To be a lion or a jackal?

"It is far better to live like a Tiger for a day than to live like a jackal for a hundred years"!
So said the 'Tiger of Mysore' Tipu Sultan in the latter part of 18th century. We have been hearing this quote since our school days from our histroy lessons. Never have these words seemed so meaningful than now considering the political circumstances our nation is passing through.
Tipu Sultan died like a tiger and as a result etched his name in history to be remembered in admiration and awe. Our present rulers are also etching their names into history pages but by living like jackals. They will also be remembered but only to be cursed. Terror or no terror, human rights or whatever pretext, the Americans want oil and power. They want to halt China's formidable and remarkable progress which is probably the only nation to challenge them economically and militarily. So, whether we go by America's will or not, we are destined to face American onslought. So by standing up to her and to dare her is the dignified approach. Recent past has shown clearly American hesitancy to engage Iran and North Korea militarily just because they stood strongly instead of chickening out like us. Are the Iranians and North Koreans any where near American military might on paper? Certainly not! We aren't either but at least we have our honour and dignity. We might lose our lives which is mortal anyway, but it is far better to die like a Tiger than to live even a few moments like a jackal!