Random Thoughts: Pokhran II (Operation Shakti)

Parmanu Movie Review

Parmanu is true stunner of a movie starring John Abraham amongst others! The plot revolves around the planning for the hugely successful 11th May 1998 nuclear tests, also known as Operation Shakti.

In reality, Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee his principle secretary and a handful of people, including APJ Abdul Kalam, Scientific Advisor to PMO and head DRDO. (who was later elected President of India) Dr R Chidambaram of IAC, Dr Anil Kakodkar-BARC, and few other prominent scientists of the time knew about the tests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokhran-II

In the Movie Plot, the small but extremely effective team works diligently donning Archaeological Survey of India ID's initially and Military uniforms later, dodging spies on the ground, CIA operatives and ISI agents roaming freely in and around the Pokhran Fort. And most importantly the extremely powerful eyes in the sky of the CIA, Lacrosse satellites navigating above the Pokhran range on a daily basis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacrosse_(satellite)

The plot shows how the scientists working diligently, and Army personnel providing logistics, and others in the intelligence as well as establishment dodge many a difficulty and plan immaculately to bring about the conception of a new Nuclear State: India! There are many moments in the plot where the plan is almost abandoned. Utmost secrecy is required to be maintained, even the family members of the participants are kept in the dark, leading to many a hiccup in the personal lives of the participants.

The "White" House"

The movie ends with the N-Bombs going off in unison. 3 of the bomb shafts (code named the White House, Taj Mahal and Kumbhakaran) are highlighted in the movie. The Thermonuclear device (fusion device) is placed in the shaft codenamed the "White House" and after a suspense-filled wait, the device is set off to a massive explosion that nearly destroys the test range completely! This moment is a golden moment in the History of Modern India!

The coded wire to the Principal Secretary from the site after the massive blast says "The White House has collapsed!" Indeed, this massive explosion did end the nuclear apartheid of the "White Boys Frat-House Club" of nations as India forced itself forward to Superpower status.

I have already written about my rather personal experience about the tests in another post: http://thombrem.blogspot.com/2018/05/parmanu-movie.html At the time (1998), I used to work as a software engineer at GE Aircraft Engines, where I threw a largish office party to celebrate , much to the chagrin of the management. In fact I also remember some Indians (pussies) who went about saying they were in principle opposed to nuclear weapons, this would lead to an arms race, mutually assured destruction(MAD). I was asked the reason for the party, rather sternly by the General Manager after he learnt of the "Indian party" in the cafeteria. So I told him "1/2 of the party is for India's nuclear explosions and the other 1/2 of the party is to celebrate my 25th Birthday, take your pick". The GM did attend, and so did every American on the floor, many congratulated India on the success. However, notably, a very small percentage Indians kept on ranting about violation of Gandhian Principles and did NOT attend. I told them later that they are unworthy friends to any human being (Indian and American alike) as they are dishonest to the core, for they secretly felt happy on the inside, but are too scared to stand up for what they feel inside and which is indeed right. Not to mention the complete lack of Patriotism in this small minority! I also asked our Americans friends a pertinent question: "If a person cannot be loyal to the country they are born and raised in, their own motherland, do you expect this bunch of people to be loyal to the USA after they get citizenship?" I'm sure this provoked thought!

Some patriotic Americans drank 1/2 a glass of coke only and told me that this was to symbolically celebrate my 25th birthday but they refused to drink the whole coke as the other 1/2 was for the successful tests! I salute their Patriotism just as they do mine!

Bharat Mata Ki.....Jai!

And now a vote of thanks is due to John Abraham, who in real life is Jewish (a great community whose undying friendship with India is legendary), and true blue Indian to the core, for his stellar performance in Parmanu! Every Motherland loving Indian should (and hopefully will) have tears of happiness in his eyes at the end! I did! And I hope you do too!