#Indian military heroes

[mysterioushimachal]

General Zorawar Singh Kahluria: The "Napoleon of the East" Who Conquered Tibet

[manasastuff-blog]

"VIJAY DIWAS"#trending#viral

Vijay Diwas, observed on December 16th, marks India’s historic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. This day is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces, who fought valiantly to achieve one of the most significant military victories in history. In this, we explore the importance of Vijay Diwas, its historical context, and how it inspires patriotism among Indians.

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#VijayDiwas #1971War #IndianArmy #IndiaVictoryDay #VijayDiwas2024 #IndianHistory #NationalPride #Patriotism #DefenseHeroes #WarMemorial

[imsobadatnicknames2]

I saw this mentioned as a bit of an aside on another post but since it was a little bit besides the point of that post decided to make my own post about it instead of derailing that one.

It IS very interesting how in Lord of The Rings orcs are the soldiers of a (compared to the rest of the world) highly industrialized and technologically advanced military force, yet pretty much every high fantasy media that has borrowed the concept of orcs since then has instead given them the "tribal savages" treatment, and i don't know how I failed to realize that difference until I saw someone else bring it up.

Like of course this is not saying that the depiction of orcs in LoTR is not problematic for a lot of different reasons (there have been years of discussions unpacking that) but it IS an interesting change and I think a pretty ideologically loaded one.

Thinking about it makes me remember this article I read a few years ago about how, regardless of genre trappings, a lot of high fantasy (especially in ttrpgs and videogames) actually has a lot more in common narratively and thematically with wild west ""cowboys vs indians"" films and shows than it has with its aesthetic inspirations. Like once you look at it with that lense in mind it becomes really conspicuous how much these works like giving the "tribal savages" treatment to any sapient creature that exists for the heroes to fight.

[indiadiries]

Kargil Vijay Diwas: Commemorating the Triumph

Introduction:Every year on July 26th, India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War in 1999. This significant day marks the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, which saw India overcome tremendous odds to reclaim its territory from enemy forces. In this article, we delve into the history, significance, and celebrations…

[saywhat-politics]

Department of Defense deletes Code Talkers, Iwo Jima flag raiser Hayes under Trump’s DEI order

Prominent Native American figures in U.S. military history have been erased from the U.S. Department of Defense’s website as part of the sweeping effort stemming from President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Department of Defense website removed articles featuring details about the Navajo Code Talkers — Navajo men who served during World War II and used their language as a secret code in battle — along with U.S. Marine Ira Hayes from the Gila River Indian Community, who helped raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

“Navajo code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI because Navajo code was a weapon,” Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald said in response to the removal during an interview with the Arizona Mirror.

MacDonald, 96, is one of two living Navajo Code Talkers. He served in the South Pacific as a Code Talker and in North China with the 6th Marine Division.

[eeriepromis]

Caleb Foot Lore Drop™ - Because Apparently We’re Foot Reading Forseers Now

“Even in silence, his feet speak of longing.”

Yes. This is where we are now. Staring at the Colonel’s toes like we’re decoding ancient prophecy. And guess what? There’s actually stuff to uncover. Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Anatomy Check (Because Science Exists)

Caleb has what's commonly known as a Morton’s toe - also called the Greek foot - where the second toe is longer than the big toe.

- This is a real anatomical variant found in about 20–30% of people. - It can affect how weight is distributed while walking and may lead to calluses or discomfort in bad shoes. - So if Caleb’s boots are Ever-issue military regulation hell ... send thoughts and prayers.

The visible tendons and bones suggest a moderate arch - not too flat, not excessively high. That’s biomechanically efficient and probably helps him stay balanced mid–gravitational flip-kick or whatever he does when we’re not looking.

The toes are straight, uncurled, non-overlapping. No bunions, no hammertoes. Basically: 10/10 foot health. Professor Lucius takes care of our boo. 😭 (help)

Step 2: Cultural & Symbolic Interpretations (A.K.A. He’s Got That Divine Toe Energy)

Greek Mythology:

The second toe being longer is straight-up called a “Greek foot” because so many ancient statues have it.

It was seen as a sign of beauty, intelligence, and leadership - which is hilariously accurate given Caleb’s aesthetic, military status, and inner braincell wrestling match between caring too much and keeping it together.

Indian Palmistry & Foot Reading:

A longer second toe? Associated with dominance in relationships, ambition, and a lil’ bit of bossy energy.

Caleb voice: “Answer me.” MC: stares Caleb: “... Are you suuuure?”

Chinese Foot Reading:

Seen as a sign of strong energy, leadership qualities, and possibly emotional expressiveness.

But also creativity and good luck? (Yet to be seen in Caleb's story (R.I.P.))

Conclusion:

Caleb has Greek hero toes.

His feet spoiler his fate literally.

They are lore-coded.

We are now the Caleb Foot Analysis Division™.

You're welcome.

Here have some cards too:

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?"

_________

[I swear I'm not into feet xD]

[whencyclopedia]

Arjuna

Arjuna (also given as Arjun) is the great hero of the Indian epic Mahabharata and the philosophical-religious dialogue Bhagavad Gita. His name means “shining”, “silver” and similar terms relating to brightness. He is the most popular champion in Hindu literature, a demigod (son of the storm god Indra), and the third of the famous Pandavas, the five noble brothers who serve as the protagonists of the Mahabharata. Arjuna represents the best aspects of humanity:

Courage, Strength, and Humility

Intelligence and Wisdom

Commitment to Truth and Justice

Performance of Dharma with Karma (Duty and Right Action)

At the same time, however, he is flawed in that he is stubborn, adheres to a personal code of honor which does not always consider the needs of others or the greater good, and is overly proud of how he comports himself and his reputation.

Throughout the Mahabharata, Arjuna has more adventures and is featured more prominently than any of the other characters. This is all the more impressive in that the work carefully develops even seemingly minor characters with intricate backstories. In the Bhagavad Gita, which was originally part of the Mahabharata, Arjuna takes center stage in the role of the seeker-student to the god Krishna's role of teacher-guide. Arjuna initially refuses to take part in the Kurukshetra war until he is convinced that he must by Krishna who explains to him his duty to himself and others and the ultimate meaning and order of existence.

