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T
he June 23 meeting of the Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, and collective strength could make it

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Opposition in Patna has set Maharashtra. In addition, the extremely challenging for the BJP to
the trajectory of Indian Congress will also contest elections on retain power. However, politics is not
politics, heralding the its own in Madhya Pradesh, a simple equation, and the Opposition
advent of a make-or-break Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, will need more than just numerical
battle for both the Opposition and the Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. superiority on their side.
BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha
election. {Pushed into a corner by the
A Congress and Trinamool Congress
alliance in Bengal and Tripura may
To truly win over the electorate,
the Opposition must offer stability,
7TaTPaTcWTbcPcT\T]cbX]
onslaught of probe agencies, the
Opposition is determined to confront
still be possible, but finding common
ground between the Left and Mamata
strong leadership, and a compelling
economic vision that convinces the
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the BJP directly in a minimum of 400 Banerjee's TMC presents challenges. nation they are united not only to oust Bihar Chief Minister Nitish have decided to contest (Lok
constituencies. This gathering If the opposition does manage to Modi but also to formulate a Kumar stated, "We had a Sabha polls) together. Another
represents a pivotal moment as the
majority of influential Opposition
unite in North and West India, it
could result in direct contests in
C74>??>B8C8>=B comprehensive plan addressing the
socio-economic divide that they talk
good meeting, and several
leaders expressed their views
meeting of all the (opposition)
parties will be held to decide
leaders, with the exception of Arvind nearly 400 seats. Some states where 34B?4A0C8>=C> about day and night. In addition to during the meeting. Seventeen the next course of action. In
Kejriwal from the AAP, have chosen multi-cornered contests might occur 9>8=5>A24BBC4<B leadership and joint campaigns, a parties have decided to work that meeting, almost
to set aside their political divergences include Uttar Pradesh (because of the 5A><CF>2A8C820; significant portion of the middle class, together and contest the Lok everything will be finalized.
and embark on negotiations aimed at Mayawati factor). , Odisha, Andhra upwardly mobile, and educated voters Sabha elections unitedly. Very Mallikarjun Kharge will chair
ending Prime Minister Narendra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, and 502C>ABC70C3A8E4 yearn to see a clear blueprint from the positive talks were held today, and we that meeting early next month.”
Modi's tenure next ten months. Delhi. Out of these 400-plus seats, the C748A<>C8E0C8>= opposition. They seek a convincing
The primary objective of the Congress is expected to contest 58ABC;HC74H70E4 demonstration that the Opposition National Conference leader back. Mehbooba Mufti and I
meeting was to foster unity among around 310-320 seats, sharing the 50243A4;4=C;4BB has a well-thought-out strategy to Omar Abdullah, after the belong to that part of the
opposition parties and devise a electoral space with the Shiv Sena-led deliver on the promise of "acche din" joint opposition meeting in country where democracy is
comprehensive strategy to challenge by Uddhav Thackeray, TMC, DMK, C0A64C8=61H (good days) if they were to assume Patna, said, ".17 parties from murdered...Yesterday in
the ruling party in the upcoming SP, RJD, JD(U), NCP, and NC and ?A>14064=284B8= power. Kashmir to Kanyakumari have America there were
elections. Discussions also revolved PDP. C74?0BC0=3540A The Patna event, with its lively come together not for power, discussions about
around crucial national issues,
including economic policies,
Considering the current scenario,
if the Opposition manages to unite in
C70C85<>38 discussions, idea exchanges, and
shared commitment to democratic
but for principles. We have
met to save the country from
democracy in the White
House...why this democracy
unemployment, healthcare, agrarian North and West India, Congress A4CDA=BC>?>F4A values, exemplified the determination devastation and to bring democracy doesn't reach Jammu and Kashmir..."
distress, and social justice. Electoral leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to be C74BD=F8;; of opposition parties to shape the
alliances, seat-sharing arrangements, seen as a prominent candidate for the 5>A4E4AB4C3>F= future political landscape through
and campaign coordination were also
key topics on the agenda.
prime ministerial role. Even if the
alliance doesn't officially project him
>=C748A?>;8C820; collaboration. Leaders from major
opposition parties across the country
With as many as 17 political as such, the party's cadres and workers 5DCDA4C78B540A converged in Patna, representing
parties and three dozen leaders in are likely to see him in that role, 033BDA64=2HC> diverse political ideologies and
attendance, the Patna conclave is a which could energize the party base C748A455>ACBC> backgrounds. The presence of
significant breakthrough that indicates
a promising development in the
but also considerably clear the
confusion among the public about the
D=8C40608=BCC74 influential figures such as Mamata
Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh NCP chief Rahul Gandhi: "It is a Tamil Nadu Chief
opposition's unity. This positive potential leader of the nation after AD;8=6?0ACH Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar: battle of ideologies. Minister and DMK
momentum is expected to continue Modi. B42>=3;HC74H Sitaram Yechury added gravitas to the “Just like JP Indeed, there will be supremo MK Stalin
with the reconvening of these leaders While BJP leaders repeatedly 14;84E4C70CB8=24 proceedings. movement, differences among us, said that no decision
in Shimla in the second week of July, claim that a contest t between Rahul The meeting showcased a our united but we have decided was taken on the PM
further strengthening their joint and Modi will be a one-sided affair, =40A;H%!?4A24=C remarkable spirit of unity and front will get to work together and candidate at the Patna
platform against Modi. Bihar Chief favoring the Gujarat stalwart, >5E>C4AB20BC collaboration among opposition the blessings protect the ideologies opposition parties'
Minister Nitish Kumar has already undoubtedly, Rahul has gained C748A10;;>CB parties. Leaders set aside their of the public.” shared by us." meeting.
laid the groundwork and proposed a popularity following his successful 0608=BCC7419?8= ideological differences and focused on
formula for seat adjustments, which Bharat Yatra. If the Congress leader the shared goal of strengthening the West Bengal Chief Minister Patna, Mamata Banerjee
could serve as a starting point for undertakes a second round of Bharat ! (C748A democratic framework and and Trinamool Congress said, "We are united, we will
future negotiations, testing the Yatras from west to east, Rahul could 2>;;42C8E4 safeguarding the rights and welfare of supremo Mamata Banerjee fight unitedly... history
sincerity of these leaders in forging a further capitalize on his growing BCA4=6C72>D;3 citizens. They recognized that only by asserted that all the started from here (Patna),
united front.
However, the absence of Janata
popularity among the masses. The
Congress hopes that the appeal of
<0:48C4GCA4<4;H joining forces could they present a
credible alternative to the ruling party.
Opposition parties will
unitedly fight against the
BJP wants that history
changed. And we want
Dal (Secular), Bhartiya Rashtriya leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka 270;;4=68=65>A Central to the discussions was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) history should be saved from
Congress, Biju Janata Dal, and YSR Gandhi among the middle class and C7419?C>A4C08= formulation of a common minimum in the upcoming Lok Sabha Bihar. Our objective is to
Congress at the meeting highlights the the poor voters, and Kharge among ?>F4A7>F4E4A program, a guiding document that election. Addressing the media after speak against this fascist
limited scope for Opposition unity in
South India. The Congress and Left
Dalit and Muslim voters will lead to a
resurgence of the party, which aims to
?>;8C82B8B=>C0 would outline the alliance's shared
principles, goals, and policy
the Opposition leaders' meeting in government..."

parties, who were present at the Patna win at least 100-plus seats. This could B8<?;44@D0C8>= framework. This program aimed to
conclave, are also political rivals in be the best-case scenario in the 0=3C74>??>B8C8>= provide a cohesive roadmap for the leaders stressed the importance of betterment of the nation. While
Kerala. Since the BJP's influence in Opposition’s effort to end the Modi- F8;;=443<>A4 opposition coalition in effectively grassroots mobilization, direct voter challenges lie ahead, the meeting
Kerala is relatively low, these parties
see no need for seat adjustments in
shah era.
The Opposition's desperation to
C70=9DBC addressing the nation's challenges.
While the opposition parties in
engagement, and addressing citizens'
concerns. Efficient resource
highlighted the determination and
resolve of the opposition parties to
the state. join forces stems from two critical =D<4A820; Patna demonstrated unity and management, encompassing financial build a formidable coalition. The
Likewise, the Congress is prepared factors that drive their motivation. BD?4A8>A8CH>= determination, they also and human resources, was also a key unity demonstrated in Patna sends a
to contest elections independently in Firstly, they have faced relentless C748AB834 acknowledged the formidable topic of discussion. clear message to the electorate that the
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, targeting by probe agencies in the past challenges that lie ahead. The ruling The meeting of opposition parties opposition is prepared to challenge
Karnataka, and Odisha, while and fear that if Modi returns to power, party's massive electoral machinery, in Patna marks a crucial step towards the ruling party's dominance and
maintaining its existing alliance with their political aspirations may be widespread support, and incumbency forging a stronger alliance, driven by present a viable alternative. As the
the DMK in Tamil Nadu. Therefore, further thwarted. This fear adds advantages cannot be underestimated. the objective of providing an political landscape evolves in the
the main focus of the opposition's urgency to their efforts to unite Furthermore, managing ideological alternative vision for the country. The coming months, the true impact of
unity efforts will primarily be in against the ruling party. Secondly, differences within the opposition leaders displayed an unwavering this meeting will become evident,
North and Western India, particularly they believe that since nearly 62 alliance will require adept handling to commitment to democratic values and potentially shaping the course of
in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West percent of voters cast their ballots maintain a united front. principles, setting aside their Indian politics and democracy for
Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, against the BJP in 2019, their To overcome these challenges, differences to work collectively for the years to come.
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magine a scenario where

I your mind is razor sharp

but you are unable to con-
trol your muscle move-
ment. So much so that you
gradually lose the power of
mobility and speech, the ability
to swallow or chew and even
A0H>57>?4
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2DA4DB8=66>;3=0=>?0AC82;4B
mit Dubey, a former Gold-PEG nanoconjugate
breathe. Ultimately, the patient
needs permanent ventilator sup-
A researcher at Allahabad
University, along with
in transgenic mice. We
found differences in the
port. This is ALS, the rarest of researchers from the detection of the onset of
Shoolini University of symptoms and the progres-
Himachal Pradesh and sion of the disease upon
Okinawa Institute of Gold-PEG treatment when
Science and Technology assessed using behavioural
Graduate University, Japan, tests, such as rotarod and
have found evidence that walking tests.”
“self-therapeutic gold nano- Dubey said histopathol-
chaperon treatment” holds ogy of the gastrocnemius
a potential role in the muscle (large posterior
restoration of motor neuron muscle of the calf of the leg)
processivity. showed notable alteration
rare diseases,” Dr Nirmal Surya The research results upon Gold-PEG adminis-
, leading neurologist and chair- have been published in the tration.
man of the Indian Academy of prestigious New Journal of “The therapeutic poten-
Neuro rehabilitation makes the Chemistry, Royal Society tial of the nanoconjugate
case for the ALS for its inclusion of Chemistry (RSC), UK. was found to be notable, with
in the Rare Disease category. The researchers have additional survival for mice,
ALS affects an estimated also identified the pharma- and improved rotarod (rotat-
450,000 people worldwide, with cological potential of a syn- ing rod with forced motor
an average survival rate of just thesised Gold-PEG activity being applied) per-
two to five years. Every 90 min- (PolyEthylene Glycol) — a formance,” he said.
utes someone is diagnosed with compound derived from Current findings sug-
ALS and as many minutes petroleum with many appli- gest that gold nanoparticles
someone passes away from this cations — like nanoconju- can increase the survival of
disease. In India alone, it is esti- gate in transgenic mice and ALS-suffering mice for
mated that around 75,000 to swallowing and breathing die the mechanism through nearly seven days on aver-
100,000 people live with ALS. early. What is ALS? 502C58;4 head up or keeping a good pos- which it could help in the age compared to a control.
Professor M Gourie Devi, “By integrating ALS into the ALS, is a nervous system ture treatment of the disease. Also, significant improve-
policy framework, we can (neurological) disease that often include increasing mus- ● The heart and the diges- Dubey, an AU alumnus ments were seen in the
enhance awareness among med- causes muscle weakness and cle weakness, especially involv- tive system are also made of What are the treatment and a key research team probability of onset and the
ical practitioners, thereby impacts physical function. ing the arms and legs, speech, muscle but a different kind, and options for motor neuron member said, “We have mean age at onset as deter-
enabling early and accurate ALS is often called Lou swallowing or breathing. their movements are not under disease or ALS? reported the restoration of mined via rotarod testing
diagnosis, access to affordable Gehrig’s disease, after the When muscles no longer voluntary control. When your *There is no definitive cure motor neuron processivity and other examinations.
treatment options and assistive famous baseball player who receive the messages from the heart beats or a meal is digest- for motor neuron disease in upon gold nano-chaperon Gold-PEG-treated ALS
devices, and supportive thera- was diagnosed with it. ALS is motor neurons that they ed, it all happens automatical- India or in any country. treatment in vitro. We eval- mice also showed a lower
pies that can improve the qual- a type of motor neuron disease require to function, the muscles ly. Therefore, the heart and Medications and therapy can uated the pharmacological extent of motor neuron
ity of life and extend the lifes- that causes nerve cells to grad- begin to atrophy (become digestive system are not lower motor neuron disease potential of a synthesised degeneration, he added.
pan,” she said, echoing the views ually break down and die. smaller). involved in ALS. Breathing progression which can be con-
of Dr Surya. In the United States, ALS is Limbs begin to look “thin- also may seem to be involun- sidered as a form of MND cure
senior consultant neurologist, Sir The progressive nature of sometimes called motor neu- ner” as muscle tissue atro- tary. in India. There are some med- BCD3H
Ganga Ram Hospital points out
that in Western countries, peo-
ALS presents unique challenges,
requiring comprehensive and
ron disease.
In most cases, doctors don’t
phies. ● Remember, though,
while you cannot stop your
ications in the market which
have proven to slow the disease
><460"50CCH0283B;8=:43C>
ple developed ALS in their 60s multidisciplinary support, know why ALS occurs. A small What are the effects of ALS? heart, you can hold your breath considerably and should be B;>F4A342;8=48=0;B
while in India it was observed including exorbitant specialised number of cases are inherited. ● The body has many - so be aware that ALS may taken as advised by the special-
that nearly one-third of patients medical care, assistive devices, ALS often begins with kinds of nerves. There are eventually have an impact on ist. Undergoing surgery should eople with ALS who eat tional research looking
were younger in the age group
of 40 to 50 years.
and access to palliative care
services.
muscle twitching and weakness
in an arm or leg, or sometimes
those involved in the process of
thinking, memory, and of
breathing. be avoided as much as possible
and only to be approached as
P more foods high in cer-
tain omega-3 fatty acids
specifically at the plant-
based omega-3 fatty acid
In fact, a study, “The profile Being a debilitating condi- with slurring of speech. detecting sensations (such as What are the early signs and a last resort. like flaxseed oil, walnuts, alpha-linolenic acid in peo-
of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis tion, ALS not only poses Eventually, ALS can affect your hot/cold, sharp/dull), and oth- symptoms of ALS? canola oil and pumpkin ple with ALS to further
in natives of Western Himalayas: immense financial burden but ability to control the muscles ers for vision, hearing, and ● Difficulty walking, trip- Can ALS onset be prevented seeds may have a slower explore this possibility.”
Hospital-based cohort study,” also adversely impacts the needed to move, speak, eat and other bodily functions. ping or difficulty doing your or delayed with early detec- physical decline from the The study involved 449
appeared in the Journal of physical, emotional and social breathe. ALS can’t be cured and ● The nerves that are normal daily activities tion? disease and may have a people who had ALS with
Neurosciences in Rural Practices well-being of the affected indi- eventually leads to death. affected when you have ALS are ● Weakness in your leg, Unfortunately, the answer slightly extended survival. an average age of 58, who
uphelds Devi’s view. The study viduals and their families. The the motor neurons that provide feet or ankles is no, for the time being. The study, which were followed over 18
was conducted in Himachal inclusion of ALS in the nation- What are the symptoms of voluntary movements and ● Hand weakness or clum- However, this situation may looked at the survival of months. Of the total partic-
Pradesh in 2018. al rare disease policy would ALS? muscle power. Examples of siness change with the new develop- people with ALS over the ipants, 126 or 28%, died by
It too found that ALS send a strong message of As motor neurons degen- voluntary movements are your ● Slurring of speech or ment of therapeutic genome course of 18 months, was the end of the study.
patients from India are younger inclusivity and support for erate, they can no longer send making the effort to reach for trouble swallowing editing. In the future, it the published in Neurology, a Researchers looked at
at disease onset and show longer those living with rare neurode- impulses to the muscle fibers the phone or step off a curb; ● Muscle cramps and mutation may be corrected medical journal of the levels of omega-3 fatty
duration of symptoms com- generative diseases in the that normally result in muscle these actions are controlled by twitching in your arms, shoul- before the onset of the disease, American Academy of acids in participants’ blood.
pared to patients from western country, as per the ALS Care movement. the muscles in the arms and ders and tongue which will offer a fundamental Neurology. Researchers They divided them into
countries. & Support Foundation. It has Early symptoms of ALS legs. ● Difficulty holding your cure for the disease. also found an omega-6 four groups based on low-
Besides genetic mutations, identified a few key actions fatty acid may be beneficial. est to highest amounts.
which have been associated that can make a substantial According to the ALS enough oxygen from their lungs The study does not prove Participants took a test
with the familial and sporadic difference- regular awareness Association, about 20 percent into their blood; or when they that these omega fatty acids to assess their disease pro-
forms of ALS, environmental campaigns, financial support, of people live five years after cannot properly remove carbon slow decline of ALS or gression and severity of
factors, including smoking, viral national registry of ALS their diagnosis, 10 percent live dioxide from their blood, accord- extend survival; it only symptoms. The test mea-
infections, and exposure to tox- patients, research and trials in 10 years after their diagnosis ing to NINDS. In ALS, this hap- shows an association. sured 12 aspects of physi-
ins, metals, solvents, pesticides, India, multidisciplinary ALS and 5 percent live 20 years or pens because the disease can “The link our study cal function including
radiation and electromagnetic clinics, insurance coverage, more. Probably well known eventually lead to paralysis of the found between diet and ALS swallowing, speaking,
fields have also been linked to and access to global therapies, physicist, cosmologist and muscles that control breathing, is intriguing and suggests, chewing, and the ability to
the disease. drugs, supplements and assis- author Stephen Hawking who according to the Mayo Clinic. but does not prove, that use muscles in the hands,
“About 50% of ALS patients tive devices. managed to survive till 70 In the late stages of ALS, it people with ALS may ben- arms, legs and torso, as well
survive for three to five years “However, it is also true years of age was from the 5 per becomes hard for patients to efit from incorporating as respiratory function.
after the onset of symptoms, that a person living with ALS disease,” said Satvinder Kaur, the significance of ALS and cent category. exhale carbon dioxide. “High more omega-3 fatty acids Each category was scored
while 30 % beyond five years can lead a productive life. co-founder of the ALS Care & have implemented policies that Besides, factors such as levels of carbon dioxide in the into their diet,” said Kjetil from zero, meaning no
and around 20% may survive Early intervention, compre- Support Foundation. priortises the unique needs of genetics and age at diagnosis body cause low levels of con- Bjornevik, of Har vard ability, to four, meaning
longer as it depends on site of hensive and committed care “Focussed attention on the ALS patients,” asserted Prof may play a role in a patient’s sur- sciousness, leading patients to University in Boston, normal ability. Total scores
onset, rate of progression and and support, and advance- needs of the ALS community Rajinder K Dhamija, Director vival times. sleep for long periods. Often, Massachusetts, and member ranged between zero to 48,
availability of assistive devices,” ments in research can signif- aligns with international best of the Delhi-based Institute of Most people with ALS die patients with ALS die very of the American Academy with higher scores indicat-
Devi maintains, adding that icantly enhance the quality of practices in rare disease manage- Human Behaviour and Allied from respiratory failure, which peacefully while sleeping,” as per of Neurology. “It will now be ing better function and less
patients having difficulty in life for those affected with the ment. Many countries recognize Sciences and Neurologist. occurs when people cannot get The ALS Association important to conduct addi- severe symptoms.

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orld Digestive Health Day selected the theme for the year 2023 drugs, antibiotics and some other cat- Giloy, Haldi, Aloe vera, and bhas- foods like jalebi are also useful for dhatu is responsible for proper diges-

W may have gone, having

been observed on May 29,
but we must know that ensuring good
“Your Digestive Health: A Healthy
Gut From the Start”.
Good digestive health allows the
egories of medicines prove harmful
for the gut bacteria which aid in
digestion. It harms not only the
mas of Gold, Silver, Diamond,
Copper, Iron, etc. are quite safe for gut
microbiomes and highly effective to
digestive health. Foods containing
high quantities of fat, salt and sugar
are harmful for the digestive system
tion, assimilation and absorption of
the food ingested. When agni or the
fire element is low, it affects the qual-
gut health is a daily affair. For, ‘A body to duly break down the ingest- digestive process, but also affects cure the diseases. as well as for overall health. From the ity of digestion as well as formation
healthy gut is a healthy you.’ ed food and absorb nutrients to keep assimilation and absorption of food Millets and whole grains like Ayurvedic perspective, the human of the next dhatus adversely. So it is
Everyone wants to consume a the body healthy. in the body adversely. As a result we grams, ragi, bajara, jwar, barley, body is made, developed and grown advisable to select foods which aid to
well balanced diet and quality food Enzymes and chemicals secret- are neither benefited by the nutrients maize, beans, pulses, green vegetables by the seven dhatus- Rasa, Rakta, keep the level of agni high and for-
for better immunity and endurance ed by the liver, pancreas, intestine, etc. present in the ingested food, nor are banana, mango, fruit juices contain Mans, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra mation of all the dhatus properly.
but all of us are not lucky enough to as well as microbes present in the gut the level of immunity improved. It is proteins, high fibre, vitamins are gut which refers to the tissues plasma, Living a stress-free and peaceful
digest all the ingested food due to a are responsible for quality of diges- clear that selection of foods along microbiomes friendly and are easy blood, muscles, fat or adipose tissue, life is also essential as hormones like
weak digestive system. tion. Ingredients of ingested food are with medicines is beneficial for to digest. bone, bone marrow & the seminal cortisols reduce the level of agni
In view of the increasing num- equally responsible for good diges- health as well as immunity. They also reduce the level of fluids respectively. All the seven which brings down the metabolism
ber of patients of gastro-intestinal tion. Food, environment and medi- Ayurvedic medicines like 3AAA??
?0A0B74A sugar and bad cholesterol without dhatus or tissues have their own Agni and level of immunity. It is also
diseases globally, World cines also affect the gut bacteria. Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Kutki, 2WXTU<TSXRP[>UUXRTa0hdaeTSP harming the good cholesterol. Milk, or the fire element which is respon- important to avoid smoking, alcohol,
Gastroenterology Organisation has Anti-tubercular and anti-cancer Punarnava, Kalmegh, Bhringraj, <d]XRX_P[2^a_^aPcX^]^U3T[WX yoghurt buttermilk and fermented sible for metabolism. Agni of the rasa and excessive caffeine.
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he foundation of any agreements, the bank receives strengthened immediately.
T nation’s economy is its
banking system. The increased
a portion of the outstanding
loan balance plus interest that
It’s crucial that employees
in the loan department rotate CWTA18RXaRd[Pa
loss to the banks affects every is agreed upon by both parties. quickly. A rigorous internal rat- P[[^fbbTcc[T\T]c^U
citizen of the nation because Its drawback is that it raises the ing agency should be estab-
the deposits in the banks banks’ non-performing asset lished to evaluate major pro- UaPdSd[T]cPRR^d]cb
belong to the citizens of the (NPA) levels. On the other jects. Implementing a strong aPXbX]VR^]RTa]b
country. Banks run their busi- hand, a wilful defaulter has an management information sys-
ness by giving loans to the advantage because he is exempt tem (MIS) is necessary to mon- PQ^dcYdbcXRTP]S
money that we deposit. In the from paying back the full itor early warning signs regard- PRR^d]cPQX[XchFX[Ud[
meantime, the June 8 release of amount plus interest. ing business projects.
a circular by the RBI titled Neeraj Singhal, the man- In order to conduct a STUPd[cTab\PhQT
“Framework for Compromised aging director of Bhushan Steel forensic audit, RBI lacks the T[XVXQ[TU^a]Tf
Settlement and Technical Limited, was recently detained necessary supervisory capaci-
Write-off ” has several conse- by the Enforcement Directorate ty, which needs to be strength- [^P]bPUcTaP
quences that may affect the in connection with a C56,000 ened with both human and \X]X\d\bTcc[T\T]c
Indian banking system because crore fraud committed by technical resources. The use of
it allows compound settlement defrauding more than 36 artificial intelligence to moni- _TaX^SCWTRXaRd[Pa
for accounts that have been banks. It was revealed to be the tor financial transactions can X]RaTPbTbQP]Zb´
deemed fraudulent, which is a
violation of justice and
biggest banking fraud in the
nation in 2018. Neeraj com-
significantly reduce the inci-
dence of financial fraud.
=?0bPbcWThaTRTXeT
accountability. Fraudulent busi- mitted this bank fraud by scam Additionally, the branch’s input ^][hP_^acX^]^UcWT
nesses or wilful defaulters may of C56,000 crore from more on the borrowers’ backgrounds [^P]QP[P]RT
be eligible for a fresh loan after than three dozen banks. To and other pertinent ground
completing 12 months (mini- show multiple entries, the loan realities should be given the Bca^]VTa\TPbdaTb
mum period) of settlement.
A wilful defaulter is some-
amount was transferred from
one shell company to another
appropriate weight. Creating a
“bad bank” is not the real
[XZTX]cTa]P[
one who has resources but after creating dummy or shell solution because these steps a^cPcX^]bPa^Qdbc
refuses to make payments, companies for the loan. In the only assist when a loan defaults aPcX]VPVT]RhP]S08
according to the 2015 RBI name of his company and and do not prevent defaults in
Master Circular. Because a business, Neeraj obtained loans the first place. caP]bPRcX^]
company is a separate person from banks, but he used the The RBI should strength- \^]Xc^aX]VPaT
under the law and promoters’ money for himself. en its loan recovery procedures
personal assets cannot be The unique aspect is that rather than keeping large cor- ]TTSTSc^PSSaTbb
seized if they have not person- Neeraj continued to take out porate bad loans from being UaPdSd[T]c[^P]b
ally guaranteed the loan, such loans without repaying the written off. In order to prevent
agreements are acceptable for original ones, and the banks problems from occurring, the TUUTRcXeT[h
small loans (such as home and prepared for this. From 2007 to crore), Rotomac Pen Scam than 76 per cent of total bad the wilful default category has cific skills required to become government, RBI, and banks
auto loans) and to some extent 2014, this game was ongoing. (C3,695 crore), Videocon Case loans. According to Banks’ increased by 41 per cent or over a banker in an Indian bank, will need to exercise more
even with significant wilful There are numerous bank (C3,250 crore), Allahabad Bank reports, 16,044 borrowers had C1 lakh crore in the last two despite the fact that banking is supervision over credit man-
defaulters. frauds in front of us, including Fraud (C1,775 crore), Syndicate wilful defaulted on loans total- years from C2,45,767 crore. regarded as a clerical occupa- agement.
The circular dated June 8, Neeraj Singhal-Bhushan Steel Bank Scam (C1,000 crore), ing C346,479 crore as of When the farmer is unable to tion in India. It is necessary to
2023, now addresses settle- (C56,000 crore), DHFL Bank of Maharashtra scam December 2022. pay back the loan, the bank categorise the banking indus- (The writer, the author of
ments with fraudulent bor- (C35,000 crore), ABG Shipyard (C836 crore), Kanishk Gold Large loan advance frauds sells his land at auction and try as a skill-specific industry, the book ‘Changing Scenario of
rowers, which were not (C23,000 crore), Nirav Modi Bank Fraud (C824 crore), IDBI are not common, but they do makes a profit. particularly its lending division. Indian Banking Industry,’ is
addressed in the 2015 circular. and Mehul Choksi scam in Bank Fraud (C600 crore), RP happen occasionally when However, when it comes to When providing loans to Associate Professor, Atal Bihari
How can a bank settle with PNB scam (C11,400 crore), Info Systems Bank Scam (C515 large lenders, bank officials, or business owners or industrial- Indian businesses that have Vajpayee School of Management
someone who defrauded the Liquor businessman Vijay crore) to name just a few. sometimes even third parties ists, the same banks become taken out sizable loans abroad, and Entrepreneurship,
bank? Mallya (C10,000 crore) banks, According to Reserve Bank like lawyers or chartered paralyzed and learn about these banks should exercise caution. Jawaharlal Nehru University,
The circular refers to the Andhra Bank Fraud (C8,100 of India data, just 312 major accountants (CAs) are NPAs much later. The banks’ internal and exter- New Delhi. The views expressed 1A094B7::D<0ACC8F0A8
settlement of the loan. In such crore), PMC scam (C4,355 defaulters account for more involved. The amount stuck in Ironically, there are no spe- nal audit systems must be are personal.)

