Jesse Owens - An American icon

 Today is the birthday of Jesse Owens, the American sports legend who carved his niche in history by being the first man to win 4 Gold Medals in an Athletics event in the Olympics Games - a record which stayed unbroken for a long time to come until another American Carl Lewis broke it in 1984. He is also remembered for another reason, for driving a nail on German German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler's coffin of a misplaced belief of Aryan supremacy theory at the height of Nazi propaganda.

Ninty summers ago the 1936 Olympics, world's greatest sporting event was eventful for few reasons. First, it was held in Berlin under Hitler's Germany, being overshadowed by the blatant use of the Sporting events for Nazi party's theory of German supremacy. Second, it was also the first Olympics to be televised. Third, it also showcased the talent of Jesse Owens, the famous black athlete from the United States who seized the limelight, overcoming myriads of obstacles in insecurity and a pressure cooker atmosphere to win 4 golds.

Jesse Owens was an American icon, a symbol of its athletes power in the Sporting arena. Growing up in an era of racism in America, he battled poverty with a wonderful rags to riches successful life story. Hailing from a poor family in the post recession America, no one ever imagined him winning accolades in the land of "Hail Hitler", bringing a dent in the dictator's theory of Aryan supremacy.

Jesse's talent was spotted during his tenure in the Ohio State University, where he created record in the 100 meter sprint event. Soon he was a shoo in for the American Olympics team, selected for the mega event across the Atlantic.
The preparation for Berlin Olympics started on a controversial note, with America almost boycotting the event due to the host's overtly anti-Semitic biased policies. Germany was desperate to see American athletes at home, for without the USA participatation the Olympics would be akin to a German Bratwurst sausage without salt and Sauerkraut without sugar. After a lot of lobbying by Hitler's Man Friday Goebbels the US Olympics Committee narrowly voted to send their team to Germany.

On arrival at the Olympic village in that eventful summer of 1936, Jesse Owens was appalled at the disgusting sight of anti Semitic graffitis all over the Olympic village proclaiming - "Dogs and Jews are not allowed". The fitting finale came in the form of 100 meters event, still a prized event in the Olympics which every one looks forward to. Jesse Owens was pitted against the local favorite Lutz Lung of Germany - the symbol of Hitler's Aryan racial supremacy.

Jesse not only won that race, he went on to win 200 meters, led 4x100 meter relay to add another American gold, followed by one more the long jump event, yet again defeating Lutz Lung in the later event. (Jesse and Lutz became friends and continued communicating with letters in an age sans email and Whatsapp, until Lung died fighting for Germany in North Africa during World War II).

Hitler was in the stadium, watching Jesse sprint his way to a stupendous win. Here is where historians differ in their accounts about what followed. The Fuehrer supposedly left the stadium in disgust as his myth of Aryan supremacy was shattered. But per Jesse Owens knowldege, Hitler acknowledged his victory by waving at him from the visible podium of the stadium.

On the other hand after coming back to America during a felicitation dinner for the US Olympics team in New York, Jesse Owens along with other black athletes had to use the service elevator, whereas their white counterparts took the normal elevator. The humiliation didn't end there. It was customary for the Olympics medal winners to be invited to the White House. But the 4 Gold medal winner Jesse Owens's name was conspicuously missing from the names of the invitees. Roosevelt didn't want to be in news hosting, baking bread with Jesse in White House, his picture of shaking hands with a black man getting published on the front page of the newspapers in an election year.

What happened to Jesse Owens after that ? He continued earning money as appearance fee, running against race horses for the pleasure of spectators, until he became too old to do so. Yet his record of 4 fabulous Olympics Golds was a record which stood for almost half a century, never broken during his lifetime, only to be emulated by his compatriot Carl Lewis in Los Angeles Olympics of 1984, four years after Jesse's death in 1980. Happy Birthday Jesse Owens. You will remain a Sporting legend and will forever be remembered.

Anniversary of 9/11

Today is the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, when a prominent chapter was added to the American and World history on this day on September 11, 2001. How time flies ! A child born on that day is no more a teenager and is already eligible to legally drink alcohol.

Feels just like yesterday when on a cool, crispy early Fall morning commute to my work at Toyota Motors Manufacturering in Kentucky where I was working as an IT Consultant, the news of terrorist attack on the World Trade center came as a bolt from the blue. That very day is forever etched in my memory. Most at my workplace were stunned, but stayed calm and composed. Many were frantically trying to locate Afghanistan on the world map and I remember helping a few in finding the beleaguered nation which made the cardinal mistake of harboring Osama-Bin-Laden, the man behind the terror attack.

There was no hysteria or public display of outcry, but it was not business as usual and anxiety on the faces of my coworkers was quite palpable. I had the habit of filling gas in my car at a local Shell gas station which used to give 5% discount on Tuesdays and unfortunately that September 11 fell on a Tuesday. On my way back home I encountered a long line at the gas station. There was hardly any car on the road. People were mostly indoor, glued to the Television.

