Actually i just got stuck into my daily stuff at college! i dont know why, but m indulging into busyness day by day!! Never got time to write! nd now also, dont think that i have written anything today, i was reading my mails and meantime i got with Mala's Mail (My Mom's Cousin in US). Actually She forwarded me Jim's Mail (Her Hubby). Jim is nowadays in Afghanistan as a part of US Army (NATO Campaign). When i read it, it was just more than awesome!! Beautifully written with Honesty and Sensibly! The story of Afg. was never been told before so evocatively and profoundly.
Am going to Copy Paste The Email Written By Jim, For you Guys:Here I Go
Jim Writes:
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Kabul reminds me a lot of Delhi. Except it looks as Delhi might after a bombing campaign. The streets are mostly dirty, but it's been raining here so the mud sticks to everything as if it were a dark, thick sausage gravy. The sky is gray enough to block out whatever mountain scenery the buildings don't hide. Most of the buildings are made from dilapidated stone, however there are occasional compounds that take my mind back down the narrow streets of Muktsar, where a two or three story marble facade stands behind a tall stone wall that is tipped with barbed-wire and accessed by a thick steel gate. There aren't quite as many people in the streets in Kabul as in Delhi or Muktsar, though, and women make up much less a proportion of passers-by in this country.
Walking through the city, people seem fairly friendly but wary. Except for children, who beg for money or anything else one might part with. Everyone has a story here and it's interesting to learn what I can from my surroundings.
The bases I've been at are extremely different from those in the U.S. 44 countries have sent troops here; some say 45 because the Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Helmand is like a country unto itself. Around every corner is a different language and uniform and opinion of how this war should be fought and might be won. It seems like the entire world is here and it's fascinating to think about the implications of the recent troop surge and strategy review. A few days ago, Major General Flynn said, "I've heard people describe this [as] 'we're fighting a bunch of guys in shower shoes and bathrobes.' Well, a bunch of guys in shower shoes and bathrobes could beat 44 nations of the international community." That international community is formed by most of the same nations that comprise NATO--most of the same nations that used Afghanistan as a multidimensional chessboard upon which the Soviet curtain cracked and shattered. It's chilling to think that the combined might of the most lethal fighting forces the world has ever known walks the ridge line of the Hindu Kush, with a chasm on either side. To the left is the battle-fatigue of ordinary people who feel like pawns. To the right is an echelon of bishops, perhaps the world's most battle-hardened warriors, calling for religious war.
It's a narrow path to victory here. The people are fed up with our presence. The enemy needs only to wait us out while we check our watches and look for the exit. The government is strengthening at a quickening pace, but the militaries of the West are riddled with commanders who are empire-builders; what we really need is a cadre of those willing to work themselves out of a job.
There is promise, though, in the climate here. As the winter snows melt into winter rains, there is a nascent but palpable shift in perception among the command. There are several thousands of questions that one might ask in order to determine if this perceptual shift will yield an Afghan government that has clawed it's way to functionality and stability amid a hailstorm of opposition and corruption. We can't pretend to know the answer to those questions, but we have to seize the opportunity and hope for the best.
Last week there was a bombing, which Vani tells me is all over the Indian news because it looks like the attack targeted Indian concerns operating near the Afghan Government buildings. Some news reports indicate the attack was a simultaneous suicide bombing that was well coordinated and targeted outsiders assisting what the insurgents call an apostate government.
I've heard many stories about what's going on here; it seems like everyone has a small portion of the truth... just shiny and illustrious enough to convincingly pass as the whole picture of what's going on. In that, it reminds me of every other place I've visited or lived. This country makes me wonder what funhouse mirrors I look at while guessing the meaning of the shadows that dance on the wall.
There was an earthquake that hit about 100 miles north of here this morning. It shook most of us awake a few minutes before 0400. I heard it registered at 5.7. I think it's likely that our enemies will try to convince the undereducated rural population in the northern provinces that today's earthquake was a sign of God's anger with Western occupation. Just like they probably claim Hurricane Katrina was a symptom of God's wrath at our decadent society. Just like they remind the folks here that a few years ago they fought and defeated the Russians. And before that their fathers fought and defeated the British. And so on for time immemorial.
Chess was born in Afghanistan, and most of the worlds' nations are overtly or covertly playing the same game here still. However, the one advantage that we have over the imperial powers that have sent soldiers through these mountains over the eons is that we're not building an empire here. Anyways, Living Here is a part of my life, I am sure i will enjoy it and will learn a lot from here! Hope to see you guys Soon back in US & India.
Love,
Love,
This all Guys! am sure you will be by now feeling amazing after reading this!
I Promise i will Write Within few days!
Till Then Keep Reading>>Keep Enjoying
Abhishek