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rguably, or it goes without on the basic requirements,
A any argument, the man- including the desires, expecta-
CWT\P]\PST made disaster at Joshimath
reflects on India’s development
tions, and aspirations of people,
as well as the cultural, social,
SXbPbcTaX] journey sans ethics. Following and environmental values of
the massive cracks identified in the area where the project
9^bWX\PcWaTeTP[b the buildings in Joshimath aims to be implemented. The
P]d]TcWXRP[ town and the subsequent evac- harmony between the objective
uation of people from the area, of a development activity and
P__a^PRWc^ it has once again raised the dis- the requirements of the local
STeT[^_\T]c cussion around the dire need
for ethical (also environmen-
people proves authentic praise-
worthy development and can
5PRc^ab[XZT tally friendly) development prevent undesirable anti-devel-
[^RPcX^] activities.
The natural and anthro-
opment legacies and disasters.
However, such a desirable
VT^[^VXRP[UPd[cb pogenic reasons for the disas- and inclusive model of devel-
ter highlight several factors, opment is only possible
P]SR^]bcadRcX^] including the location of through a deliberative democ-
_a^YTRcb Joshimath in a seismic zone,
reactivation of geographical
ratic procedure of decision-
making that includes the free-
R^]caXQdcTSc^cWT fault, landslides caused by the dom of the local people and
SXbPbcTa4cWXRP[ undercuts by Alkananda and
Dhauliganga, and the con-
enables their participation in
the developmental policy-mak-
P]P[hbXbX]e^[eTb struction of large-scale devel- ing process.
opment projects such as On the contrary, a justifi-
T]eXa^]\T]cP[P]S NTPC’s 520 MW Tapovan- catory reason for ignoring the
STeT[^_\T]c Vishnugad Hydroelectric Mishra Committee seems to be
power project and Char Dham that the suggestions made in
TcWXRb_aX^aXcXbX]V project-road expansion activ- this report do not promote the
cWTT]eXa^]\T]c ities.
Warning about such a dis-
commercial interests of the
state and the state-supported
P]S[^RP[fT[[ aster, a previous study on private actors. Consequently,
QTX]V8V]^aX]V Joshimath, the Mahes Chand
Mishra committee-1976,
immense construction work
resumed in the name of devel-
aTR^\\T]SPcX^]b observed that “Joshimath is a opment in this fragile area.
deposit of sand and stone — it But the question remains
U^aR^\\TaRXP[ is not the main rock — hence unanswered: should we call it
X]cTaTbcb it was not suitable for estab- ethical, all-inclusive, and
lishing a township”. praiseworthy development in
d]STa\X]TbTcWXRP[ Both the natural and which the economic benefit of
STeT[^_\T]c anthropogenic reasons for the
Joshimath disaster merit fur-
the state and some private
individuals overshadow the
]TV[TRcX]VcWT ther (re)thinking and require suffering and vulnerabilities
]TTSb^UcWT[^RP[b action on development activi-
ties so that a balance can be show that the environment of development being unethical According to the former, “development ethics should mised with economic values,
of the local people? As Danis
Goulet says, “societies are more
struck between the environ- the Joshimath area is already are not only on the eco-centric development is justified since not be divorced from the hope, among others. human or more developed,
ment, native people, and larg- naturally fragile and thus needs ground — which attributes it maximises benefits over expectations, and aspirations of In this context, legitimate not when men and women
er developmental interests. special attention and care. moral standing to the envi- costs. This justification under- ordinary people.” justification provides a descrip- ‘have more’ but when they are
Accordingly, such man-made Consequently, any deviation ronment and claims its pro- pins the traditional Western In the context of develop- tive ground based on the enabled ‘to be more’.”
disasters warrant critical analy- from taking special care gives tection for the environment notion of development that mental actions, concerning approachable norms to demon- Unfortunately, the develop-
sis from an ethical perspective. rise to environmental ethical itself — but also on the anthro- primarily considers economic morality, fundamental ques- strate why economic values ment activities carried out, in
Ethical analysis in this context concerns, questioning humans’ pocentric ground — which development. Hence, under- tions arise: development for cannot be considered absolute general and in and around
includes two dimensions responsibility towards protect- claims that the environment taking developmental actions, whom, by whom, and, most and thus makes a case for the environmentally fragile areas,
(which should not be seen as ing and sustaining the envi- needs to be protected merely including large-scale infra- importantly, at the cost of rationale of considering other are neither inclusive towards
binaries): environmental ethics ronment. for the well-being of humans. structure projects, is justified what? Accordingly, develop- values and interests to an equal critical evaluation nor capable
and development ethics. Arguably, the successive Furthermore, when talking since all these actions can ment ought to be inclusive of extent. To put it in a broader of providing legitimate justifi-
Considering humans as governments’ apathy and neg- about development ethics, it improve the economic stan- critical evaluation and legiti- perspective, such an argument cations and thus fail to with-
=81438C0??A8H030AB78=8994=0 part of the environment, envi- ligence of the Mishra commit- deals with the moral justifica- dard of the locals as well as the mate justification to strength- entails that development is stand ethical and moral scruti-
ronmental ethics engages with tee report-1976 have adverse tion that is grounded in any State. en itself. For example, there is meant for a certain end — ny.
man’s moral relationship with effects on the Himalayan envi- developmental policy or pro- However, considering that a need to critically reflect on human well-being.
the environment and its non- ronment, including the natives ject(s). It mainly has two per- humans are endowed with how far economic values and Thus, before implementing (The writer is a former
human constituents, including of the regions. Thus, the spectives: a cost-benefit utili- multiple needs and flairs interests need to be emphasised any development projects, it is ethical Consultant at the
the moral status of the envi- charges on the successive gov- tarian account and an anti- (social, political, economic, and whether environmental essential to understand the National Institute of Advanced
ronment. The natural reasons ernments and the agents of cost-benefit holistic account. and cultural, to broadly cite), concerns should be compro- term “development” and focus Studies, Bengaluru.)
 08 MUMBAI
SUNDAY
JUNE 25, 2023

Reflections
{ CHANAKYA }

India-US relationship
takes a leap of trust
A clear political direction by stick to a decision (think support for told their systems to make it work, and
Ukraine), and run an intellectually coherent agreed that if democracies had to deliver,
leaders who could not be more and broadly effective foreign policy in the they had to show outcomes.
first two years of his term, which includes Modi had external affairs minister S Jais-
different yet found common methodical competition with China and, hankar, national security adviser (NSA) Ajit
ground, the hard work of their now, the embrace of India. Doval, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwa-
The 80-year-old born in Pennsylvania’s tra, Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit
teams, and the increasing areas Scranton and 72-year-old born in Gujarat’s Singh Sandhu, additional secretary in charge
of convergence and diminishing Vadnagar could not be more different. One has of Americas Vani Rao, India’s deputy chief of
been a lifelong Democrat, held on to broadly mission in Washington Sripriya Ranga-
areas of differences led to a leap liberal internationalist positions, and found nathan and their capable teams. Biden had
in bilateral ties during PM’s visit his natural home in the American legislature his NSA Jake Sullivan, National Security
before making the journey down the hill on Council (NSC) Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt

T
here is something about Naren- Washington’s Pennsylvania Avenue to the Campbell, NSC senior director Eileen Laub- Biden, who got elected to the US Senate in the early 1970s in his late 20s, and Modi, who joined a political-cultural movement in the
dra Modi. You may like him or executive branch in White House, as first vice- acher, NSC senior director for tech Tarun 1960s in his teens, trusted their experience and instincts. ANI
dislike him, vote for him or president and then president. The other is Chhabra, secretary of state Antony J Blinken,
oppose him viscerally. But it is harder to categorise (the conventional social secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, commerce take a leap of trust. The Americans realised And this is why the Americans laid out the alternative telecom infrastructure is a big
clear that the Prime Minister and economic Left-Right matrix), has been an secretary Gina Raimondo, and assistant sec- that to overcome the scepticism that has red carpet with public flattery, pomp and deal, them deciding to work together in shap-
knows how to seize an opportu- ardent nationalist, and, as a man of action, retaries in Pentagon and State, Ely Ratner remained deep within Indian defence and ceremony. And the Indians reciprocated by ing research in new scientific and tech
nity, use his political strength to hold on to found his natural home in the political party and Donald Lu with their respective teams. intelligence set-ups about US reliability, truly acknowledging the symbolism and col- domains and how to regulate it is a big deal.
certain positions, show flexibility when organisational structure and then the execu- What happened in Washington over the despite increasing cooperation in the past two laborating on the substance. For once, it But even beyond that, the real significance
needed, and then own the decision politi- tive branch, and has treated the legislature as past week was this confluence of the per- decades, they needed to show concrete deliver- wasn’t hyperbole when American political of what happened lies in the idea of trust and
cally. And nowhere has this been more necessary but also an impediment. sonal connect between leaders, the decisive- ables. They realised that specific interests, in national security leaders and managers and the bet on the long-term. Both systems decided
apparent than in the domain of foreign pol- When the two men met, it was their com- ness they showed, and the systemic conver- the context of China’s challenge in every even the more cautious Indian political lead- that they wanted closer integration in their
icy in a particularly difficult environment. monalities rather than their differences that gence that was enabled by the hard work of domain from geo-economics to geostrategy to ership and bureaucratic executors said they most sensitive domains. And both decided
Think terror on Pakistan, the balance on prevailed. There was a conviction of what it ministers and bureaucrats on both sides. new technologies, required India’s slow, unan- were thrilled with what had just happened. that they could trust each other enough to pro-
Russia, the calibrated line on China, and, is their respective national interest; Biden The outcome is hard to describe. Is it a nounced, but institutionalised integration into One way to look at what happened is ceed with that. And that is where the two poli-
now, the embrace of the US. believes India is essential if China has to be turning point? Well, the India-US story has the domains of the future with the West. The through specific deals — the US allowing GE ticians came into the picture.
There is also something about Joe Biden. prevented from dominating future geopoli- been of increasing convergence — and so this Indians realised that this was a new dynamic; jet engine tech transfer is a big deal, India Biden, who got elected to the US Senate in
You may think he is too old for the job, or tics and geo-economics and the relationship is not necessarily a shift. Is it just progress? they could hold on to their positions in geo- buying Predator drones is a big deal, India the early 1970s in his late 20s, and Modi, who
may admire his courage through adversity has depth due to the people-to-people con- Well, the India-US story has also been graphies where they differed with the US in signing the Artemis Accords is a big deal, the joined a political-cultural movement in the
and his experience. But it is clear that, nect; Modi knows American and Indian soci- marked by incremental movement (barring methods, but suddenly the convergence in US embracing India in the Mineral Security 1960s in his teens, trusted their experience
domestically, he has navigated the US eties have a natural warmth and US support the nuclear deal) — and so it may not capture goals had expanded. And this could be trans- Partnership is a big deal, Micron and other and instincts. What they delivered was a
through a tough period (remember the Janu- is critical to enhance Indian capabilities. And the scale of what happened? But perhaps the lated into real dividends in multiple domains semiconductor companies investing in India transformative moment with consequences
ary 6 Capitol storming and the pandemic), they also ended up liking each other and phrase that captures it is what was used in a where India needed the American State’s is a big deal, more Indian investments in for their countries, for the relationship, and
pushed through transformative legislations developing a connection. column on these pages sometime before the approval for technology, its private sector’s American manufacturing and energy (who for the world.
(pandemic relief, climate and domestic man- Both took a decision, developed a personal visit — a Great Leap Forward. vast capital, and its unparalleled intellectual would have that thought two decades ago?)
ufacturing, semiconductors, infrastructure), relationship, determined areas of priorities, Both leaders, and their systems, decided to infrastructure’s collaboration. is a big deal, India and the US developing an [email protected]

the ball had come in my direction, present-

{ SUNDAY SENTIMENTS }
ing me a sitting catch, I dropped it.
GURU HELPED ME GROW { ENGENDER }
Karan Thapar Guru thus gave me the confidence Doon UP, BECOME AWARE OF Lalita Panicker
School would never have imparted on its MY TALENTS, MY
own. He helped me grow up, become
aware of my limitations as much as my tal-
LIMITATIONS AND TO

Three lessons from an ents and to handle setbacks, mistakes and

failures. He taught me to pick myself up
and go on. A necessary lesson, because I
often stumbled and fell.
HANDLE SETBACKS,
MISTAKES AND FAILURES.
HE TAUGHT ME TO PICK
Manipur’s women and
unforgettable teacher Years later, when I was an adult, I
recalled another lesson from Guru. Pun-
ishment is not necessarily the best
response when someone has erred. There
MYSELF UP AND GO ON

impression you leave behind. Greet people

children need succour
ut of affection, we called him ing of myself. are times when overlooking the error is when you enter a room and never forget omen in Manipur, indeed ular needs. Some women have alleged sex-

O Guru but, in fact, that is precisely

what he was. Not a vishwaguru
(global teacher), as is the fashion
these days, but a genuine, dedicated, car-
ing teacher. An Indian Mr Chips, if you
In the 1960s, Doon valued its sportsmen
far more than scholars. This meant that a
child who had never swung a cricket bat
nor kicked a football was at a significant
disadvantage. My talents lay in acting and
better.
Many are the times when Guru prac-
tised this principle. It covered instances of
blatant naughtiness to crafty lying to fool-
ish but wilful pranks. He was always aware
“please” and “thank you”.
I don’t think Guru ever explicitly told
me to do this but, then, his example was
always there for everyone to see. So careful
was his cultivation of good manners and so
W across the Northeast, though
largely overlooked in the
cacophony of politics, have
been leading the fight against the narco-
mafia and excesses by security forces.
ual harassment in the camps but, most of
all, there is a sense of hopelessness, of not
knowing how long this will last, or what
the future holds. The women need men-
strual hygiene products and medicines,
like. Guru was the moniker by which Doon debating and, yes, cramming too. But these of my mistakes but overlooked them. Yet high the regard in which we held him, that They have been at the forefront of protests which are either in short supply or non-ex-
School boys knew Gurdial Singh. It was a were looked down upon. from the expression on his face, I knew he simply by emulating his example, these against forced detentions and disappear- istent in the camps.
very apt nickname. It’s also how he’ll be Guru, however, would find ways of expected better. Even as a teenager, that graces became a habit for the rest of us. I ances. Previous ethnic clashes have also Ranjeeta Sadokpam, an activist and a
remembered after his death last month. making artistic talents feel better than made me feel bad. More than anything learnt by imitation. seen the efforts made by women to bring veteran of many peaceful protests, says
I was 10 when I first met Guru. He was sporting achievements. He would recall else, I wanted to be in his best books. His As I look back on my life, Guru’s imprint back peace. But today, women and chil- that the whole tragedy should not be seen
house master of Jaipur House. A tall, big clever sentences from my debates – and I disapproval was, therefore, crushing. Guru is unmistakable. I don’t know if the Battle dren have become victims of Manipur’s in ethnic or religious terms; for women,
man, who, at my age, seemed even taller could sense this was praise – or a dramatic knew that was punishment enough. of Waterloo was won on the playing fields bloody ethnic clashes and are unable to she adds, it is an issue of immense trauma
and bigger. But when Guru smiled, my posture I struck on stage; and though he I try to remember this lesson when oth- of Eton, but certainly the man in me was organise themselves or get the help that as many of their husbands and sons have
fears and concerns were swept away. was gently taking the mickey, he was also ers make mistakes, but it isn’t easy. It shaped by the house master of Jaipur they need so desperately. stayed back in the troubled areas to defend
When he laughed, I would crack up. There conveying how attentive he’d been, and requires wisdom and restraint. Guru had House. That’s why he will always be my Many women and children have had to what is left of their lands and homes.
was no way I could stop. make me feel special. In his estimation, both. I often have neither. This is a lesson guru. flee their burnt homes as the violence “These women have no timelines on when
Officially he taught me geography, but this was sufficient reason to make me I haven’t properly learnt. spread, trudging through jungles to reach things might get better, they are in a limbo.
actually, he taught me some of the best les- house captain in my last year, even though The third lesson, I’m glad to say, I do Karan Thapar is the author of refugee camps. Unofficial figures suggest The children are traumatised and worried
sons I have learnt. The first was not just the best I’d achieved at sport was Juniors practise. It’s a simple one. A little bit of eti- Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story that at least 5,000 women and 2,000 chil- about their education, many have seen
the most difficult but also the most reveal- III in cricket. On the one solitary occasion quette makes a significant difference to the The views expressed are personal dren are now homeless. The situation is their kin killed or their homes burned
particularly dire for pregnant women and down. We need counsellors but we are
women who have just given birth, both of lucky to get basic amenities. In this horrific
whom need urgent medical assistance. situation, a black market has sprung up

Change is constant. But They are crammed into camps set up in

schools and churches where there is no
separation between men and women –
leading to safety risks and no privacy at all.
where rice, which should be available for
Rs 3 a kilo, is selling for Rs 31 a kilo. A gas
cylinder is Rs 2,000, how does a person
who has lost everything survive?”

let Marine Drive remain Journalist Ninglun Hanghal says, “Most

of these women are from poor homes, they
now have nothing to go back to as their
houses have been burnt down. They will
Other activists, too, say that women
have been treated as collateral damage,
and no one has thought of addressing their
needs, health, safety or mental wellbeing.
arine Drive sits on the 1920s Marine Drive has been lost to a reclama- have to find some source of income which It is still not too late for the government

M Back Bay Reclamation that tion (the coastal road) while the southern
shaped a dream for a modern end stands tall, protected by the 2018
city. It had well-spaced apart- World Heritage Site inscription by Unesco,
ment blocks, a broad promenade, and a and the will of the people. This southern
road so wide you could land a small air- end is now unfortunately being roped into
makes them very vulnerable. The women,
especially those pregnant and nursing,
need nutrition. But they are solely depend-
ent on civil society organisations which
provide basics such as rice and dal which
to step up efforts with civil society groups
and ensure that the women and children
victims of this conflict are not further trau-
matised. Politics has to take a backseat in
the face of this human tragedy and the pri-
craft on it. That was when you travelled by a new BMC proposal to paint the facade of is food, but not the nutrition they need.” ority should be to provide succour to these
ship. Accentuating the sweep around the all 35 Art Deco buildings, altering their dis- Civil society organisations are doing defenceless women and children first.
bay lie 35 Art Deco buildings, crown jewels tinct character. their best but have no training in how to
that pay homage to an era of Marine Drive is synonymous deal with displacement or women’s partic- The views expressed are personal
emerging modernity expressed with Mumbai. Its spirit of social

A
through Art Deco, the prevailing mobility comes alive here in a
architectural style. The timeless-
ness of the classic design with-
stands the test of time. Its dyna-
resplendent manner. Every
24-hour cycle brings marathon-
ers, students, families with chil-
Marine Drive became a respite from Mumbai’s relentless pace HT ARCHIVE

{ SUNDAY LETTERS }
l
mism and versatile interpretation dren and pets, and lovers holding jazz bar turned pizzeria, and an impecca- state-mandated calls for beautification?
gave homegrown architects Atul hands as they catch the day’s end ble 1930s Art Deco hotel (Sea Green Hotel), An instagrammable Marine Drive belongs
emerging from India’s premier Kumar over a glorious sunset. An escape still owned and managed by the family’s to everyone; every resident and visitor has Change the brain A father’s duty to his daughters
school of architecture – Sir J J from the city’s congested innards, fourth generation. Such was the milieu of invested their own meanings to it over drain perspective This is with reference to Nishtha Gautam’s ‘Fathers
School of Art (as it was known it sees throngs from all over the the time. Claude Batley, architect and head time. Even as the promenade sees an ever- need to break the taboo around sex’ (June 18). It is
then) – a way to acknowledge Bombay’s metropolis come to take in the open space, of the department of architecture from evolving footfall, some things remain con- This is with reference to important for the father to make his daughters aware
prowess as a port city, through a rich array creating a multicultural melting pot. The 1923-43 at Sir JJ School of Art, spoke of the stant. Prithwiraj Choudhury’s about the potential risks from sex in order to live a life
of nautical elements placed on buildings as bustling city with its sprawling slums and “worthwhileness” of this stretch by the sea, Twenty-six years ago, Marine Drive was ‘Leverage the IIT overseas of dignity with no embarrassment and discomfort. This
decorative motifs. Residents could look out luxurious towers may be disparate in drawing attention to the “happy throngs of renamed. Despite the persistent determi- network’ (June 18). duty is vital for a healthy attitude in our society towards
at the bay through a round window resem- many ways, but Marine Drive belongs to promenaders, of all sorts and conditions, nation, the new name remains elusive, The author is right in sex.
bling a porthole on a ship. They spent the everyone. Complete strangers sit in close drinking in the sea air morning and even- even to a newbie taxi driver. The character observing that we
evening on their terraces that resembled proximity, reciprocating accommodation ing.” Ironically, while Marine Drive’s of this precious seafront has evolved over need a major change in Manya Singh
turrets or viewing galleries, akin to an that reflects a unique social and cultural development did not escape allegations of the years, but on its own terms, and in con- how we view the brain
ocean liner, taking in the panoramic sea- comfort. That too at a place that offers no scams, corruption and scathing attacks by stant dialogue with its residents and visi- drain phenomenon. Novak’s unstoppable streak continues
scape and the evening sea breeze. It took food and barely a toilet. the legendary K F Nariman and others, it tors. Painting it with the same brush, as if Investing in retaining
us a century and another pandemic to Marine Drive has been home to the likes witnessed a constant traffic of the city’s it’s a static monument, not a living piece of India’s talent in the This is with reference to Ramesh Krishnan’s ‘Game, Set,
rediscover these spaces and reclaim them of film actress Nargis, former Prime Minis- who’s who, became a hub of recreation modern history, erases its essential charac- country will take more GOAT? The incredible era of Novak’ (June 18). Though
as our own. The uniform skyline, low com- ter Morarji Desai, and Kawasji Fakirji and respite from its relentless pace, and a ter. As Mumbai architect and historian dynamic efforts from the absence of Nadal could be a blessing in disguise for
pound walls and a respectful minimalism Sidhwa, Bombay’s foremost bootlegger of dynamic site seeded in people’s popular Kamu Iyer would say: “Some things are policy and governance Djokovic, we cannot overlook the latter’s tenacious
that clearly acknowledged the sea as the the 1930s, who boasted that his brew was imagination of the city. worth keeping even if they do not have a perspectives. attitude to hold on to the chances that came his way.
showpiece, led Unesco to comment that better than many a scotch. It hosted the Can we value the freedom and sense of patina acquired with age”.
the precinct retains a “high degree of integ- go-to costume maker Maganlal Dress- well-being Marine Drive affords us? Can Rupesh Singh N V Krishnan
rity in visual, spatial and planning terms.” walla, a cutlery showroom, trendy night- we challenge the seeming legitimisation of Atul Kumar is trustee, Art Deco Mumbai Trust.
100 years later, the northern end of clubs, restaurants, ice cream parlours, a appropriating this public space through The views expressed are personal Write to us at: [email protected]

RNI No. MAHENG/2005/15187, AIR SURCHARGE : Ahmedabad, Nagpur and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 2 /-.

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chandigarh | 25 JUNE 2023

The urge to tell their stories from their own Year-long events are underway to mark 75 In his autobiography, published four years after
point of view and in their own voice has created years of establishment of the National his death, former Chief Election Commissioner
the space for women theatre directors, but Defence Academy, an institution that occupies TN Seshan recaptures the power play of the
prejudices still mar the field ARTS page 2 a pride of place FOCUS page 3 times with thoroughness BOOKS page 4

For New Delhi, it would be imprudent to term the pacts on cutting-edge US technology an alignment shift
from Russia. It’s all about getting partners for the elusive military equipment as border threats rise

SPREADING
AjayBanerjee

A
FTER the United States offered India cut-
ting-edge, elusive and restricted technolo-

WINGS
gies on making aero-engines for fighter jets,
armed drones, semiconductors, space-
based radars, quantum computing and 6G
communications, New Delhi has made a
strategic shift — away from being Russia-
centric or France-centric — to access such
technologies. Aero-engines and armed
drones are military-use equipment. The oth-
er technologies are dual-use, which aid crit-
ical applications of modern-day militaries
during peace and conflict.
The bilateral meeting between Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi and US President Joe
Biden in Washington DC on June 22 had
unprecedented announcements on technol-
ogy sharing. From New Delhi’s point of view,
it would be imprudent to term the shift pro-
American, or ‘moving away’ from Russia, its
longstanding ally. For now, it’s just about get-
ting partners for the elusive military technol-
ogy as threats from China rise.
In the past 60 years, India has licensed-pro-
duced military equipment of Russian/Soviet
Union parentage, including T-90 tanks,
Sukhoi 30 MKI and MiG-21 jets. India and
Russia co-produced the BrahMos missile.
Moscow handheld India in the nuclear sub-
marine programme; it converted a warship
into an aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, and
supplied the S400 air-defence missile system.
Similarly, France joined hands with India
to make the Scorpene class submarines in
India. It sold the cutting-edge Rafale jets in
2019 and in 1980s, provided the Mirage 2000
jets, the latest at the time.
Sweden-based think tank Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute in
March released its assessment for a five-
year period (2018-2022). It said: “Russia THE UNMANNED MQ-9B. GA
remains the largest supplier of major arms
and supplied 45 per cent of all Indian
imports.” France and the US were second UNMANNED
and third with 29 per cent and 11 per cent
share, respectively. The report compared MQ-9B DISTINGUISHING FEATURES MQ-9B (UNMANNED) MANNED PATROL AIRCRAFT
the five-year period with the previous five- VERSUS Costs 86 per cent less to operate $5,000/per hour $35,000/per hour
year period to show that Russia’s share in
India’s market was declining.
MANNED More time in air, increasing ± 25 hours ± 10 hours
probability of detection of enemy
New Delhi was officially ‘non-aligned’ AIRCRAFT 90% less fuel than similarly 90 litres an hour 2,200 litres an hour
during the Cold War (1945-1991) but was an configured manned ISR aircraft.
ally of the Soviet Union, including signing in
August 1971 the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, US WARSHIP USNS CHARLES DREW AT L&T YARD IN CHENNAI. US NAVY
Friendship and Cooperation. It allowed Sovi-
et Union to intervene to stall a possible US
strike during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The India-US strategic relations took baby
GE ENGINE PERFORMANCE India and USA also have a Space Situation-
al Awareness (SSA) arrangement. The India-
steps after the Cold War. In 1995, the two (SEA LEVEL/STANDARD DAY) US Civil Space Joint Working Group spans
agreed on having ‘defence relations’. Ten cutting-edge earth observation capabilities
years later, in 2005, the two signed a ‘frame- F414-GE-400; F414G, F414-INS6 SI measurement to interplanetary exploration. India is now a
work of defence relationship’. A buyer-sell- Thrust class 98 kN signatory to the Artemis Accords and joins
er relationship emerged. India sourced 26 countries committed to the peaceful, sus-
planes like the C-17, C-130 and the Boeing Length 391 cm tainable and transparent exploration of
P8I maritime reconnaissance planes. Heli- Airflow 77.1 kg/sec Moon, Mars, and beyond. Another $318 mil-
copters included the Apache, the Chinook lion investment has been made to construct
and the submarine-hunting MH 60R. There Maximum diameter 89 cm a Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave
was no technology transfer involved. Inlet diameter 79 cm Observatory in India, which will work in tan-
The India-US technology shift was dem with US, Europe and Japan.
described thus by President Biden at the Pressure ratio 30:1
joint press conference: “We have made criti- Semiconductors, the holy grail
Thrust-to-weight class 9:1 GE F414 ENGINE AT GE PLANT IN US. GE
cal and emerging technologies the pillar of Semiconductors are used by the military for
our next-generation partnership.” Biden is avionics on warships, planes, guiding mis-
not off the mark, as over the next three ered by GE F404. The transfer of technolo- operations) facility in India to support ship and marks the beginning of a new siles, computing and communications,
decades, US-origin technology will be a part gy includes critical and restricted technolo- India’s long-term goals to boost indigenous chapter for deeper engagements”. among other applications. SCL-Mohali, BEL
and parcel of India’s war-fighting effort. gies like crystal blade coating, laser drilling defence capabilities”. That means, similar Now, apart from L&T, the US Navy is final- and HAL cater to the defence and space sec-
and polymers, to name a few. The US, drones of other countries can undergo ising ship repair agreements with Mazagon tors. Capacities are limited and technology
US-origin engines France, UK and Russia have these elusive repair and overhaul here. Indian-origin Docks Limited, Mumbai, and Goa Shipyard. has overtaken these public sector entities.
US aerospace giant General Electric (GE) technologies. “India will get technology Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General “These will allow mid-voyage US Navy The Modi-Biden meet announced a $825
and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) never transferred to any country,” said a top Atomics Global Corporation, was leading ships to undergo service and repair, facilitat- million investment by Micron Technology,
will produce the GE-F414 engines for fighter functionary in the defence establishment. this effort of getting India on board. ing cost-effective and (be) time-saving,” a another $400 million by Applied Materials,
jets in India. The US okaying technology The MQ-9B is classified as a category-1 fact sheet issued by the White House said. while Lam Research will train 60,000 engi-
transfer of 80 per cent of the engine means a Access to armed drones equipment under the Missile Technology The Indo-US Defence Industrial Roadmap neers. The new ecosystem is expected to spill
geo-strategic shift is set to unfold. Some three years ago, in August 2020, India, Control Regime (MTCR). It can be used to looks to work together for the creation of over into the military and strategic domains
US-origin engines could be put on 440 during the military standoff with China along target enemy positions on ground, warships logistic, repair and maintenance infrastruc- in terms of knowledge. Union Minister of
fighter jets scheduled to be made in India the Line of Actual Control (LAC), leased two at sea, submarines, airbases and even small ture for aircraft and vessels in India. State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chan-
over the next two decades. This includes the MQ-9A surveillance drones from the US targets like planes, besides providing 24x7 drasekhar termed these “significant and
83 Tejas Mark 1A, the production of which company General Atomics. The images and surveillance capability. Space missions meaningful milestones”.
starts in February using the already contract- videos beamed live to controllers on the At sea, the drones buttress the Navy’s fleet In April 2024, it will be 40 years since
ed General Electric engine F404. ground provided inputs at a much lesser cost of P8I surveillance planes. “The drones can Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma’s space Crucial information sharing
The next lot of Indian jets will get the high- than a manned surveillance plane. pick up signals from existing ‘sonobuoys’ flight onboard a Russian spacecraft. The The US and India are working to strengthen
er-powered F414 engine with a 98 kilo new- Now, India is ready to induct 31 armed at sea and remain focussed on target for year will mark a major transition for India- undersea domain awareness cooperation.
ton (kN) thrust. The F414 engine is good for drones, the MQ-9B, made by General Atom- longer periods,” says Vice Admiral Ravneet US space activities. NASA and ISRO have For the first time, Indian liaison officers will
130 of the Tejas Mark 2 jets and 100 of the ics. The US and its allies like the UK, Japan, Singh. On land, the Himalayas create a announced a joint manned mission to the be placed in three US commands — deepen-
twin-engine deck-based fighters (TEDBF) Canada or Australia have these. boundary between India and China. Vast International Space Station. Also, the NASA- ing critical information sharing. The two
for the Indian Navy. Besides this, the 126 Former Deputy Chief of the Navy, Vice areas that are physically inaccessible will be ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) sides are in talks for a Security of Supply
Indian Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Admiral Ravneet Singh (retd), says: “The monitored by the drones. satellite is to be launched in 2024. Arrangement and Reciprocal Defence Pro-
(AMCA) are planned in two phases. The F414 MQ-9A increased our maritime domain The radar of the satellite was delivered to curement Arrangement that will enable the
engine is compatible with the first lot of 40 awareness. The MQ-9B has better sensors, US warship repairs ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengalu- supply of defence goods in the event of
AMCAs. For the later version, GE has sub- range, endurance, electronic surveillance In August last year, US Navy Ship (USNS) ru in March this year. ISRO has identified a unanticipated supply chain disruptions.
mitted a proposal of co-developing and co- and can carry weapons.” Charles Drew arrived at L&T’s shipyard at range of applications of relevance to India, The defence industries are enabled for co-
manufacturing a higher-powered 110 kilo The India-US joint statement said: “MQ- Kattupalli, Chennai, for repairs, the first ever including monitoring of snow and glacier production of advanced systems as well as
newton thrust engine, it is learnt. 9Bs will be assembled in India. General repair of a US Navy ship in India. studies, coastal and ocean studies. India’s collaborative research, testing and prototyp-
The Tejas Mark 1 — 40 jets have been Atomics will also establish a comprehen- The Ministry of Defence said it “assumes boundary with China and a large part of the ing of the technologies that will determine
inducted in the Indian Air Force — is pow- sive global MRO (maintenance, repair and special significance in the strategic partner- boundary with Pakistan are snow-bound. the future of military power.
2 Arts CHANDIGARH | 25 JUNE 2023

theatre Women as Neelam Man Singh Chowdhry and playing, have increasingly blurred. They were completely disenfranchised

