault on the 4th, which he destroyed with a grenade. At the end, a bullet penetrated his forehead. His daredevil act led to the capture of Khalubar. Fact Source 6. When Lieutenant Navdeep Singh displayed invincible spirit while fighting the terrorists and making an ultimate sacrifice for the nation.After knowing about the infiltration of a group of terrorists in Jammu Kashmir on 20 August 2011, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh gauged the likely route of the terrorists and planned to lay an ambush at the appropriate spot. When the terrorists were spotted, an exchange of intense fire ensued.
Leading from the front, the officer eliminated 3 terrorists at close range. On seeing another terrorist approaching their position, with utter disregard to his personal safety, the officer swiftly changed his firing position and he got hit by a bullet on his head. He nevertheless managed to eliminate the 4th terrorist. Further displaying utmost bravery and comradeship, he pulled an injured fellow soldier to safety and kept firing till he became unconscious due to excessive blood loss. He was posthumously conferred the highest peacetime gallantry award of India, the ‘Ashoka Chakra’ by President of India on the 63rd Republic Day. Though their acts of bravery cannot be limited to this article, but on account of Indian Army Day, let’s take a moment to salute these brave soldiers for their esteemed contributions towards the country. #Salute. Jai Hind! Courtesy: www.storypick.com He fought the Nazis. He braved the Pacific. And he hated being called a hero. Jonathan Brown looks at the extraordinary career of Knut Haugland, the last Kon-Tiki survivor Adventure stories rarely come more epic than that of Knut Haugland, the Norwegian resistance fighter who died on Christmas Day at the age of 92. His exploits were already the stuff of legend even before he joined Thor Heyerdahl's crew aboard his balsa wood raft, Kon-Tiki. Together they not only conquered the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean using only the most primitive of technologies – but in doing so, they helped rejuvenate the crushed spirit of human endeavour in the bleak aftermath of the Second World War.
A heavily decorated commando who escaped three times from the clutches of the Nazis, his bravery and endurance gave rise to one of the most enduring legends of the Second World War – one retold in spectacular style in a Hollywood movie. Yesterday Haugland's successor as director of the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, where thousands flock each year to relive the optimism and excitement of that intrepid voyage, announced that the former radio operator had succumbed to natural causes in a city hospital, closing the final chapter on an extraordinary life. Haugland's death, following that of Heyerdahl himself in 2002, marks the passing of the last of the six-man crew that set sail from Callao in Peru in April 1947, bound several thousand nautical miles for the far-flung islands of Polynesia based on little more than an anthropological hunch. That journey set a new benchmark for modern adventurers, spawning an international best-selling book published in 66 languages and an Oscar-winning film in which Haugland played himself. It also helped popularise Heyerdahl's passionately held belief that the great oceans had been highways and not barriers for the movement of ancient seafaring civilisations. Haugland's role aboard the Kon-Tiki was that of radio operator, keeping the outside world aware of the raft's stately progress during the long drift westwards on the currents off South America. He had trained in the technology before the war and fought against the invading German forces until Hitler's troops overran Norway in 1940. Under occupation the then 23-year-old gave the impression of having settled down as an Oslo factory worker but was in fact a major figure in the Norwegian resistance movement. His first brush with the Nazi authorities came in August 1941 when he was arrested but escaped. In exile, he joined the Norwegian Independent Company, a celebrated band of patriotic Nordic fighters assembled under the auspices of the newly-formed British Special Operations Executive which was planning raids in occupied northern Europe. Key to the British strategy was the establishment of a network of radio sets and operators allowing for the co-ordination of anti-Nazi operations. The most famous of these became known as the Norwegian Heavy Water Sabotage – an ambitious raid on the Norsk Hydro Rjukan plant at Vermork. The operation provided the sensational plot line for Anthony Mann's 1965 film The Heroes of Telemark, starring Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris. Appropriately enough it was being broadcast once again on the BBC yesterday as news of Haugland's death was announced. Yet Haugland was always unhappy with the depiction of events in the film and particularly the use of the word hero. "I never use that word about myself or my friends. We just did a job," he said in one of his last interviews to mark the 60th anniversary of the raid. "Forty-one men were killed and it could have been avoided. Because of the loss of life you shouldn't glorify the story." The plan of action grew out of Allied fears that the Nazis were preparing to build their own atomic bomb. One of the key components in the production process was deuterium oxide, otherwise known as heavy water. The hydro plant at Vermork provided the Germans with a ready