Some readers may be surprised to find that the image shown is actually modern British army issue. It is issued to one of the most feared units in the British army: the Gurkhas.
It is their weapon of choice in close combat, rather than the bayonet.
The story of the Gurkhas is a long and historically complicated one.
Succinctly: Gurkhas hail from Nepal which was part of India. In its Empire building days, Britain made India one of its colonies. The Gurkhas were seen as brave and heroic fighters who were recruited into the colonial Indian army as a “Martial Race”, a term which meant that they were not classed as mercenaries.
With the independence of India in 1947 four regiments became part of the British army. Prior to this they have fought in both World Wars and latterly were part of the forces that in the 1980’s defeated the Argentine army in the Falklands and also served in the Middle East.
The Kukri shown above is the standard army issue with karda and chakmak.
Traditionally the blade is 12-15 inches (30-38cm) long. The karda is a small accessory blade used for many tasks. The chakmak is unsharpened and is used to burnish the blade. It can also be used to start a fire with flint.
Hello All,
I am going to be holding a writing contest for the online writing community. There will be three categories: Poetry, short stories, and articles. The limits will be 1 page max for poetry, 800 words or 1 page for articles (whichever is longer), and 1500 words or 2 pages for short stories (whichever is longer). Anyone can enter but please only one entry per person; you can only enter in one category and you can only enter once in it. Preferably all pieces will be in the form of an online article (Triond, Bukisa, or other).
I am fine with offensive language, just remember that this is being judged on quality and offensive language can sometimes detract from the quality of your writing though other times it may add to it and make it more realistic. Just be sure to pay attention to how it is effecting your piece.
The contest will close on July 21 so please have your submissions in by then. If you know you are going to enter and which category you will be entering in, it would make it a lot easier if you could say which category you will enter on the submission page. All entries require a link posted on the submission page along with your name and the category. If it is unpublished and a word doc, please send to t-man15@hotmail.com and leave the other info on the submission page.
For judging I will try to get the results out as soon as possible. I will judge one category at a time. Once all submissions are in I will decide in which order I will judge the categories, depending on how many entries each category has.
First place in each category will get a feature article and interview which will be posted here and on Triond. Each category will have a second place award and possibly a third place depending on number of entries and on whether I feel there is one particular entry that deserves it.
I am currently planning on judging the contest by myself but if you would be interested in helping to judge let me know.
If you have any questions or comments please be sure to tell me on the queston and comments page.
If you can keep generic questions, comments and suggestions to that page that would be very much appreciated. Anything related to any articles or blog posts about the contest can still be on that page.
Entries can be submitted here but please remember, only one entry per person.
Please let all your friends and fans know so we can have an even better contest. Happy writing,
-Resounding Glass
Abram Petrovich Gannibal
Was an African prince, before he was captured and brought to Russia. After being brought to Russia he became the son, by adoption, of the Russian czar, Peter the Great. As an adult, he held positions such as, major-general, military engineer and governor of Reval, renamed Tallinn, a city in Estonia. His education was completed in Paris. He studied, art, science, and mathematics. He was the great-grandfather of Alexander Pushkin, a great Russian poet and the author of a novel, that he never finished, titled, Peter the Great's Negro.
“’Ou know how it is, Juve.”
“I hoped this day wouldn’t have to come…” He rubbed something in his pocket.
“Yeh tried to feckin’ kill me twice Juve, yeh sold out on me, and yeh tried to cover yer own back! What worse can happen now?”
“I-I have to kill yeh Frank.”
The sadness, solidarity, anger, and frustration that had boiled in Frank was slowly releasing, but he knew he had to conserve it. “Didn’t have this much trouble last time. Look, yeh can still get out, yeh can still back away from this—yeh don’t have to stay in it!”
“Where are the police?”
Frank frowned. “I-you think they took me? I was gone before they could haul me there. Had to whack three of ‘em.”
“That won’t fly a whistle.”
“Neither will yeh life.”
Juve moved closer to Frank. “Are yeh threatin’ me?”
Frank walked towards his ex-pal. “Are you?”
