BALANCE EACH OTHER

 

I know he knows the world. 

And he knows I know my world.

We balance each other.

He's my emotional pillar.

And to him I'm his emotional pillar.

We hit it off 

Really well

Everyone wants America to go broke

 

Rashmee Roshan Lall writes in The Times of India of 18th April 2026

European Leaders may be uncomfortable with Trump's Iran war but won't dare criticize him. For, US remains the guarantor of western security

It reminded me of my response to a WhatsApp post forwarded by an acquaintance that prophesied imminent disaster for America.

The response is here and the WhatsApp post is afterwards

Everyone wants America to go broke.

It was because of them World Wars 1 & 2 were not lost to the marauding Germans and their allies. Continent far away, they could have remained where they were and enjoyed the fierce battles that went on in Europe and elsewhere.

If they were not there the Soviets would have taken over the rest of the world.

They are the last hope for freedom of the individual in the world

Of course, they are imperfect. That they show off as well.

Americans were scared stiff when the twin towers were destroyed. 

They won't let anyone to build capabilities for an encore nor detonate a nuclear device in their domain.

Question is do we want freedom as it is in China or other autocratic countries.

But people will be happy when a megalith falters and falls. They dream of such a day.

But after that what, they don't ever think

WhatsApp post

The End of America ?

The Strait of Hormuz may be the end of America.