In this work, Arjuna stands for all who face difficult circumstances and choices in life and question what they should do and why they must suffer. He also stands as a model of behavior, however, in that he sets aside his pride and reputation to honestly express his fears and doubts and to then accept help and counsel from another. These qualities have contributed to his standing as the best-known character of Indian/Hindu literary tradition and, once the works were translated into other languages, of world literature and mythology.

Family, Birth, & Character

Arjuna was the supposed son of the king Pandu who was half-brother to the blind king Dhritarashtra. When they came of age, Dhritarashtra (as the oldest) should have become king of their land of Hastinapur but could not because the law forbade those with disabilities from rule and so Pandu was chosen. Pandu married the princess Kunti as his royal wife and another woman, Madri, as second wife, while Dhritarashtra married another princess named Gandhari. Years later, once Pandu had expanded the kingdom and all was running smoothly, he requested leave to take some time with his wives and went to the wilderness, leaving the kingdom temporarily in Dhritarashtra's hands. While he was gone, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari had 100 sons (the eldest of whom was the prince Duryodhana) known as the Kauravas.

Years passed and Kunti returned from the wilderness with five sons – Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva – as well as the corpses of Pandu and Madri. After funeral services were completed, the boys and their mother moved into the royal palace. The five Pandavas were all conceived through supernatural means. Pandu was unable to have sexual relations with a woman because of a curse placed on him, but Kunti had been granted a favor by the gods that she could call upon any deity at any time to conceive a child. In Arjuna's case, this was the storm god Indra.

The supposed sons of Pandu and those of Dhritarashtra grew up together in the palace and were trained and educated by the same teachers. Drona (an incarnation of the god Brahma) was their teacher for military arts and weaponry and his school attracted the noble youths of other families including a young man named Karna of the Suta clan. Karna was actually the eldest of the Pandavas, Kunti's first son by the god Surya, but his family and lineage was unknown, even to him, until his hour of death.

Karna was an excellent archer and so a rivalry developed between him and Arjuna, also exceptionally skilled. The rivalry turned bitter on Karna's part when it became clear that Drona favored Arjuna. In order to make clear to all why he loved Arjuna, Drona called an assembly of his students at a lake, not explaining why, and, when they arrived, they saw their teacher out swimming. Suddenly, Drona was attacked by a large crocodile and, of all those gathered, only Arjuna came to his aid, fighting off the crocodile and bringing his teacher to the shore. Drona then explained that the crocodile had been an illusion of his own creation and he had never been in any actual danger but Arjuna, like the others, could not have known that; even so, only Arjuna had been selfless and brave enough to risk his life to save his teacher.

At about this same time, the legitimacy of Dhritarashtra's reign finally came into question since, as a blind man, he was only supposed to have been holding the throne until Pandu returned. Accordingly, he declared Yudhishthira his heir and crown prince, which enraged Duryodhana. Duryodhana unofficially adopted Karna as his brother and began to plot the destruction of the Pandavas whom he felt had returned only to prevent him from succeeding his father as rightful king of the realm.

Continue reading...

[girlactionfigure]

THURSDAY HERO: Moe Berg

Ballplayer And Spy: Moe Berg

Helped Stop Germany From Getting The Bomb

Moe Berg was an American original: a major league baseball player and a wartime spy. Born in 1902 and raised in a poor Jewish family in New York City, Moe was a bright, charismatic boy and a top student in high school. He attended Princeton on an academic scholarship, one of only a few Jewish students at the prestigious college.

At Princeton, Berg studied languages – he ultimately learned seven – and became the star shortstop on the college baseball team. He wanted to attend graduate school at the Sorbonne in France, but couldn’t afford it. Instead he chose a very different career path. After being recruited in college, Moe signed a contract to play shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He wasn’t the best hitter, and was sent to the minors in 1924, but returned to the majors in 1926 as a catcher with the Chicago White Sox. Incredibly, he attended Columbia Law School in the off season, and earned his degree while on the White Sox. Moe played 15 seasons in the major leagues, including stints on the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Known as “the brainiest guy in baseball,” Moe was asked why he “wasted” his intelligence playing sports, he said, “I’d rather be a ballplayer than a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.”

In 1934, Moe joined a traveling all-star team, along with Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. In Tokyo he delivered a speech in Japanese. Unknown to his fellow players, Moe had been recruited as a spy by the U.S. government, and while in Tokyo he carefully photographed the city. Moe’s images were later used by the U.S. Army for bombing raids on the Japanese capital . As a Jew, Moe wanted to fight Nazis, and he volunteered to serve when the United States entered World War II.

Moe became a Goodwill Ambassador, traveling to South America and Asia. Moe made a radio speech in Japanese to the people of Japan urging them not to fight a war they could not win. After his stint as an ambassador, Moe became an agent in the Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner of the CIA). He taught himself nuclear physics, then traveled throughout Europe to collect information about atomic bomb development. His fame and charisma enabled him to form intimate friendships with important military, political and cultural leaders.

Moe’s extensive spy work uncovered an atomic bomb factory in Norway that was developing the bomb for Germany. Using Moe’s intel, Allied forces bombed the factory and stopped Germany from getting the bomb. Moe was at great risk in Europe because he was Jewish, but he refused to return home, instead spending much of 1944 and 1945 helping American troops in Europe capture atomic scientists who were working with the Germans. When the war ended, Moe Berg was offered the U.S. Medal of Merit, the highest award given to a civilian during the war, but he modestly declined.

In 1951, Moe asked the CIA to send him to the newly founded State of Israel. “A Jew must do this,” he said. The request was refused but Moe was hired by the CIA to go through his old contacts from wartime to get information on the Soviet atomic bomb project. He left the agency in the early 1950’s, and for the next few decades Moe lived a quiet life. He worked as a coach for a few years, but never found another steady career.