supply as a by-product of local fertilizer production capable of manufacturing 12 tons of the stuff a year. Before the war the French had carried away much of the reserves but while the hydro plant was still operable the threat remained. In November 1942 a forward party of four local resistance fighters, including Haugland, was parachuted onto the Norwegian wilderness from where they would ski to a base close to the plant. It was their task to report back to the British after memorising the blueprint of the facility. This first phase was codenamed Operation Grouse and was achieved successfully. But the second phase – Operation Freshman – was a disaster. Despite the harshness of the Nordic terrain and savage weather, the British planned to land two gliders packed with Royal Engineers and members of the 1st Parachute Regiment on a frozen lake. They took off from Wick in Caithness pulled by Halifax bombers. One plane and both gliders crashed with much loss of life. The crew that were not killed outright were interrogated by the Gestapo before being put to death. The failure not only alerted the Germans to the importance of the heavy water site, but also consigned the Norwegian advance party to a gruelling winter on the remote Hardanger Plateau where they were forced to endure temperatures of minus 20F. Food was so short they resorted to eating the contents of a reindeer's stomach. Haugland's job was to keep in contact with the British using a radio he had fashioned from a stolen fishing rod and an old car battery. Each morning at 1am he would make contact, often unable to control the chattering of his teeth. The final phase of the sabotage began in February 1943. Named after SOE head Sir Charles Hambro's favourite grouse shooting moor, Operation Gunnerside saw a further six Norwegian commandos parachuted into the target area. Luck played its part and the two groups were united, launching their assault on the now heavily mined and floodlit plant. To bypass the exposed bridge which led to the plant they waded through snow and forded an icy river before scaling a sheer ravine side to reach their target via an old railway line. In the end the cells producing the heavy water were blown up without a shot being fired. The Norwegians made their way back to the plateau undetected, leaving behind a British gun to divert suspicion from the local resistance, including the mole working inside the hydro plant. Three thousand Germans were involved in the hunt for the saboteurs and though it was revealed that the Nazi high command had not in fact been planning to build a bomb, the operation came to be regarded as a triumph of its kind. After surviving this, the perils of the Pacific held little fear for Haugland. He had first met Heyerdahl at a military training camp in Britain in 1944 where he had fled once more after another close scrape with the Gestapo. Sufficiently impressed with the anthropologist's powerful personality and controversial theories on Polynesian migration patterns, he agreed to join the expedition, taking a break from a military career which was to see him rise to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring from his position as head of the Norwegian Resistance Museum in 1983. In 1947, the desire to sail across the Pacific baffled many in a world still mourning the deaths of thousands of mariners who lost their lives in oil-choked seas during the war. Yet few could resist the spirit of resurgent individualism and heroic adventure which the Kon-Tiki project embodied, even if many were baffled by Heyerdahl's devotion to the idea that New World mariners had populated Polynesia from the east rather than the west. The raft itself was named after a mythical seafarer who, according to the Aymara Indians of Lake Titicaca in modern-day Bolivia, had set sail over the horizon never to be seen again. Despite the reliance on primitive technology – the raft was built by the men on the dockside based on drawings dating back to the time of the conquistadores – the expedition allowed itself the luxury of a hand-cranked radio. Haugland spent much of the 101 days at sea briefing the outside world. The voyage came to a halt when the vessel was grounded on a reef off Raroia Island, part of the Tuamotu group, some 3,770 nautical miles from the Peruvian coast. They were eventually rescued from the tiny islet after several days, and taken back to Tahiti by a French schooner. An expedition which included Heyerdahl's grandson duplicated the voyage in 2006. By: Sambhav Ratnakar On May 13, 1998, at 15:45 hours, India secretly conducted a series of underground nuclear tests with five bombs in Pokhran, Rajasthan. Although this was not the first time the country was testing its nuclear weapons (the first successful test took place in 1974 under the codename “Smiling Buddha”), this one was certainly the most memorable if one takes into consideration the sheer effect it had on its states and neighbouring countries. Pokhran-II (AKA Operation Shakti-98) was the name assigned to the series of tests that comprised one fusion bomb and four fission bombs. On May 13, 1998, shortly after the detonation of all five warheads, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a full-fledged nuclear state. This statement resulted in consequences. Numerous sanctions were placed on India by countries such as the United States and Japan. Thousands of miles away, in an interview, US senator Richard Shelby articulated that the CIA’s failure to identify that these tests were going to take place was "the biggest failure of our intelligence gathering agencies in the past ten years or more”. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, George Fernandes, APJ Abdul Kalam, R Chidambaram, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Pramod Mahajan in Pokhran after the nuclear tests on May 11 and 13, 1998. Photo: Pramod Pushkarna Although foreign countries viewed India’s nuclear programme as a threat, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief APJ Abdul Kalam, in a press conference, clearly mentioned that the nuclear weapons were for “national security”. In a sense, Kalam was right. As he stated, in the last 2,500 years, not once had India invaded outside territory, but numerous foreign invaders had laid siege to parts of the subcontinent. On national television, the then Prime Minister of India stated that India would never be the first one to initiate nuclear weapons and would also refrain from using warheads against countries that had not acquired any of their own. Amid these events, a very important question that most people miss is, how did the United States fail to identify in advance that Pokhran-II was going to take place? It is a well-documented fact that satellites worth billions were used to spy on Pokhran at all times. In fact, hovering over Pokhran were four satellites that were so technologically advanced they could supposedly even be used to count the number of green patches the Indian Army soldiers had on their fatigues. They were called “Billion Dollar Spies”. And all India had against them were the “Regiment 58 Engineers” from the Indian Army. So how exactly did India successfully “fool” the CIA? Chidambaram and Kalam in army fatigues in Pokhran, 1998. Photo: India Today A lesser-known fact is that these men had a year and a half to rehearse what they were supposed to do. Every move was planned and took time to formulate. The forces had thought through every aspect of the mission. India’s access to state-of-the-art satellites gave it pivotal intel on what could and could not be seen from space. Scientists only worked on test sites during the night, when satellites would be unable to capture clear images due to the absence of light. As dawn approached, everything was placed just as it had been the previous day. When the analysts at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) downloaded images from the satellites the next day, it would seem as if not a single strand had been moved. Additionally, in locations where holes were dug, sand was aligned towards the direction of the wind. This prevented suspicion since unaligned sand could have signalled activity. But satellites were not the only thing that could compromise the secrecy of the mission. The CIA spying on communication was no news. To counter this, code words were used for shafts. One shaft was named “White House” or even “whisky”, while the other was called “Taj Mahal”. When scientists of the DRDO and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) would come to visit Pokhran, they went undercover and wore army fatigues. False names were provided to scientists. APJ Abdul Kalam’s name was switched with Major General Prithvi Raj and Rajagopala Chidambaram’s codename was “Natraj”. The surplus use of codewords was so efficient that it is said that one senior scientist was known to be complaining, expressing that he found the codewords to be more complicated than physics calculations. In the dark At times, to protect the secrecy of the mission and avoid leakages, India had to keep its own officials in the dark, including George Fernandes, the then defence minister who was not told about a confidential meeting which took place between Vajpayee, Kalam and Rajagopala Chidambaram (then atomic energy chief) to discuss the nuclear weapon tests. It is also important to keep in mind what India achieved in those three days. Photo: PTI
It is, however, believed by many that India, in return, created history. If secrecy was the cost, so be it. Before the detonation, only a few ministers knew about the tests. The list included Lal Krishna Advani, George Fernandes, Pramod Mahajan, Jaswant Singh, and Yashwant Sinha. As for the CIA, they were unaware that the tests had taken place until Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister, declared the feat India had accomplished on television. US officials blamed The New York Times, stating that the daily had released an article that declared the CIA was spying on India’s nuclear test sites and leaked intel on the existence of US spy satellites above Pokhran. These leaks, apparently, gave India a heads-up. I believe that, in all of this, if there is one thing the US should learn about India, it should be that India is very good at keeping secrets. The nuclear tests might have been carried out a little more than 17 years ago, but it is imperative to consider that Pokhran-II would not be known as the success it is if not for the scientists and the government who performed in synergy. It is also important to keep in mind what India achieved in those three days. Yet, we should not forget that India’s name is on the same list as North Korea when it comes to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. |
AuthorAdventure – something that’s new and exhilarating, outside your comfort zone. Adventures change you and how you see the world, and all you need is an open mind, bags of enthusiasm and boundless curiosity. ArchivesCategories |