L
The play used every nook and corner of and confined to a marginalised position,
ET me start by being subjec- the campus and took theatre out of the- robbing women of their own representa-
tive and talk about the influ- atre buildings, changing the relationship tion throughout modern theatre history.
ences that created the con- between the audience and performers. The inclusion of women in the pan-
tours of my theatre making. I The audience became participants. theon of this male-dominated industry
had heard of Pina Bausch per- It also changed the relationship the has been a slow and silent revolution. It
forming her latest production, audience had with each other. At that was inevitable that very little notice was
‘Nelken’ (‘Carnations’), in Delhi. Even time, going to the theatre involved sit- taken of the events that precipitated it.
though I was unfamiliar with her work, ting in the dark and hardly acknowledg- This, to some extent, became the by-
her reputation as a director was formida- ing the presence of strangers with product of the women’s movement,

DIRECTORS
ble. With my band of students from the whom we sat shoulder to shoulder. See- which encouraged more women to study
theatre department at Panjab University, ing a play where I, as an audience, was direction and inadvertently change the
we hopped onto a train and joined the ser- in a constant state of movement, templates of theatre-making.
pentine queue outside the theatre in 1994. changed my perspective on a play being The question now is that have women
I had no references about her work. Mere a ‘frontal viewing experience’. Sudden- managed to create an independent form
whispers of her being one of the most ly, the performance and life, art and of aesthetics, a new way of looking at
unusual theatre makers intrigued and everyday activity between the play and space, text and characters? Have they
propelled me to experience her work. It playing were blurred. managed to move away from a stereotyp-
was the pre-Google, pre-Wikipedia era. At the helm of these two plays were ical interpretation of gender? Is there a
Seeing her work had me transfixed and women directors. But what does it feminine way of doing things?
bewildered. Her visual, textural and mean to be a woman director? Does it I think it was the urge to tell their sto-
kinetic spectacle on the stage tossed my indicate women in general — such as ries from their own point of view and in
tidy and safe definitions on what was those who are playing their role within their own voice that created this genre
possible on the stage. The stage, covered the conventional formulations — or known as women’s theatre. It is not to
Nadira Babbar with silk carnations, had dancers in cock- does it suggest a group of women who say that women were not telling their sto-
Sanjana Kapoor tail dresses crawling among the flowers, are holding a certain political position ries before that, but they seemed to be
giggling and playing leapfrog before within a performance, and their vision more on the fringe, creating a peripheral
they were confronted by passport offi- and artistic choices? contribution, while men were clustered
Mita Vashisht cers and snarling dogs. Later in the play, The term ‘woman director’ implies a at the top of the echelon.
actors sniffed onion slices and cried copi- certain amount of ghettoisation. It sug- But the real change is noticed in the
ously while a nude woman carried an gests that, in some ways, women are dif- choice of subject matter. Suddenly, large
accordion, silently and hauntingly. ferent. This has changed drastically events and the spectacular were replaced
I remember one scene in which an since I joined theatre in the 1980s. Today, by the quotidian. Women received their
actor emptied a bottle of coffee over her women directors are acknowledged for inspiration from daily life — the sound of
head, while reciting a poem. Buckets of ‘the art they make’. bubbling oil, clothes being washed...
water were thrown on the stage. Some questions persist nevertheless. Every day, mundane images were trans-
Pina Bausch, the legendary German Does gender affect the success and failure formed and made ‘anew’ to be scruti-
director, ditched classical precepts of one’s work? Do women coming from nised, examined and interrogated. They
(straight storytelling) and created shows different regional and social proclivities saw in these little parts of life an impor-
that drew on, among other things, the share anything in common, beyond their tance, equalling those climatic events that
performers’ childhood memories, biology? Are they accepted on the same are usually associated with high drama.
dreams and subjective experiences. platform as men, viewed through the The historical development and forms
There was shouting, conflict, collision, same lens? Are the rules for both the of women’s theatre in India have one crit-
The urge to tell and much rushing around to a sound- same? The funding, the sponsorships… ical political lesson for us: the response to
their stories Usha Ganguly track of popular songs and classical Women directors, despite the unity of stasis, rigidity and formalisation is some-
from their own music. I found the work incoherent and their concerns, have had an array of times ordinary, fluid and quiet. The
point of view illogical and had no tools to access it. My viewpoints, with diverse outlooks and essence of earlier representations of
and in their limitations in comprehending a new per- practice methodology. The existing blue- women in the theatre — moving from
own voice formance language made me restless. I prints have been avoided, in fact uncon- props to images to clichés to absences —
created the took the easy way out and rejected it sciously rejected, in the search for some- is now taken up as a mantle from where to
genre known outright. But the show clung to me, thing new, something fresh. Innovation begin. The images become the real, the
as women’s gnawing at me, making me restless. and experimentation are a heady mix, absent becomes the visible, and the prop
theatre. Lillete Dubey My students looked at me for affirma- and women directors have plunged into becomes the character — but not through
tion, analysis and a dialogue but I it as they have nothing to lose. a switch as much as a switch in perspec-
averted their gaze as I had no vocab- The word ‘director’ has a resonance tive. Let women be absent, you hear them
ulary to explain this performance. that seems to suggest male authority, say, because in absence, when represent-
The idea of a Many days later, it dawned on me and that has made acting the obvious ed properly, there is great power. After all,
woman’s voice in like an epiphany: the immense pos- career choice for women. In the past, if modernism is as comfortable with muta-
sibilities revealed through this artistic you were poor but pretty, or came from a tion as it is with stillness.
theatre is finally being encounter. Anything can be made possi- family of dancers or musicians, theatre If culture wants us to nurture and grow,
heard, but prejudices ble on the stage. It was empowering. was a good alternative to penury. Even we will transform, mutate and shake.
‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, performed by though some of the women left their That is how, beyond the manifestations of
still mar the space students of the National School of Dra- mark on the professional stage, they nev- our methods, genders and ideologies,
ma and directed by Anuradha Kapur, er came into positions of power, restrict- women directors are united through
made me realise that the lines between ed by the blatant prejudice of not allow- modernism. It is the womb that does not
art and everyday activity, between play ing women any say in decision-making. gestate as much as it accelerates.

Unsettling prose of Cormac McCarthy

Author of ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘The Road’, both of which were made into films, he pulled you into a violent world
Sundeep Misra Letters, the Guggenheim Foundation and

C
the Rockefeller Foundation. Later, he also
ORMAC McCARTHY can won the MacArthur Fellowship, which
make you very uncomfortable. supported the writing of ‘Blood Meridian’,
Because to understand him but initially, for many years, even ‘Blood
and his writings, you need to Meridian’ fared extremely poorly.
look inward — to see, imagine, In fact, an article by the New York Times
feel the pulsating flesh, dipped states that McCarthy wrote to a friend:
and corralled in its own blood. “I’ve been a full-time professional writer
That, actually, was just one part of Cor- for 28 years, and I’ve never received a roy-
PHOTO: BEOWULF SHEEHAN; COURTESY: PAN MACMILLAN

mac. Or just the way he expressed himself, alty cheque. That, I’ll betcha, is a record.”
his thoughts to the world, especially in The story of how McCarthy moved to
‘Blood Meridian’. Three words would Alfred A Knopf is also part of folklore. The
describe that book for every reader who agent Amanda ‘Binky’ Urban, who repre-
read, tried to read, gave up reading — pow- sented Toni Morrison, Haruki Murakami
erful, unsettling, memorable. and Mary Karr, among others way back,
Can one book describe an author? The was then working at International Cre-
easy answer is ‘No’. But, for Cormac’s ative Management (ICM) for Lynn Nesbit,
legions of fans, who have read ‘The Coun- who one bright morning threw a letter on
selor’, ‘Outer Dark’, ‘Suttree’, ‘The Crossing’, her desk and said, “You might want to fol-
‘Cities of the Plain’, ‘The Sunset Limited’, low up”, as reported by The Cut.
nothing sets him apart more than ‘Blood The letter was by McCarthy in which he
Meridian’. Probably even more than ‘No writes he ‘never had an agent’ and if any-
Country for Old Men’, which won four one is interested ‘please call me before
Oscars. After the book was released in 2005, noon Rocky Mountain time’.
Walter Kirn, reviewed it in the New York A little research told Binky Urban that
Times: “The conflicts set on a stage as big as none of McCarthy’s books at Random
McCarthy’s writing
Texas but as spiritually claustrophobic as a House had sold more than 2,500 copies. compels you to read,
back-room cockfight ring, resolve them- Urban called Sonny Mehta, who had just
selves with a mechanistic certitude that sat- taken over at Knopf, and asked him if he reread and then swallow
isfies the brain’s brute love of pattern and
bypasses its lofty emotional centres.”
wanted to publish McCarthy as ‘Random
House is not really doing a great job by
the words, lines,
McCarthy died on June 13 at his home in him’. Sonny said, “I’d love that.” sentences — dismal,
Santa Fe at the age of 89. Those fingers, at Random House agreed to let McCarthy
their end, may have become knobby, beat- move to Knopf.
dreary and desolate.
ing down on those typewriter keys but, he And, as it happens in fables and stories, Before you realise it, you
was revered, underlined as one of the his next book, ‘All the Pretty Horses’,
greats to an extent that the critic Harold became the super-nova. It was followed by have become part of his
Bloom put him in the same group, anoint-
ing him as one of the four major American ultimate dark dramatisation of violence. like the head of a great red phallus until it
‘The Road’, a post-apocalyptic novel
describing the journey of a father-son
open-throated writing
novelists of his time, alongside Philip Again, I don’t see anyone surpassing it in cleared the unseen rim and sat squat and across a landscape destroyed by a cata-
Roth, Don DeLillo and Thomas Pynchon. that regard.” pulsing and malevolent behind them.” clysm. It won McCarthy a Pulitzer and was hardly gave any interviews, probably a
Once, in an interview to the AV Club, McCarthy’s writing compels you to read, After his first five novels, McCarthy’s made into a film directed by John Hillcoat. couple of them in three decades or more.
speaking about ‘Blood Meridian’ and its reread and then swallow the words, lines, career seemed destined to flare out with Stylistically, ‘The Road’ was, if not com- In an interview to The New York Times
place in American literature, Bloom said: sentences — dismal, dreary and desolate. him being just another notable novelist, pletely, a departure from his earlier novels. Magazine in 1992, he spoke about the vio-
“The Judge is the book, and the Judge is, Before you realise it, you have become part talented but not finding that one super- McCarthy was 73 when he wrote it and one lence in his books. “There’s no such thing
short of Moby Dick, the most monstrous of the man’s open-throated prose. A para- nova. And, then he wrote ‘All the Pretty does not know whether he believed a as life without bloodshed. I think the
apparition in all of American literature. graph from ‘Blood Meridian’ sums it up: Horses’, which won the National Book world devastated by us only would play out notion that the species can be improved in
The Judge is violence incarnate. The Judge “They rode on and the sun in the east Award and was also made into a film star- in the end as he envisaged in ‘The Road’. some way, that everyone can live in harmo-
stands for incessant warfare for its own flushed pale streaks of light and then a deep- ring Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz. The father and son, hanging onto each oth- ny, is a really dangerous idea.”
sake.” And whether McCarthy was suc- er run of colour like blood seeping up in sud- Even in the low phases, where his hard- er, their odyssey, aimed at reaching the In the ‘Blood Meridian’, the Hermit
cessful in using violence in the book, den reaches flaring planewise and where the backs never sold beyond 5,000 copies, he Gulf Coast across the ‘barren, silent’, of speaks to The Kid: “You can find meanness
Bloom said, “More than successful. It’s not earth drained up into the sky at the edge of had the support of prestigious fellowships whatever is left of the barren, ruined land. in the least of creatures, but when God
only the ultimate Western, the book is the creation the top of the sun rose out of nothing like the American Academy of Arts and As reclusive as a platypus, McCarthy made man, the Devil was at his elbow.”
CHANDIGARH | 25 JUNE 2023 Focus 3

Celebrating NDA’s 75 glorious years

Bhartesh Singh Thakur a larger course, 300-plus. We had the
dubious record of graduating without the
“The victory in World War II was a triumph POP, as there was a storm. Our Comman-
for the concept of the complete integration of dant, Rear Admiral MP Awati, in his usu-
the three dimensions of war — ground, sea al cool style, remarked, ‘When you have
and air… The great lesson for the future is an Admiral at the helm, water and sea
that success in the art of war depends upon will come to you.’ POP or no POP, that
a complete integration of the Services.” day is etched in our memory.”
General Douglas MacArthur,
Commander of Allied forces in Gruelling training

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF NDA

Southwest Pacific Theatre A typical day for a cadet starts at 4.30 am
and by 10.30 pm, he or she has to go to

I
T was a chilly morning on January 6, sleep. Retired Junior Warrant Officer
1949. At 6.30 am, DS Sabhiki was the Pradip Mallick was the Physical Training
first cadet to report at the makeshift Instructor at NDA from 2003 to 2008. “If a
Joint Services Wing (JSW) academy cadet is not physically fit, he can’t be
in Clement Town, Dehradun. The mentally fit. There is no shortcut for
barracks which housed Italian prisoners
of war during World War II were spruced Events lined up till January next year GALLANTRY AWARDS
FOR NDA ALUMNI
moulding young cadets from various
backgrounds into fighting-fit officers
up for the first batch of JSW. Over four ■ NDA has initiated a year-long series of ■ The celebrations will culminate in a Param Vir Chakra 3 strong in every field. Instructors have to
days, close to 190 cadets reported — 144 events under ‘75 Glorious Year grand finale on January 15 and 16, Ashok Chakra 12 work equally hard and give extra time to
for the Army, 25 for the Navy and 21 for Celebrations (GYC)’ from January 16, 2023. 2024, where alumni are also invited. weak cadets.”
Maha Vir Chakra 32
the Air Force. Among them were SF Some of the events include ‘Open Sailing Activities on both days would include a He recalls how Ground Training
Rodrigues, NC Suri and L Ramdas, who Regatta’, ‘Superdimona Ferry’, drawing, leadership seminar, ceremonial events, Kirti Chakra 45 Instructors from the Air Force had to
later became chiefs of the Army, Air painting and poetry competitions, and the sporting activities involving alumni and Shaurya Chakra 152 undergo a three-month course at the
Force and Navy, respectively. Their inter-school competition ‘WIZQUIZ’. cadets, and cultural evenings. Vir Chakra 163 Army School of Physical Training in
batchmates RM Vohra, Hanut Singh and Pune before imparting training at NDA.
KS Pannu won the Maha Vir Chakra in
MILESTONES “Only the best instructors are posted at
the 1971 war. Sabhiki rose to the rank of October 6, 1949: PM Jawaharlal Nehru Parade takes place at Khadakwasla, colours to NDA in recognition of 30 training centres.”
Air Marshal and returned as Comman- lays the foundation stone of NDA attended by PM Nehru years of service On moulding 18-year-olds, Maj Gen Raj
dant of the National Defence Academy January 16, 1955: NDA is formally May 30, 1959: Sudan block unveiled September 22, 2021: Supreme Court Mehta (retd), who served as an instructor
(NDA), his alma mater, in 1988. inaugurated December 16, 1978: President orders Centre to admit women cadets at NDA from 1981-1984 as a Captain/Major,
Setting up a joint training academy to June 5, 1955: First Passing-Out Neelam Sanjiva Reddy presents from the current session says, “You need to become a child to teach
bring about synergy among the three a child. How would you teach a cadet to
arms of military was a significant lesson Military Academy at West Point. More than 38,000 cadets have been officers fought from the front in 1971 and face life’s challenges? You have to empha-
World War II taught the strategists. On trained into scholar-warriors at the NDA in Kargil. “Our brave soldiers have sise taking challenges as serious fun. In
May 2, 1945, a committee was formed Gift from Sudan so far, along with over 1,000 cadets from demonstrated the academy motto ‘serv- the end, it’s mental strength which makes
under the chairmanship of the Comman- The Sudanese government had gifted friendly foreign countries. ice before self’ during the testing times — you succeed. For that, you need patience
der-in-Chief, Field Marshal Sir Claude J £1,00,000 to Lord Linlithgow, then each time, every time.” and you only learn from mistakes.”
Auchinleck, to examine the viability of Viceroy of India (1936-1944), for a war Unique jointmanship On comparisons with foreign armies, Air Citing an example, he says, “You are fac-
training officers of the Army, Air Force memorial to commemorate the sacrifices Air Marshal KS Gill (retd), who served as Marshal Kler says, “Our ability to lead ing bullets. A task has to be completed with
and Navy together. There was no such of the Indian troops for the liberation of the Commandant of NDA from 2013-14, from the front in any battle scenario minimum loss and maximum gain. Your
institution across the world at the time. Sudan during World War II. The corpus describes it as a unique academy makes us stand out. Officers of the Indian bullet has to hit the enemy, and you have to
The committee worked on the idea for 16 was utilised to build the Sudan block at premised on the solid foundation of aca- armed forces tower head and shoulders dodge his bullet. There may be other ways
months. After Auchinleck left India fol- the NDA. The Sudan block resembles a demic and service training. “The educa- above the rest with their traits of ethos, to make him surrender. Now, it is a mental
lowing Partition, the idea was put on the field gun of the Army. On one side of it is tion branch caters to 70 per cent of the commitment, courage, the ‘izzat’ of the thing and not a physical one. A soldier in
back burner. The report was finally the Vyas Library that appears like an training and offers graduation courses, regiment, and the adulation of the men the end will say that his best friend was the
referred to the Chiefs of Staff Committee anchor, and on the other, Habibullah Hall along with a degree in BTech. The adapt- they command.” failures he experienced.”
in 1947. An interim JSW at the Indian Mil- that is shaped like an aircraft. ability trait and constantly-evolving pat- The inclusion of women cadets does not On reporting to the NDA, a cadet is allotted
itary Academy (IMA), Dehradun, was giv- On January 16, 1955, the NDA was for- terns of academics define NDA’s vision surprise the veterans. “As of today, 38 are one of the 18 squadrons which then becomes
en the go-ahead while a plan for a perma- mally inaugurated. The book ‘National towards jointmanship.” being trained. They were able to make a his/her home for the next three years. Admi-
nent war academy at Khadakwasla in Defence Academy: The Cradle of Military Air Marshal Jasjit Singh Kler (retd), who smooth entry due to the embracing ral Sunil Lanba (retd), former Chief of Naval
Pune was envisioned. Prime Minister Leadership’ mentions that Khadakwasla served as the Commandant of NDA from approach and adaptability trait of NDA,” Staff, is from the 51st course of NDA. “My
Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation was chosen for its “salubrious climatic 2016-2018, agrees that only the physical says Gill. It was inevitable, adds Kler. favourite memory,” he says, “was being part
stone of the NDA on October 6, 1949. conditions, suitability of terrain for mili- regimen has not been diluted since it “Despite the hullabaloo, the girls will only of the Golf Squadron. There were 15 of us
Three eminent educationists and a rep- tary training, proximity to the Arabian directly impacts the mental strength of add to the essence of our armed forces and who joined together. If any of us made a mis-
resentative from each of the three Ser- Sea, the existence of an operational air- the cadets. “In my heyday, we were not give us strength. Of course, their exposure take, all 15 used to be punished. Such was
vices visited military training institu- field at Lohegaon, vicinity of military tech-savvy but now we produce scholar- in combat will be a graded response.” the bonding.”
tions in the UK, USA and Canada. The establishments and the presence of a lake warriors — the tip of the spear.” Lt Gen KJ Singh (retd), former Army Air Marshal Gill has the last word as he
Indian Military Academy was modelled nearby”. Spread over 6,720 acres, NDA is On what makes NDA passouts stand out Commander, Western Command, recalls recalls what actor Amitabh Bachchan had to
along the lines of Sandhurst (UK) but the situated with Sinhgad Fort (Lion’s Fort) in as officers, Air Marshal Gill says the proof the Passing-Out Parade (POP), or the say when he was invited to the NDA: “Why
NDA was largely influenced by the US the backdrop. of the pudding is in the way the young lack of it, of his 50th course (1973). “It was can’t India be like NDA!”

variety

Versatile sattu: Ready-to-eat wonder food CAPTION CONTEST 1413 MUKESH AGGARWAL

S
ATTU — ground parched gram and bar-
ley — has been the staple sustenance
SHERBET
for the abjectly poor in north India for INGREDIENTS
generations. Those embarking on a
journey carried this food with them Sattu 1/2 cup
tied in a gamcha that also served as a towel, Lemon juice 2 tbsp
belt and headgear. It is only in recent times Black rock salt A pinch
that city folk have woken up to the exception- Fresh mint leaves for garnishing
ally nutritious properties of sattu. Dieticians Jaggery to taste
don’t tire of recommending it to those who
have a weight issue or diabetes or are coping METHOD
with non-romantic heart problems.
Slowly dissolve sattu into some water in a
It is indeed a ‘ready-to-eat’ flour of many
bowl. Then add a jug full of chilled water.
delights. It may need a little getting used to but Add lemon juice and black rock salt and stir
once you acquire the taste, well. Crumble jaggery and add to taste. Stir
FOOD it can be addictive. One
can enjoy it almost effort-
again. If you prefer, you may substitute
jaggery with a few drops of honey or
TALK lessly in savoury and
sweet dishes. Sattu can be
molasses. Garnish with mint leaves.

pushpesh pant easily incorporated in sal-

ads or added to drinks. MAKUNI
For a simple but satiat-
ing breakfast, it is INGREDIENTS
Both as a stuffing enough to dissolve a few Sattu 1 cup
heaped spoons of sattu in
for paranthas and water, add a pinch of
Wheat flour
Onion (medium-sized)
1 cup
1
as a drink, this black/rock salt, finely
chopped onions, green
Garlic cloves 6-8
Entries are invited to suggest a caption for the photograph.
The caption should only be in English, witty and not exceeding
Ginger piece 2 inch 10 words, and reach Spectrum, The Tribune, Chandigarh, 160030,
power-packed flour chillies and diced toma-
toes and substitute it for Green chillies 4 by Thursday. The best five captions will be published and awarded
~300, ~250, ~200, ~150 and ~100, respectively.
is finding many the fashionable smooth-
ie. The sweet version —
Kalonji seeds
Ajwain seeds
1/2 tsp
1/2 tsp
Each caption must be accompanied by a clipping of the caption
contest and its number. Photocopies or scans of the caption photo
new takers fortified with chopped
fruits, fresh and dried,
Lemon juice 1 tsp won’t be accepted. Online subscribers may attach an epaper
clipping at [email protected] or a scanned copy of the
Fresh coriander 1/4 cup e-paper clipping. Please mention the pin code and phone number
along with nuts and seeds of choice and a Masala or oil of pickled red chilli 1 tsp in your address.
trickle of honey — is no less attractive. In
Black rock salt A pinch
summers, sattu ka gur wala sherbet not only Selected entries for Caption Contest 1412
quenches the thirst but also rehydrates the
Oil/ghee to shallow fry
body. And when the pre-monsoon showers Salt to taste June 18 issue
ISTOCK (see photo)
arrive heralding rains, one can indulge in
❚ Cover story —
makuni, a parantha packed with spicy sattu. METHOD Surendra Miglani,
Our food-loving publisher friend Atiya Zai- ■ Mix sattu with salt in a bowl and add all middle with a thumb. Place a portion of the Kaithal
di, who hails from Jaunpur, served an excep- the other ingredients. Slowly add water to sattu filling in it and reseal by firmly pressing ❚ Quiet respite —
tionally refreshing sattu ka sherbet a couple of Harpreet Singh via
avoid formation of lumps and keep this at the edges. Reshape into small balls. epaper, Panchkula
years back and Amarendra Singh, then serv- moist stuffing aside. Flatten & roll into small round discs with a ❚ Standing tall,
ing as an IAS officer in Uttarakhand, treated ■ Proceed to prepare the dough with wheat rolling pin. Dust with dry flour as needed. serving all —
us to makuni, which were lovingly shallow- flour for parantha; the dough must be ■ Heat a tawa and line it with oil/ghee and Narinder Sharma,
fried at home in Dehradun. We share with our Panchkula
slightly stiff yet soft and supple; let it rest for place the stuffed makuni on it. Cook on
❚ Grounded — Daljit
readers the two recipes, slightly changed, urg- 15 minutes. medium flame, flipping it once and drizzling Kaur, Chandigarh
ing you to try these at the earliest. ■ Divide into equal portions and shape into it with ghee/oil till the surface is evenly ❚ Summer halt —
By the way, the grateful people of Poorvan- small balls. Flatten a little by pressing crisped and blisters appear on it. Alisha Chandra,
chal annually celebrate satuaan as thanks- between the palms and make a hollow in the ■ Serve with chutney or pickle. Chandigarh
giving to this time-tested friend.
4 Books CHANDIGARH | 25 JUNE 2023

Moves and moods of a ‘reluctant CEC’

K Govindan Kutty aired facetious observations. An abortive mania, spiritualism, relations with col-
attempt on Rajiv Gandhi from the shrubs leagues and so on. A sample on his procliv-

T
HE blurb opens with an arresting in Raj Ghat was, Seshan suspected, a con- ity for dictatorship: “Like all praises, this
observation: “2 August: A red-let- spiracy by his own buddies. “They merely criticism was part of what came on my plate.
ter day for democracy in India.” wanted to scare him, not hurt!” There was Even now I do not need a certificate of mer-
That day in 1993, TN Seshan, again a theory of conspiracy, this time with it, most certainly not from those who had
who made a difference to Indian sources abroad. A commission of inquiry axes to grind or feathers to nest.”
elections as Chief Election Commissioner, went about interrogating everyone CEC Seshan was becoming
put on hold all elections. It was like the life- who was someone. There was still a popular. Many looked up to
giver becoming the hangman, the man to question hanging fire, even after him as a role model. The
conduct elections cancelling them. muddy water flowing down the masses viewed him as a man
That day, my editor asked me to meet Coovum river. of destiny. His diatribes
and make sense of this unusual man and If any official exercise in against self-important politi-
his moods, his moves. And that led to a Seshan’s career mattered much, cos pleased them. Sitting
quick book, ‘Seshan: An Intimate Story’, though not as much as CEC, it was cross-legged on the floor,
an early precursor to his own comprehen- during his tenure as district collec- clad in no more than a vest,
sive account. tor, Madurai. It was the fulcrum of he would enquire, he would
Seshan’s epic order left India’s political the anti-Hindi agitation in the Six- THROUGH THE solicitously ask what people
system vulnerable to one man’s whim. The ties. It was Seshan’s job to contain BROKEN GLASS: AN thought of him.
deadlock was, he argued, “solely the mak- it, using force minimally. Violence AUTOBIOGRAPHY Cloistered corridors of the
ing of the government”. Postponement of erupted in one college where a pro- by TN Seshan. power tower were agog with
“all and every election” was a Seshanesque fessor of Seshan was the principal. Rupa. gossip about what Seshan
response to the government’s ploys to ren- A 1991 photograph of TN Seshan, who made waves as the Chief Election Commissioner. PTI Seshan had pangs of conscience might do. The government
Pages 368.
der the Election Commission into one of its when the agitating students were outdid him, inducting two
~795
departments. Seshan’s mission was to raphy, he recaptures the power play of Though India is acclaimed as the land of disciplined by force. more Election Commission-
recover its autonomy. those times with thoroughness. the “largest electoral exercise in the The sporadic agitation had, ers. Trusting people’s moods,
He was mercurial. There was something One dull evening, Cabinet Secretary Vin- world”, it had long-standing election rules Seshan suspected, some foreign encour- he joined the race for Raisina Hll. Soon he
about him that intimidated people. I took od Pande called to tell him he was being which were flouted widely and unabashed- agement. He had a lot of sensitive infor- realised there was dichotomy in realpolitik
to him a journalist who was somewhat of a made CEC. Seshan said he was “not fit for ly. Seshan’s camera contingents went mation coming his way. So be it. Unautho- between reality and delusion. He lost mas-
Seshan acolyte. Seshan was a picture of the job”. It was a rare show of modesty. around recording wall writings and expen- risedly, I watered down the fury of certain sively, garnering no promised support.
amiability. He was asked what book had Three years later, Subramanian Swamy, sive election conventions. That had a salu- inferences when I was writing his story “Everyone ditched me barring Shiv Sena.”
influenced him most. Pat came the reply, who was a prime mover in making Seshan tary effect for some time. with a chapter on “A CIA Agent”. Tamil That was an embittering end of a stellar
“Bhagavad Gita.” The next question was CEC, shouted from the housetops that he Rajya Sabha, envisaged as the council of sensitivities were hurt. Tamil politicians of mission. Bitterness and equanimity, in an
deadly: “How did he face the Emergency?” had “begged” for the position. states, had to have its members representing all hues jumped into the fray in an orgy of unlikely combination, marked his conclu-
The man who was a study in calm lapsed Seshan sought the views of three persons their respective states, where they were reg- competitive extremism. Chief Minister sion. “As I look back on my life and career,
into paroxysms of anger. Such display of other than astrologers: President ular residents. It was traditionally a sham. Jayalalithaa led the agitation by waking up all that I can think and say is: ‘Life has
outrage was not unusual. Venkataraman, former Prime Minister For instance, a Kannadiga could be thrown a judge at an odd hour to obtain a stay on been great, stormy but great.’”
He was a reluctant CEC. So he would Rajiv Gandhi and Paramacharya of up from Kolkata or a Punjabi from Palakkad. the book release. Seshan’s autobiography He died four years ago, he had made
have us believe. As Cabinet Secretary, he Kanchi. Venkataraman asked if he could One could falsely affirm one’s regular resi- makes no mention of CIA’s peccadilloes. waves three decades earlier. Why he chose
was no darling of VP Singh. When he not find another job. Rajiv said they would dency of a place which one had not visited There was a certain masochist streak in to release his memoir now is a pointless
became PM, Seshan was eased out. His “repent” for making him CEC. Para- more than a few times. When Seshan rolled Seshan. He has a full chapter on his public thought. ‘An Autobiography’ has been
stars were again aglow when Chandra macharya mumbled his approval. And his eyeballs, they changed the statute. and private persona. Questions are raised presented by Nixon Fernando, his research
Shekhar replaced Singh. In this autobiog- Seshan took the job. For a civil servant of his stature, he had and instantly answered about his megalo- assistant. Copyright rests with Nixon.