A lifelong bachelor, Moe died in 1972 at his sister’s home in New Jersey, at age 70. Moe’s last words were, “How did the Mets do today?” His former Ted Lyons remembered, “A lot of people tried to tell [Moe] what to do with his life and brain and he retreated from [baseball]… He was different because he was different. He made up for all the bores of the world. And he did it softly, stepping on no one.”

Moe Berg’s is the only baseball card on display at the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency.

For his contributions to the world of sports and to the safety of our country, we honor Moe Berg as this week’s Thursday Hero.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Alex Samuels at Daily Kos:

President Donald Trump’s administration has made it a top priority to remove anything associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from federal websites, regardless of the context. But in doing so, it’s erasing history—and making a compelling case for why we shouldn’t be dismantling the Department of Education. One glaring example of this is Pete Hegseth’s Department of Defense, which, in early March, erroneously removed a historic image of the B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, from the Pentagon’s website. (The plane dropped the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.) Why? Because the aircraft’s name contains the word “gay.” 

This absurdity is a powerful illustration of how far Trump and his cronies will go in their quest to eliminate anything that might be construed as “inclusive.” But this particular flub reveals the administration’s true intentions: to distort historical facts for the sake of ideological purity. More recently, on Tuesday, it was reported that the Defense Department removed articles about the Navajo Code Talkers from its website, supposedly following a directive from Trump and Hegseth to eliminate all DEI-related content from Pentagon and military sites. As we’ve highlighted before, though, under Trump, DEI has been reduced to little more than a smokescreen. The term now serves as a tool for denying opportunities to people of color, women, and minorities—if not erasing them entirely from the history books. So far, the Defense Department has been at the forefront of this effort to whitewash the past. But it's not just Hegseth. Trump’s America doesn’t just tolerate blatant racism—it celebrates it. Nazi salutes are casually made by presidential surrogates without consequences, and Confederate generals are celebrated as heroes. History is being erased right before our eyes.

This past Friday, the Arlington Cemetery website deleted information about certain Black, Hispanic, and female service members, according to The Washington Post. Then, on Monday, the Post reported that a webpage honoring Pfc. Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian and one of the Marines famously photographed raising the American flag at Iwo Jima in 1945, had been removed from the Defense Department’s website. After public pushback, officials stated the page would be restored. Jackie Robinson, the first Black man to play Major League Baseball and a former Army lieutenant, also found himself on the chopping block. Reports indicate his story has also been erased from the Department of Defense’s website.  As one ESPN columnist wrote, “The ghouls who did this should be ashamed. Jackie Robinson was the embodiment of an American hero. Fix this now.” After more public outcry, the article on him was restored as of Wednesday. Robinson isn’t the first Black icon once celebrated by the president to be swept aside in this DEI purge. A webpage honoring Medgar Evers, the civil rights activist and U.S. Army World War II veteran, was also removed from the Arlington Cemetery website. These instances raise a troubling question: Does Trump even understand the consequences of his actions, despite their apparent lack of rationality? After all, during the 2017 opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Trump called Evers a “great American hero.” Yet now, in 2025, it’s as if that acknowledgment never occurred. What’s changed?

The Trump/Hegseth crusade to erase non-White American heroes as part of their misguided and destructive war on “DEI” is a gross abuse and whitewashing act.

[mindfulmuse88]

Unbiased: The DOD says no federal resources will no longer be used for "special observances" (Women's History Month, Pride Month, and more)

Disclaimer: I am neither Republican nor Democrat. Everything is unbiased and factual.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced that it will no longer allocate official resources, including man-hours, to host cultural awareness month celebrations. Their statement reads in part:

"Going forward, DOD components and military departments will not use official resources—including man-hours—to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months. This includes National African American/Black History Month, Women's History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month. *Service members and civilians may still attend these events in an unofficial capacity outside of duty hours. However, installations, units, and offices are instead encouraged to honor the valor and achievements of military heroes from all backgrounds while focusing on the *character of their service rather than immutable characteristics."

Additionally, a memo from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)—a division within the DOD—has been circulating online, indicating that the agency will also pause its involvement in these observances in line with executive orders banning DEI initiatives. The memo states:

"Effective immediately and until further notice, the Defense Intelligence Agency will pause all activities and events related to agency special emphasis programs. Additionally, special observances hosted throughout the year by the command elect and special observances committee are also paused."

The memo further lists the affected observances, including Black History Month, Women's History Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Pride Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month. However, it clarifies that this does not apply to federal holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Juneteenth.

Why is the DOD taking this action?

This decision ties back to two executive orders signed by former President Trump:

"Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing"

"Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions"

These orders put a hold on government spending for all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, giving the administration time to reassess what, if anything, should receive funding in this area. Since hosting celebrations or observances could be classified as DEI-related spending, they must be paused to comply with these orders. Whether this pause will become permanent remains unclear.

What about Black History Month?

Many have asked whether Black History Month will still be officially recognized. On February 1, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation acknowledging Black History Month, continuing the tradition upheld by every president since 1996. The proclamation reads:

"Now, therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2025 as National Black History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."

However, the use of government funds for Black History Month observances remains a gray area. The executive order on DEI spending states:

"Americans deserve a government committed to serving every person with equal dignity and respect, and to expending precious taxpayer resources only on making America great."

What qualifies as "making America great" is subject to interpretation by the administration. This is one of the key justifications the Defense Intelligence Agency cited when deciding to pause non-federal observances, including Black History Month.

What happens next?

At this point, the long-term impact remains uncertain. As with many policy shifts, time will tell how this decision will play out across different government agencies. For now, the DOD has made it clear that government resources will not be used to fund these observances, but individuals can still participate on their own time.

[darkmaga-returns]

During his first term in office, Donald Trump adorned the Oval Office with a portrait of our seventh president, Andrew Jackson. And for four years, Trump praised the precedent Jackson set as a populist and as a spirited fighter.

Now as he enters his second, non-consecutive term, Trump would behoove himself to adopt another lesson from the Age of Jackson: the tearing down of military idolatry.

