The marines, laughing are probably driving a Lamborghini back home and celebrating with pasta and Russian Vodka. They have pulled off an "Italian Job". The Kerala Police are left scratching their heads. For once in the history of India and Gulf, someone has outsmarted the Mallus. The Supreme Court is threatening to imprison the Italian envoy. I guess the Italians will pull off another stunt to get him off Indian soil. I'm seeing another 'Argo' in the making.
Both parties have their own points of view. The marines fired warning shots, thinking they were Somali pirates. We don't heed to signals on roads, there is no way we will follow them on seas. Compensation was also paid, it is said, to the families of fishermen. But you can't put a price on human life. Who is to blame?
We have a rich tradition of not blaming the White man. He is always right. We have even accepted that even the White woman is right. There is no way the Italian marines are coming back. It did not happy with the British. Nor will it happen with whoever is and will rule us.
The Italians were kept in reasonable comfort. If you are allowed to wear your Ray Bans', you are obviously having a sense of freedom. I saw on TV when the Kerala police officer refused to salute, when the marines, in uniform, saluted them. A clear sign of disrespect. I am not showing sympathy with the Italians.
But, India has one of the largest undertrials in the world. Innocents crowded in dingy jails until proven guilty. Our own brothers and sisters don't have a chance. The Italians are a far off matter.
The next time we may see the the marines, it may be on National Geographic's Banged Up Abroad, where they will critize us and our police system. Or in Ram Gopal Verma's next venture, 'Do Khoon Maaf'.
Until that happens, oogle at Ferrari's latest offering, LaFerrari. The Italians know how to do it in style.
Pic courtesy: cartoonistsatish.blogspot.com by Satish Acharya.
ReplyDeleteHe is one of my favorite cartoonists.