Ecological wonders, The last queen standing

human blunders Salil Misra rebels were confident of victory. “We minated in the Rebellion of 1857. The
have over five thousand men to their second level offers an important slice

I
N 1857, the British rule in India seven hundred!” claimed one of the of that rebellion as it unfolded in
Manu Moudgil and thrust on private transport. It’s a book was hit by a huge tsumani which rebels. It was a battle between raw Awadh, particularly during May-
that lays bare the ecological wonders and shook its foundations. It started passion, patriotism and fierce deter- October 1857. There were crucial

T
HERE are very few storytellers human blunders of India. from Bengal with Mangal mination on the one side and the episodes of struggle in this rebellion
who can let go of their comforts The stories of people living on the margins Pandey’s rebellion and soon mighty British imperialism on the with Begum Hazrat Mahal as the
and immerse themselves in the are told with empathy. Whether it’s a widow reached Delhi, Lucknow, Jhansi, Kan- other. The outcome of the battle was leader. At the micro level, however,
harsh environments they talk trying to raise money for her son’s exams by pur and many other places. It lasted not clear to the actors involved. Their the novel tells the stories of important
about. Arati Kumar-Rao is one of catching crabs in crocodile-infested waters or for a whole year and subsided by the resources were evenly matched. The individuals with their dilemmas and
them, which is why her work never fails to a man who has been displaced eight times by end of 1858 without meeting its objec- rebels were short on predicaments. It also tells the
inform and astound. Her first piece of jour- barrage-induced floods, or a Kerala family tive. The book under review tells the ammunition and were at story of love, longing, lust and
nalism involved observing a landscape in huddled in a small kitchen because rest of story of the rebellion through one of risk of running out of it. betrayal. A particularly
the Thar desert in different seasons for one their house has turned into rubble, Rao gives its central characters, Begum Hazrat But there was no shortage endearing character is that of
year. In the era of clickbait and desk/studio- a glimpse into their challenges and that of mil- Mahal. It belongs to the genre of his- of food and other ameni- Kamla, who experiences a
based reporting, such an effort seems lions of others who are either forced to leave torical fiction. To her credit, Malathi ties, all of which were romantic life in the midst of
bizarre, even unnerving at first but tremen- their homes or turned into paupers overnight. Ramachandran, the author, has not generously supplied by the turmoil. She and a young
dously inspiring afterwards. It is rare for such accounts to reach the urban fictionalised history and has the people. British officer, James Grant,
What makes this book special is that audience, which is instead fed an overdose of remained as close to the actual histor- It was just the other way fall in love with each other.
it’s not an academic exercise on Indi- positive news on governance and GDP. ical process as possible. All the histor- round for the British. She carries their baby in her
an landscapes. It is more about the Rao also introduces us to a few special peo- ical events and many of the characters They had the weapons but womb with the promise of
BEGUM HAZRAT
lives, both human and wild, that are ple who inspire hope. The local guides, shep- described in the novel are real. Using were greatly at risk of marriage at the end of the
MAHAL: WARRIOR
an intrinsic part of these ecosystems. herds, fishers and farmers, who uphold the history as the backdrop, the author being starved to death rebellion. However, Kamla
QUEEN OF AWADH
Rao combines folklore, science, histo- traditional wisdom and scientific tempera- has created a fictionalised world inside the Residency soon discovers that he has no
by Malathi
ry, personal accounts and policy deci- ment. They are the ones offering sustainable around the life of Hazrat Mahal. The because of scarcity of food. Ramachandran. intentions of fulfilling the
sions to paint images through words solutions and countering the onslaught of rot account is authentic, enchanting and The rebels were opti- promise. Her love turns into
Niyogi Books.
that illuminate our understanding. learning, which is alienating people from tragic, at the same time. mistic; the British low in rage, both against James
From the floodplains of Assam to the their ecosystems. What comes as a pleasant Begum Hazrat Mahal was the queen morale. Finally, the Pages 330. Grant and the British. Kamla
MARGINLANDS: sand dunes of Thar, from the shores of surprise is the spirituality in this book. It is of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. British were rescued by ~595 decides to follow Hazat Mahal
INDIAN Kerala to the artificial glaciers of made possible only because the author chose When he was dethroned by the British the arrival of supplies and joins her army by becom-
LANDSCAPES Ladakh, dense forests of Arunachal to tell the stories through people rather than and exiled to Calcutta, she chose not from Kanpur and that ing a Veerangini (warrior). She
ON THE BRINK Pradesh to the coasts of Goa, sandbar the western concepts of conservation and to go with him and instead stayed turned the tables on the rebels. The fights the British army valiantly and
by Arati Kumar-Rao. islands on Ganga, perilous Sunder- environmentalism. Rao’s slow trek through behind in her beloved Lucknow along battle took a very different turn. We also makes a determined though
Pan Macmillan. bans, rivers of Punjab and the backyard these landscapes is itself a meditative prac- with her 12-year-old son Birjis Qadir. now know that eventually the mighty unsuccessful effort at eliminating the
Pages 240. of an urban settlement in Bengaluru, tice. Whether it’s walking through the ver- The novel tells the story of how she British imperialism with its great sup- once-upon-a-time love of her life. The
~699 all these landscapes with varying soils, dant forests, gazing into the starry skies of fought the British in Awadh with a port system triumphed over the patri- novel offers a glimpse of many such
vegetation and skies become thriving Himalayas, floating on the vast arms of the fierce determination to expel them otism of Hazrat Mahal. Awadh was people — birds caught in a storm —
habitats. Tigers, wolves, vultures, eels, Brahmaputra, plodding through sand dunes from both Awadh and Hindustan. In recaptured by the British. The queen whose lives are changed forever.
egrets, black-necked cranes, limpet and or listening to the night through the window this venture, she was helped by a exiled herself and her son to Nepal It is a novel whose climax happens
many more creatures who make these places of her bedroom, she tunes into the universal strong team of local rulers who were towards the end of 1858. not at the end but somewhere in the
functional walk through the pages. Hunting heartbeat that connects everything. just as patriotic and fiercely anti- The historical novel proceeds at middle, with the prospects of a victory
with dolphins, hosting bees, fostering the The writing is supplemented by photo- British. In the war against the British, three levels. At the macro level, it tells for the rebels. The novel ends tragical-
non-glamorous plants, Rao allures us with graphs and sketches which make the book Hazrat Mahal had the full support of the story of the great pan-Indian ly, not with a bang but with a whimper.
the marvellous and then offers the bitter pill part coffee table book, part travelogue and the merchants, zamindars and the encounter between British imperial- That was exactly how the Rebellion of
of how all these places and lives are under part socio-ecological research. A few portions local people. They organised a suc- ism and the great resistance to it from 1857 ended. It would take a whole cen-
threat because of short-sighted government can seem heavy for some, especially those cessful siege of the Residency in June different parts of the country. It cul- tury for multiple patriotisms to trans-
policies focussed on profiteering through not acquainted with environmental writing. 1857 with around 3,000 British form into a robust Indian nationalism
dams and weirs, waterways, mining, defor- But what’s the point of reading a book if you hostages, both officials and civilians. which would eventually achieve what
estation, commercial fishing, concretisation don’t get to learn something new? The battle was evenly matched. The 1857 could not.

BACKFLAP
Making sense of free trade agreements
F REE trade agreements (FTAs) have
proliferated around the
world and their number
The author points out that India’s past
FTAs have been limited even as
L ONG before he became the enlight-
ened leader Gautam Buddha, he
was a boy oblivious of the world. As
a young prince, Siddhartha navigates
D O offices have secrets waiting to be
discovered? Can these secrets help
us become more effective man-
agers? Yes, says author Harish Bhat.
the government has taken politics and relationships and slowly These secrets are beyond financial num-
today exceeds 350. Former revived interest and recently begins to question his oppressively per- bers and confidential strategy docu-
ambassador VS Seshadri says it signed FTAs with the UAE and fect life. Meanwhile, his family strug- ments hidden away in locked drawers.
is important to recognise that Australia. It is essential that India gles to maintain their deception — from Instead, these are pretty simple ones,
every new FTA, whether India remains alert to various develop- banishing the old and sick to hiding like good filter coffee, generosity and 30
is party to it or not, can poten- ments related to FTAs. their own advancing age — in the hope SIDDHARTHA minutes of me-time. Through real and OFFICE SECRETS
tially affect its trade prospects Divided into seven chapters, that they can mould him into a dutiful by Advait Kottary. fictional stories, the book offers a selec- by Harish Bhat.
to a small or large extent. Some the book focuses on the develop- king. In Advait Kottary’s intricately Hachette. tion of fascinating and useful secrets Penguin Random
impact could be in the form of FREE TRADE AGREE- ment of FTAs and looks at the woven narrative, raw human emotion Pages 316. that can help you be far more successful House.
market access. They could also MENTS: INDIA AND way ahead for the nation. It also and conflict are tempered with the ~499 at your workplace. It covers a range of Pages 237.
be in the form of regulatory THE WORLD flags the key aspects that may boundless compassion of the Buddha. subjects: the best methods of fighting ~399
changes and facilitatory frame- by VS Seshadri. need to be kept in view taking ‘Siddhartha’ is both a riveting story exhaustion, organising your work desk,
works developing elsewhere. Oxford University forward the ongoing or future and a profound meditation on our the power of listening, why kindness is
This book is a comprehensive Press. negotiations. Seshadri outlines a shared quest for truth. In the Foreword, so important, workplace lessons from
work on the evolution of FTAs Pages 394. fivefold plan on monitoring and singer Rekha Bhardwaj says the sim- Hercule Poirot, et al. The author, brand
across the world and how India ~1,495 implementation of FTAs once plicity of Kottary’s language will appeal custodian at Tata Sons, has been with the
should navigate these. they are concluded. — TNS to an impatient generation. Tata Group for 35 years.
123
CHANDIGARH | SUNDAY | 25 JUNE 2023 REFLECTIONS 5

Careful, online shoppers Forgotten promises

and the age of anger
W F
HO wants to buy travel
insurance for a domestic OR several years now, I save all the big, fat books I never find
flight? Yet, many con- the time for during the rest of the year for these long, lan-
sumers purchasing domes- guorous summer days. They are all books that frighten the
tic airline tickets online end reader by their sheer size and deep content. The other day, I
up with travel insurance picked up another one to add to this pile: a new biography of
that they never intended to buy, thanks to deceit- Atal Behari Vajpayee by Abhishek Choudhary that has attract-
CONSUMER RIGHTS ful user interfaces that trick them into paying for ed many admirers. The occasion was a panel discussion between the
PUSHPA GIRIMAJI such policies. Last month, a reader told me about young author and two political personalities who are a joy to hear —
one such purchase of insurance, along with his Shashi Tharoor and Swapan Dasgupta. The moderator, Manisha Pande
airline tickets. He said he never wanted the (wonder if she’s a Pahari like me), is a journalist.
Digital ‘dark patterns’ insurance, but somehow ended up having to pay The hall was packed, despite the heat outside, although many familiar
~249 extra for the policy on each ticket! faces were missing, possibly because they were out of town. This hefty vol-
exploit consumer Well, it was not an inadvertent mistake com- ume is Part I of Choudhary’s biography and traces Atalji’s life from his birth
vulnerability. Interfaces mitted by the consumer, but a deliberate ploy
on the part of the service provider to sell the
in 1924 to 1977. The subsequent volume will track his life and career from
1977 to 2015 or so, when he officially retired from public life. Unlike many
on websites or devices insurance through subterfuge. The user inter- Many carefully crafted user interfaces are aimed at exploiting consumer behaviour and psychology. ISTOCK political biographies, Choudhary has chosen to not write a mere hagiogra-
face on some websites is designed in such a phy but tackles the growth of Vajpayee from an RSS pracharak to holding
are tweaked to deceive, way that when you buy an air ticket, a pre- ly that you will wonder whether you mistook consumers and completely transparent. Such a the office of the Prime Minister, juggling the NDA coalition with skill and
hoodwink or push checked box opting for travel insurance will the earlier price claim! plea for an ethical code and self-regulation an ‘insaniyat’ that won him admirers even among his political rivals and
appear. Since you are not interested in the Similarly, when you are buying clothes comes in the wake of consumer demand that critics. More importantly, it traces the ascent of the right-wing party from its
consumers into insurance and do not expect someone to sell online, you choose a dress based on its quality, not just companies, but even UX designers be Jan Sangh days to its present avatar, backed by first-rate research and inter-
making unintended it to you without your consent, you do not
notice that the website has already tick-
design and price, but as soon as you indicate
your size, the price goes up, implying that only
hauled up for ‘dark patterns’.
The Advertising Standards Council of India,
views with a wide spectrum of characters.
Choudhary was awarded the prestigious New India Foundation fellow-
purchase decisions marked your acceptance of the offer. So, obvi- that particular size is priced higher. Log on to which last year brought out a comprehensive ship that has a special project helmed by eminent academics (such as
ously, you do not negate or reverse it. the website in another name and try another report on ‘dark patterns’, has also strongly Ramachandra Guha and Niraja Gopal Jayal) on researchers working on
inimical to their In other words, the default option is purchase size — you will find the same response. urged companies not to exploit UX designs to contemporary history. It promises to be a delightful read since it is history
interest or even share of insurance, and if you do not see it and change Sometimes, when you are trying to make an build stakeholder value by compromising con- written with a lay reader in mind, distinct from the polemical treatises by
it, you are charged for the insurance. Thus, the informed decision, you are hustled into making sumer value. A good piece of advice! those historians who write for each other in a convoluted and heavily biased
personal data insurer sells a policy, the portal gets its commis- a purchase by an announcement that the prod- Those who do not heed this advice will prose that is seriously off-putting. And often not very honest either. A lot of
unintentionally, sion and the consumer suffers a loss. This is a
clear case of fraud, an unfair trade practice. It
uct is available at that price only for a very short
duration, and only one item is left! The ticking
have to face the law. Already, the Union Min-
istry of Consumer Affairs is looking at ways
the audience was what Shashi Tha-
roor describes humorously as the
affecting their privacy also violates insurance regulations governing of the countdown timer only adds to the panic, and means of curbing such practices and ‘ Tik-Tok generation’, backpacked,
the sale of insurance. forcing you to make a decision that may not be protecting consumers. While rules and regu- baseball-capped and wired to their
Yet, such practices, described as digital ‘dark in your best interest. Well, do not be surprised if lations (under the Consumer Protection Act) mobiles. They are unlikely to either
patterns’, continue to exploit consumer vulner- the same product is still available the next day, defining ‘dark patterns’ and prohibiting buy or read it, yet it was good to see
ability. What consumers do not know is that at the same price! them is the need of the hour, even under the young people on an occasion like
businesses are increasingly spending money Make no mistake — these are not some inad- existing provisions of the Consumer Protec- this. The discussion between Tha-
on ‘User Experience’ (UX) designers to create vertent flaws in technology, but carefully craft- tion Act, the Central Consumer Protection roor and Dasgupta traced the rise and
user interfaces (or your interaction with a web- ed user interfaces aimed at exploiting con- Authority (CCPA) can haul up online entities fall of the ‘original’ right-wing
TOUCHSTONES
site, an application or an electronic device) that sumer behaviour and psychology and they are for ‘dark patterns’. Since the CCPA has Swatantra Party (Minoo Masani et al).
IRA PANDE
are deliberately tweaked to hoodwink, manip- becoming more and more sophisticated and wide-ranging powers to deal with unfair Dasgupta also explained how there
ulate, deceive or push consumers into making pervasive, requiring consumers to be extreme- trade practices, including deceptive advertis- was always a right-leaning cabal even Where are political leaders
unintended purchase decisions inimical to
their interest or even share personal data unin-
ly alert while interacting with a website or an
app or an e-merchant.
ing and promotion, it can also impose deter-
rent fines and penalties.
in the Nehru Congress. The left turn
that the Congress later took probably
like Gandhi, Mandela and
tentionally, affecting their privacy. As consumer protection agencies around the Educating consumers on the ‘dark patterns’ explains how it has now been deplet- Lincoln whose lessons
‘Bait and switch’ is another such example, world express concern over this increasing is equally important. That would not only pre- ed of several members unable to
where a website offers some goods or products trend and come up with measures to counter vent consumers from falling prey to these kind accept this turn. One can argue with
have been twisted out
at rock-bottom prices, but as soon as you opt for them, many UX designers are exhorting their of machinations, but will also give the CCPA this but it struck a chord in people of of recognition?
them, their prices suddenly go up or a different, co-professionals to practice ethical designing good feedback for action. my generation who can recall those
higher price is shown. And it happens so quick- and come up with configurations that are fair to — The writer is a consumer affairs expert fearless speakers and some brilliant
parliamentarians, such as Piloo Mody. That’s one Modi that I think Rahul
Gandhi forgot in his tirade against the rest.
The other big, fat book is one that came out a few years ago: William Dal-

For whom the belly tolls

rymple’s ‘Anarchy’, a brilliant and delightfully readable account of the loot
of India by the East India Company. Again, it is an absorbing story, written
with no bias and so well-researched that it takes your breath away. The read-
er can almost hear Dalrymple’s Scottish voice speak to her as he uncovers

T
the shameful tale of those natives who betrayed their own motherland for a
HIS was one of the many moments middle-English goes? Did it decide to become markets. For example, the fiddlehead fern few pieces of silver. Incidentally, the word ‘loot’, he tells us, entered the Eng-
that have, subsequently, been rued. an unforgiving appendage in a haze of alcohol with a thick stem, called lungru or lingri, lish language from this shameful plunder of a land the English left impov-
It was another one of those times and no exercise? While one still works out, the grows in the mid-hills; this is cooked in erished and shattered. From the Kohinoor to the shiploads of gold, silver and
when the larynx and the brain were modus operandi of the paunch, one knows yoghurt and can also be pickled. It can also be precious stones to paintings, manuscripts and heaven knows what else.
not connected and yet, the mouth that one day it wasn’t there, and the next, it lightly sautéed. Bichhu buti, the stinging net- Robert Clive, Warren Hastings and others like them have much to answer
found a mind of its own and opened had arrived, sneakily whispering, “You are tle; kachnaar, Bauhinia Tomentosa’s flowers; for. It is not surprising that the wealth of 19th century England that many
to speak. The rather plump teacher in school now middle-aged”. With bags full of calories, and bathu, a chenopod, are collected from the now believe came from the Industrial Revolution was the loot that destroyed
informed the rather skinny me, “Looking at the unwelcome guest had come to stay. But hillsides and cooked. But of all things that the flourishing crafts and textiles here. Human rights? What are those?
RAAJA BHASIN you, one would think there is a famine in the now that it was here, there was little choice come from nature and form a part of regular The third one is the oldest in this series, Pankaj Mishra’s ‘Age of Anger:
country.” Without thinking, I had retorted, except to deal with it and even make friends cuisine, perhaps nothing can surpass guchhi, A History of the Present’, and brings this trio lying in my study to a close.
“And looking at you, sir, one would think that with this new addition to the body. the morels that grow in cedar and oak woods This is the hardest to read as I have discovered over the last few summers.
I have never cared for you are the cause of it.” Needless to add, we did I have never cared for the word ‘foodie’. In and sell for substantial amounts in the mar- Mishra’s canvas is huge: from 200 years of European imperialism to the
not see paunch to belly after that. my head, it seems to imply that food is some- kets. And this is apart from the endless array rise of the Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Boko Haram. His argument is that the roots
the word ‘foodie’. In Our older son, who was good at drawing, thing we can do without. One may as well use of herbs that find their way to markets in Del- of anger in our age lie in the forgotten promise of freedom, equality and
my head, it seems once made a picture of me in my uniform of
jeans, sneakers and a tee. Not to be outdone,
words like ‘air-ie’, or ‘water-ie’. It becomes
even worse when one thinks of the thousands
hi, Amritsar and elsewhere.
Just before the outbreak of Covid-19, we
dignity through growth, industrialisation and nation-building. The trau-
matic social and economic changes these led to created a vast population
to imply that food the younger one presented his own version of that sleep on less than full stomachs. The were invited to a meal that had been curated of betrayed and rootless youth, who were in search of wealth, a secure
me. This was a rather large representation of Buddhist saint Milarepa survived for several by a Michelin star chef out of ingredients col- future and a reliable messiah. It is only through an understanding of this
is something we the alphabet ‘p’. The explanation that came years on nettle soup and many of his images lected from the forests. Seeds, sorrel, nettle that we can begin to comprehend the rise of militant movements, lawless-
can do without with it was simple — head to toe, the stick was
me and the bulge was my stomach. Com-
depict him with a large earthen pot of what
sustained him. That’s when even my
stems and much else was used with aplomb
and served with finesse. That our stomachs
ness and a self-destroying anger that has spun out of control.
To build a future that will appease this anger, we will have to go to the past
bined, they made ‘daddy’. thoughts turned to how some ingredients still reeled with these unfamiliar ingredients and create a present that provides dignity and safety to all. And although this
So how did that paunch, the subject of fam- come from the wild. makes for another tale. And that one time of is easy to write about, where are political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nel-
ily portraits and assorted comments, arrive? At different times of the year in the hills, food culled from the wild, at least for me, son Mandela and Abraham Lincoln whose lessons have been forgotten and
Did it sneak in at night while one slept after a many leaves, fungi and flowers collected from decided that one would happily stick with the twisted out of recognition? The Age of Innocence never existed, it seems,
‘hearty and handsome’ repast, as a phrase of the wild are readily available in vegetable familiar. Paunch or no paunch. except as a dream that we have been fed by self-serving politicians.

Why trying to save Kolkata’s trams seems lost cause

O
NE of my pleasantest child- hood the deadline will be missed. Revival means finding more drivers as
hood memories is of taking Sections of tram tracks that have been many of the drivers have grown old, retired
a ride with an elder on blocked due to the work being done to and gone away. Getting more trams on the
Route 32 of Calcutta expand the city’s metro rail footprint will road means recruiting many more drivers,
Tramways. It went from have to be restored. This will need cooper- which is not easily done.
Howrah, across the famous ation from the Rail Vikas Nigam. Metro Those who want trams to remain, and the
bridge, via Dalhousie Square, Esplanade, rail work has rendered non-functional tramways to thrive, cherish trams as an
an incomparable part of the evergreen most of the tram routes in the south and embellishment from a historic past and a
SUBIR ROY Maidan and upmarket Alipore. It then central parts of the city. tourist attraction. Many first-time visitors
passed through Kalighat, went past the This has disconnected two tram depots in have a tram ride on their to-do list as a nov-
Tram enthusiasts have Tollygunge race course and ended up at well-known city areas like Tollygunge and el experience. Plus, these enthusiasts have
the Tollygunge depot amid pleasant sub- Ballygunge from the workshop at Noapara, been joined by environmentalists who want
now been joined by urbia. Other than the scenery that the where trams have to be taken for repair and more trams that run on electricity rather
environmentalists route offered, trams were clean and com-
fortable, and had huge windows through
Tram services have been declining in Kolkata. Those that are still plying are the refurbished ones. overhaul. For the restoration of the tram
routes, two bridges going over railway lines
than vehicles that run on gasoline and belch
smoke. So, the lobby for trams is growing.
who are advocating for which you could see the world. to that group. Its trams are one of the ele- cal class that has ruled the city for the most will have to be tested to make sure that they But the city has an intrinsic problem.
On the other hand, trying to save ments that go into making it a heritage city, part since Independence are two different can carry the intrinsically heavy trams, Most of its roads are narrow (a far cry from
these electricity-run Kolkata’s trams, the only city in the coun- which at one time was considered to be the entities between which there is little cross- which are almost entirely made of metal. South Delhi, not to speak of Chandigarh)
vehicles as an try which can boast of them, today seems
an almost lost cause, suitably romantic but
second city of the British Empire.
The practical reason why trams are on
fertilisation of ideas.
Those among tram lovers who like to
Perhaps, even more intractable is the sit-
uation on one key road in the densely pop-
and tram tracks block other traffic. Plus,
roads with tram tracks get damaged more
alternative to those hopeless nevertheless. The city’s tram their way out is that the city has not been remain optimistic, come what may, are pin- ulated north of the city, which has been easily, and are therefore costlier to main-
services have been declining for a long making the regular two-carriage trams for ning their hopes on an affidavit filed by the made one-way by the traffic police to cope tain. One solution is to have trolley buses,
running on gasoline time, and if the current trend continues, three decades now. Those that still ply are West Bengal Government before the Cal- with the rise in vehicular traffic as a result which run on bus tyres (so they don’t need
then it can be only a matter of time before reconditioned and refurbished ones. The cutta High Court stating that it plans to of halted tram services. A lot of tram pas- tracks) and draw power from overhead
the trams disappear altogether from the underlying real reason is that successive revive seven tram routes. If this were to sengers are now travelling by three-wheel- cables. But there is no one making trolley
streets and this grand relic of the past ends state governments have not cared to devel- happen, the city would have 10 tram routes er auto-rickshaws. The politically well- buses in the country.
up as an odd museum piece. op a blueprint for their revival and put their compared to the three at present. connected young drivers will fight tooth Over time, a dwindling number of ele-
Some of the finest cities in the world like money into making the plan work. But there is a catch. The affidavit says the and nail to resist their vehicles having to gant-looking refurbished and recondi-
Paris, Berlin, Florence, Barcelona, Istan- This is sad as the city otherwise has a route revival will take two more years (by make way for restored tram services. tioned trams will continue to ornament the
bul, Zurich, St Petersburg, Shanghai and keen sense of history. Again the explana- 2025) to complete and going by the amount The biggest hurdle in the way of reviving city until a day comes when they will get
Hong Kong are proud to have elegant tion is that those who care about the city’s of work that will need to be done and the tram services is a problem that lies within too old to be repaired for a new lease of life.
trams plying their streets, and Kolkata heritage and seek to nurture it through aca- degree of cooperation that will be required the powers of the West Bengal Transport — The writer is a Kolkata-based
should have been equally proud to belong demic and voluntary efforts and the politi- between government agencies, in all likeli- Corporation itself which runs the trams. senior economic analyst
 Sometimes we feel we straddle
two cultures; at other times, Salman
that we fall between two stools Rushdie

06 TIRUPATI, SUNDAY 25 06 2023

� � THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS

OPPOSITION’S NO VACCINE FOR SPAMPEDIMIC VIRUS OF NEXUS

MISSION 2024 OR was offered a bank loan on his phone or-
dered the government to take action but
Yoga gurus, sex advisors and fitness
freaks have become e-commerce enti-
ers. Though the companies are aware of
the weaknesses in the regularity system,

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?
the criminal caucus of telemarketers ties. They don’t have to spend huge mon- they don’t want to spend on client secu-
and telecom thieves proved more formi- ey on advertising themselves as motiva- rity. The Telephone Regulatory Author-
dable than the judicial luminary thought. tional speakers or gym rats. All they ity of India (TRAI) has almost shrugged