It may be a surprise to laymen that General Andrew Jackson, the man who came to national prominence as an Indian fighter, the hero of New Orleans, and the conqueror of Florida was someone skeptical of a military establishment.

But Jackson, as part of the second-generation of American leadership, inherited the Founding Fathers’ fear of the threat that a standing army could pose to republican liberty. Like in so many things, the Founders learned wisdom from the ancient republics.

“The Greeks and Romans had no standing armies, yet they defended themselves. The Greeks by their laws, and the Romans by the spirit of their people, took care to put into the hands of their rulers no such engine of oppression as a standing army,” Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1814. “Their system was to make every man a soldier and oblige him to repair to the standard of his country whenever that was reared. This made them invincible; and the same remedy will make us so.”

[manasastuff-blog]

"Indian Navy Day" #trending#viral#indiannavyday

Indian Navy Day Importance is a key occasion for recognizing the invaluable contributions of the Indian Navy to our national security. Celebrated every year, Indian Navy Day not only honors the Navy's achievements but also raises awareness about its crucial role in safeguarding our maritime boundaries. This day reminds us of the sacrifices made by naval personnel and their commitment to keeping our country safe from external threats. Whether you’re passionate about the armed forces or curious about military history, understanding Indian Navy Day importance will deepen your respect for this esteemed branch of the Indian military. Dive deeper into this significant day and its lasting impact on India's defense strategy.

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Website:www.manasadefenceacademy.com

#IndianNavyDay#NavyDayImportance#IndianNavy#IndianNavyCelebration#NavyHistory#IndianMilitary#NationalSecurity#MaritimeDefence#IndianArmedForces#NavyHeroesShow less

[random-movie-ideas]

Pantheon of Heroes

Based on a writing prompt I've been seeing around about aliens invading Earth only for the old gods to return:

Thousands of years ago, mankind lived under the rule of Gods. Some were loving and benevolent, while others cruel and self-serving, and still more largely uninterested in their mortal subjects. But as humanity grew and developed, they soon grew out of their need for Gods, and by and by, they were ultimately all forgotten. Until one fateful day.

The attack began with every major center of population around the world simultaneously. No one knew who the invaders were, or where they had come from, but within minutes millions were dead. Various world militaries responded as quickly as possible, but nothing they could throw at them seemed to make any kind of dent. The decision was made by the world’s leaders to fire off their supply of nukes, but each missile merely detonated on the surface of the alien war machines, leaving nothing but a scratch behind.

Dr. Meera Chaudry was working with her team at a hospital in Hong Kong when the first attacks occurred. A laser blast struck the hospital, knocking out the power and plunging them into darkness. “Everyone outside, hurry,” Meera said, rushing her team out. One of the doctors rushed to a door and pulled it open, finding nothing but open air ten stories up, the other half of the building completely vaporized.

“The other side, hurry,” Meera said.

She and her team rushed out the door and down the stairs, hurrying as fast as they could to the exit. The second they stepped outside, however, Meera watched as her research assistant was vaporized right before her eyes.

High above, huge green war machines lumbered on long, tentacle-like legs, one firing off an intense green blast that wiped the Hopewell Centre completely from the skyline. Closer to the ground, strange green creatures with large eyes and dripping fangs flew around on batlike wings, firing energy blasts at people or stabbing them through with large scythes.

Meera’s heart raced as her eyes grew wide. “Go, run, as fast as you can!” she told her coworkers.

The group ran, drawing the attention of a couple of aliens nearby. Two blasts took out the oldest member of the group, and Meera’s newest intern, both reduced to ashes in seconds. One of the team’s engineers was felled when a creature landed on his back and lopped his head off. Soon, the team was down to four members, then three, then two.

Just as one of the creatures was about to slice through Meera’s friend Sita, a loud screech rang out through the air, a long pole striking the creature right in the face and sending it flying. A flurry of fur and golden armor whisked into view, striking another one of the creatures before taking down another with a roundhouse kick to the gut.

“Wahoo!” an excited screech yelled. Meera and Sita looked up to see what Meera could only describe as an almost humanoid macaque sitting on a nearby high-rise, wearing freshly polished ancient Chinese armor, a long pole clenched in one hand. His mouth spread into a wide grin, showing large white fangs. “I have not had a fight like this in centuries.”

He leapt off the high-rise and smacked another alien across the face, spinning in midair and kicking another with both feet.

Sita looked at Meera in awe. “Is that—?”

Meera looked back at her companion. “If it is, thank the gods he’s here,” she said. “Come on, run!”

The pair turned and raced to get under the high-rise the monkey had just been sitting on. Unfortunately for them, a laser blast from one of the war machines struck the building at that moment, causing it to crumble in on top of them and crush the two doctors into paste.

Though Dr. Meera Chaudry perished in that moment, her soul, her very essence that had taken up multiple different names and lives throughout all human history, remained. Starting as a warm and gentle glow, it rose up from her shattered form, taking on its true form as a young man of Indian descent, with blue skin and four arms, wearing ornate robes like those worn historically by his people.

“No!” Vishnu said, looking down at his arms and his blue skin, then down at what remained of Meera Chaudry below him. “We had two more years. We were almost there!”

He ran two of his hands through his long dark hair and looked around. His fellow God Sun Wukong was still fighting a horde of aliens nearby, apparently having the time of his life. Vishnu drew the Sharanga bow and fired at Wukong’s enemies, striking them all down in one hit.

“Monkey!” he shouted. “What is happening here?”

Sun Wukong spun around, suddenly finding himself without an opponent. He looked up to see Vishnu nearby. “Oh, hey,” he said. “I thought I sensed some divine aura.”

The monkey loped his way over to Vishnu, stopping to sniff at Meera and Sita’s bodies, checking for any signs of life. “Shame,” he said. “I assume you were able to accomplish . . . whatever preserving act this avatar was meant to accomplish then?”

“No, I didn’t,” Vishnu spat angrily. “Two years from now, Meera Chaudry had been meant to discover the cure for cancer. She wasn’t supposed to die until that was accomplished.”

Sun Wukong grimaced. “Well, that’s rough,” he said. “So, what now? New avatar?”