The aim of terrorists is to create terror and they really succeeded that day in scaring the hell out of Americans who were attacked on their Mainland for the first time in history (technically the first major attack on US soil took place after the strike on Pearl Harbor by Japan on 7th of December 1941. It was in Hawaii, America' 50th State thousands miles away from mainland).

Contrast that to the indomitable spirit amongst Indians. Mumbai and many other cities in India have gone through several terror attacks. But within hours the life comes to normal. It's not about the number of people being killed, those many are killed in road accidents every day. The main goal of the terrorists is to create terror in the hearts and minds of the people. In that aspect they fail miserably in India, though it has more to do with the need for ROZI ROTI (daily bread) than any great gallantry against odds or fighting spirit. Yet they still deserve the credit of defying the odds and getting back to normal life quicker than anywhere in the world.

A quarter of a century down the road, hardly anything has changed. Though, touch wood, America has been able to prevent any major terror attack on its soil, war and terrorism across the globe still thrive. No nation on earth is fully immune to the disease which is spreading its tentacles far and wide like cancer, nor they're entirely blame free for letting this menace prevail due to their short sighted political goals.

Some one is a good terrorist as long as he is an useful idiot to serve one's own business, but becomes a bad terrorist if it hurts the state which sponsors them for creating terror in another country. Someone's terrorist is another one's Freedom Fighter. If not curbed, on long term terrorism is going to do irreparable damage to the mankind unless everyone gets together to root out this evil. Remember, if you keep snakes in your backyard thinking that it will only bite only your neighbors then you are living in fool's paradise. One day that snake is going to bite you. The lessons learned from 9/11 should never be forgotten.

Bagha Jatin

Today is the death Anniversary of Bagha Jatin, or Jatindranath Mukherjee, an Indian freedom fighter who fought against the British and died young at the age of 36.

Born in Nadia district of Bengal, he was only 5 year old when his father died, followed by his mother at 9. He was brought up by his elder sister. Since teenage days he dabbled in fighting for freedom against the occupying British who ruled India with an iron hand. But Jatin possesed an iron hand using which he killed a tiger as he was scouring the forests to go underground and use as launch pad for his anti-government activities. He used a small knife to kill the tiger but was grievously injured in the process. It took him days to recover from the poison of the tiger's claws and teeth which caused him deep, gruesome wounds. After this incident he was christened by locals as "Bagha" (the tiger killer) Jatin. 

Soon Bagha Jatin would shift his revolutionary activities to Balasore, a small town in Odisha near Bengal border. He, along with his close friends Chittapriya, Manoranjan and few more formed a merry band whose fiery spirit led to several skirmishes with the British using arms and ammunition. In order to run their organization they needed money and hence looted the rich Zamindars (feudal lords) of the time, most of whom sided with British. After looting, Bagha Jatin's gang would leave a note saying that they are taking the loot to fight for freedom and will return the money with interest after independence. 

Unfortunately they couldn't keep their promise. During the First World War, Bagha and his associates established contact with Germany who was seen as enemy's enemy being a friend as they were fighting the war with British. The Germans were ready to assist Bagha Jatin's gang with arms and ammunitions. But the mission failed due to couple of reasons. First of all, the English ruled India with the support of the majority of Indians and many of whom were eager to please and cooperate with their occupiers for a price or privilege. Secondly, British had created a strong network of spies and informants and like a ripe fart could smell any mutiny or revolutionary activities from miles. 

Based on the information they received the British Military Police closed in on Bagha Jatin and his gang inside the deep forests surrounding Budhabalanga River near Balasore, Odisha. Though thorougly outnumbered, outgunned and outmaneuvered, Bagha and his associates fought bravely for few hours before being captured or gunned down one by one.

Bagha Jatin was seriously injured in the ensuing gun fight. He was taken to a local hospital and treated by a British doctor. When he regained his sense he refused to be treated by an Englishman and threw away his bandages. He continued to bleed and battle for his life until he died from gunshot wounds on this day September 10, 1915, exactly 111 years ago. Long live martyr Bagha Jatin. My tribute to one our many unsung heroes.

Janmastami and Godmen

 We just passed JANMASTAMI, Birthday of Sri Krishna, an Avatar of Lord Vishnu. It reminded me of this Baba, a charlatan in the guise of a saint who once lived in Bhubaneswar. He proclaimed himself as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, his 11th Avatar. On this auspicious day it was rumored that the Baba turned himself into BAL GOPAL (Baby Krishna). His women devotees cuddles him and took turns in feeding him milk. Preaching others about avoiding fatty food but himself not so averse towards it, the Baba was said to have a preferences for full fat milk over semi fat ones.

Well, he imbibed so much milk that he could not digest and so also the local populace couldn't digest his escapades. One fine morning his ASHRAM (abode) was stoned and Baba fled away. Don't know what happened to this self proclaimed 11th incarnation of Vishnu. He was rumored to have resurfaced elsewhere.

In Punjab the controversial Baba Ram Rahim Singh was in news not long ago. The Baba had been convicted of rape charges and his followers had taken to street, taking the tri-state of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi into hostage for a few days as violence reigned. He had patronage of all political parties including BJP. Now we have examples of fake Babas from East (Odisha) and North (Punjab), South (Tamil Nadu) in the form of Nityananda Swami and West (Gujarat) in Asharam Bapu complete the pan-India affliction of the Baba franchise.