T
Almost every minister or corporate cap- need are telephone numbers to flood off all responsibility to protect consum-
HIS week more than a dozen political parties came to- tain gets pesky calls offering them fur- with enticing email and texts as sms or ers. Ironically most TRAI chairpersons
gether to forge a front to oust the Modi regime. The ag- niture, hotel, flats, insurance, interior WhattsApp. Since smart phones and are superannuated Secretaries of the
gression in the speechifying which followed was aggres- POWER & POLITICS decoration services, swimming classes their software vulnerabilities provide Telecommunications Department who
sive and reflects the urge for preservation. Nitish Kumar, PRABHU CHAWLA and dancing lessons at home. The irony ample options to lure and loot unsus- are disinterested in resolving the very
who hosted the jamboree in Patna, said “We have come [email protected] of democracy is transparency. Power pecting users, many have lost their life issues they have created themselves
together in national interest; those in power at Centre are Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla loves control and governments love to savings, property and premium posses- through a faulty policy framework. Re-
against national interest.” DMK chief MK Stalin called the snoop on their citizens. A phalanx of sions. Apple and Samsung make billions cently Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union
meeting a “war cry” against a “fascist and autocratic government agencies that store individ- of dollars selling cell phones, without Minister for Communications, cau-

T
regime.” HE paradox of technology is ual data is a karmic metaphor that spans uploading enough preventive software tioned, “People should never pick up
Omar Abdullah underlined that he and “Mehbooba Mufti that what starts as a blessing is life and death: by issuing birth certifi- in their overpriced gadgets. calls made from unknown numbers. I re-
belong to that part of the country where democracy is mur- fated to become a curse. Almost cates, death certificates and everything If handsets are at the receiving end of quest every citizen that they should re-
dered.” Mehbooba asserted: “We can’t let Gandhi’s India be- over a century ago Finnish in- in between, they are squarely responsi- slippery seduction, criminal neglect by spond to calls from only (telephone/mo-
come Godse’s country.” TMC chief Mamata Banerjee declared: ventor Eric Tigerstedt created a ble for the pilferage of private informa- telecom companies, government agen- bile) those numbers they recognise.”
“We will fight together with the aim of ending BJP rule.” Con- “pocket-size folding telephone” tion from their cies, big e-com- According to a published report “Indi-
gress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: “we have decided to for radio communication be- servers. They have merce giants and ans were the ninth most affected among
contest together.” And NCP chief tween ships and trains. Little become a gargan- other digital para- people from 20 countries being targeted
Sharad Pawar proclaimed that “just did he know that the 21st century ver- tuan shopping sites are behind by spam calls.” Vaishnaw said that the
like the JP movement, our united sion of his mobile phone would become mall where cell the data leakages. government had recently launched the
front will get blessings from the Frankenstein’s monster. The ubiquitous phone numbers In fact, Aadhar ‘Sanchar Saathi’ portal to block spam
public.” The rhetoric echoed the smart tool of myriad shapes and sizes as can be sold and was the beginning calls and cyber frauds. He also claimed
spectre painted five decades back varied as Bruce Lee’s moves has infil- bought covertly when data stealing that his ministry had blacklisted over 40
prior to the 1971 polls. trated the privacy of boardrooms and for a price. Digital became as com- lakh dodgy SIMs and 41,000 crooked
“Never before has a Prime Minis- bedrooms, recording confidential con- India was a power- mon as toothpaste. “points of sale” agents. So far, it hasn’t
ter in a democracy entered into versations, emptying bank accounts, ac- ful slogan meant Though the gov- stopped them from popping up like toxic
THE THIRD EYE such open collusion with anti-na- cessing intimate details like photos, to empower India. SOUMYADIP SINHA ernment denied re- mushrooms after a malefic monsoon. Yet
SHANKKAR AIYAR tional and anti-democratic forces. messages, contacts and such personal The country takes cent reports of a it is a big business as number robbers
Author of The Gated Republic, Aadhaar: Never before has a clique in power data, and resorting to bluster and black- pride in leading the world in digital massive breach, it’s unclear whether the are willing to give as much as one dollar
A Biometric History of India’s 12 Digit treated the judiciary and Parlia- mail. However, the cell phone is an es- transactions. In the process, it is also technology itself isn’t vulnerable to in- for every ten digit number.
Revolution, and Accidental India ment with such contempt. Never sential evil of the New World. Mobile plagued by spammers and scammers. filtration: Aadhaar has the maximum Private banking and financial institu-
([email protected]) before has a government had such calls are invisible invaders, not differen- Since India is the world’s biggest con- private details on its servers since users’ tions are even bigger culprits. Going by
a dismal record of unmitigated fail- tiating between the rich and poor. They sumer market, global tele-terrorists are mobiles are compulsorily linked to it. spam calls ostensibly from banks, it’s
ure in the maintenance of law and have become weapons to steal wealth obsessively pursuing its quarry offering During Covid, another data collection gi- clear that less banking and more com-
order…” The assertions are from the 1971 Manifesto of the with stealth. The Spampedimic is the everything from potatoes to potassium. ant Covin was launched with much fan- merce is the norm. Even credible banks
Bharatiya Jana Sangh. current curse of capitalism sans cure. A tech savvy mafia of mobile number fare and lauded for its sheer size and like the HDFC, Axis, Kotak and more
The battle then was against Indira Gandhi and her Congress. With the global Smartphone market hawkers operates all over the world with faultless implementation. Now it has be- seem to have engaged faceless salesmen
The battle cry now is against Narendra Modi and the avatar size touching $ 457.18 billion in 2021, mo- a technology-driven target-oriented come an egregious embarrassment with- to hawk insurance, motor vehicles etc to
of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, namely the BJP. Participating bile models are proliferating faster than modus operandi. They divide the market out ownership after news about a mas- their account holders. HDFC leads the
entities included the Congress, TMC, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena, proverbial rabbits. There are over 14 bil- by products. While one agency harvests sive data leak hit the headlines. More nefarious pack of spam callers. With Big
DMK, Samajwadi Party, National Conference, PDP, JD (U), lion mobile devices in the world, averag- intel on guests checking into luxury ho- disturbing is the unwillingness by tele- Business dictating and directing poli-
RJD, CPI, CPM, CPI ML and others. Missing from what Home ing two mobile connections per person. tels, others go after high value shoppers com companies to install tools to spot cies worldwide, no vaccine will be in-
Minister Amit Shah called a “photo session” were the BSP, the India, with 1.30 billion SIM cards is in and pricey hospitals to collect informa- and stop spam calls passing through vented to prevent the Spampedimic
BRS, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (S) and Akali Dal. the lead while China comes second with tion on aspirations and antibiotics. their gateways. Spammers have easy ac- whose viruses of corporate greed are de-
India’s political geography is defined by history. Every party 1.60 billion. The US has over 350 million Within moments of a high roller check- cess to greedy telecom executives who stroying the mental and financial health
is either an offshoot of the Congress or was created by the urge smart and not so smart phones. Accord- ing out of a hotel, they get calls, SMSs sell them phone numbers in bulk. Spam- of mankind. Unregulated and excessive
of anti-Congressism. It is verily a collection of frenemies. ing to government sources, over a mil- and WhatsApp chats, offering them bet- mers have bagged even VIP numbers use of technology provides them with a
Shiv Sena has fought against Congress and NCP, the TMC has lion spam calls are generated daily in ter deals and a room with a view on their originally allotted to important opinion mantra of minimising costs and maxim-
defeated Congress and the Left front, the Abdullahs have India. A former finance minister and the next visit. As tech giants make access to makers in the late 1990s. Unscrupulous ising profits. For them a wrong
fought the Muftis and the Congress, and AAP is still warring President of India got phone calls offer- technology cheaper, they have fathered tele-saboteurs purvey these digital digits number is now the prevalent phrase of
with the Congress. For sure, the BJP may dub the alliance as ing personal loans. A furious judge who an illegitimate brood of telemarketers. to agents who harass potential custom- the times.
opportunistic, dynastic or the coalition of the corrupt. The fact
is most of the parties have partnered with the BJP and the
Congress – the DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Shiv Sena in Mahar-
ashtra, the JD (U) in Bihar, the NC and PDP in Kashmir and
so on.
The binding glue of alliances is either conviction – for in-
stance after the Emergency in 1977 and in 1989 -- or existential
angst. The images from the Patna summit reflect the old cliché
THE MEDIEVAL DESTINATION CITY
that politics makes strange bed-fellows. The Opposition is fac- ited Kozhikode at least six times. His called Vikramapuram with a Siva temple of this place [Kozhikode] are so wealthy
ing the toughest challenge in decades. The BJP’s success is itinerary mentions most of the ports on at its centre. But this name did not be- that one them can purchase the whole
built around the blend of Hindutva and nationalism, organi- the west coast, like Mangalore, Valapat- come popular. The people called it Kolik- freightage of such vessels as put in here
sational potency and above all, the charisma of Modi. tanam, Pantalayini and Kollam, but ig- kotu.” Many misunderstood the word de- and fit out others like them.” Another
The playbook of Mission 2024 is familiar. The Opposition nores Muziris and Kochi, clearly hinting riving from the Malayalam for rooster, merchant Ibn Battuta met was Nakhuda
alliance is scaffolded by the arithmetic of votes – in 2019 the at the destruction of Muziris. Ibn Bat- Koli [Kozhi]. Krishna Ayyar clarifies: Midkhal from Yemen. It might have been
BJP bagged 37.7 per cent of the votes polled and the hope is tuta was elated to see the big Chinese “The town derives its name from Koyilko- the same person, Nakhuda Mishkal, who
they can garner a bigger share of the rest. Electoral success ships which could carry more than a tu or Koyilkotta, the fortified palace of built the magnificent Mishkal Palli in
however is more than just arithmetic and demands a curious A COUNTRY OF MANY GODS thousand people. He also reports that Zamorin, which was its commanding fea- t h e Ku t t i c h i r a p r i n c i p a l i t y o f
confluence of voter-leader chemistry and believability among DR JAYARAM PODUVAL ports which could accommodate these ture.” Though we know that the palace of Kozhikode.
contesting claims. Head, Department of Art History & Aesthetics, Faculty of Fine ships were Haili [Ezhimala, North Ker- Samutiri was somewhere near Tali Siva Kuttichira is between the erstwhile
Mandates and regime change in India, beyond the basic Arts, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat ala], Kozhikode and Kollam [South Ker- Temple, presently, no building can claim palace complex of the Samutiris and the
math, are powered by public trust and the magic of persua- ([email protected]) ala]. Comparing Battuta’s travelogue such a position. Soon Kozhikode was Kozhikode beach. Built around a water
sion. In 1977, the voters were persuaded in the north of India with present-day geographical locations, preeminent among northern Kerala’s nu- tank [Chira], this locality still has some

A
(but not in the south) of the horrors of Emergency. In 1989, we can assume that the Kozhikode port merous and active ports, enabling the old houses and two mosques dating back
Rajiv Gandhi was ousted by allegations of corruption in de- city’s misfortune always marks of call also included ports of call at Pan- Samutiris to develop lucrative mercantile to the 13th and 14th centuries. The oldest
fence deals. The Rao regime was ousted following riots and the rise of another city. We see talayini, Kappad [where Vasco Da Gama of the Mosques is Muchundi Mosque
scandals. In more recent years the Congress-led UPA won in this often in medieval India. landed], Elatthoor, Kozhikode, Chaliyum which has a granite inscription, the
2009 despite serial blasts and the 26/11 attacks. The greatest example is the de- and Beypore, many of them on the estu- script of which is datable to the 13th cen-
In 2014 the BJP highlighted corruption in the UPA raj and struction of Vijayanagara and aries of the Rivers like Korappuzha, Ka- tury CE. The text is written half in Ma-
presented an aspirational alternative. In 2019 the Modi regime the rise of Vijayapura, both in llayippuzha, and Chaliyar. After the layalam Vattelutthu script and the rest
won more seats in spite of anger about demonetisation and Karnataka. The former’s dev- downfall of Muziris, the spice export Kozhikode’s ascendance is also linked to in Arabic, recording the endowment to
stalling growth as voters invested in the idea of “strong India.” astation and loot and the possession of business might have been looking for an the emergence of a dynasty that the Mosque by Samutiri himself. It also
The Congress forfeited deposits in 148 of 421 Lok Sabha seats the fertile Raichur Doab enabled the alternate port of call on the west coast, remained the patron of the flourishing mentions one Shahab al-din Raihan as
it contested. Adil Shahi Sultans to invest in great and Kozhikode was the answer. the chief patron. Mishkal Palli, on the
Politics cannot be merely an argument industry producing buildings at Vijayapura. This, indeed, Kozhikode’s ascendance is also linked
trade. This ruling house is known as the other bank of Kuttichira Tank, is one of
memes on social media. Parties sense there is a distinct dis- was a man-made destruction. A similar to the emergence of a dynasty that re- Samutiris or Zamorins the unique mosques in India. Built fully
quiet about disharmony, disenchantment among sections of story occurred in Kerala but by an act of mained the patron of the flourishing of wood, it has exquisite decorative mo-
the middle class and distress at the lower levels of the income God. Major floods in the Periyar River in trade. This ruling house is known as the tifs and calligraphy carved out of wood.
pyramid but struggle to weave a narrative. The Congress, bu- 1341 CE destroyed the ancient port city Samutiris or Zamorins. The ancestors of The great settlement of the Moham-
oyed after the wins in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, may of Muziris. Though the same flood gave the Samutiris, principal rulers of north- connections with the Red Sea, Persia, Ma- madan merchants, which Ibn Battuta
be onto something in their thesis of localised polls and guar- birth to the port of Kochi, it also allowed ern Kerala from the 14th century on- laysia and China. mentions in his travelogue, is probably
anteed freebies. However, the context of Lok Sabha polls is another port city on the Malaibar coast wards, were the Eratis of Nediyirippu. The picture Ibn Battuta paints of the same. But the Mishkal mosque might
national and post-2014 very presidential. The question is to prosper. That port was Qaliqut, as the The Keralopatti relates that after the Era- Kozhikode is that of a great metropoli- have been under construction during his
whether the opposition alliance can evolve beyond the oust medieval travellers referred to it, or tis received a gift of land from Cheraman tan city. Noting the ruler as non-Muslim, visit because Battuta is silent about the
Modi slogan to engineer an idea and an identity. Kozhikode as we know it now. Perumal, they moved north to Kozhikode, Ibn Battuta was surprised to see a Bah- mosque. Such a magnificent structure
India’s political discourse is thirsting for competing ideas. The writings of Ibn Battuta, the cele- from where they set about subduing their raini Muslim, Shihab-ud-Din Khasaru- would have meant a lot to an eloquent
The architects of Mission 2024 will need to produce a compel- brated Moroccan traveller, tell us how rivals, the Porlatiris of Polanad in the fer- nias, as the port officer [Shahbandar]. traveller like Ibn Battuta to write about,
ling alternative of what it stands for and how it will deliver or Muziris stopped being a port of call on tile hinterland to the East. KV Krishna He also reports that Muslims controlled along with the description of Kozhikode,
else Mission 2024 could well turn into Mission Impossible. It the west coast. Battuta, as Mohammed Ayyar, in his book, The Zamorins of Cali- all commerce in Kozhikode. “The great- the great metropolis of the East, the me-
will be yesterday once more! bin Tughluk’s ambassador to China, vis- cut, informs, “Samutiri founded a town est part of the Mohammadan merchants dieval destination city.

Kejriwal’s role Modi tells US lawmakers’ (June 24). By saying this, 24 X 7 for days by world media and given unprece-
Kejriwal cannot play a national role in Opposition Modi has given a strong warning to the nations dented support. What is the world coming to?
In the post-COVID era, the world order is taking a new unity with the lame excuse of Congress going sponsoring terrorism. It is most gratifying that he M Balakrishnan, Bengaluru
Rural polls against the Centre’s ordinance. Kejriwal’s role is got a warm welcome wherever he went in the USA.
shape. In this time period, the friendship between Nation’s integrity
Poll-related violence and loss of lives are not ac- minuscule and his party will make a mess of itself The way US Congress members gave him a standing
India and the U.S. will be instrumental in enhancing ceptable in a democracy (Violence continues ahead in Opposition unity parleys. In the next Shimla ovation 15 times during his address shows how im- Apropos of Balkanisation, delimitation, and rum-
the strength of the whole world. The two countries are of WB rural polls - June 24). As the Bengal governor meet, he may shake hands with Kharge and all will pressed they were. Prime Minister Modi has become bling in the states (June 24). The sacrifice of lead-
committed to work together for the global good and pointed out correctly, victory depends on votes, not be hunky dory. The AAP is neither a bump on the a brand for India and his firm faith in climbing to ers during the freedom struggle gave our nation a
for global peace, stability, and prosperity dead bodies. One can imagine the scenario on elec- road nor a storm in the tea cup. It is a minor ripple the third position from the fifth vis-a-vis the world strong integument of unity. The delimitation should
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India tion day. The central forces may not be of any use in the lake, which must be ignored by all. economy shows his commitment. The world is opti- be utilised for making the administration handy,
unless parties come to a compromise, ensuring free Parthasarathy Mandadi, Tirupati mistic about the Indian economy. Kozhikode’s as- and not for perpetuating the ruling party.
and fair polls. cendance is also linked to the emergence of a dy- S Madhavan Thampi, Haripad
Together, India and the United States are working closely on everything from Dr M Haneef, Kottayam Patna meeting nasty that remained the patron of the flourishing
The parties in the Patna meeting will surely defeat trade. This ruling house is known as the Samutiris Employment opportunities
ending poverty and expanding access to healthcare to addressing climate Party chemistry Modi in 2024, provided there is a leader of great or Zamorins. With reference to ‘Job creation: A big challenge for
change to tackling food and energy insecurity stoked by Russia’s unprovoked Apropos of AAP bump on Oppn’s march to 2024 stature among the present Opposition leaders. Jayaprakash Reddy, Michigan the govt (June 23), both the Centre and state govts
war on Ukraine polls (June 24). The decision of the Opposition par- Their aim should be to unseat Modi and not grab are wooing investors to create jobs for the youth,
Joe Biden, President of the United States ties to put up a strong Opposition candidate against power. Only then will people have hope and confi- Obama’s interview which does not always fructify. The govts can fill
the BJP in 300 Lok Sabha seats, with the weak par- dence in an alternate mechanism. President Obama was right in his recent interview. the lakhs of vacant posts in the Railways, police
t i es s u p p o r t i n g t h e co m m o n ca n d i d a te, i s Sundaram Govind, Aluva Both tragedies this week were immensely disturb- departments, etc. The education sector can create
What all of us have to do is to make sure we are using AI in a way that is for the arithmetically correct. But what about their ing: The Titan submersible collapsed and the refu- millions of jobs. Efforts in upskilling for self-em-
benefit of humanity, not to the detriment of humanity chemistry? Modi’s commitment gee boat sank off the Greek coast. Yet, as he la- ployment need to be strengthened.
Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Apple G Nataraja Perumal, Tenkasi Apropos of ‘No ifs and buts in dealing with terror, mented, the first one, not the second, was tracked A M Chakravarty, Hyderabad

THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS

Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
Resident Editor (Andhra Pradesh): T Kalyan Chakravarthy* Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited, at 4th Floor, No. V, MM Complex, Opp. More super Market, AIR Bypass Road, Tirupati - 517 502. and printed by him at Sakshi Press, Survey No.2/4, Kotha Palem Village, Renigunta Mandal, Tirupati Revenue Division,
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 16 OPINION WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE SUNDAY EXPRESS, JUNE 25, 2023

Across Fifth
THEAISLE
Incompetence, injury & insult COLUMN
TAVLEENSINGH
Twitter@tavleen_singh

ARTICLE 355 of the Constitution reads as Manipur — not even appeal for peace. 1993, there were violent clashes be- ILL-ADVISED
Democracy
under: Nor has he considered it necessary to tween Meitei Hindus and Meitei
“It shall be the duty of the Union to visit Manipur.Meanwhile,over120peo- Muslims (Pangals) and over 100 people DIRECTION
protect every State against external ag- ple have been killed. were killed. History repeated itself on As I noted, the trigger was the judg-

in our DNA?
gression and internal disturbance and to If some critics think this to be mad- May 3, 2023. This time, the violent con- ment of Mr Justice Muralidaran, Acting
ensure that the government of every ness, we must examine the reasons be- flict is between Meiteis and Kukis. The Chief Justice of Manipur. Noting that the
PCHIDAMBARAM Stateiscarriedoninaccordancewiththe hind the madness. I can think of the fol- trigger was an ill-advised order of the state government had not submitted a
Website:pchidambaram.in provisions of this Constitution.” lowing reasons: High Court of Manipur. recommendation on inclusion of
Twitter @Pchidambaram_IN TheArticleissignificantinmoreways 1. Manipur is ruled by the BJP and if The Meitei community has de- Meiteis in the ST list for 10 years, the IN THE pomp and pageantry that defined
than one. The Union (central govern- the central government reprimanded manded for long that Meiteis should be Court directed the state government to our Prime Minister’s visit to Washington
ment)hastheduty toprotect everyState, or dismissed the state government it included in the list of Scheduled Tribes send a recommendation to the central last week there was one thing that re-
not to undermine or destroy it. Thus, may be a self-inflicted wound. So much for Manipur. Successive state govern- government in four weeks. There is mained unsaid. This was the dodgy hu-
Article 355 is an affirmation of the fed- for the boast of “my country above my ments, advisedly, did not act upon it be- much that can be said on both sides, man rights record of the Modi govern-
eral nature of the Indian State. The cen- party”. cause there were conflicting interests in but it was certainly not an issue on ment. If Joe Biden brought it up privately,
tral government is also obliged to ensure 2. Mr Narendra Modi may wish to a state thatiscomprisedof, mostly, three which the Court should have issued a as he may have done, it did nothing to
that every State is governed according to dissociate himself from the unpopular communities — Meiteis, Kukis direction. The Court ought to have spoil the magic of marching bands in the
the Constitution. It is a reminder to the Mr Biren Singh, chief minister of and Nagas. The governments were ac- lobbed the ball into the corner of the po- lawns of the White House or the specially
central government that it cannot be a Manipur. So much for the boast of “dou- cused of “dragging their feet”, but there litical institutions such as the legislative designedstatebanquetwithsaffronflow-
bystander when a State is misgoverned ble-engine government”. wasalargerpurposeinnottakingaquick assembly and the Commission for the ers decorating the table and a vegetarian
or not governed at all. These are two dis- 3. Manipur is distant. What happens decision. Before Independence, Scheduled Tribes. menu. At the first and only press confer-
tinct obligations. in Manipur has no reverberations in the the Meiteis were listed as one of the A 30-member delegation of BJP ence that Modi has addressed in the past
The Union is a constitutional con- restof thecountry.Somuchfortheboast tribes of Manipur but the community MLAs was not given an appointment by nine years he was asked a direct question
cept. Ultimately, it is men and women of “Act East”. was not included in the Constitution the prime minister. Ten Opposition par- about human rights by an American re-
who act and speak on behalf of the 4. Let the Meiteis and the Kukis fight. (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. ties led by a former chief minister of porter, and he gave an indirect answer.
Union government. That body of men With the support of the Meitei-con- Presently, most Meiteis are categorized Manipur, Mr Ibobi Singh, waited in vain “Democracy is in our DNA. Democracy is
and women is the Council of Ministers. trolledstategovernmentandtheMeitei- inthegeneralcategory;about17percent for an appointment. The honourable inourspirit.Democracyrunsinourveins.”
The lynchpin of the council of minis- dominated BJP, the Meiteis will ulti- are OBCs. prime minister left the state of The implication being that where there is
ters is the prime minister. mately prevail. So much for the boast of Thepoliticalbalanceamongthethree Manipur to burn. Incompetence, democracy there cannot be any threat to
One engine in Manipur (state “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka major communities is delicate. Of the 60 neglect and partisanship have marked human rights.
government) has run out of Vishwas”. constituencies in the legislative assem- the tenure of the Biren Singh govern- Not true, Prime Minister. In the past
fuel; the other engine (central TWIN OBLIGATIONS If one or more of the above reasons is bly, 40 are dominated by Meiteis, 10 by ment in Manipur. Insult has been nine years we have seen the targeted
government) has decided to In the case of Manipur, both obliga- true,itisevidentthattheManipurpolicy the Kukis and 10 by the Nagas. The Kukis added now. lynching of Muslim cattle farmers by vig-
tions are being violated every day since of the central government is a cynical and the Nagas are among 36 One engine in Manipur (state gov- ilanteswhooweallegiancetotheRSS.And
decouple itself and hide in May 3, 2023. Instead of discharging the mixture of selfishness and callousness. communities categorized as scheduled ernment) has run out of fuel; the other because Modi has not condemned these
the loco shed. Thanks to the dutiesimposedbyArticle 355, theUnion tribes. If Meteis are categorized as ST, it engine (central government) has de- horrific murders, they are now so routine,
double-engine, Manipur is a (that is the council of minsters and the
BLACK DAY REPEATED may make little difference to the elec- cided to decouple itself and hide in the they barely make news. On top of this
boiling cauldron. Cry, my prime minister) is violating the toral map but there are implications for loco shed. Thanks to the double-engine, havecomedemandsforlawsagainst‘love
Constitution. Since May 3, the prime May 3 is a black day in the history of owning land in notified tribal areas and Manipur is a boiling cauldron. Cry, my jihad’ from BJP chief ministers and when
beloved country minister has not uttered a word on Manipur. Thirty years ago, on May 3, government jobs. beloved country. there has been violence or riots, Modi’s
chief ministershavesentbulldozerstode-
molish only the homes of Muslim rioters.
Democracy may be ‘in our DNA’ but it has
donenothingtopreventthebrutaltarget-
history
Atrocities on Dalits HEADLINE Before NDA came into ing of Muslims. Bulldozer justice is a di-
rect threat to democracy because it gives
officials the right to violate the rule of law.