“I don’t know,” Vishnu said. “Every avatar has lived long enough to see their mission through. They’re not supposed to die until then. What is happening?”

Wukong looked up at the sky, as more and more war machines arrived. “Wish I could tell you. I was taking a nap on Tiang Tan Buddha’s lap when suddenly my bed disappeared.”

More aliens turned and came their way. A weapon appeared in each of Vishnu’s hands. “I suppose we’ll figure that out later.”

Wukong gripped his pole excitedly. “If we have to,” he said.

The two gods clashed with the aliens, striking them down one by one. They were surprisingly strong, Vishnu noted. He was used to strong adversaries in his avatars, but in his God form? As he fought, he did his best to protect the humans still running for their lives.

“Run! Hurry!” he told a family of three who looked at him in stunned surprise. He slashed at an alien in flight, cutting it out of the air as it aimed for a pair of teenagers. Across the plaza, he spotted an old man sitting on a bench, not moving.

“Old man,” he shouted. “You must awake.”

The old man remained where he was. Vishnu struck an alien with his chakram and rushed over. “Old man,” he said, jostling the man’s shoulder. He pulled back when he realized it was . . . sticky.

“Old man?”

A loud screech filled the air. Vishnu turned to see another alien racing toward them with its scythe outstretched. Before Vishnu could react, the creature impaled the man through the gut.

“No!”

The alien’s face stretched into what looked to Vishnu like a satisfied grin. It made to pull its blade out only to find it stuck fast to the man. The alien let out a screech and pulled, but no matter what it did, it couldn’t pull away. It slashed at the man’s face with its claw, only for that to end up stuck fast too.

Now that Vishnu could see the man up close, he realized it wasn’t a man at all. It was a wooden puppet, covered in glue.

“What the—?”

Before Vishnu could begin to wonder what was going on, a series of long white threads draped around the trapped alien, wrapping around it and tangling it up. The alien realized what was happening too late, struggling in vain as it and the puppet were yanked up into the tree above, where a giant black spider with a human face emerged from the canopy, quickly wrapping the creature up into a cocoon of webbing.

“Is that—?”

“Hey, Nancy!” Sun Wukong shouted, landing beside Vishnu, a wide smile on his face.

The spider looked up from its work and smiled back. “Goku!” he shouted.

Leaving his dinner behind, the Spider God Anansi crawled down the tree to greet them. He and Sun Wukong performed a minute-long handshake that incorporated all of his eight legs and the Monkey King’s two hands, two feet, and tail.

“Hey, what are you doing here, Nancy?” Sun Wukong asked. “I haven’t seen you in centuries.

“I was on the run from . . . someone.” The Spider God looked a little sheepish. He looked around at the invasion going on. “Saw all this going on, figured I might as well get a snack out of it.”

“Well, we could use your help, if you’re willing to offer it,” Vishnu said.

Anansi considered for a moment. “I mean, personally I’d rather get back to my—”

He stopped, looking up. Vishnu and Sun Wukong followed his gaze. Sitting on a branch near the mummified alien was a single white dove.

On the other side of the world, the sun rose over the Gulf of Mexico, an ancient Egyptian barque rising through the sky with it. On the deck of the ship, Egyptian Gods went about their business, fixing up the rigging, stashing away the weapons, and repairing damage from the most recent battle. The Sun God Ra sat on a throne at the center of the boat, smoothing out the feathers of his eagle head and looking over a fresh new scar.

“Well done, everyone,” he said, gripping the scepter in his left hand. “Another night, another victory over our adversary. Please, get some rest and prepare for tonight’s—”

Ra was cut off as a bright green blast struck the side of his boat, making the vessel rock wildly back and forth in the Duat. Ra gripped his throne as his aide Bastet rolled, managing to catch the deck with her claws, her fur standing on end, and the warrior Sobek clung onto the side of the boat.

“What was that?”

“We’re under attack, my king,” the Red God Set shouted back.

“By whom?”

“I don’t know.”

Ra looked up, his eagle eyes glowing as he took in the sky around him. A swarm of large green spacecraft had filled the skies of the Earth. Looking to the north, he could see that large cities such as New York and Los Angeles were under attack, and to the south, Rio de Janeiro was likewise in distress. Apparently, one of the ships had spotted the Sun Barque as it emerged from the night.

“Evasive maneuvers!” Ra shouted. “Everyone to your battle stations.”

Ra’s soldiers dutifully got to their feet, but he could see that they were tired. Near his throne, the Goddess Hathor was fast asleep in her cow form, resting from her time as the violent Goddess Sekhmet. He hated to have to wake her so soon.

Set steered the boat to the left, around the alien ship. Bastet, Sobek, and Serqet all took their places at the ship’s starboard side, striking out at the alien ship coming their way. Choosing to let Hathor rest, Ra got to his feet, raising his scepter and blasting the enemy ship with a blast of pure sunfire. The ship careened away from the blast, but when Ra cut off the stream, he could see that the ship had only received light damage.

“How is that possible,” the Dwarf God Bes asked.

“I don’t know,” Ra said. “Set, get us out of here.”

“Yes, sir!” Set shouted.

The God did his best to maneuver around the alien ship, but it just kept coming, blasting the deck and striking Serqet, sending the Scorpion Goddess crashing across the deck. The Goddess Tawaret hurried to her side.

“How is she?” Ra asked.

The Hippo Goddess looked up at Ra, a look of genuine fear on her face. “She’s not good,” she said.

Ra stared at her. He looked back up at the aliens. “Take us deeper into the Duat! Hurry!”

“I’m trying!” Set shouted.

The aliens kept coming, another green energy blast building. Ra could see they weren’t going to make it in time.

Then, just as the ship was about to fire, a huge green serpentine shape slammed into its hull from below, making its shot go wild. Ra and his crew stared in surprise.

“What was that?” Bastet said. “Was that . . . Apophis?”

Ra’s eagle eyes traced the path of the serpent as it circled its way around the barque, catching a glint of bright green and red feathers. “No,” he said. “I believe it is a friend.”

