Mediocre Perspectives

The Cuban missile crisis is probably the most important moment in World History in the 20 th century. In the aftermath of World War II, the world was divided between two large contours of capitalism lead by the United States and communism lead by the erstwhile Soviet Union. Tensions between them termed ‘Cold War’ lead to proxy wars and conflicts in many third world countries. If the Korean War of the 1950s was a crucial episode, the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 was its zenith. The USA through reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviets ships were ferrying ‘offensive’ missiles to Cuba, an ally of USSR which was off the coast of USA. Faced with a complex decision of blockading Cuba and preventing the takeover of West Berlin, which was Soviet’s plan if the USA launched an offensive on Cuba, JFK resorted to a combination of a diplomatic blockade and a stern warning to the USSR. As the Soviet’s plan was exposed its leader Khrushchev agreed to have a summit meeting in the month of November...

When I was in ninth standard there was a usual discussion in class regarding what you want to become. Back then unrestricted by expectations of society we told our teacher what we really wanted to be. In my ninth standard, I was pretty sure that I will take up genetics. Back then I did not know that the society considers it a foolish aspiration unfit for earning 20000 rupees a month. If I told you that I live in the state of Tamil Nadu your assumption that I took up engineering is dead right. After all, that is what you are supposed to do. There was this one friend who wanted to be in the NBA. When my teacher asked him, “Do you think it is possible?” he silently nodded his head. He was an extraordinary player on the court. I have seen him win important matches for our school in the zonal. He even represented the State once I guess. I am in touch with only a handful of friends after school and I met him only once after that. A few months ago, when I was surfing through Facebook I ...