and a dead society being, a flicker of a deal

There is no question that the magnif-
SHYAMLALYADAV icentwelcomegiventoIndia’sprimemin-
isterbytheAmericanpresidentshouldfill
the hearts of Indians (including your
response. columnist) with pride. There is no ques-
Dalits are not your celebrity film stars, tion that one reason for Modi’s enduring
Dalitality athletesorpowerfulbusinesscommunity
who can force the might of the state to
MAY 15 was the 25th anniversary of the
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that
popularity with ordinary voters is that
they believe that hehas done much to en-
turn in their direction. was formed in 1998. On May 26, Prime hanceIndia’s prestige in the forums of the
SURAJYENGDE Various governments have been try- Minister Narendra Modi reminded his world. Having said this, let me add that it
[email protected] ing to tackle the plague of caste atrocities. party that no alliance other than the NDA is my fervent hope that Modi will have
du
They have strengthened the Prevention has remained intact for a quarter century. discovered from this trip that there is
of Atrocities Act which ironically makes it And he was correct. muchthatwecanlearnaboutrealdemoc-
difficult to get the cases registered. Due to While it's right that the NDA in its cur- racy from the Americans.
I DO notlike to write about this. It is one of the stringent law, the police rentformhascompleted25years,thefirst The difference between the first
the 50,000-plus acts committed last year. administration mostly works in favour of avatar of the alliance came about much amendments to our constitutions says a
Caste atrocities committed against Dalits the accused. In response to the atrocity earlier — in August 1983 — but it did not great deal. The first amendment to the
is a topic I avoid writing about. It is too case, a counter case of robbery work and collapsed just a year later. American constitution guarantees the
much to take. To relive the atrocities and and sexual harassment is filed against Those days, much like it is today, the right to free speech and dissent. The first
trytomakesenseof whathappenedisvis- Dalits, making them two-pole victims— ruling party at the Centre was in formida- amendment to India’s constitution was
ceral, with fear and tremors pacing that of the caste atrocity and the victim of ble form and the Opposition was strug- brought to restrict it. So, democracy may
throughout the body. It sends shivers vengeance. gling to find its feet. The Congress had re- Charan Singh (right) with Vajpayee. Their alliance lasted a year. Express Archive ‘run in our veins’ but it differs in vital nu-
while reading the news and transcribing Just earlier this month, Akshay turned to power in 1980 and later, the ances from American democracy. Free
it. An atrocity committed against a per- Bhalerao, 24, decided to organise Indira Gandhi government had sacked speechanddissentwerealwaysrestricted
son,moresoaDalit,feelslikeanorganhas Ambedkar’s Jayanti in Bondhara, near some non-Congress state governments. Lok Dal was further divided into Lok Dal democratic front against the ruling inourdearBharatMatabutneverasruth-
been mutilated in my body. Nanded, my hometown. The landowning The Janata Party, which had come to (Charan Singh) and Lok Dal (Karpuri Congress (I) and meetings between lead- lessly as in the past nine years. Dissidents,
To investigate the case and fathom the Marathadidnot appreciatethis assertion. powerin1977asanamalgamationof par- Thakur).SeveralintheOppositionwereone- ers of the BJP and Lok Dal (C) started journalists,humanrightsactivists,andstu-
pains of my fellow beings withdraws me Asaresult,Akshaywasstabbedwithsuch ties with different ideologies, was splin- man parties or rode on the popularity of a afresh. In mid-August 1983, the NDA was dentleadershavebeenjailedwithouttrial
from the world. Whether I am sitting at force that his intestines popped out. His tering into groups. In April 1980, those singleleader:Congress(Jagjivan)ofJagjivan formed withthese two players. As per the for months under laws made to prevent
my desk in a foreign country or covering mother rushed, trying to save his son, who joined the Janata Party from the Ram,theDemocraticSocialistParty(DSP)of agreement, Charan Singh became the terrorism. It is because of this that India is
miles across India, the emotions travel holding the blood-laden innards in her Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) decided to H N Bahuguna, the Janwadi Party of leader of the NDA in the Lok Sabha and L now seen as an ‘illiberal’ democracy.
faster than light to transmit the message handsandpushingthembackintohisgut. form a new party, which they named the ChandrajitYadavandLokDal(K),whichhad K Advani in the Rajya Sabha. And that is This is a shame because the world’s
of people’s agony. IscelebratingAmbedkarthereasonfor Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). leaders like George Fernandes, Madhu how the NDA was first born. oldest democracy is a natural ally of the
Once it is committed, I create scenar- the atrocity? If this was the case, then the Effortstoformalliancesagainstthecen- Limaye, Devi Lal and Biju Patnaik. Efforts With the formation of the NDA, with world’s largest democracy. Modi must be
ios in my mind. Most of them are fatal. casteist goons would unleash similar as- tral government gathered pace – not very were on to form a single party merging the its two parties, and the UF, with its nine given full credit for having approached
What if someone enters the house and saults on the Prime Minister and Chief different from the situation now, when 15 JanataParty,theDSPandtheJanwadiParty, parties, efforts were on to form an under- this relationship with real sincerity and
does the same to me? Reasons may vary, Ministers.Casteatrocityisnotconfinedto non-BJP leaders met in Patna to come up but Morarji Desai had some reservations standing between both alliances in order without the antipathy that former Indian
but consequences of fear and alarm are self-assertion. Like many other atrocities with a strategy ahead of the 2024 polls. againstthemove.ChandraShekharheaded to fight against the Congress (I). prime ministers so clearly had. Modi may
constant, causing anxiety attacks. We're in villages, it is related to land and the po- After the Indira government had com- theJanataPartyandinAugust1983,intense In October 1983, J&K Chief Minister not have condemned Russia openly for its
constantly looking back as if a ghostly litical economy of the state. pleted nearly half its tenure, these efforts talks were on for a possible alliance among Farooq Abdullah hosted a meeting of war crimes in Ukraine but what has been
shadow is following us in the dark. A few recommendations to prevent were hastened. In the meantime, some “progressive and socialist” national and re- Opposition leaders in Srinagar. After the evident for a while is that he sees the
IhavewritteninCasteMattershowthe atrocities. statessawfreshAssemblypollsandimpor- gionalpartiesoroverthemergerofsomeof meeting, a resolution on Centre-state ties United States as a better friend of India.
insulting behaviour met to the Dalit girl 1. Arming the Dalit community with tant changes happened in Karnataka and them. The United Front (UF) was formed wasadopted.Themeetingwasattendedby This was not true of prime ministers past
students in Gujarat tore me down. I kept weapons in atrocity-prone areas for self- Andhra Pradesh. In Jammu and Kashmir, later, towards the end of 1983, with the Opposition stalwarts Parkash Singh Badal, who made it abundantly obvious that
walking in the cold, shivering rain in protection.Theculpritisarmed.Theyfear- FarooqAbdullahtookoverasChiefMinister JanataPartybeingabigplayerinthealliance. ChandrajitYadav,BijuPatnaik,JagjivanRam they thought of the former Soviet Union
London,cryingitoutforthebrutalitiesthat monger the poor, helpless fiefs. on September 8, 1982, the day his father At the same time, there were efforts and N T Rama Rao. Despite being invited, as not just a friend but a role model. Modi
have been normalised on my children. 2. Having a special court and a parallel Sheikh Abdullah passed away. While his for the merger of two big players of the Charan Singh and Vajpayee did not attend has shown an affection for the United
More than a decade ago, Dalit schol- system to deal exclusively with cases of government continued in 1983 Assembly Opposition — the Lok Dal (C) and the BJP. the meeting. Later, they claimed that they Statesdespitehavingbeenunfairlydenied
ars in the US intended to start a web por- atrocities. polls, in Karnataka, a new government un- Talks were on between BJP chief Atal received the invite quite late. a visa for more than a decade. Rajiv
tal to exclusively report atrocities. They 3. The highest offices of the govern- der the Janata Party was formed with Bihari Vajpayee and Charan Singh. Still But the NDA, formed with an eye on Gandhi was not denied a visa after the
enlisted me. However, I could not. ment and its leaders should regularly ad- Ramakrishna Hegde as CM on January 10, scarred from its experience in the Janata the elections, did not survive long. In pogrom he justified, and Indira Gandhi
Dealing with cases of Dalit atrocities is vertise in newspapers and TV against 1983. In Andhra Pradesh, Telugu film star- Party, the BJP kept declining Charan August 1984, merely a year after it was wasnotdeniedavisaaftertheEmergency.
like working in a mortuary. You witness caste-based atrocities. turned-politicianNTRamaRaooftheTelugu Singh’s proposal. In a meeting of its na- formed, both parties started making con- If Modiwantstobuildonthesuccessof
newbodieseveryday,andyourjobistoas- 4. Start an app that would live-report Desam Party (TDP) took oath as Chief tional executive in Bhubaneswar on flicting statements. Vajpayee and Charan his first state visit to the United States, he
sess the cause of their death. One cannot, cases of atrocities to the local police and Minister on January 9, 1983. In the coming February 12-14, 1982, the BJP said it was Singh would often say that they were un- will need to do a lot more than say nice
in the right mind, accept this job without administration. years,thesethreeChiefMinisterswouldplay againstamergerwithanyotherparty,but sure about the future of the NDA. While things about democracy. He will need to
killingsomenervesof emotionseveryday, 5. Whenever such incidents of atroci- keyrolesinOppositionunityefforts. clarified that it would follow the policy of the BJP decided to go it alone, Charan takesomevisiblestepstoallowmoredissi-
dryingouttheliquidof tearsandaffection. ties happen, declare the constituency as Thechurnof thoseyearssawtheemer- “meaningful cooperation”. Singh formed a new party, the Dalit denceandfreespeechbecausethesethings
After the atrocities, people like me are inept and dry it with state funds. gence of leaders and the decline of others. While Charan Singh kept demanding Mazdoor Kisan Party (DMKP). are the lifeblood of real democracies. It is
invited to comment on it. It has become a 6. Creating newer trained units of the ChaudharyCharanSingh,whohadsplitthe a merger, Vajpayee clarified in Shimla in The assassination of Indira Gandhi in hard to understand why a man whose ap-
ritual; a dead Dalit is a space of congrega- SamataSainikDaltotacklesuchuntoward Janata Party to form the Janata Party April 1983 that he and his party were October 1984 changed the political scene. proval ratings are higher than any other
tion for the media who want to sympa- incidents and administer values of the (Secular) to take oath as Prime Minister in against any sort of merger. However, the Riding on a wave of sympathy, the worldleadershouldbeafraidofdissidence.
thetically understand the nature of Dalit Constitution in the society. 1979, later renamed his party Lok Dal. The BJP kept raising the need for a national Congress swept to power. Speaking for myself, I admit that the
coverage of Modi’s American trip by our
‘independent’ news channels made me
cringe. Famous anchors behaved like
cheerleaders and ended up singing

The tipping point

paeans to Modi and our ‘great culture’ in-
On the stead of reporting the news dispassion-
ately. It made me feel nostalgic about
LOOSE dreary old Doordarshan times. At least
then we knew that the purpose of our
LEHERKALA would have been a harsh lesson in humil- Amazon courier and Zomato delivery ther. Except, that if one can afford to blow one needstohave thehideof a rhinoceros state-owned TV channels was to support
[email protected] ity for these customers. It’ll be hard living agents, they’ll attest, tipping is non-exis- up 12 grand on an evening, surely, one to withstand the looks of withering con- the leader in power and nobody else.
down the embarrassment of getting into tent in this country. wouldn’t grudge the guys working night tempt waiters throw back, for a poor tip. Whenever I have said this before I have
fisticuffs, and jail, over a few hundred ru- Aristotle famously said what is “just shifts on weekends a tip, for being at our “NoblesseOblige”ismorelikeathreat- beenremindedthatthosejournalistswho
A FAMILY dining out in Noida came to pees. The word “tip” comes from the by nature” is not always the same as what beck and call? ening command there, it’s not seen as a have dared to do real journalism have
blows with the restaurant staff for having phrase “To Insure Promptness” and the is“justbylaw”.Ourdailylivesarebasedon I had a boss who used to throw wrap- guest magnanimously bestowing a favor faced dire consequences.
the temerity to automatically add a serv- practice traces its origins to Tudor some instinctive and universal moral pers and cigarette butts out of a moving on a minion. However, one must philo- Sadly, when democracies become
ice charge onto their bill. A mere Rs 970 England, when guests drinking at taverns principles: for example, kindness is good, car,sayingthereshouldbeworkforevery- sophically accept that when in Rome do places in which dissidence and free
addition on a total bill of Rs 12,000 ended left alittle something for the people tend- killingiswrong.There’snomonetaryben- one, including sweepers and the munici- as the Romans and give in to the “recom- speech are seen as crimes, when religious
up causing a roaring fracas. In the shock- ingtothem.Evenif notstrictlylawful,gra- efittosaying“please”and“thankyou”but palities entrusted with upkeep of the mended tip”, often, more than 20% of the minorities are wrongly targeted and
ing video floating around, both sides can tuity built-in to the bill is absolutely nec- we say it anyway, subliminally aware that streets. In India there’s no social censure total amount. when political opponents are crushed by
be heard hurling abuses while punching essary because of a widespread politeness makes interactions between for participating in petty and small injus- What would happen if everybody the repressiveorgans of the state, they are
and slapping each other. Eventually, five problem—thatIndianscanbeshamelessly strangers easier. From an ethical perspec- tices.Cunninglyworkingthesystemtoca- broke the unspoken social contracts that called autocracies and not democracies.
people were arrested of whom two were thrifty. Wherever they can unscrupu- tive, one can righteously claim that tip- sually exploit someone lacking power is bind and connect us? Human life would There is much more to democracy than
customers. It’s accepted practice for lously get away with saving a buck they’ll ping is entirely the prerogative of the cus- completely normalised. Scamming wait- besolitary,andlonely,witheveryonemis- holdingregularelectionsandthisappears
restaurants to levy gratuity for their go to any lengths to do so. It’s become a tomer based on how happy they are with staff is par for the course here but the trustfully sizing each other up. It’s only by to be something that has been forgotten
workers (ten per cent is the norm for tip- cliche to point out that people driving in the service and the overall experience. same people wouldn’t dare try it abroad. surrendering a little to our fellow citizens by the people who Modi has chosen to
ping in India) though by law, service the fanciest of cars will haggle with a Regarding the food industry specifically, Etiquette demands that the perpetually in the interest of the greater good, that gather around him. If this visit has given
charge is not mandatory and is a volun- bedraggled, roadside fruit seller but it’s a the waiter gets a salary for doing his job hassled, lone waiter in European cafete- civilisation can truly flourish. himsomeidea of what a truly democratic
tary contribution. cliche precisely because it’s true. Speak to and the chef for cooking. It’s not incum- rias be acknowledged;15% servicecharge country looks like it will benefit not just
Irrespective of who was at fault, this any service provider, Uber drivers, bent upon us to sweeten their deal fur- islockedintothebillinFrance.InAmerica, The writer is director, Hutkay Films him personally but all of us.

Pune
 THE HINDU
Sunday, June 25, 2023 13
SCIENCE
Delhi

The role of the Y chromosome in cancer outcomes studied SNAPSHOTS

쑽

The Hindu Bureau other study demonstrated Ronald  DePinho  from quency  of  metastasis  and dars­Sinai Medical Center, that tumours lacking the Y
how the loss of the Y chro­ the University of Texas MD worse  survival  in  male Los Angeles and colleagues chromosome  were  more
Two  studies  have  shed mosome in bladder cancer Anderson  Cancer  Center mice,  mirroring  the  out­ investigated  how  the  loss aggressive and had a dam­
light  on  the  role  of  the  Y generates a more immuno­ and  colleagues  assessed comes seen in humans.  of  the  Y  chromosome pened T cell­mediated im­
chromosome  in  cancer suppressive  tumour  mi­ sex differences in colorec­ Analyses reveal upregu­ might  affect  cancer mune response compared
outcomes, in which males croenvironment  and  con­ tal cancer in a mouse mo­ lation of a gene for an en­ outcomes. with  tumours  which  had
are  often  more  adversely tributes  to  worse del of the disease.  zyme which drives tumour Loss  of  the  Y  chromo­ the Y chromosomes intact. 
affected than females. The outcomes. Sex is known to Colorectal cancer is the invasion  and  immune  es­ some is a feature observed They  note  that  loss  of
results of the studies were affect  cancer  incidence, second  most  common cape.  in multiple cancer types. the Y chromosome is asso­
published in Nature.  clinical  outcomes  and  tu­ cause  of  cancer­related This  gene  is  expressed They first looked at clin­ ciated  with  an  increased
One paper identified an mour  biology,  with  most deaths,  which  is  more  ag­ on the Y chromosome, the­ ical data from 300 male pa­ response to a specific type
upregulated gene on the Y cancers causing worse out­ gressive  and  metastatic  in reby providing a potential tients with bladder cancer of  immunotherapy  called
chromosome  that  contri­ comes in males than in fe­ males. The model is a spec­ basis for sex­specific diffe­ to  identify  an  association anti­PD1 checkpoint block­
butes to colorectal cancer
in mice by driving tumour
males.  Some  studies  have
suggested that the function
ific form of the disease, dri­
ven by a known oncogene
rences  in  the  progression
of  KRAS­driven  colorectal
between  Y  chromosome
loss and poor prognosis.
ade  therapy  in  both  mice
and humans, suggesting a
Tundra diversity decline seen
invasion  and  aiding  im­ of the Y chromosome may called KRAS. The research­ cancer. In an other study, They  studied  bladder potential treatment for this with sea ice disappearance
mune escape in males. The have a role. ers observed a higher fre­ Dan Theodorescu from Ce­ cancer cell lines and found subset of bladder cancers.
Tundra diversity, including plants, lichens and
fungi, declined over a 15­year experiment in the
Arctic due to warming temperatures mediated by

Mosquito surveillance in
the disappearance of sea ice. However, the
presence of large herbivores such as caribou and
musk oxen slowed this decline, by affecting the
plant understory with their different browsing
behaviours, a study found. The findings offer

non-residential areas needed support for the idea that encouraging herbivore

diversity in the tundra could temper some of the
impacts of climate warming.

In contrast to World Health Organization’s door-to-door larval surveillance protocol, a study found that urban
environments with non-residential locations too harbour ideal breeding sites

R. Prasad Ae. aegypti and Ae. albop­
ictus larvae. But the preva­
longitudinal stu­ lence  in  stagnant  water

A dy  conducted
between  Febru­
ary  2021  and
June 2022 in Bengaluru ci­
ty has found how urbanisa­
was less as these are open
water  bodies  and  more
polluted,” Dr. Ishtiaq says.
While plastic containers
such as cups and coconut
tion affects mosquito ecol­ shells were abundant, dis­
ogy  and  how  mosquito carded tyres were not. For
species diversity and abun­
dance changes across ma­
Ae.  aegypti,  tyres  and  co­
conut  shells  did  serve  as
Hard and soft materials form
cro and microhabitats. The ideal  habitats  but  were  li­ a fatigue-resistant fan
study found that the quali­ mited  in  numbers.  In  the
ty  of  breeding  sites  deter­ case of Ae. Albopictus, al­ A mussel shell opens and shuts without damage
mines the abundance and beit at low frequency, plant for hundreds of thousands of cycles during
distribution  of  mosquito axils and tree holes served bivalve’s lifetime. A study found that the hinge of
species,  specifically  the as breeding sites while co­ the valve gets its unique properties through a
ones that cause dengue. conut shells did not. structure that resembles a folding fan, with
Water  containers,  dis­ The  heterogeneity  in biomineralised aragonite nanowires making up
carded  grinding  stones, macrohabitat  types  was the ribs of the fan, and a softer organic matrix as
tyres  and  plastic  contain­ masked  by  the  man­made the folds. The nanowires provide rigidity and
ers served as perfect man­ microhabitats, which were distribute stresses toward the circumference of
made  larval  habitats,  the ubiquitous  in  all  the  six the hinge. The soft matrix absorbs compressive
way  mosquitoes  interact landscapes  studied,  and and shear stresses as the valve opens and closes.
with larval habitats in diffe­ these microhabitats played
rent  macrohabitats  did key ecological roles. Habi­
play  an  important  role  in surveyed  during  all  four nearly  1,300  mosquitoes be  affecting  the  localised tat  preference  by  the  two
determining  mosquito  di­ seasons  —  dry  ( January­ emerged  comprising  16 dengue  outbreaks,”  says Aedes species appeared to
versity  and  abundance. March),  pre­monsoon species  from  five  genera. Dr. Farah Ishtiaq from the be driven at the microhab­
Whereas  plantations,  ow­ (April­June), monsoon ( Ju­ Aedes  aegypti  was  the Bengaluru­based  Tata  In­ itat level. 
ing  to  diverse  habitat ly­September),  post­mon­ most  dominant  species stitute for Genetics and So­ Mosquitoes  that
types, proved to have high soon (October­December). (55%),  followed  by  Aedes ciety, and the correspond­ emerged from the discard­
mosquito species diversity In  addition,  98  random albopictus (28%).  ing author of the preprint. ed grinding stones had sig­
and  richness  compared grids  representing  a  ma­ While  the  WHO  proto­ “We  found  man­made nificantly  larger  wing
with high­density populat­ crohabitat  type  were  sur­ cols are restricted to door­ artificial  containers  ac­ length than discarded con­
ed  areas  in  the  city,  even veyed during two seasons to­door larval surveillance counted  for  over  90%  of tainers or coconut shells. 
barren lands did have mi­ (April­June  and  July­Sep­ and  looking  for  mosquito larval habitats. Water stor­ When  both  Aedes  spe­
crohabitats  conducive  for tember).  larvae  in  containers,  the age containers came out as cies co­existed in a micro­
breeding.  This  allowed  sampling study  has  demonstrated the  most  common  breed­ habitat,  Ae.  albopictus  al­
The results of the study, mosquitoes  in  varied  eco­ that  urban  environments ing habitat for Ae. aegypti, ways  ended  up  with
posted in the medRxiv pre­
print  server,  are  yet  to  be
logical  niches  in  the  city
while surveying fixed grids
with  non­residential  loca­
tions  too  harbour  ideal
but  since  the  containers
are  actively  in  use,  they
reduced wing. 
“Our findings show that
The role of hybridisation
peer­reviewed. on a seasonal basis. In each breeding sites.  serve  only  as  ephemeral sampling  strategies  for in mammalian evolution
Six macrohabitats were macrohabitat the research­ Any  programme  aimed habitats due to high distur­ mosquito  surveillance
studied.  These  include: ers  visually  inspected  for at  reducing  dengue  trans­ bance,” she says.  must  include  urban  envi­ A study has now focused on hybridisation in
barren  lands,  lakes  and the  presence  of  mosquito mission should also factor The  surprise  finding ronments  with  non­resi­ mammalian evolution. The researchers studied
their surroundings, planta­ larvae. in neighbourhood surveil­ was not just the preference dential locations. And den­ the genome sequences from a group of monkey
tions, and high dense, me­ A total of 8,717 container lance  to  prevent  and  con­ for  discarded  grinding gue  transmission species in the Rhinopithecus genus and
dium  dense,  and  low breeding  sites  were  in­ trol  the  rising  threat  of stones as breeding sites but reduction  programmes foundevidence that the grey snub­nosed monkey
dense urban areas. A total spected by the researchers Aedes species. “We found these  microhabitats  con­ should  focus  on  ‘neigh­ is derived from hybridisation between the golden
of  48  index  grids  (fixed) and 1,619 mosquito larvae landscape  ecology  drives taining  the  highest  preva­ bourhood  surveillance’  as snub­nosed monkey and the ancestor of two
were  selected  with  eight were  collected  from  six mosquito  diversity  and lence of Aedes larvae. “Dis­ well to prevent and control extant Rhinopithecus species. One group of
replicates  of  each  macro­ macrohabitats  and  nine abundance even at a small carded  grinding  stones the rising threat of Aedes­ species that has been identified as having a
habitat  type,  which  were microhabitats.  Of  these spatial scale, and this could showed high prevalence of borne diseases,” she says. history of hybridisation is the baboons.

How prokaryotes led to eukaryotes

found living in extreme envi­ to  the  nucleus,  perhaps  a
ronments  of  very  high  tem­
peratures or very high salt. 
more efficient arrangement.
The group of Rajan Sanka­
Question Corner
ranarayanan at the CCMB has
SPEAKING OF
SCIENCE
D. Balasubramanian
The endosymbionts
One  group  of  archaea  were
shown  to  have  proteins  that
performed  extensive  studies
on the reconfiguring of cellu­
lar  processes  in  these  endo­
Standing erect
closely resembled eukaryotic symbiotic relationships. They Was any other early muscles in each leg, most
Organisms on planet earth are proteins. These organisms are compared  animals  and  fungi human ancestor able to of which were much larger
broadly  divided  into  proka­ found  in  a  geological  forma­ with  plants,  where  it  is  even stand erect like modern in Lucy and occupied
ryotes  and  eukaryotes.  The tion where geothermally heat­ more  complicated  as  three humans? greater space in the legs
former are unicellular, do not ed  water  is  forced  out  of  a gene sets were involved in the compared to modern
have  any  organelles  such  as ridge  in  the  Atlantic  Ocean course of their evolution.  Researchers have for the humans.
mitochondria, and their DNA floor  at  a  depth  of  2400  me­ The origin: Mitochondria in eukaryotic cells and chloroplasts in plant cells Proteins  are  made  up  of first time digitally Australopithecus afarensis
is  not  packaged  into  a  nu­ ters below sea level.  have evolved from free­living bacteria. GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO amino acids. Nature uses only reconstructed the missing was an early human
cleus.  Many  other  related  mem­ left­handed  amino  acids;  the soft tissue of an early species that lived in East
Eukaryotes have mitochon­ bers  were  later  found  in  un­ dants  of  this  endosymbiotic tionship  between  two  inde­ right­handed ones can be poi­ human ancestor Africa over three million
dria, their DNA is packaged in­ usual  ecosystems,  and  came union  gave  rise  to  animals, pendent  life  forms  poses sonous.  The  mechanism  for (hominin), revealing a years ago. 
to  a  nucleus,  and  most  of to  be  collectively  called  the fungi and plants.  many challenges. discriminating  ‘good’  from capability to stand as erect Shorter than modern
them are complex, multicellu­ Asgard, which is the home of In plants, the Asgard­mito­ ‘bad’  is  different  for  Asgards as we Homo sapiens do humans, with an ape­like
lar beings.  the Gods in Norse mythology. chondrial union was followed Plants do it differently and  bacteria.  The  paper today (Royal Society Open face and smaller brain, but
About 50 years ago, a sub­ The  mitochondria,  which by  the  intake  of  a  photosyn­ There  was  no  need  to  retain shows that animals and fungi Science).  able to walk on two legs, it
set  of  unicellular  organisms, are the energy­generating or­ thesizing  cyanobacterium, two full sets of genes, so choic­ work  their  way  around  this Cambridge University adapted to both tree and
the  Archaea,  were  shown  to ganelles  of  eukaryotic  cells, which  became  the  chloro­ es were made: for Information discrepancy by forcing the mi­ researcher 3D­modelled savannah dwelling —
have a different line of descent and  the  photosynthesizing plast.  Technology  (cell  replication, tochondria  to  change.  Plants the leg and pelvis muscles helping the species survive
as compared to bacteria. The chloroplasts  found  in  plant A few years ago, we Indians etc.), archaean genes were re­ segregate the two policing ma­ of the hominin for almost a million years.
two differ in the composition cells, have evolved from free­ had  seen  complicated  merg­ tained;  for  operations  and chineries  in  the  cytoplasm Australopithecus afarensis
of their cell walls, and in the living bacteria. ers  of  public­sector  banks, housekeeping  (assembling and in mitochondria. using scans of ‘Lucy’: the
sequence  of  some  of  their The ancestor of mitochon­ broughtin  order  to  optimize proteins),  bacterial  genes (The article was written in col­ famous fossil specimen
genes. The term Archaea, was dria was a proteobacteria that their operations.  were preferred.  laboration  with  Sushil  Chan­ discovered in Ethiopia in
Readers may send their questions /
used  because  the  first  mem­ was engulfed by an Asgard ar­ In a similar vein, establish­ Over  time,  most  genes  of dani, who works in molecular the mid­1970s.  answers to
bers  of  this  domain  were chaean  organism.  Descen­ ing a workable symbiotic rela­ the organelle were transferred modelling) The research recreated 36 [email protected]
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
14 Sunday, June 25, 2023

FAQ
Delhi

What does U.S. Why is U.S.­India fighter jet deal important?
approval for lab With General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signing a memorandum of from the Defence Research and Development

meat mean? understanding to co­produce F414 engines in India, how will it boost IAF strength? Will the U.S.
government and Congressional approvals come through for the deal?
Organisation (DRDO) had stated earlier. The CCS
sanction for the AMCA is expected soon. 
The LCA­Mk2 will feature enhanced range and
endurance including an Onboard Oxygen
Is it viable to sell cell­cultivated chicken? Generation System which is being integrated for
Dinakar Peri Except  for  a licensing systems for sharing sensitive and niche the first time; it will also have the ability to carry
Why are stakeholders hailing it as a
small technologies. The final deal can be concluded heavy weapons of the class of Scalp, Crystal
major step to reduce carbon emissions? The story so far:  component, only after the U.S. Congress approves it, though Maze and Spice­2000. The Mk2 is 1,350mm
oinciding with Prime Minister Modi’s with the bipartisan support for India at the longer than Mk1 featuring canards and can carry

C
the
first state visit, India and the U.S. have Congress, officials on both sides have expressed a payload of 6,500kgs compared to 3,500kgs by
Vasudevan Mukunth announced a slew of deals in defence
F414­INS6 confidence that it will go through.  Mk1. 
cooperation, space technology, AI and engine  will The F414 also powers the F/A­18 Super Hornet
The story so far:  other areas. The U.S.­India joint statement be  entirely Why is it significant?  and Swedish Gripen among others. According to
n June 21, two California­based mentions the “landmark” signing of a made  in If the deal goes through, it will mean transfer of a GE data sheet, the F414 shares its basic design

O companies were cleared to make and
sell cell­cultivated chicken, the ‘official’
name of chicken meat that is grown in a
Memorandum of Understanding between
General Electric (GE) and Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture
India  almost the entire engine technology compared
to the ‘Engine Development Agreement’ worked
out in 2012 between GE and HAL for the F414
with the F404 engine; it stands on a foundation
of over 5,600 F404/F414 engines built, and a
combined 18 million engine flight hours. More
laboratory for human consumption. As a of GE F414 jet engines in India, for the Light engine with 58% technology transfer, officials than 1,600 F414 engines have been delivered,
concept, it is being hailed by stakeholders as a Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2. A fact sheet issued said. This heralds a major high technology accumulating over five million engine flight
major step towards reducing carbon emissions by the U.S. said a manufacturing licence cooperation between the oldest and largest hours, it stated. This deal makes GE the front
associated with the food industry worldwide.  agreement has been submitted for democracies, which the U.S. has shared with runner for another Indian proposal to jointly
Congressional notification.  only its closest allies. produce a 110kN jet engine for the AMCA­Mk2
What did the FDA approve?  While the most critical technologies of the for which Safran of France and Rolls Royce of
The two companies, Good Meat and Upside What is the status of the deal?  engine will be off limits, Indian industry, both the U.K. are competing and have submitted
Foods, have received the U.S. government’s A senior Defence Ministry official said it is an public and private, will get a chance to upgrade detailed technology transfer proposals. In this
approval to make and sell their cell­cultivated “almost done” deal with some commercial their capacities and skills as significant sourcing regard, GE said it will continue to collaborate
chicken. In cases like these, a company in terms pending finalisation, in addition to the as well as manufacturing will be done in the with the Indian government on the AMCA Mk2
question is required to assess the safety of its U.S. Congressional approval, while stating that country, with the technologies that GE has engine programme. 
own facilities and the veracity of its production there would be an 80% transfer of production agreed to transfer.
process. Sometimes, in order to boost consumer technology which will see some critical What is the timeline for production and
and investor confidence, it may consult with the technologies transferred to India.  What is the status of indigenous tech delivery? 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At the end “It will take three years for the first engine to development?  According to GE, a total of 75 F404 engines have
of this process, if the FDA is satisfied by the roll out once the contract is signed. It will see Jet engine technology is the proprietary right of been delivered and another 99 are on order for
company's submissions, it will send a “no 80% technology transfer to HAL. Such a thing very few countries and is a closely guarded the LCA Mk1A, while eight F414 engines have
questions” letter, signalling its tacit approval. has never occurred before in the history of secret due to its extreme criticality in modern been delivered as part of an ongoing
The FDA provided such letters to Upside in India’s quest for high technology,” the official warfare. India made unsuccessful attempts in development programme for LCA Mk2. 
November 2022 and to Good Meat in March said. Except for a small component, the the past to develop an engine locally under the The F414 engine has been long chosen to
2023. In June, the U.S. Department of F414­INS6 engine will be entirely manufactured now shelved ‘Kaveri’ project. The Kaveri project power the LCA Mk­2, which has been designed
Agriculture provided a ‘grant of inspection’, in India which also shows the trust India has was sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on around the engine, making it a larger, heavier
which is required to operate production evoked in the U.S., the official stated.  Security (CCS) in 1989, and over the course of 30 and more capable jet, equal to the Mirage­2000
facilities, to the companies.  The U.S. has stringent export controls and years before it was shut down it entailed an in terms of capability, as stated by officials
expenditure of ₹2035.56 crore which led to the earlier. The IAF has ordered 40 LCA Mk1, most
What is cell­cultivated chicken?  development of nine full prototype engines and of which have been inducted, and 83 LCA­Mk1A,
To make cell­cultivated meat, the two four core engines.  on order under a ₹47,000 crore deal with HAL.
companies isolate the cells that make up the As per schedule, HAL is expected to deliver the
meat (the meat that we consume), and put them Where will the GE engines be fitted?  first three Mk1A aircraft in 2024 and 16 aircraft
in a setting where they have all the resources The F414 engines are meant to power the per year for the subsequent five years
they need to grow and make more copies of indigenous LCA­Mk2, a larger and more capable completing the deal by 2028­29.
themselves. These resources are typically variant of the LCA currently in service, and also The LCA­Mk2 is a major fillip for the IAF to
nutrients, fats, carbohydrates, amino acids, the the initial version of the fifth generation arrest the dwindling fighter squadron as several
right temperature, etc. The ‘setting’ in which Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) that frontline fighters like Mirage­2000, Jaguars and
this process transpires is under development. The F414 is from the MiG­29s will be phased out by the end of the
The  proponents  of is often a bioreactor family of the F404 engine that powers the decade. The three existing Mig­21 squadrons will
alternative  meat (also known as a current LCA­Mk1 and also the LCA­Mk1A that the also be phased out by end­2025. The strength of
have  advanced ‘cultivator’), a Indian Air Force (IAF) will start receiving India’s fighter squadron is 31 now from a
several  arguments sensor­fit device — like early­2024 onwards. An F414 engine produces sanctioned strength of 42.
on  its  behalf,  from a container — that has 98kN thrust compared to 84kN by the F404 While the number of Mk2 jets are yet to be
been designed to engine.  approved by the Defence Acquisition Council
emissions  and  land support a particular Last August, the CCS approved the (DAC) headed by the Defence Minister, it is
use  to  prevention  of biological development of the LCA­Mk2 at a total expected to be between 120 and 130 fighters,
animal  cruelty  environment. Once development cost of ₹9,000 crore of which according to officials. With the combined
there are enough of ₹2,500 crore has already been spent. The rollout requirement, the number of F414 engines
these cells, which takes around two to three Major haul: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 14th edition of Aero India of the LCA­Mk2 is targeted by 2024 and the plan needed over the next two decades could be well
weeks in Upside’s process, they resemble a mass 2023, in Bengaluru on February 13. PTI is to complete the flight testing by 2027, officials over 200. 
of minced meat. They are collected and
processed with additives to improve texture. 