The feathered serpent suddenly rushed the port side of the boat, flying up and over and landing on the deck, flaring its large wings.

“Ra,” it said, its bright glowing eyes fixing on the Sun God.

Ra smiled. “Kukulkan,” he said. “It’s been a long time.”

Kukulkan flicked its tongue. Ra’s eyes spotted a slight burn scar across it. “Yes, it has.” He turned and watched the alien ship coming back around to attack again.

“I hope you have some sort of escape plan.”

“Yes, we do,” Ra said. “Set, get us deeper into the Duat now.”

“Yes, sir!”

The air around the boat shimmered slightly, the boat descending to a new plane of reality, leaving the physical plane and the alien ship behind. For now, they were safe.

Ra’s soldiers breathed a sigh of relief and lowered their weapons. “That’s better,” he said. “We owe you a debt of gratitude, my serpentine friend.”

The feathered serpent didn’t respond. His yellow eyes shifted back and forth, studying the new sights and sounds around him. He watched for a moment as Tawaret and Bes tended to Serqet’s wounds. “Seems humanity is in a crisis.”

Ra nodded. “It appears so.”

“Against an enemy capable of harming Gods.”

Ra said nothing, watching his follower cling to life. He rubbed the ankh in his right hand, lost in thought. A gentle glow caught his eye, and he looked up to see a white dove resting on the ship’s bow.

“It appears we have been summoned,” he said.

Meanwhile, the same battle waged over the Mediterranean, as the Asgardian warrior Thor blazed through armies of aliens, smashing through them with the hammer Mjolnir and whipping up a powerful lightning storm to blow their ships around.

“You think to challenge Midgard today, mortals,” he boasted, his voice booming like thunder. “I think you have chosen poorly.”

He swung Mjolnir again, aiming for one of the nearby ships, and slamming down on it as hard as he possibly could. To his surprise, he barely left a dent.

“What in the Nine Realms?” he said.

He wound the hammer up again, to try it a second time, only for a lightning bolt to blast through the sky and strike him in the chest, sending him flying all the way to Corsica.

“Ow,” he said, shaking his head and sitting up. “Who dares challenge the—?”

His question was answered before it began. The clouds parted above him, and a large man with curly white hair and a beard, wearing an ancient Greek toga, appeared.

“Zeus,” Thor snarled.

“Thor of Asgard,” Zeus’s voice crackled. “You have been warned time and time again, that you are not welcome in the domain of Olympus.”

Thor rolled his eyes and shook his head, getting to his feet. “This again, old man?” he shouted. “If you haven’t noticed—”

“Silence,” Zeus roared, ignoring the green ships laying waste to Rome in the distance. “I rule as King and Lord of Thunder in these lands. You are not welcome here.”

Thor cursed under his breath. “Alright,” he said, swinging around his hammer. “If that is the way you want it.”

He swung his hammer and took off into the sky, striking Zeus across the face with it. The strike was returned by a palm thrust to the chest that sent a million volts of lightning coursing through him. He was thrown backwards again, but managed to catch himself, watching as Zeus built up a terrible tempest around himself, bigger than the one he’d made the last time they’d clashed.

“I don’t want to fight you, Zeus,” Thor said. “But if I must to protect the people of Midgard, I will.”

He and Zeus clashed again and again, each blow creating bright flashes of lightning and deafening thundercracks. Thor swung with his hammer, while Zeus through bolt after bolt, their battle creating one of the most devastating hurricanes the world had ever seen, adding more and more to the destruction already being wrought by the alien invaders. Their battle may very well have laid waste to the entire Earth if it hadn’t been for a still, small voice.

“Peace. Be still.”

Zeus and Thor stopped. They looked around themselves to see their storm clouds dissipating, transforming from a hurricane back into a peaceful, blue-skied day. Thor looked down at his hammer. “What is happening? What is this power?”

Zeus scowled. He had experienced such a thing only once in his millenia of existence. Only one being had ever been able to override his storms.

“Elohim’s boy.”

Far below, a glimmer of light appeared. Zeus and Thor descended to the surface to see a lone man walking toward them, walking on the water as if it were solid ground. He looked to be of Middle Eastern descent, with long dark hair and a short beard, wearing a long white robe. He smiled genially up at the pair of them as he approached.

“Hello, gentlemen,” he said. “Lovely day for a battle, but is fighting each other really the best use of either of your talents right now.”

He looked around, noting the chaos and destruction occurring all across the Earth around them.

Zeus growled. “Stay out of this, Jehovah,” he said. “The fate of mortals is no concern of mine.”

“It is of mine,” Thor said. “Please, Jesus Christ is your name, is it not?”

Jesus smiled and nodded. “Just like both of you, I have many names. But Jesus suits me just fine.” He turned to face Zeus. “The fate of mortals may be of no concern to you, but I do fear it may grow to be your concern. I wish to meet with the both of you. Now. In the House of my Father.”

Zeus scoffed. “If you think I’m going anywhere with—”

He stopped as the trio suddenly found themselves inside a large stone building lined with marble pillars, a long table laid out with all manner of fruit and meat before them, five other Gods already seated.

“Ah,” Jesus said, turning and addressing a dove as it lighted upon his shoulder. “Thank you, brother. I see you have already gathered the others.”

The bird seemed to coo, but instead of sound, words of comfort and joy seemed to fill both Thor’s mind, putting him at ease for the moment. Jesus allowed the bird to take off, and it seemed to vanish into pure light.

“Please, gentlemen, take a seat.”

Thor did so happily, digging into a large dish of lamb set before him. Zeus, however, remained standing. “I thought I didn’t qualify to enter your oh-so-sanctimonious Heaven,” he sneered.

“Oh, imagine that,” Sun Wukong said across the table, picking through a bowl of fruit. “The serial rapist doesn’t qualify to enter Heaven. I swear, standards just keep getting stricter and stricter every day.”

Zeus snarled. “Watch your tongue, Ape. You have your own share of misdeeds.”

Wukong shrugged, swallowing an apple whole. “Maybe. At least all of my lovers wanted me.”