“Look around, Frank. I was always smarter. The Street is here. The Whyos are comin’. What’s yer best card?”
Later that day, I helped bring down the mob families, both of them. I don’t remember how fast it happened, it being no more than a blur. After hours of pain in the razzer department, I decided to help them out. As long as I stayed cool, I could pull it off, and get on with my life, going straight again.
I have tried to adapt as I write this journal. This journal that happens to be my safe, sacred haven. Without it, I’d be knackered and away in the head. So much I owe to this simple notebook.
They would’ve confiscated this notebook had I not demanded I keep it or they would not find the families. Might I only hope that today is my last day eating straws out of the cup, and taking me life in me own hands every time I turn a corner.
I’ve prayed for survival, I’ve prayed for guidance. But most of all, for my family. There is no such thing as a thief who steals and gives to the poor, but today…and over the past few weeks…I have become one, one that works not for personal gain, or glory, but for my family. If anyone is to enter this journal after my death, might I say as a last note, and as an imparting saying: This is my story, and my life.
 Image via Wikipedia
What if the Nazis had won the war? What if the MLK had never been born? What if there were no religions? What if Lincoln wasn’t president? What if we never had rebelled against England? What if money didn’t exist?
What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse? What if we could all stop and shake each other’s hands? What if we could set back all bad we have done? Is it too late? Can we still make happiness this day?
What if there were not religions? What if the crusades had not happened? What if Hitler hadn’t killed the Jews? What if the Middle East was at peace? What if the Jews and Arabs got along?
What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse? What if we could all stop and shake each other’s hands? What if we could set back all bad we have done? Is it too late? Can we still make happiness this day?
What if racism was no more? What if there was no discrimination? What if we could tolerate and accept all people? What if everyone was equal? What if we didn’t have prejudices and judge people by their looks or beliefs? What if we took the time to get to know someone before assuming things about them?
What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse? What if we could all stop and shake each other’s hands? What if we could set back all bad we have done? Is it too late? Can we still make happiness this day?
What if people around the world could feel safe? What if they didn’t have to fear being killed or arrested? What if women everywhere could walk the streets alone? What if the people of Africa could begin to recover and rebuild after having war ravage their land and destroy their homes? What if the Israelis didn’t have to fear being wiped out by the Arabs? What if the Tibetans weren’t oppressed? What if women around the world didn’t have to fear rape? What if people didn’t have to fear being killed by bombs going off or gunfire cutting through their flesh? What if there was nothing to be afraid of?
What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse? What if we could all stop and shake each other’s hands? What if we could set back all bad we have done? Is it too late? Can we still make happiness this day?
What if gang warfare ceased? What if illegal drugs were no more? What if there were no more alcoholics? What if no one was in an abusive relationship? What if no one stole? What if the shootings stopped? What if Columbine hadn’t happened? What if child molesters went away?
What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse? What if we could all stop and shake each other’s hands? What if we could set back all bad we have done? Is it too late? Can we still make happiness this day?
What if we were all honest? What if everyone was kind and truthful? What if we could all work together? When will we achieve world peace? What will that day be like? How can we all work towards it?
What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse? What if we could all stop and shake each other’s hands? What if we could set back all bad we have done? Is it too late? Can we still make happiness this day? Let’s focus on the good and look towards that day that we can all have peace and shake each other’s hands. If we work towards it, it will come.
Image via Wikipedia |
The Hide "N" Seek Game is a very thoughtful and insightful article by Amilila Snow about people and how they express themselves.
About people and the difficulties they face while trying to express themselves.
I, for one, do.
In life, we often mask ourselves with different personalities when we meet different type of people.
Before you try to retort, try thinking whether something similar like this has happened:
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If someone bumped into you by mistake on the street causing you to drop all your things, they apologize, you politely say "It's okay."
If someone in your family for instance, your kids, parents or your siblings, steps on your foot, they apologize but you shout:"Are you blind?"
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Yes, we all wear masks to disguise our real thoughts & emotions. However, some people tend to mask themselves because they want to keep a distance between the both of you. Why though? Is it perhaps they have the difficulty to express themselves? Or is there something else?
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