FREIBURGER ZEITGEISTLITERATURE (Satis Shroff)

UKRAINE BLUES: ZARIST AMBITIONS (Satis Shroff) Putin has thrown the gauntlet: how dare anyone, eh? Moscow theatricals in the heart of power in Russia where the main protagonist is the new Zar. Vladimir Putin, plays the role of a military strategist who combines martial arts philosophy with his deep desire to bring the lost glory to his broken Soviet Union through the blatant use of force and a deadly, expanding arsenal of lethal weapons, conventional, as well as, nukes. Today the Ukraine is in danger of being swallowed, tomorrow the other former and smaller Soviet states, and the day after tomorrow perhaps a piece of the European cake? The Bear’s appetite is growing. What we are witnessing in the Ukraine is a scenario back from Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’ in which a Mungo (Russia) has to be cunning, outwit and outmanoeuvre the Cobras (Nato) and Sher Khan (USA). The Mungo made a fast move and left the Western Alliance (Nato) gasping for breath. The Cobras and Sher Khan had only

Life writing: What’s in a Name (Satis Shroff) Was doing life-writing with some people when my chance came to tell whether I was satisfied with the way people called my name, I had to admit there were only a few people who’d pronounced my name well. A young French woman did it with so much love and feeling that it still rings in my ears. It is a common name. If you google for my name then you’re bombarded with similar names, especially from Nepal and India. My name comes from Sanskrit and it’s a compound word. The first word is satya (Wahrheit) which means truth. And the second name comes from Ishwara, which means God. So you have before you the God of Truth. Funny, eh? I had a college friend from the ethnic group of Rais and his name was Satya. He was the most decent, nicest and honest person I’ve ever met. I couldn’t imagine him doing harm to even an insect. We had good contacts when I was living in a hostel. We used to go from Thamel to downtown Kathmandu on foot to drink Ma

MY HEART BLEEDS FOR UKRAINE (Satis Shroff) European leaders look for solutions: Macron speaks with Putin in Moscow, Scholz discusses with Biden. Are Germany and America Marching in the same tact To hold back Russian aggression? The Russian bear snarls and provokes, Van der Leyen threatens with sanctions. Macron’s fervent cry of de-escalation, Goes unheard. The bear means business wants to talk with the eagle To avoid long discussions and delay. The tanks are moved back and forth, In the snowy landscape, Backed by photos from Russia. The Russias have already decided the next move. The tanks are waiting for a signal, The Russian separatists have a free hand, And open fire. If the Ukranian Army ignores This humiliating bombardment of civilians, A sacrifice has been made And a major war averted. Patriotism is in the wrong place here; It is a military and political strategy game of chess. When Ukranians reply with a barrage Of rockets from the Nato, The Russians will have found their excu