I am not against Godmen. They and their followers have every right to their belief and peaceful assembly to preach and sooth the tired souls as long as they stay within the framework of law. But some are known to take law for granted and into their own hands. They also indulge in obnoxious activities, often involving women and children. The myths surrounding them eventually get shattered, replaced with controversies and free fall from grace.

What's the secret potion that enables these Babas to sustain, survive and elude the authorities of any misdeed ? Many of those nefarious Gurus have equally unscrupulous folks as disciples which includes but not limited to politician, bureaucrats and businessmen. The Baba often acts as a conduit, a wheeler and dealer for those in power, a backroom boy who knows their secrets and use them an insurance for future.

The vast majority of the disciples of these Babas aren't illiterate, poor folks as we would think, they are rather from the middle class and upper strata of our society. Many, especially women suffering from insecurities and bored with their bland daily drudgery of suburban, small city life become the SHISYAS (Female devotees) of these charlatans to get some kick and adventure as an scape ftom their mundane lives. But familiarity breeds contempt. The disillusionment kicks in for some at some point when they discover how uncouth and fake these Babas are. Their Guru's misdeeds events gets exposed with time as the ocean floor gets exposed after the fall of high tide.

But these folks are in minority, for come what may, still a vast number of brainwashed BHAKTs (disciples) chose to virulently defend their Babas. This doesn't come as a surprise to me. When I posted earlier about the milk loving Baba of Odisha, a friend of mine who incidentally had studied in IIT apparently got pisses off and started trolling me. If this was the reaction from a highly educated guy (studying in IITs, a premier Technical Institution is arguably considered the highest form of education in India).

Karma is a bitch ! Gladly, law and their own Karma eventually catches them. I hope they rot in jail, excelling in CHAKKI PEESING..PEESING.. PEESING (A Hindi allegory describing jail time).

Teacher's Day 2026

Today is TEACHER's Day, all other brands are prohibited (Teachers is a popular brand of Scotch). Joke apart, I salute to all my teachers who have made a huge difference in my life by shaping my knowledge and character. It is not just limited to my teachers in school and college. My parents were my first teachers. Then came friends, relatives, acquaintances as my teachers in various forms at different stages in my life. There is always something to learn from every human being, a prince or a pauper, a beggar or a sorcerer, an animal or an inanimate object. Life is the biggest teacher. 

A good movie can be a good teacher too. In the iconic movie 3 IDIOTs, on the Teacher's Day of September 5, the character Chatur Ramalingam goes on stage to recite a Sanskrit Sloka (hymn) eulogizing the teachers of his college. He rotes the Sloka by memory, without understanding a single word, nor caring about its content, without realizing that the original speech was altered by a playful and witty Rancho (played by Aamir Khan). 

As Chatur on the stage was about to vomit the Sloka he rote from what Rancho wrote, the later told his friends to get ready to hear a sermon about the former's farting prowess. Chatur recites:

UTTAMAM GAD GADATA PADAM,

MADHYAM PADAM TUCHAK TUCHAK;

THUR THURIYA KANISTAM PADAM,

SUR SURIYA PRANA GHATAKAM.

Roughly transliterated...

"Loud farts are majestically thundering;

Medium farts come along stuttering,

Small Farts arrive whisteling & sirening;

The silent ones can be life threatening."

As the crowd goes berserk rupturing with laughter and poor Chatur gets kicked out of the stage. Racho's dark humor taught us another lesson in academics - Knowledge acquired through roting sans understanding may earn you a degree, but will get you nowhere. My father always emphasized on learning through understanding rather than roting.

Decades ago there was this incident, when a sub-collector in Sonepur district of Odisha did this shameful, cowardly act of kicking a hapless school teacher, abusing him as a poor MASTRA (the way the word master is often pronounced in Odia, a term mostly used in derogatory sense for teachers back home). 

I remember a cartoon related to this incident which came out on the local vernacular Newspaper "The Sambada" with the following caption, (rhyming with our famous Sloka "GURU BRAHMA GURU BISHNU... "

GURU DEENA GURU HEENA

GURU SAMANYA MASTARA;

KANDOOKA SAMAN GURU

TASME SRHEE GOITHA MARA

ITI UPA- COLLECTOR

JILLA NAMA SONAPUR.

Transliterating in the same rhyme form to keep the theme intact,

"Teacher is poor, Teacher is mere;

Teacher is just an ordinary Master.

Teacher is akin to a football;

To be kicked for sure.

Courtesy Sub-Collector,

From the district of Sonepur."

I have heard parents asking their children in Odia "KIRE MASTRA AJI KANA PADHEILA" meaning "Hey, what did the master teach you today". The English transliteration may not sound so bad but the way it is delivered in the native language is not a sign of great adulation. It shows the respect they the guardians give to their teachers.

My simple take - A society which does not respect its teachers, can never prosper. Period. Great nations are made by great men. Great men (and women) are shaped by their teachers. HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY to all.