Zeus scowled, but he finally sat down. Thor looked across the table at those who had joined them. They were all faces he was vaguely familiar with, Gods of other pantheons he had crossed paths with in his adventures. Vishnu from the Land of India sat beside Sun Wukong and a giant spider named Anansi who had once tricked Thor out of his hammer for a month. At the far end of the table sat the Egyptian God Ra, one of the oldest Gods he had ever encountered, and beside him curled a massive serpent with bright colorful feathers. Thor had encountered a handful of those, occasionally confusing them for the World Serpent Jormungandr, but he wasn’t quite sure which one this was.

“Thank you for coming,” Jesus Christ said, standing at the head of the table. “I’m sure you’re all aware of why I have summoned you.”

“These invaders,” the feathered serpent said.

Jesus nodded. “Yes, Kukulkan,” he said. “In less than twenty-four hours, over half of the human population of Earth has been wiped out. Their weapons and their armies have failed them, and if nothing is done soon, it will mean their extinction.”

Zeus sniffed. “And why should we care? Mortals die all the time.”

His response evoke an uproar from about half the table. “We are their Gods,” Vishnu said with disgust. “We created them. They pray to us for safety and for sustenance. Surely we have a responsibility—”

“They did pray to us,” Anansi corrected. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but few have prayed to me in years. Humanity abandoned the Gods, decided they didn’t need us. Perhaps it is best to let them deal with it.”

Kukulkan ruffled his feathers. “For what it’s worth, my followers never abandoned me. Though,” he looked at Jesus, “no thanks to your followers, of course.”

Jesus looked down. “It is no secret that many of my followers have done great evil in my name,” he said. “And they will receive their justice when the time comes. But I still consider all of humanity my brothers and sisters, my Father’s children. And I intend to fight for them.”

“As do I,” Thor said.

“And I,” added Vishnu.

Sun Wukong fiddled with a mango. “Isn’t this all supposed to be ‘part of your Father’s plan,’ anyway? Why bother?”

Jesus looked down. “Because this isn’t part of my Father’s plan.”

The Gods around the table looked surprised. Jesus rubbed the palm of his hand. “Neither he nor any of his prophets foresaw this occurring. And I suspect, neither did any of your seers. Zeus, has Apollo heard anything from the Oracle of Delphi?”

Zeus awkwardly shifted his seat and took a bite of ambrosia. “I . . . wouldn’t know.”

“And Thor, have the Norns come to Odin with word of any of this?”

Thor shook his head. “No. I only learned of it because I was visiting Midgard today.”

“Exactly,” Jesus said. “Something is wrong here. Something is interfering with divine destiny. Which means these aliens are likely far more than any human could ever face. They need us.”

Ra clicked his beak, speaking up for the first time since the meeting began. “That does bring up a point of concern, however,” he said. “These creatures are defying divine destiny, bypassing all divine plan and prophecy. Vishnu, you said that your avatar was killed, even though she should have had divine protection until her earthly mission was completed, yes?”

Vishnu nodded. “She was two years away from eradicating that beastly virus from the face of humanity altogether.”

“And one of my own soldiers,” Ra said, “a God, like unto myself, is now in critical condition aboard my barque, injured far worse than any of us have been harmed before, even in our daily battles against Apophis. Considering all this, I find it a very real possibility that none of us will be able to rely on our immortality if we choose to take them on. It may be more prudent for us to withdraw all of our forces into our divine realms and let humanity die.”

Zeus stared at the elder God. “Are you saying we might actually perish in this fight?” he turned to look back at Jesus.

Jesus nodded. “I had considered the same possibility as well. I believe if we combine our forces, and reach out to the other pantheons around the world, we just might stand a chance as a united alliance. But I cannot guarantee that all of us will make it out alive.”

Zeus dropped his remaining food on the table and stood. “Well, I’m out then,” he said. “I don’t intend to put my own life on the line for these humans, and I don’t expect any of the rest of you would either. Would you, Ape? Or you, Thor? Or even you, Jesus?”

Jesus fixed the God of Thunder with a stern gaze. He raised his right hand and turned it, revealing two small holes, one in the palm, and one in the wrist. “I already have.”

“As have I,” Vishnu said. “My avatars have given their lives countless times in the service of humanity.”

“Those were your mortal lives!” Zeus shouted. “The both of you were restored to your divine states immediately after. If what Ra says is true, then if you die, you will be gone. Permanently. Is that what you want?”

“I’ve already accepted that my permanent death will come at Ragnarok,” Thor said. “If it must come a few years earlier, then so be it.” He turned to Jesus and set his hammer on the table. “I’m in.”

“As am I,” Vishnu said, laying down his chakram. He looked up at Zeus. “My avatars and I bear the same spirit. I am the Preserver. My role is to ensure humanity’s continued existence. How can I just stand by now.”

The feathered serpent ruffled one of his wings, dropping a feather onto the table as well. “I too intend to protect humanity,” he said.

Zeus shook his head, looking around at the other Gods at the table. “Surely the rest of you can see this is madness.”

Sun Wukong fiddled with his pole, considering for a moment. “Eh, I’ve stacked up enough methods of immortality,” he said. “Surely I’ll be able to take a few hits before I’m down. Plus, I could never say no to a good fight.”

He set his pole down on the table as well.

Anansi looked up from the silk tapestry he had been weaving through the entire discussion. An ancient Akan spider design adorned its front. “It’ll make for a good story at least,” he said, laying the tapestry down on the table as well. “I’m in.”

Zeus turned to Ra, the only other God remaining. “Lord Ra, surely,” he said.

Ra considered for a moment, gripping his scepter and his ankh. “I have watched empires rise and fall,” he said. “Extinction is a mere fact of life. But I have never once watched humanity go quietly into the night. Every single time, they have fought with the intensity of a white-hot sun for their very survival and right to exist, even without the promise of an immortal life. The least I can do is match such courage.”

He crossed his scepter and his ankh, and laid them both on the table as well. “You can count on Egypt’s aid.”

