Predators and Prey

by Abhinav Agarwal

“The brokers, the middlemen, the pimps have entered the market. All of them. Like bees to honey. Like every time.”

“Deva, in this city, influence and money are the only two currencies that matter. If you have one, you use it to acquire more of the second, and vice-versa.”

“If it means killing Indians, and that too on Indian soil, the Pakis would do it for free! But as a matter of principle, they demand to be paid!”

Ling’s hard work showed success. Chinese investments flowed in torrents into India’s telecom sector. Half of India’s telecom network ran on Chinese networking equipment. That half of India’s telecom network had become one giant listening outpost for the Chinese intelligence network. Ling was a rising star and he knew it.

Every single smartphone in India with a Chinese chip is now listening and broadcasting to us. Every single telephone network with a Chinese switch or router is now a listening post of the PRC. If our man comes anywhere close to a phone, camera, or electronic equipment, we will know. They can run, but they can’t hide.”

You had this last chance to bow out with your dignity and liberty intact. You will lose both now.”

“Dynasties have been born and dynasties have died here. Invaders have come and gone. Prime Ministers have come, and Prime Ministers have moved on. We, on the other hand, sir ji, have been the only constant in this land for a thousand years. As long as there exists a nation to rule, we will be here to decide who that ruler is.

karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadā cana. mā karmaphalahetur bhūr mā te saṅgo’stv akarmaṇi.”

“Girte hain shahsawar hi maidan-e-jung mein. Woh tifl kya gire jo ghutno ke bal chale – only the horseman falls on the battlefield; how will that child fall who crawls on his knees,”

“The politicians tie our hands behind our backs, then ask us to go fight. It is not their blood that is spilled, so they don’t care. It is the soldier who returns home in a casket, silenced forever, never the politician,”