Which forms of cell­cultivated meat exist? 
Chicken is the second most widely consumed
meat in the world, according to the UN Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, in
Does China­Pak. N­deal flout global rules?
the U.S. it has been the highest consumed meat
since 2010. Good Meat and Upside have focused What are the Pakistan government’s reasons for going ahead with a nuclear power plant with the nuclear side, gross capacity of nuclear plants
on chicken, and plan to expand their offerings to had increased by 39% annually to 3,530 MW. 
include other meats in the future. The New York Chinese help? Why has Beijing not sought waivers from the Nuclear Suppliers Group? How will it
Times wrote that “beef, with its higher fat impact the governance of nuclear commerce? What are the broader implications? 
content and more complex flavour, is harder to China’s civilian nuclear projects with Pakistan
replicate.” Researchers are also developing have come under scrutiny because the Nuclear
cell­cultivated versions of sea bass, tuna, and Ananth Krishnan Pakistan’s the construction amid Pakistan’s continuing Suppliers Group (NSG), which describes itself as
shrimp. A 2021 report estimated that there were Ministry  of financial crisis and on­going negotiations for a a group of nuclear supplier countries “that seeks
107 companies in 24 countries working on The story so far:  Energy  says bailout from the International Monetary Fund to contribute to the non­proliferation of nuclear
developing similar alternatives to meat (two n June 20, China and Pakistan signed (IMF). C­5 will be the biggest reactor at weapons through the implementation of two

O
the  country
companies were from India).  an agreement for a 1,200 MW Chashma, where China has already constructed sets of Guidelines for nuclear exports and
nuclear power plant in the Chashma needs  to four phases of the complex, with four reactors nuclear­related exports”, explicitly prohibits the
Why was cell­cultivated meat created?  nuclear complex in Pakistan. The urgently of around 325 MW each. It will use China’s transfer of nuclear technology by its members to
Its proponents have advanced the following deal, reported to be worth $4.8 billion, comes increase Hualong One reactor, which has also been countries that have not signed the nuclear
arguments, among others — emissions, land use, amid Pakistan facing a dual energy and nuclear installed in two plants in Karachi.  Non­Proliferation Treaty (NPT). China joined the
prevention of animal cruelty, and food security. economic crisis. The latest nuclear deal between energy 48­member grouping in 2004, and argued
The first two are related to climate mitigation. China and Pakistan has implications not only for How many other nuclear plants has China subsequently that the Chashma 3 and Chashma
The FAO has estimated that global livestock is the crisis­hit country but also for the global built for Pakistan?  4 reactors were “grandfathered” under its
responsible for 14.5% of all anthropogenic governance of nuclear commerce, with Beijing Pakistan is currently operating six China­built earlier Chashma deals with Pakistan that
greenhouse­gas emissions. Of this, the proceeding with the recent deal without seeking nuclear plants, four smaller reactors at the pre­dated its joining of the NSG. 
production of beef as a commodity accounted necessary waivers from the Nuclear Suppliers Chashma complex and two at the Karachi Chinese analysts have now justified the
for 41% whereas chicken meat and eggs Group (NSG).  Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP). Pakistan’s oldest continuing nuclear commerce, despite Beijing’s
accounted for 8%. Similarly, the 2021 report reactor, the Canada­built KANUPP­1, is now NSG commitments, by pointing to the India­U.S.
estimated that lab­cultivated meat would use What is the latest deal?  decommissioned, while KANUPP­2 and nuclear deal. There are, however, significant
63% less land in the case of chicken. Alternative Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on KANUPP­3 both use 1,100 MW Chinese Hualong differences. For one, India and the U.S. had to
meat’s proponents have advanced it as a way to June 20 witnessed the signing of the agreement One reactors. KANUPP­3, with a $2.7 billion seek a waiver from the NSG for their civilian
meet the world’s nutritional security needs.  for the construction of a 1,200 MW nuclear investment, went fully online in the past year nuclear deal, which was granted in 2008, paving
plant. This is the fifth reactor at the Chashma and was hailed by Mr. Sharif as helping ease the way for India to enter the tent of global
What are the challenges?  nuclear complex (C­5). The financial details have Pakistan’s energy crisis. An agreement for nuclear commerce. 
There are broadly four kinds of challenges.  not been spelled out, but Mr. Sharif said China KANUPP­3 was signed in 2013, the year Chinese That was, however, only granted after India
First is consumer acceptance. Perfectly had given “special concessions” for financing President Xi Jinping launched his Belt and Road undertook a number of commitments such as
substituting animal meat with alternative meat Initiative (BRI), and became a flagship energy placing facilities under International Atomic
requires it to match the original in taste, texture project as part of the China Pakistan Economic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, separating
and appearance. Researchers have achieved Corridor (CPEC) of the BRI.  civilian and military nuclear programmes and a
some success on these counts but it remains a According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy, continued moratorium on testing. Neither has
work in progress. Second, the cost of faced with a continuing energy deficit, financial China sought any such waiver from the NSG nor
cell­cultivated meat is expected to remain high crisis and rising import bills, the country needs has Pakistan undertaken similar commitments.
in the near future. One 2020 analysis concluded to urgently increase the share of renewables and China has suggested that the reactors being
that it may never be cost­competitive, while nuclear energy. “The energy sector is heavily under IAEA safeguards would suffice.
reports have also expressed concerns about the dependent on imported fuel including oil and While China had explained its C­4 and C­5
costs imposed by quality control, especially at LNG and will continue to rely on its imports deals as being part of an earlier agreement, the
scale. Third, for cultivation, researchers require because of the low domestic capacity,” the KANUPP­2 and KANUPP­3 plants were agreed to
high quality cells, a suitable growth­medium in 2021­2022 Economic Survey said. “Higher oil in 2013, a decade into its NSG membership.
which the cells can be cultured, plus other prices in the global market and massive Meanwhile, long­running negotiations to include
resources required to maintain the quality of the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee is making oil India as a full­fledged NSG member have run
final product. And fourth are the uncertainties imports more expensive, triggering external into a Chinese wall. A years­long effort, which
associated with it. A recent study by the sector pressure and widening trade deficit of the included talks with China, appeared to run
University of California, Davis, found that if cell country.” aground in 2015 when Beijing started to link
cultivation requires a “highly refined growth The Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy India’s aspirations for NSG membership with
medium”, like that used in the pharmaceutical rolled out in 2019 envisages increasing the share that of Pakistan’s. Experts fear the latest deals
industry, the “environmental impact of of renewables to 30% by 2030. Currently, have only further eroded the global rules
near­term [cell­cultivated meat] production is thermal sources account for 61% of the energy governing nuclear commerce, and also raised
likely to be orders of magnitude higher than mix, while hydropower accounts for 24%, questions about both the continuing relevance
median beef production.” The paper is yet to be Power needs: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with Chinese nuclear 12%, and wind and solar only 3%, and future of the NSG and governance of global
peer­reviewed. President Xi Jinping in 2022. REUTERS according to the 2021­22 Economic Survey. On nuclear commerce.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
Sunday, June 25, 2023 15
PROFILES
Delhi

God’s own publisher

Gita Press
The publisher which started its journey a century ago at a ₹10 rented accommodation in Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh has now evolved into 
a giant institution that has published millions of copies of Hindu religious texts 
ILLUSTRATION: R. RAJESH
Mayank Kumar copies of 1,800 different religious and Mukul in which he unearths the THE GIST
spiritual books and other materials in stormy relations it had with the 쑽

O
n June 18, a jury headed by 15 languages since its inception. At Mahatma and the running battles it Gita Press claims to have
Prime Minister Narendra least 70,000 books are printed every carried on with him on his political, published more than 910
Modi announced to confer day at its modern printing press. The religious and social agenda. The million copies of 1,800 different
the Gorakhpur­based Gita Press has printed more than 162.1 decision is really a travesty and is like religious and spiritual books
Press with the Gandhi Peace Prize for million copies of Shrimad Bhagwat awarding Savarkar and Godse.” Mr. and other materials in 15
2021 for its “outstanding contribution Gita and 26.8 million copies of Puranas Ramesh also shared the cover page of languages since its inception
towards social, economic and political and Upanishads so far. More than 41% Gita Press and the Making of Hindu
transformation through non­violent of its publications are in Hindi, while India, written by Akshaya Mukul.  쑽
and other Gandhian methods”. The 5% make up English books. It has “We never comment on such The Press has printed more
press, established in 1923 by Jaya Dayal published 729 different Hindu religious statements,” said Mr. Agarwal, than 162.1 million copies of
Goyanka and Ghanshyam Das Jalan, and spiritual texts in Hindi, 78 in Tamil referring to the criticism. “Why those Shrimad Bhagwat Gita and
two Marwari businessmen, has and 131 in Bangla. Similarly, the Gita people are commenting like this. They 26.8 million copies of Puranas
become a household name in most of Press prints 88 religious texts in don’t know anything about Gita Press,” and Upanishads
the Hindi heartland with its English, 164 in Telugu, 98 in Oriya and he added. 
low­priced, popular Hindu religious 44 in Nepali. But the Press had its share of 쑽
texts. It now claims to be the world's The books published apart from the controversies. According to Mr. The press printed more than 24
largest publisher of Hindu religious popular ones such as Shrimad Bhagvad Mukul’s book, Hanuman Prasad million copies of various texts,
texts with an objective to “promote Gita include Ramcharitmanas, Poddar, one of the former editors of including Kalyan, a monthly
and spread the principles of Sanatana Literature of Soordas, Literature of Kalyan, the Gita Press magazine, was magazine containing topics of
Dharma, the Hindu religion among the Tulsidas and children's books. The among the key organisers of the Hindu devotion, dharma, detachment
general public”. The Gita Press press printed more than 24 million Mahasabha’s annual convention in and spirituality, in 2022­23,
publications can be found in most bus copies of various texts, including Gorakhpur in 1946 and was briefly in worth ₹111 crore
stops and public places across North Kalyan, a monthly magazine trouble after the assassination of
India. containing topics of devotion, dharma, Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948
The publisher which started its detachment and spirituality, in by Nathuram Vinayak Godse due to his
journey a century ago at a ₹10 rented 2022­23, worth ₹111 crore. alleged association with the then
accommodation in Gorakhpur, a The Gita Press building's entrance banned right­wing organisations. 
small­town in Eastern U.P. famous for takes inspiration from renowned
the Gorakhnath Math, whose Mahanth ancient temple architecture: the pillars Local support
is U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, of the entrance, for example, are In Gorakhpur, the city whose name
has now evolved into a giant institution inspired by the pillars of the famous has been associated with the Gita
with a wide variety of publications. cave­temple of Ellora, Maharashtra. Press, the locals, irrespective of their
The idea of the Press was sown years The entrance of the building, where ideological and political affiliations,
back in the early 1900s, when Jay 450­odd employees of Gita Press work, largely support the publication, calling
Dayal Goyandka, who was travelling was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra the prize it won a proud moment for
across north Indian towns for business Prasad, India's first President, in 1955. the city.
purposes, formed groups of friends to In the contemporary age of Internet and manuscripts through its website.  Agarwal, hinting at the political change “It is a proud moment for every
discuss religious texts. Goyandka, a revolution, the Press is aiming for a According to its website, “the in India that saw the BJP coming to person of Gorakhpur as the Gita Press
trader of textiles and cotton, failed to major expansion, aided by tech, by institution neither solicits donations power in the year. “The Press is able to gained national and international
get any authentic translation of the making available Gita, Ramayana, nor accepts advertisements in its meet only 60­70% of the demand.”  recognition. It is not the time for
Gita for discussion. After his attempt to discourses of eminent Hindu saints, publications.  criticism,” said Rakesh Yadav, a former
get the text published by an external Upanishads, Puranas and other The deficit is met by the surplus ‘Political agenda’ district chief of the Congress in
publisher failed, Goyandka decided to religious books and magazines online, from other departments of the society Hours after the award for Gita Press Gorakhpur. Similar sentiments were
start his own publishing house with many free of cost.  which render services at reasonable was announced, Congress Rajya Sabha shared by many locals, including the
the support of fellow businessmen. “A mobile application of the Geeta cost, in accordance with the objects of member and general secretary Samajwadi Party (SP) district
Ghanshyam Das Jalan, informed him Press will be ready very soon, from the society.”  in­charge of communications, Jairam president, Brajesh Kumar Gautam.
that in Gorakhpur, it could be initiated where people can download books The Press sees a huge demand for Ramesh, said, “The Gandhi Peace People in the city are aware of the fact
as it's a religious place along with and also order them,” said Devi Dayal its offering and is struggling to meet it. Prize for 2021 has been conferred on that wherever they go, by trains or
concentration of the Marwari business Agarwal, one of the 11 Trustees of the “There is religious awakening among the Gita Press at Gorakhpur which is buses, Gita Press books would be
class.  society which manages the institution. the people since 2014 and and they celebrating its centenary this year. there. For them, “the institution that is
Gita Press now claims to have The publisher also aims to provide free want to learn and read more spiritual There is a very fine biography from contributing to Hindu religion”, is also
published more than 910 million downloading of 500 different books and Sanatana texts,” added Mr. 2015 of this organisation by Akshaya bringing goodwill to Gorakhpur.

Rebalancing portfolio Deep sea tragedy

Micron Technology Titan submersible
The U.S.­based memory chip maker, whose China operations face risks amid worsening bilateral OceanGate, which operated the ‘Titan’ that was destroyed during its expedition to the Titanic
ties, will set up a testing and packaging plant in Gujarat  wreckage, had been called out over the submersible’s safety standards in the past 
PHOTO CREDIT: REUTERS PHOTO CREDIT: AP
John Xavier about a tenth of its annual Sahana Venugopal could be detected.
sales, which is a little over In 2018, OceanGate fired

M O
icron Technology $3 billion. n June 18, contact its  employee  David  Lo­
is an unusual tech Some  estimates  note was lost with a 6.7 chridge and sued him after
giant. It does not that  the  company  has  a metre  long  sub­ he  filed  a  whistle­blower
have  the  signature  Silicon 25%  market  share  in  the mersible  named  ‘Titan’ complaint  with  the  Occu­
Valley origin in which the country. But its market has which was carrying one pi­ pational Safety and Health
founders  start  a  company taken a hit because of the lot and four crew members Administration over the sa­
from a garage in California. tit­for­tat trade moves bet­ to a depth of around 3,800 fety  of  the  Titan,  CBS  re­
The  memory  chip  maker ween Washington and Beij­ metres to see the wreckage ported.  Mr.  Lochridge  al­
was incorporated 45 years ing. Most recently, in May, of  the  RMS Titanic in  the legedly  pushed  for  better
ago  in  Idaho,  a  State  that the  Cyberspace  Adminis­ frigid  waters  of  the  North testing of the submersible’s
largely  depended  on  agri­ tration  of  China  (CAC) Atlantic  Ocean.  The  U.S hull before sending it down
culture  and  food  process­ banned  operators  of  criti­ Coast Guard confirmed on for dives.
ing industries at that time. cal  infrastructure  in  the June  22  that  parts  of  the According  to  Mr.  Lo­
The  four­member  found­ country  from  buying  Mi­ submersible  and  “debris” chridge’s court filings from
ing team from Dallas, Tex­ cron  products,  citing  na­ were found near the Titan- August 15, 2018, he learned
as,  moved  into  a  dentist’s signed  a  deal  with  South cesses  continue  to  be  the tional  security  risks.  Still ic, and said this was consis­ with the help of a surface a grave site where victims that  “the  viewport  at  the
basement in Boise, Idaho, Korea’s  SK  Hynix  that most  labour­intensive Micron continues to invest tent  with  a  “catastrophic vessel.  Made  of  carbon experienced unimaginable forward of the submersible
with  a  goal  to  design  the would  give  the  American parts in chip production.  in mainland China. On Fri­ loss of the pressure cham­ fibre  and  titanium,  and horror  and  suffering  in was only built to a certified
next gen memory chip. company control over Hy­ According to some esti­ day, it committed to invest ber.”  All  those  onboard weighing  10,432  kg,  Titan their  final  hours.  Ocean­ pressure of 1,300 megtres,
The startup shipped its nix’s  memory  operations, mates, a fifth of the cost of $603 billion in the country. have  died.  The  U.S.  Navy was  built  with  “off­the­ Gate noted its expeditions although  OceanGate  in­
first  64K  DRAM  (Dynamic including  its  chip  design such a facility is labour. So, But  the  hostility  bet­ also confirmed evidence of shelf”  components,  ac­ were  meant  to  document tended to take passengers
Random  Access  Memory) asset. Such deals marked a as  Micron  increased  its ween the U.S. and China is an implosion or explosion cording  to  OceanGate’s the  Titanic and  its  rate  of down  to  depths  of  4,000
chip from its fabrication fa­ growing  trend  towards presence in Asia, it was al­ making  the  memory  chip near  Titan’s  last  recorded website,  making  it  lighter decay on the ocean floor. metres.” 
cility  in  Boise  in  1981. consolidation  in  the  me­ so  cutting  corners  at  the maker rebalance its portfo­ location. and  less  expensive  to  re­ OceanGate  said  in  a
Three  years  later,  it  un­ mory  chip  industry,  mak­ Boise facility with a series lio  in  Asia  with  a  $2.7­bil­ Titan’s  five  crew  mem­ place.  Its  CEO  had  shown statement on June 23 that Experimental design
veiled the world’s smallest ing Micron one of the top of layoffs. By 2009, it end­ lion  semiconductor  as­ bers were billionaire Ham­ BBC that Titan was operat­ the five crew members had His  filing  said  OceanGate
256K DRAM chip, an indus­ three  players  alongside ed  chip  making  in  Boise, sembly and testing plant in ish  Harding,  businessman ed  with  one  button  and  a “sadly  been  lost”.  Howev­ refused to pay for the ma­
try milestone and a spring­ Samsung  and  SK  Hynix. and in the years since, the India.  To  set  up  a  testing Shahzada Dawood and his “Sony  PlayStation­style er, the company had been nufacturer to build a view­
board  for  future  efficien­ But during this time, its re­ campus  has  remained  its and packaging plant in Guj­ university­going  son  Sule­ controller” made by Logi­ called out over Titan’s safe­ port  that  would  meet  the
cies in memory devices. lationship with Boise start­ headquarters  and  princi­ arat, the company will get man  Dawood,  and  Titanic tech. Titan had a small por­ ty  standards  in  the  past. expedition requirements.
Since  then,  the  Ameri­ ed to change. It was invest­ pal  research  and  innova­ 50% fiscal support and an researcher Paul­Henri Nar­ thole window and toilet at CBS  Sunday  Morning  cor­ The  fired  employee’s
can  semiconductor  com­ ing in production facilities tion centre. additional 20% in the form geolet.  Piloting  the  sub­ one  end,  and  needed  ex­ respondent  David  Pogue other  concerns  included
pany  has  been  revolutio­ overseas,  particularly  in of incentives from the State mersible  was  Stockton ternal crew to open it from claimed that Titan was lost the “experimental” design,
nising the memory storage Asia. Within a span of five China phase government. Rush, the CEO of the com­ the  outside.  There  was for  a  few  hours  when  he a lack  of  comprehensive
devices  industry  through years,  starting  in  1998,  it Boise’s  loss  was  Xi’an’s The  company’s  invest­ pany which operated Titan enough  space  to  sit, was  part  of  an  expedition hull testing, and the use of
cutting­edge  innovation opened two production fa­ gain. Just two years before ments in India and China, — OceanGate Inc. The tour though not stand inside. last  year  as  a  journalist, hazardous  flammable  ma­
and  strategic  business  ac­ cilities in Singapore to test the  end  of  production  in however, pale in compari­ reportedly cost $250,000. though  he  was  on  a  ship terials inside the submersi­
quisitions. It synchronised and  package  NAND  flash Idaho, Micron announced son to the Megafab facility Titan was one hour and Past expeditions and  not  on  the  submersi­ ble, as per the filings.
and pre­defined cycles for memory.  Its  workforce  in plans to set up its first plant it  plans  to  build  in  Clay, forty­five minutes into the OceanGate said it had con­ ble at the time. He claimed While authorities furth­
data transfers with the Syn­ the  city­state  grew  to  al­ in China’s Xi’an to test and New  York.  It  will  invest dive  when  it  lost  contact. ducted “successful” Titan- the company could text Ti­ er  investigate  the  tragedy,
chronous DRAM (SDRAM), most a sixth of the compa­ package  DRAM,  NAND $100  billion  over  the  next Through  the  week,  U.S., ic expeditions in 2021 and tan  that  day  but  did  not the Titan deaths have ignit­
and then introduced high­ ny’s global workforce.  flash  memory  chips,  and two decades to develop the Canadian,  and  French 2022, in line with National know where the submersi­ ed debate about the discre­
capacity,  low  power Semiconductor  is  a  cy­ CMOS  image  sensors.  In plant.  In  the  past  two  de­ authorities  used  planes, Oceanic  and  Atmospheric ble was.  pancy  between  the  ad­
DRAMs  for  cell  phones  as clical  business  that  is China,  the  company  got cades,  Micron’s  compass boats, and remote operat­ Administration  (NOAA) Mr. Pogue added that In­ vanced  rescue  efforts  for
mobile  handhelds  started prone  to  both  high  de­ more than it bargained for. moved  east  as  a  result  of ed vehicles to re­establish and  UNESCO  regulations. ternet was shut off to stop the crew onboard the mis­
to support multimedia be­ mand and supply glut. As a It  was  not  just  exporting globalisation and cost effi­ contact  with  Titan,  which The British passenger liner those on the surface from sing  submersible  and  the
sides  voice  and  text result,  firms  have  had  to products;  it  was  also  buy­ ciencies. The next two de­ had  life  support  of  96 Titanic sank  on  April  15, tweeting,  though  he  did chaotic aid received by mi­
features. cut costs to maintain prof­ ing  from  the  chip  maker. cades could possibly bring hours for five persons. 1912  after  hitting  an  iceb­ not report this on the show grants on a sinking boat off
Micron  also  bought  a itability. One of the major By  2022,  China  had  be­ the chip maker back to the As a submersible, Titan erg, killing over 1,500 peo­ at  the  time.  He  also the  Greece  coast,  where
part of Japan­based Toshi­ costs  is  labour.  And  chip come an important market West  because  of  national was  designed  to  be ple.  It  is  important  to  re­ claimed  the  submersible dozens  died  and  are  still
ba’s  DRAM  business,  and testing and packaging pro­ for Micron, accounting for interest. launched  and  recovered member that the Titanic is did not have a beacon that missing.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
 THE HINDU
16 Sunday, June 25, 2023

Business Delhi

INBRIEF
쑽 Airlines battle problem of ‘parking full’ 
Network planners say they often assign final flights for the day to smaller cities or Gulf countries to overcome parking constraints at hubs in Delhi
and Mumbai; Air India, IndiGo and Vistara — which control 85% of the market — now avail of only about half the parking capacity they would like to

Jagriti Chandra them.  Recent  orders  of The  lack  of  night  park­ work planning team of an
NEW DELHI 500 aircraft by IndiGo, on ing stands often forces air­ airline.
top of its previous order of lines to fly the last flight of Alternatively, airlines al­

I
ndian  airlines  await 480, and 470 by Air India the  day  to  smaller  cities so deploy their aircraft for
the delivery of almost along with a three­digit or­ such  as  Ahmedabad  (the red­eye  flights  (late  night
1,500 aircraft over the der by Akasa likely by the alternative  airport  for departure and early morn­
Edtech firm Byju’s global next  7  to  12  years.  But  at
half  that  fleet  size  today,
end of the year imply that
by 2030 end, when a large
Mumbai) and Lucknow (al­
ternative for Delhi), which
ing arrival) such as a three­
hour­long  Delhi­Chennai
investors confirm board exits they  often  grapple  with chunk  of  these  planes  ar­ are unlikely to record high flight  or  to  Gulf  countries
parking  challenges  for rive,  expansion  of  airport seat  occupancy  or  com­ to  obviate  the  need  for
All three global investors at Byju’s confirmed on their aircraft. capacity  including  space mand high airfares as they parking space.
Friday that their representatives had resigned Two  of  the  biggest  air­ for  parking  these  planes would  on  metro­to­metro The parking space is re­
from the board of the once high­flying Indian ports  —  ie  in  Delhi  and will have to keep pace. flights. quired to carry out mainte­
start­up that has been battling pressure from Mumbai — used as hub air­ There  are  233  parking nance checks that can take
lenders amid a steep drop in its valuation. The ports  for  flight  operations stands in Delhi for narrow­ ‘Additional burden’ 2 to  3  hours,  which  are
resignations of G.V. Ravishankar of Peak XV by  various  Indian  airlines body  and  widebody that airlines such as Air In­ have to help plan flights in “This  is  an  additional  fi­ scheduled in the night for
Partners, earlier Sequoia Capital India, Russell as well as bases for their pi­ planes,  according  to  the dia,  IndiGo  and  Vistara a commercially  viable nancial burden on the air­ domestic flights because of
Dreisenstock of Prosus, and Chan Zuckerberg lots and cabin crew, have a Aeronautical  Information­ that  control  85%  of  the manner.  Delhi  and  Mum­ line as only the most price­ the  low  passenger  de­
Initiative’s Vivian Wu mean Byju’s board now combined parking capaci­ al Publication, and 131 for market are able to avail on­ bai  airports  account  for sensitive  customers  will mand,  explained  another
only comprises the founder’s family.  REUTERS ty  of  364  aircraft  for  the narrowbodies  in  Mumbai. ly  about  half  the  parking one in three domestic and opt  for  such  flights,”  said official  handling  opera­
close to 700 planes among An  airline  executive  said capacity they would like to international flights. an  executive  in  the  net­ tions at an airline.

World Bank okays $255.5 mn
loan for govt. tech institutions  Google’s Pichai meets PM Modi, ‘PM Modi’s U.S. visit
The World Bank has approved a $255.5 million
loan for improving the quality of technical
education in government­run institutions in
announces Gujarat fintech centre to bolster bilateral
India. Over the next 5 years, the Multidisciplinary
Education and Research Improvement in Sriram Lakshman Digitization Fund in 2020. $12.9 billion in the country
collaboration’
Technical Education Project will support about WASHINGTON DC The Hindu reached  out by the end of 2030.
275 government­run technical institutions in to Google on Saturday for Earlier, Amazon had an­ Press Trust of India India  Inc.  expects
select States, benefitting more than 3.5 lakh Prime Minister Modi’s visit details  of  the  fintech nounced  a  $6.5  billion  in­ NEW DELHI collaboration  in
students each year. Students will get access to to the U.S. has sealed some centre,  which  have  not vestment  plan,  largely  to
areas  such  as  space,
upgraded curricula, the World Bank said.  REUTERS big wins for his home State been announced. boost its e­commerce busi­ Prime  Minister  Narendra
of  Gujarat,  including  with ness  where  it  competes Modi’s U.S. visit will boost semiconductor,
Google, which announced Amazon invests further with  Walmart’s  Flipkart bilateral  ties  and  deepen defence  and  AI
the  opening  of  a  Global Amazon.com  Inc.  said  on and  billionaire  Mukesh strategic  technology  col­
Ipca Labs’ formulations unit FinTech Operations Center
in GIFT City, Gujarat. Sundar Pichai
Friday it would take its in­
vestments  in  India  to  $26
Ambani’s Reliance Retail.
The investment amount
laboration in areas such as
defence,  semiconductor, ‘we  see  new  areas  where
gets U.S. FDA observations  “It  will  cement  India’s billion  by  2030,  adding committed  now  comes  to space  and  artificial  intelli­ industry  on  both  sides
fintech  leadership  thanks progress is definitely excit­ $6.5 billion in new planned around $6.5 billion. gence,  India  Inc.  said  on would benefit significantly
Drugmaker Ipca Laboratories’ formulations to UPI, and we are going to ing,” he added. investments in an announ­ The announcement dur­ Saturday. from the outcomes’.
manufacturing facility in Pithampur, Madhya build  on  that  foundation GIFT  City,  which  is  in cement  made  after  CEO ing Mr. Modi’s trip adds to CII  Director  General Another  industry  body
Pradesh, has been issued a Form 483 with eight and take it globally,” Goo­ the process of being built, Andy Jassy met Mr. Modi in other  firms’,  including Chandrajit Banerjee stated Assocham  said  the  Prime
observations by the U.S. Food and Drug gle CEO Sundar Pichai said is  the  business  district  in the U.S. semiconductor  toolmaker that the visit had culminat­ Minister’s  visit  had  taken
Administration U.S. (FDA). The U.S. FDA had on  Friday,  when  he  met Gandhinagar. Though  Mr.  Jassy  gave Applied Materials and me­ ed in laying a strong foun­ India­U.S.  strategic  and
inspected the facility from June 15­23. The Form Prime  Minister  Narendra Mr.  Pichai  voiced  his no  breakdown,  the  an­ mory  chip  firm  Micron dation  for  further  streng­ commercial  relations  to
483 was issued on conclusion of the inspection, Modi  in  Washington  DC. support  for  the  govern­ nouncement follows Ama­ Technology,  which  made thening  the  Indo­U.S. ‘greater heights, paving the
the company said in an exchange filing on Friday. “… And with the advent of ment’s  ‘Digital  India’  vi­ zon’s cloud computing unit commitments  during  the relationship.  way  for  immense  oppor­
The company said it would be submitting a AI, I think the opportunity sion.  Google  had  an­ Amazon Web Services say­ Prime Minister’s state visit. He observed that the vi­ tunities’  for  bilateral
comprehensive response on the observations. for  India  to  make  more nounced a $10­billion India ing last month it will invest (With Reuters inputs) sit  was  also  significant  as engagement.