Professor Ray Dalio, a researcher in the history of empires over 500 years and a manager of billions of dollars, published an article in which he said:
One sentence in it summarizes everything:
“Losing control of the Strait of Hormuz may be, for America, like Britain losing control of the Suez Canal in 1956.”
Before you understand this sentence, we must talk about the year 1956.
Because what happened in 1956 may be repeated today.
⸻
1956: The End of Britain
For 200 years, Britain was the superpower of the world.
The British pound was the world’s currency, and its navy controlled the oceans.
The most important point of its power: the Suez Canal.
A large portion of global trade passes through this canal. Whoever controls the canal controls global trade.
In 1956, Egypt nationalized the canal. They said: “It is ours now.”
Britain threatened: “Open the canal or we will come.”
Egypt did not open the canal.
Britain, along with France and Israel, launched an attack.
But what happened, happened.
America said: “Enough.”
The Soviets said: “Enough.”
The United Nations said: “Enough.”
Britain was forced to retreat.
On that day, the world saw something:
Britain was no longer a superpower.
What happened after that?
The British pound collapsed.
Allies distanced themselves.
Colonies began declaring independence.
Capital fled from Britain.
Within twenty years, Britain became an ordinary country.
An empire that lasted 200 years ended because of one canal.
It was not just a canal — it ended because of one perception:
“This country is no longer strong.”
The moment this perception took hold, money fled, allies withdrew, and the system collapsed.
Dalio says: the same thing may happen to America now.
⸻
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?
20% of global oil supplies pass through this strait.
Saudi oil comes through it.
UAE oil comes through it.
Kuwait oil comes through it.
Iraq oil comes through it.
What happens if the strait is closed?
Oil prices will rise.
The global economy will stop.
Gulf countries will be unable to export.
Europe will face an energy crisis.
Asian factories will shut down.
Imagine it like this:
There is only one tunnel on a highway.
All trucks pass through it — food, fuel, raw materials, everything.
Someone sits at the entrance of the tunnel and says:
“No one passes without my permission.”
This is what Iran is doing now.
Dalio says: if America cannot open this tunnel, everything will change.
⸻
Dalio’s Historical Equation
Dalio studied 500 years of history.
He examined the rise and fall of every great empire.
He found a pattern.
The pattern is: things always end the same way.
A superpower controls global money, controls sea routes, and everyone trusts it.
Then a smaller power challenges it on a vital trade route.
The superpower threatens:
“Open the seas or I will invade.”
The whole world watches.
If the superpower opens the route →
its power is reinforced, trust continues, money flows, and the system continues.
If it fails →
everything turns upside down.
Trust collapses.
Allies withdraw.
Money flees.
A debt crisis begins.
The empire collapses.
This is how Portugal ended.
This is how the Netherlands ended.
This is how Britain ended.
Dalio says:
“When great powers sink into debt and show loss of military and financial control, watch how they lose the trust of allies and creditors, lose reserve currency status, and their currency weakens — especially against gold.”
Read that sentence again.
Now look at America.
⸻
America’s Situation
Debt: $38 trillion.
Interest payments: more than $1 trillion annually.
A quarter of tax revenue goes to interest.
It lost in Vietnam.
Withdrew from Afghanistan.
Spent 20 years in Iraq, leaving chaos behind.
The world now believes America is no longer strong.
Now it is confronting Iran.
⸻
What did Trump say?
“If they plant mines and they are not removed immediately, the military consequences will be unprecedented.”
⸻
What does Dalio say?
“I often hear senior politicians in other countries say privately:
‘Trump speaks fluently, but when things get tough, can he fight and win?’”
⸻
The Critical Point
Dalio’s most important observation:
In war, your ability to endure pain is more important than your ability to inflict pain.
⸻
What are the Iranians doing?
They are trying to prolong the war.
They are escalating it gradually.
Because everyone knows the American public and leadership have limited tolerance for prolonged pain and war.
Iran’s plan is simple:
Make the war long and painful enough — America will withdraw.
This is what happened in Vietnam.
This is what happened in Afghanistan.
For Iran, this war is existential.
It is about revenge.
It is about honor.
They are fighting for something more important than life itself.
What concerns Americans?
Fuel prices.
Midterm elections.
This imbalance terrifies Dalio.
⸻
Is a deal possible?
Dalio’s answer is clear: No.
“Everyone knows that not reaching a deal will not resolve this war.”
⸻
What comes next?
Whether Hormuz remains under Iranian control or is taken from it,
the coming period will be the worst phase of the conflict.
Iran’s statement:
“All oil, economic, and energy facilities in the region belonging to or cooperating with the United States will be destroyed immediately and turned to ashes.”
This final war is approaching.
⸻
Dalio says the outcome of this war will reshape history.
It will not be limited to the Middle East.
Trade flows will change.
Capital flows will change.
China, Russia, North Korea, Europe, India, and Japan will all be affected.
⸻
If America wins:
Trust in the dollar will increase.
Demand for bonds will rise.
Allies will align closer.
Trump’s authority will strengthen.
American dominance will continue.
⸻
If America loses:
The dollar will collapse.
Bonds will be sold off.
Gold will surge dramatically.
Alliances will weaken.
BRICS will strengthen.
China’s rise will accelerate.
⸻
Dalio’s lesson from 500 years of history:
Money and power always flow to the winner —
and flee from the loser.
⸻
Conclusion
Dalio says clearly:
The Strait of Hormuz is America’s final test.
If it wins →
its dominance continues, Trump’s power increases, the dollar rises.
If it loses →
the 1956 Britain scenario begins.
The dollar collapses.
Gold skyrockets.
Alliances fragment.
The American era ends.
⸻
Five hundred years of history tell the same story:
Empires end when they lose vital trade routes.
Portugal ended.
The Netherlands ended.
Britain ended.
Is it America’s turn?
The answer lies in Hormuz.

DILEEP'S DILEMMA

The single management high school in the outskirts of the city had been producing excellent results at the SSLC examination for the past fifteen years. It had  dedicated teachers who toiled hard to bring out the best from the students. Leading them from the front was the manager, Dileep K S. 

Just as the school was single management, Dileep too was single. He was wedded to his own school.

He stayed in a studio apartment at the top floor of the school building. He was non vegetarian. He had a cook who prepared delicious food for him. The cook did the cleaning afterwards as well. 

Dileep ran into a problem once.

He had to visit a Dentist when he suffered a severe tooth ache. The Doctor found that a tooth had to be extracted as it was beyond conservation.

Dileep consented. The tooth was extracted.

The Doctor told him he should forgo dinner that night. He could take cold tea and hot tea was proscribed.  Dileep said he could go on without dinner. But he wanted to know whether he could consume liquor - Rum, Whisky or Wine.

The doctor sympathized with him, but he was firm - no alcohol that night.

It was the worst night for Dileep in his whole life. 

