Nothing but Celebrations:

January 19/2015 : Why on earth should this government of India invite US Prez Barack Obama as guest for the 26 January 2015 Republic Day parade is anyone’s guess! Look at the comments of the Delhi High Court regarding the fixing of the 15,000 CCTV cameras in the capital city within a span of seven days. In a caustic remark, the Court has asked that while such haste can be demonstrated for the security of a ‘foreign’ president, why similar speed and enthusiasm is not noticed while implementing orders of the courts. It is not an issue that the High Court is incapable of appreciating the fact that

In a world dominated by ISIS, ISIL, Al Qaeda along with all the jihadists, if one looks for an icon or personality that stands against terror, the President of the US of A can be assumed to be the only beacon. The risks involved in inviting Obama for this 66th Republic Day parade on 26 January is immense if all factors are taken into consideration. Some may deem this acceptance of the invitation by the US administration as a great victory for Damodardass Modi. Others, with more practical vision, may consider this visit of Obama as a soft show of repentance of his administration because it had earlier denied a simple visitor visa to the former Chief Minister of Gujarat. Notwithstanding all the khaki clad Delhi, Haryana and Punjab police hordes cramping the sidewalks of Lutyen’s Delhi, Obama’s visit is definitely not to sign a couple of defence and business pacts with India. With archaic tanks and other weapons and of course our pride possession, the 32 year old Tejas fighter jet along with the plaster of paris cast tableaus, the march past would certainly make the US President smirk and tolerate India’s battle unpreparedness. The American leader, if he is considered worth his salt, would be well aware of how inept Indian forces are at handling terrorists. Probably because of this, American intelligence has decided to deploy some 1600 plus men of their own as well as make the US President travel in a special vehicle while on his Delhi trip.

Let us consider for a moment, a situation wherein a small blast or attack, God forbid, takes place somewhere in Delhi but far off from the parade venue. One can only imagine international media coverage screaming ‘Blast in Delhi during President Obama’s visit.’ We should fervently pray that such a situation never arises. Keeping in mind the porous borders of India as well as the successful recruitment of ISIS and jihadi cadres and sleeper cells within this country, such a situation can never be ruled out. Without us being aware of the actual graveness of the situation, we are only drawing conclusions from what we see. The security arrangements being made, such as the thousands of extra cameras, special vehicles and hundreds of American security men descending on Delhi, it is obvious that everything will be highly tense. With successful attacks on well organised and disciplined countries like France and Germany, the terrorists seem to be on a mission to draw global attention on their efficiency and speed. Especially with the involved attackers managing to escape and remaining at large till now, it may be assumed that they could have changed their policy of kill-and-get-killed. To save valuable cadres, organisations like Al Qaeda and ISIS may be opting for terribly violent attacks on the most unsuspecting targets. This coming Monday, while Obama himself may not be the target, yet, every other place and person in Delhi could stand a huge chance of being badly hit. Indians can only pray that let nothing but celebrations happen this 26 January.