Zeus stared at the other Gods in exasperation, realizing he was alone. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Fine,” he said. “Let’s say we did form this alliance and save humanity from these aliens. I assume you have a plan?”

Jesus nodded. “I do,” he said. “First things first, we ensure that all of humanity dies.”

What do you think? Let me know below. Also title suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!

[newspatron]

Sam Bahadur: A Glimpse into the Life of a Hero

Have you seen "Sam Bahadur"? Share your thoughts, questions, and reactions in the comments below! Let's engage and learn together.

Welcome to Newspatron, the online platform that brings you the latest news and reviews on movies, TV shows, music, books, and more. In this article, we will review Sam Bahadur, a biographical drama film that tells the story of the legendary war hero who led India to victory in the 1971 war. We will explore how the film portrays his life and legacy, and what makes it a must-watch for anyone…

[gatheringbones]

[“A deep psychosis inherent in US settler colonialism is revealed in settler self-indigenization.

The phenomenon is not the same as the practice of “playing Indian,” which historian Philip Deloria brilliantly dissected, from the Boston Tea Party Indians to hobbyists dressing up like Indians to New Age Indians. Settler self-indigenization’s genealogy can be traced to the period of the mid-1820s to 1840s, what historians call the Age of Jacksonian Democracy, marked by, among other phenomenon, the blossoming of US American literature.

The giants of the era are well known to every US high schooler who has had to suffer through American Lit classes—Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman, Longfellow, Hawthorne, and dozens of others. Among them was James Fenimore Cooper (1789–1851), who conjured the United States’ origin story in his Leatherstocking Tales, made up of five novels featuring the hero Natty Bumppo, also called variously, depending on his age, Leatherstocking, Pathfinder, Deer-slayer, Hawkeye. Together the novels narrate the mythical forging of the new country from the 1754–1763 French and Indian War to independence to the settlement of the plains by migrants traveling by wagon train from Tennessee. At the end of the saga, Bumppo dies a very old man on the edge of the Rocky Mountains as he gazes east. But it is The Last of the Mohicans, subtitled A Narrative of 1757, that relates the self-indigenization myth that has endured. The Last of the Mohicans was a best-selling book throughout the nineteenth century and has been in print continuously since, along with a half dozen Hollywood movies, the first in 1911, plus several television series made in the US, Canada, and Britain. The most recent Hollywood production was a blockbuster that appeared in 1992, the Columbus Quincentenary.

Cooper conjured the birth of something new and wondrous, literally, the US American race, a new people born of the merger of the best of both worlds, the Native and the European, not a biological merger but something more ephemeral involving the disappearance of the Indian. Cooper has Chingachgook, the last of the “noble” and “pure” Natives, die off as nature would have it, handing the continent over to Hawkeye, the indigenized settler and Chingachgook’s adopted son. The publication arc of the Leatherstocking Tales parallels the Jackson presidency. For those who consumed the books in that period and throughout the nineteenth century—generations of young white men mainly—the novels became perceived fact, not fiction, and the basis for the coalescence of US American settler nationalism, the settler ideology that justified the fiscal-military state.”]

roxanne dunbar-ortiz, from not a nation of immigrants: settler colonialism, white supremacy, and a history of erasure and exclusion, 2021

[world-of-wales]

I haven't seen the documentary (and I don't plan on it either) but from what I've read apparently Robert Jobson accused William of being jealous of Harry's success with Invictus Games, and they blamed Charles for not making enough effort to see Harry's kids yet having a close relationship with William's kids. And they played old interviews of Harry when he was promoting Spare and blaming William for everything. The documentary is supposed to be about Invictus yet they're just talking about the rift between Harry and William and blaming William for everything, even blaming William for not seeing Harry when he visited the UK after Charles cancer diagnosis. Also they were talking about how the slimmed down Monarchy is stressful for William without Harry and Meghan being there--trying to make it look like William needs Harry and Meghan. The documentary sounds like a smear campaign against William. I won't watch it.

So it is Robert jobson only. Someone mentioned this morning also that it was him, but yk, I'm not even surprised with the narrative he is going with. He's always been a master at stirring the pot, and most of these journos, including him, the so-called rr, are more Harry Fangirls than actual journalists. Like they are the ones Harry would be chatting to pre meghan when he was at the peak of 'hero harry' pr and hence was their media darling. It was quid pro quo basically, the press got their exclusive royal source. And in return Harry got shiny new articles and media for his image & pr.

Now, william, since then, has always been a press punching bag for all sorts of things. He didn't give then any access so they've always kind of took it out on him for trying to protect his own and his family's privacy. This is completely in line with the regular shit, jobson does. So not even surprised.

Also I don't think jobson would just go off script without the knowledge of Harry or his team like I mean....

Also this whole william was jelly theory is so bs like 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😭😭 I'm sure he's crying about it rn in his place as the heir and his family around him. Also bold of jobson to assume that william who helped set these games up so that his brother had a side project to look after is surely jealous of the games. And tbh what's there to be jealous about, I hate to say it but nobody cares about these games outside of the sux stans, nowadays atleast and it all comes back partly to the fact that the world has shifted on their thinking axis a little and partly because invictus has become more of a H&M show post their engagement and them leaving rather than it being about the veterans.

One reason a lot of people don't really care that much, and it's sad that they don't is because at a time where we are forced to see the humanitarian effects of war all across the world in various conflicts, people have become apathetic towards the army personnel and the veterans. Because for the average person they have become an extension to the problem. And I'm not saying this because I want to, my maternal grandfather's whole family has been serving in the Indian army or the other defense forces post indepence and before that my great grandfather fought in the WWII in the British Indian army. So I would like to think that i atleast to some level understand the problems military personnel have to go through. And what I'm saying about the anti military attitude these days is what the reality of the world is. Because of the problems created by world governments, most of the injured veterans do end up being ignored and looked at suspiciously. So while invictus, started off as a noble project, it's not just a pr mechanism for two people.

This is what I was talking about this morning. Invictus nowadays is not about veterans, it's about 2 individuals and I as an organization would think about atleast chatting to them and being like please don't extend the family drama to this.