THE MOLAR OR GRINDER TOOTH EXTRACTED

Dr. Suresh Kumar J, MDS had his dental clinic at Kallissery, close to Chengannur. He had a flourishing practice as he was fairly experienced. As luck was in his favour, he had been the lone dental surgeon at Kallissery. 

Dr. Suresh, as he was known, would open his clinic at 9.00 am everyday. There was a 3 hour break at noon from 12.00 noon to 3 pm. Then it was non stop practice from 3.00pm to 8.00 pm. As he thoroughly enjoyed what he was doing he never had employed another doctor. Of course, there were two dental technicians to assist him.

One evening, as he was winding up the practice at 8.00 pm after a heavy day, his neighbour and the local Post Master,  Sivaraman Nair had rushed in. He wanted the molar or grinder tooth extracted. The tooth with a gaping cavity had been giving him sleepless nights for almost a fortnight. The pain it subjected him to was excruciating.

Dr.Suresh was tired to the hilt. All he wanted was to step into his house behind the clinic and a hot tea. He explained to  Sivaraman Nair his predicament. He thought his friend would understand what he said as his son and daughter in law - both of them Surgeons in the Taluk Hospital - were staying with him.

No. Sivaraman Nair would not relent an inch. The good doctor did not wish to antagonize the long-standing friendship. 

Dr. Suresh said he would extract the tooth and queried Sivaraman Nair whether he was taking any medicine. Negative was the reply.

Perfection was the hallmark of Dr. Suresh and it had adhered whoever he met to him.

The tooth came off. Sivaraman Nair went home in the happiest frame of mind. He was sanguine he could have a sound sleep that night.

It was late night. The time was 1.00 am. 

Dr.Suresh was fast asleep after the hectic day in the Clinic.

The phone rang. It was Sivaraman Nair.

He was frantic. He said, "Doctor, there is heavy bleeding. I had forgotten to tell you I'm on Ecosprin for quite sometime now."

Dr.Suresh didn't know what went through his mind woken up at that hour with this piece of critical information that had been held back.

Anger swelled in his mind, 

But Dr.Suresh being the Dr.Suresh he was, kept his cool.

He advised Sivaraman Nair to consult at once his son or  daughter in law who were at home for an immediate remedy.

AN ADMIRER WRITES ON THE INTERVIEW IN DHARSANAM 2026

 Good morning and Congratulations Sir… 

The way you have presented your thoughts are very inspiring and impressive… Our outlook of life starts with our childhood days & for you ….grown  up in a serene place itself has deeply influenced you… and later of course your    Journey of life opened doors for expression of your thoughts…

 I really want to read your book.. “A Walk Through the Rain “ …. I would like to know from where will I get your book? Thank you so much for remembering me and sharing this with me. How is  ma’am doing?  Convey my special regards to her… 

May God bless both of you abundantly!!!! 

R VAISHALI WINS CANDIDATES AT CYPRRUS

 

24 year old R. Vaishali won the Candidates tournament in Chess at Cyprus to challenge the current world champion in the championship match 2026.

She is the elder sister of R. Praggnanandhaa.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandha (born on 10 August 2005) is an Indian chess grandmaster. A chess prodigy, he was  placed second in the 2023 Chess World Cup, and won the 2025 FIDE Circuit. He was part of the Indian team that won the silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games in the men's team competition, and the gold medal in the open section at the 45th Chess Olympiad in 2024. He had won the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025

 R Vaishali (Rameshbabu Vaishali) is the elder sister of R Praggnanandhaa. Born on June 21, 2001, she is a Grandmaster and had  recently won the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. They are recognized as the world's first-ever brother-sister Grandmaster pair.

Her father says, "In these 20 years, she has put in a lot of effort and struggled a lot, so it has finally come to fruition. I tell her: if you work hard you will always get results. I'm feeling very happy and proud."

Interesting factor is, her mother Nagalakshmi had diverted her to chess to keep her away from the smartphone and the social media when she was a child.

Nagalakshmi knows no Chess. 

She prepares excellent Rasam.

She accompanies her children and takes care of what they eat.

She is the greatest support to both the Chess Grandmasters .

JOB BECOMES JOYFUL

 

The job you are on 

becomes a joyful exercise 

when it resonates

with your attitude to life. 

For that, you need to be led  

by passion and purpose.