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THOSE WHO CHANGE COLOURS

 THOSE WHO CHANGE COLOURS

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

11/II/2023

 

It was after a long hibernation that Mr TikTok the chameleon resurfaced in one of our pots. He stretched himself, straightened his tail, opened one eye, and gave me a wink. He then opened his mouth and shot out his tongue to catch a juicy moth. A few quick bites and the moth disappeared. I came too close to his comfort, so he dashed and hid himself somewhere in the pots.

 

We were planning to go out in the evening. It was time for a quick car clean up. I moved the car to a convenient place. As I went behind the car, my heart sank. TikTok was lying flat and breathing his last breath. Poor thing must have darted and hid under the car in panic and came under its wheels. I felt so bad. It was too late. Though his tail was still wriggling, all my efforts to revive him were of no use as his guts had spilled out.

 

Just before leaving home and switching off the TV, I saw a message running on the ticker that Gen Pervez Musharraf was dead too. Another ‘chameleon’ bit the dust. I buried TikTok with full honours and was wondering whether Musharraf would get the same respect.

 

A man who changed so many colours was now fit to be six feet down under in his ‘bunker’ permanently. It won’t matter how many more conspiracy theories he may weave. He was lucky that he moved away from the country he thought he loved so much. Or else, he would have been shoved in an unknown grave a long time back disgracefully.

 

Gen was in a coma. Had he seen what his country was going through today, he would have probably breathed his last much earlier. From a General, to being the Chief Executive, to an ‘absconder’, to a politician in exile, he finally rests. Can his soul ever be in peace?

 

This man too hibernated and resurfaced in Dubai where he lived for the rest of his life. The estate that he built over the years, which the Paki Generals are famous for, could hardly be used by him. I am not sure about his pension. Pakistan must have utilized it for the welfare of their troops for sure.

 

It was sad to hear that their parliament refused to offer their condolences to the departed soul. That was the hatred he had generated. A few military officers did attend his funeral, they say. At least Mr TikTok was not left on the road to be unceremoniously picked up by a prowler and eaten.

 

As a military man, I must appreciate Gen Musharaff’s tactical acumen. He always portrayed a brave front whenever he dealt with India & would never bend. Today, his country is in such a quagmire after the IMF has refused to bail them out. Probably, Pakistan would have reached the same state but with a delay, had he been at the helm. The Gen had the gift of the gab. I must admit and give the devil his due. From a soldier to a soldier, Fare thee well sir.

 

All those who dreamt of harming India, have always gone back facing defeat. Had you lifted your ‘Kashgol’ or begging bowl towards India earlier, when Indo-Pak relationship was fairly fine, your country would have prospered. It still can, mind you, provided you stop changing colours.

 

Problem was that you changed colours faster than the chameleon. You made the wrong allies and supported the wrong people. You harboured terrorists in the guise of Jehad. What did Pak achieve? Zilch.

 

I have one request to the Pak Government and their Establishment. Kindly change your definition of Jehad for Kashmir. Things would fall in place automatically. Fall back to the boundary which was decided at independence, which you shall one day, Insha-Allah. Then why should we see war. Stop all terror factories, peace will definitely prevail.

 

Remember, you may be a master in changing colours but if you hide in a wrong place, chances are that you would die a terrible death. How can you trust people who change colours for convenience? I wonder!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS

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