WS Industries shifts focus to Govt. approves
wage hike for
infrastructure development  non­executive
N. Anand Porur into a 1 million sq. ft
staff of CIL
The  manufacturer  of
CHENNAI IT/ITES building. 
porcelain  insulators
This would be complet­ Press Trust of India
Chennai­based  WS  Indus­ shut  down  its ed in 36­48 months.  KOLKATA
tries  Ltd.  (WSIL) said  it  is business  unit  at A government  order  to
betting  on  its  ‘huge’  land Porur  in  2018 this  effect  has  been  ob­ The  Coal  Ministry  said  it
bank in and around Chen­ tained and the partnership had approved a wage revi­
nai to develop IT and logis­ will  be  announced  soon, sion  agreement  that  was
tics  parks  as  well  as  elec­ Prakash said during a call he added. reached with trade unions
tronics  factories  to  revive with analysts. Besides,  WSIL  is  also for  non­executive  em­
its fortunes. “The insulator business close to signing up orders ployees of Coal India Limit­
The  six­decade­old  ma­ was  very  challenging  and worth  about  ₹400­500 ed (CIL).
nufacturer of porcelain in­ so  it  was  phased  out.  We crore in the next quarter. The agreement provides
sulators  for  electrical don’t intend restarting the “In  the  infra  segment, for  19%  of  minimum  gua­
transmission lines had shut business,” he said.  we’ve  executed  the  storm ranteed benefit from July 1,
down  its  business  unit  at “The new set of promo­ water drain project to the 2021,  on  emoluments  –
Porur in November 2018. ters is in the infra segment. tune of ₹70 crore in Chen­ basic,  Variable  Dearness
However,  it  is  back  in So, we intend carrying this nai  and  another  one  for Allowance  (VDA),  Special
the limelight after the take­ business  to  the  next  level ₹47 crore. We are also con­ Dearness Allowance (SDA)
over in June last year by its and as you can see, the tur­ structing a bus terminus at and attendance bonus – be­
new  promoters,  who  are nover has shown a signifi­ Tiruchi  estimated  at  ₹200 sides  a  25%  increase  in
said to have two decades of cant increase,” he added. crore,” Mr. Prakash said. allowances.
experience  in  the  infras­ Mr.  Prakash  said  that A recent announcement The  agreement  will  be­
tructure segment. WS Industries is in an ad­ of  two  infrastructure  or­ nefit  about  2.81  lakh  em­
“WSIL  was  out  of  busi­ vanced stage of discussion ders  saw  WSIL  shares  hit­ ployees  of  CIL  and  SCCL
ness  for  almost  10  years,” with a leading realtor to de­ ting a 52­week high on the who  were  on  the  rolls  of
whole­time  director  K.V. velop its 7­acre property in NSE at ₹103.10. the firm as on July 1, 2021.

Lucas to raise IRDAI expands scope Zydus arm to

stake in India acquire 6.5%
Nippon to of ‘use and file’ stake in Mylab
over 70% The Hindu Bureau Life  insurers  can
for ₹106 crore
HYDERABAD now  introduce  more
The Hindu Bureau products  without The Hindu Bureau
CHENNAI Insurance regulator IRDAI prior  approval  from HYDERABAD
has extended the scope of the  regulator
Lucas  Indian  Service  Ltd. the  ‘Use  and  File’  proce­ Zydus  Lifesciences,
(LIS), one of the promoters dure to cover more life in­ through  a  wholly­owned
of India Nippon Electricals surance products.  response  to  market  de­ subsidiary, has decided to
Ltd., has agreed to acquire Essentially  allowing  in­ mands. This will boost in­ acquire a 6.5% equity stake
more  than  44  lakh  shares surers to launch a product novation in products,” IR­ in biotechnology company
from  two  other  promoter first  and  then  submit  de­ DAI said on Friday.  Mylab Discovery Solutions
entities for ₹168.91 crore. tails  to  the  regulator,  the In  October  2022,  the for ₹106 crore.
A Share Purchase Agree­ procedure  has  now  been regulator had extended the The  proposed  invest­
ment was signed between extended  to  group  unit­ ‘Use and File’ procedure to ment will help Zydus parti­
LIS and Mahle Holding (In­ linked insurance products, all  term  insurance  pro­ cipate in the growing diag­
dia)  Pvt.  Ltd.  (MHIPL)  on individual  ULIPs offered ducts,  individual  ULIPs nostics  space  which  is
Friday and a second agree­ with new funds and ‘com­ with  existing  funds  and expected  to  witness  in­
ment  was  entered  into bi’  products  in  which  the non­linked  group  insu­ creased  penetration
with Mahle Electric Drives life insurer acts as the lead. rance products. through in­clinic solutions
Japan Corporation (MEDJ). “Now,  life  insurers  can The  new  additions  are with ‘point of care’ testing
After  the  transfer,  the launch  these  products based  on  the  feedback devices, the company said
stake of MHIPL and MEDJ without prior approval, en­ from industry and to help in a filing. In the fiscal end­
would  be  reduced  to  ‘Nil’ hancing ease of doing busi­ facilitate  insurance  pene­ ed March, Mylab clocked a
and LIS will hold 70.32%. ness and encouraging swift tration, IRDAI said. turnover of ₹95 crore.
CM M ND-NDE
YK
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THE ASIAN AGE | SUNDAY | 25 JUNE 2023 | NEW DELHI
pg 5

Subhani

25 JUNE 2023

Ranjona Banerji
Off the beaten track

How gold star journals

get their science wrong
B
etelgeuse is a red supergiant star, the western shoulder of the hunter Orion.
The constellation is one of the best known in the night sky. The name comes
from the Arabic via French, shoulder of the giant, “bit-al-jauza”.
There is uncertainty about as big as the star on the pronunciation of its name.
When I was young, we were told it was “Beetelgeeze” with a hard “g”. This carried
on until the 1988 comedy film Beetlejuice arrived. It was difficult to tell the par-
ents’ generation that they were wrong and even more difficult to change a habit of
a lifetime.
How did we manage before the Internet?

Jairam vitriol on Gita Press LETTERS

I for one have forgotten how to look at the funny letters in a dictionary and fig-
ure out pronunciation from them. I used to know. Really, I did.
Anyway, this Betelgeuse or Bit Al-Jauza, is on its last legs. It is massive, it is in
our galaxy and it will soon go supernova. The problem is the “soon”. In astro- DISCORDANT NOTE
nomical terms, soon could be anything from tomorrow to 100,000 years.
For context, Betelgeuse shines over 7000 times brighter than our sun. When it

reeks of liberal illiberalism

goes supernova, it may well be visible in the day time. And after this, is when all Fifteen political parties
hell breaks loose in the world of news. gathered in Patna and
Because my dear friends in the general media will make up or misunderstand agreed to join forces in
all scientific evidence and hypotheses and then broadcast the most sensational
elements of any new information. This is why you almost never get any science
the 2024 Lok Sabha elec-
news in non-science publications. Research is often full of theories and compli- If religious funda- decades after we have tions. Congress president
cated mathematical proofs; it is high on uncertainties and counter-arguments. mentalism is adopted our Constitution Mallikarjun Kharge said
The scientist has to cover as many possibilities. The journalist wants drama, that guarantees respect for the next Opposition
which is usually found in uncertified theories. The biggest demands for sensa- Pavan K. Varma irrationally bigoted,
shallow liberalism is
all faiths. Savarkar’s real
meeting would be held in
tionalism come from two far removed aspects of human life — glamorous people contribution — on which
and science. Stars and stars. smugly dogmatic. If he wrote in far more detail Shimla to complete their
A couple of years ago, Betelgeuse appeared to one is doctrinaire — was the need for social plan. Nonetheless, the
become dimmer. Although it is a variable star — it
dims and brightens — this dimness was extraordi-
Chanakya’s View and prone to reform within Hinduism,
something which his blind AAP sounded discordant,
nary. It was named The Great Dimming. The
violence, the other is acolytes have conveniently saying it cannot be a part
Internet was full of excitement. Then the dimming culturally rootless forgotten. After Gandhiji’s of any alliance with the

T
turned out to be dust and gas. Like Delhi meets a he Gandhi Peace gious text — to millions of and only superficially assassination, he did come
Great Dimming every winter. Explosion was not Prize for 2021 has Hindus. It also put the cosmopolitan. under suspicion, but was
Congress unless the latter
imminent nor contingent on the loss of brightness. been given to the Ramcharitmanas, which never convicted. In fact, publicly announces sup-
Now a new theory says the explosion is immi- Gita Press. The Gandhiji described as “the Ramesh and his ilk forget port on the contentious
nent. Callooh Callay! Earth will witness a superno- Press was found- greatest book in all devo- opposed to Gandhi? And that PM Indira Gandhi her- Delhi ordinance issue.
va after ages — the last one we all saw was in 1604! ed in 1923, and started pub- tional literature”, in almost since when has pride in self issued a postage stamp
People in the southern hemisphere were lucky lication in 1927. Its avowed every Hindu home, espe- Hinduism and propagating in 1970 to commemorate Amit Shah, the Union
with 1987A, a star that went supernova in one of Betelgeuse, as seen by the purpose was to make avail- cially in north India. In its texts become a crime his contribution as a free- home minister, mocked
our small companion galaxies, the Larger Atacama Large Millimeter/sub- able at affordable prices 1926, Hanuman Prasad comparable to what Godse dom fighter. All of this has the meeting, claiming the
Magellanic Cloud. millimeter Array (ALMA) seminal texts pertaining to Poddar, who was one of the did? In any case, the Prize been authentically docu-
But. And here’s the but in the midst of all the Hinduism. By now, it has co-founders of the Press, has been given to Gita mented in Vikram BJP will have 300 seats
excitement. The new research is not peer-reviewed, which means something in published some 160 million and the editor of the maga- Press as an institution and Sampath’s majestic two in 2024.
science. The researchers say that Betelgeuse has reached the end of the line in star copies in 14 languages of zine Kalyan published by not to Poddar. volume biography of N.J. Ravi Chander
life — the burning of its core. Other scientists disagree. Also it is at the end of the the Bhagwat Gita, over a it, accompanied Jamnalal Ramesh conveniently for- Savarkar. Bengaluru
day, as vague as all the other predictions. Could be tomorrow, could be whenever. 100 million copies of Bajaj to meet Gandhiji and gets that Congress Prime No prize is perfect in
And then there’s the “could have already happened but when will we know”. The Tulsidas’ Ramcharit- seek his blessings for Minister (PM) P.V. every respect. Previous
light from our sun takes eight minutes to reach us. Betelgeuse is 642 light years
away from us. So if Betelgeuse went supernova yesterday, we would only know
manas, and other texts
including the Maha-
Kalyan. Gandhiji blessed
it, but asked Poddar not to
Narasimha Rao issued a
postage stamp in 1992 to
recipients include interna-
tional luminaries like
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
642 years from today. And so it goes. Basically, our best shot is that Betelgeuse bharata, Puranas, Upani- take advertisements and do honour Poddar and the Julius Nyerere, Nelson WHENEVER man had cared to dare,
went supernova 642 years ago today. shads and Surdas. It also book reviews. The Gita Gita Press. The reflex secu- Mandela and Desmond progress of every description willingly
Then up comes the story in a very reputed Indian journal which confuses The has an archive of 3500 Press honoured both com- larist demonisation of Tutu. But in the case of embraced him. That daring arises sole-
Great Dimming and the rumours of 2019 with the new non-peer reviewed research Hindu manuscripts. mitments, and even now Savarkar, too, is extreme. I Nyerere, for instance, ly out of his curiosity in pursuit of his
of 2023. And thus repeats the old story of 2019 as the reason for the expected Today, it is the world’s has refused to accept the Rs emphatically disagree with while he was a staunch imagination. If ancient warriors for-
supernova. largest publisher of Hindu 1 crore prize money accom- Savarkar’s espousal of a freedom fighter, and an ayed into unexplored lands to expand
I understand why the media gets frustrated. The editor tells you “give me some- religious texts. panying the Prize. Hindu Rashtra, but I have inspiration for the struggle their rule, explorers travelled over
thing big”. So a supernova is a good way to go. Or you want to a prominent byline The announcement of If religious fundamental- no doubt that he was a rev- against colonialism across uncharted seas to discover new habita-
and you know your editor is a gullible fool. I just read something in a British news- this Prize led Congress ism is irrationally bigoted, olutionary patriot, who Africa, he also ran an tions. These added cumulatively to our
paper — not a Harry-Meghan type tabloid even — that made my brain go super- media head, Jairam shallow liberalism is smug- greatly suffered for the authoritarian one-party wisdom. The Titanic, the largest ship
nova. Aliens “might” use a recent supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy to commu- Ramesh, to issue a vitriolic ly dogmatic. If one is doc- courage of his convictions, government in indepen- afloat even prior to WW1, sank in its
nicate with earth. tweet stating that giving trinaire and prone to vio- spending over a decade in dent Tanzania, which maiden voyage. Earlier, the Wright
The Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101) is 20.87 million light years from earth. I leave the Gandhi Peace Prize to lence, the other is cultural- the horrific Kala Pani jail enabled him to remain brothers pursuing the dream of
you to work out the maths. The aliens sent us a message 20.87 million earth years Gita Press was a “travesty ly rootless and superficial- in the Andamans — most of President for over two manned flight seeded modern day avi-
ago. We get it now. Then we reply. We have no technology that covers even at the and like awarding ly cosmopolitan. In both which in solitary confine- decades (1964 to 1985). Was ation. Space shuttle Challenger disin-
speed of light such distances. So some millions of earth years later our signal Savarkar and Godse”. there is no space for bal- ment — and was no ‘cow- giving him the Gandhi tegrated after take-off and yet we cease-
reaches these aliens. Then they visit us to colonise us. Some more millions of Frankly, I was taken aback ance or nuance. The ire of ard’ begging for pardon Prize thus equivalent to lessly plan to land on a planet. The
earth years later. And so on. What fun it will be for whatever’s happening on the by this ill-informed and Ramesh is based on a book from the British. It is the endorsing dictatorship? deep diving submarine, tragic may its
planet then. trigger-happy response. by journalist Akshay ultra-right in India which Secularism is an impera- end have been, would only add to our
For non-science people, the scale of the cosmos, the distance equals time issue, I am against all religious Mukul, titled Gita Press has myopically latched on tive for the plural, multi- scientific and technological progress.
these are not easy to grasp. It takes effort. You look up at the night sky; you’re look- bigotry, and I do not sup- and the Making of Hindu to his argument of Hindu religious reality of India. Intelligence can only be of as much
ing at the past. You look at the sun — you shouldn’t, except at sunrise and sunset port Hindu majoritarian- India, which argues that Rashtra, which was a short But to be credible it must utility to man as his curiosity.
— and you’re looking at eight minutes ago. It’s fascinating and sends a shiver ism, or the outdated and the Gita Press was silent polemic he wrote while not automatically conflate R. Narayanan
down your back. impractical idea of Hindu after the assassination of still under house arrest in recognition of Hindu Navi Mumbai
The small part we play in the cosmos should come back to us, as we look up. Carl Rashtra. But I am a proud Gandhiji, and contributed Ratnagiri, and in response achievements for commu-
Sagan’s words resonate: “Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delu-
sion that we have some privileged place in the Universe are challenged by this
Hindu, who believes there
is a profound grandeur in
to the growth of Hindu
revivalism. Mukul also
to certain specific develop-
ments then, including the
nalism. Respect for all
faiths, and the right to GLORY OF HAJ
point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic Hindu philosophy. I have, points out that Poddar and support by Gandhiji to the “freely profess, practice THE MEANING of the word, Haj, is to
dark.” therefore, great respect for Gandhiji had differences of pan-Islamicist Khilafat and propagate religion”, as think and intend. Haj is a special pil-
I have spent my life staring at Betelgeuse, no matter how I mispronounced it. I the Gita Press that has opinion later on, and that Movement, the demand by guaranteed by Article 25 of grimage that takes place from the 8th to
would love to watch it go supernova. To see the constellation of Orion changed for- enabled Hindu thought to Poddar was arrested in some Muslim League lead- the Fundamental Rights of the 13th of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of
ever. Even though I know there is no constellation and it is all perspective. be widely disseminated, 1948 after Gandhi’s assassi- ers for a separate state for our Constitution, need to the Islamic lunar year. About 4,000 years
And in case anyone gets worried, the Sun will not go supernova. It is too small, not only among Hindus, nation. These facts are Muslims, and the down- be harmonised. Ramesh ago, the Haj was initiated by Prophet
below the Chandrasekhar limit. But do get worried. In about four or five billion but beyond. This was par- true. But Poddar was playing by the Congress of should think before he Ibrahim’s announcement. The acts of
years, it will become a red giant and expand up to the surface of earth scorching ticularly necessary after among 25,000 people arrest- the terrible killing of impulsively tweets, and Haj refer to the memories of Prophet Ib-
everything. Obviously, it will gobble up Mercury and Venus. Around the same centuries of colonial rule ed after the assassination, Hindus in the Moplah riots one can only hope that his rahim (Abraham), his wife Hajara (Ha-
time, the Milky Way will merge with Andromeda. and the earlier Turkic released soon thereafter, in Kerala. That was in 1923, views are not that of the gar) and their son Ismael (Ishmael) who
Meanwhile, those aliens in the Pinwheel Galaxy might still be sending us mes- invasion had broken the and never convicted. As and it is on record that Congress Party. rebuilt the Kaaba. Haj commemorates a
sages. My next prediction for science “journalism”: Will Earth be swallowed by a continuum of Hindu regards differences of opin- Savarkar himself subse- model family setting an example. The
passing black hole? civilisation. ion, Dr Ambedkar and quently downplayed his The writer is an author, family gives us the lesson that no matter
If we’re lucky, that might also be an end to bad journalism. The Gita Press took the Jawaharlal Nehru also dif- earlier ill-thought advoca- diplomat and former how much we value each other in the end
sublime message of the fered with Gandhi on key cy. We are now in 2023, a member of Parliament we have to live with our own conscience.
The writer is a senior journalist who writes on media affairs, politics and social Bhagwat Gita — Mahatma issues. Did that automati- century after what he (Rajya Sabha) Habeeb Rahman
trends. She tweets at @ranjona. Gandhi’s favourite reli- cally make them viscerally wrote, and over seven Calicut, Kerala

W W
hile Prime Minister including those who worked hen Priyanka Gandhi Vasundhara Raje as its Sachin Pilot ings at Jaipur’s prime spots.
Narendra Modi was behind the scenes. But there was no Vadra was given charge of given her persistent efforts to

W
being feted by US acknowledgement for his predeces- Uttar Pradesh on joining extract a fair deal for herself in the hile Congress leaders wait
Anita Katyal President Joe Biden, his
Cabinet colleagues back home are
sor Sushma Swaraj who steered the
ministry for five of the nine years.
politics in 2019, it was expected that
she would revive the Congress in
run-up to the year-end assembly
poll. There is no clarity on Ms
anxiously for
announcement on the con-
the

racing against time to complete the Incidentally, Mr Jaishankar served this electorally-crucial state. Raje’s status though she is pushing stitution of the new working com-
Political “homework” assigned to them as foreign secretary under her for Though she made no headway in the leadership to project her as the mittee, insiders bemoan the emer-
Gup-Shup before the expiry of the month-end
deadline set for them. Tasked with
three years. the electoral arena, she had pub-
licly declared that she was commit-
BJP’s chief ministerial face or
ensure that her legislator son
gence of multiple power centres in
the party. They point out that there

R
highlighting the Modi govern- esponding to the all-round ted to strengthening the Congress Dushyant is rewarded well in case was one power centre when Sonia
ment’s achievements over the past criticism of the Centre’s con- in Uttar Pradesh. But, from all the party comes to power. Congress Gandhi was party chief, with her
nine years, Union ministers and tinuing indifference to the accounts, Priyanka appears to have rebel leader Sachin Pilot finds him- all-powerful political secretary
Bharatiya Janata Party chief min- prolonged ethnic violence in given up on this assignment. She self in a similar situation. He is Ahmed Patel handling contentious

When Sushma isters have been busy addressing

press conferences, holding meet-
ings with various citizen groups
Manipur, Union home minister
Amit Shah has finally called an all-
party meeting on this issue.
barely visits the state while her
involvement with the activities of
the party’s state unit is virtually
continuously planning his next
move since he has been unsuccess-
ful in his mission to replace chief
matters even after Rahul Gandhi
became active in the organisation.
Today, Congress leaders said, there
and organising town halls for this However, every effort has been nil. Even her personal team in the minister Ashok Gehlot. is a Rahul Gandhi camp, a
was forgotten; specific purpose. There are days
when two or even three ministers
hold separate press conferences on
made to keep Prime Minister
Narendra Modi away from this cri-
sis to underline that this was Mr
state, including the unpopular
Sandeep Singh, are planning to
close shop. According to the cur-
Alternatively, he would like the
Congress to declare him as the
party’s future chief minister and
Priyanka Gandhi coterie, Sonia
Gandhi loyalists and party presi-
dent Mallikarjun Kharge’s support-

why Modi mum the given subject. The urgency is

understandable as the ministers
have to submit a detailed report
about their mass contact pro-
Shah’s responsibility and he should
be left to handle it. The Prime
Minister’s silence on the subject
has also been attributed to the fact
rent buzz in the Congress, Priyanka
is being prepared for a bigger role
in the party organisation. She is
also being fielded extensively in
give him sufficient say in the distri-
bution of tickets in the coming elec-
tion. Meanwhile, Mr Pilot has
asked his staff to reach out to
ers. With each one lobbying for the
inclusion of his or her own proteges
in the party’s highest decision-mak-
ing body, all-round confusion pre-

about Manipur gramme and its media coverage.

Foreign minister S. Jaishankar has
no worries on this score as he is
that Mr Modi did not want to be
associated with anything negative
at a time when he was set for a state
election-bound states, making sure
she is not confined to one state
where she is in the direct line of fire
Gehlot supporters and meet work-
ers from their area. Apparently,
posters are being prepared which
vails. Congress members who are
not affiliated to any camp are
unsure about their future as they
easily the most visible minister, visit to the US where President Joe in case of failure. As it happened in show Mr Pilot with these work- believe meritorious leaders will fail
receiving extensive press coverage. Biden rolled out the red carpet for Uttar Pradesh. ers and with Rahul and Priyanka to make the cut while coterie poli-
He began with a long press confer- him. In fact, a discrete message was Gandhi to underline that he enjoys tics will continue to thrive.

T
ence where he was gracious enough conveyed to media houses that they he Bharatiya Janata Party’s the Gandhi family’s support. Mr
to acknowledge the role of the steer clear of any negative coverage Rajasthan unit jokingly refers Pilot also plans to put up these Anita Katyal is a Delhi-based
external affairs ministry’s staff, during Mr Modi’s US sojourn. to former chief minister posters close to Mr Gehlot’s hoard- journalist

EDITOR: KAUSHIK MITTER, PRINTER & PUBLISHER: K. SUDHAKAR; THE ASIAN AGE office is located at: New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: (011) 23211124;
Published and Printed on behalf of and for; Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi 110 002 at BFL Infotech Ltd., C-9, Sector-III, Noida -201301;
London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ; RNI Registration number: 57290/94
06 NEW DELHI, 25 JUNE 2023 Vol. CXXXXXVII 26 (S)

With which is incorporated

Judicial restraint A MEMBER
OF THE

The Englishman ~ Founded 1821

The issue of exercise of right of freedom of speech and expression by a sitting judge ASIAN VOICES
boils down to two questions: (i) is there any specific law imposing any restrictions on
Big deal his freedom of speech and expression? and (ii) does an interview given to a print or Vital yet
vulnerable
T
he most significant outcome of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s landmark first state visit to
electronic media by him in respect of cases which are being heard by him fall into any
of those restrictions?
I
the United States of America (USA) is the ink- qbal of Cumilla sadar sustained a
ing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) severe spinal injury after falling
between General Electric (GE) Aerospace and the from a two-storey construction site

S
state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) ince passing of an order by court, must maintain and en- in Bahrain. He was taken to the
to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air the Supreme Court on 28 hance the confidence of all who hospital and provided with emergency
April 2023 (in Special may come in or may be expected care. After 10 days, he was sent back
Force (IAF). The deal, inked on Thursday, draws a
Leave Petition (Civil) Diary to come in the way and field of home, his critical injury hardly treated.
line under Washington’s technology-denial regime No. 15883/2023 i.e., Abhishek Though Iqbal had insurance coverage
his occupation. He must conduct
which began after India’s nuclear tests in Pokhran in Banerjee vs Soumen Nandy and himself, as far as reasonable, to and his employer had promised to bear
1998 and had obstructed Delhi’s pursuit of advanced Kuntal Ghosh vs State of West minimise the occasions on which all his expenses, he has not received a
combat jet engine technology. As the GE Aerospace Bengal) directing the then Acting it may be necessary for him to be penny in the last three years since he
Press statement put it, the pact marks “a major mile- Chief Justice of Calcutta High disqualified from hearing or has been back.
stone… and is a key element in strengthening Court to reassign two cases Jus- deciding cases. With his dream shattered, Iqbal is
defence cooperation between the two countries”. tice Abhijit Gangopadhyay was A sitting Judge should not now a burden on his family. After
This is no hyperbole. For, the deal includes the hearing to some other judge, an knowingly, while a proceeding is enduring a lot of abuse at the hands of
potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 issue hinging on the contours of before or could come before him, her Saudi employer, domestic worker
judicial conduct of sitting judges make any comment that might Meher Nigar (of Birganj, Dinajpur)
engines in India, for which the aerospace major is has emerged in the public reasonably be expected to affect became very ill and was admitted to
working with the US government to receive neces- domain. The Supreme Court in the outcome of such proceeding hospital. However, instead of continu-
sary export authorisation, widely expected to be a its utter anguish passed the order or impair the manifest fairness of ing with the treatment, without any
formality. The IAF is in dire need of this jet engine. openly expressing its displeasure the process, nor should he make prior consultation she was put on a
The indigenous Kaveri jet engine project that began after being apprised of the inci- any comment in public or other- flight back home, for which she was
in 1986 had to be shut down by the Indian govern- dent of Justice Gangopadhyay wise that might affect the fair trial made to pay from her savings.
ment because of a lack of progress despite attempts giving an interview to a TV chan- or lead any member of the public For the sake of her children’s
to revive it with the help of French engine-maker nel in respect of the two cases. to lose confidence in him, or dis- future, Zakia (of Savar) endured wage
Snecma. This galvanised the IAF to emphasise to The anguish of the Supreme qualifying him from hearing the theft and abusive work conditions for
Court is understood to be a case. more than a year. Her Saudi employer
the Defence Ministry the need to seek foreign
reflection of Apex Court’s out- There is however need for a refused to take any action when she
engines to meet its immediate requirements. Espe- right disapproval of the conduct proviso that his disqualification reported that there was a lump in her
cially significant is the need for India to maintain of a sitting judge. may not be required if no other breast causing pain. When her condi-
strategic parity in the region; it requires jet engines There is no law prohibiting a tribunal can be constituted to tion aggravated, Zakia’s employer
that can match or exceed China’s advancements. A sitting judge from giving an inter- deal with the case. In other transferred her to the placement
high-thrust engine is essential for India's fighter jet view to any print or electronic words, his integrity should be agency. She was finally sent back home
programmes such as the Tejas Mk2 and the media. On the contrary, a sitting above reproach in the view of only after her family arranged to pay
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The judge in India, like any other indi- As opposed to a retired judge tic society. reasonable observers. for her return air ticket.
GE F414 offers the necessary thrust levels to meet vidual, has his freedom of speech who is no more than an ordinary In 2001, at the second meet- Propriety and also appear- Though Imdad (of Natore) was
these requirements and is expected to be a good fit and expression. citizen, a sitting judge is more ing of the Judicial Group on ance of propriety are essential to placed in construction instead of pipe-
The pertinent question in than an ordinary citizen because Strengthening Judicial Integrity the performance of all activities fitting work, his six-year stint in Qatar
for the Tejas Mk2 ~ a substantially heavier fighter
the context is: ‘Is his freedom of of his especially ordained current held in Bangalore, the Chief Jus- of a sitting Judge. As a subject of
jet than the LCA Tejas Mk1. This would enable the speech and expression truly at state in life and consequential tices were unanimous on the constant public scrutiny he must
Tejas Mk2 to carry a payload of more than six tonnes par with freedom of speech and demands of his occupation. need for standards of judicial freely and willingly accept per-
compared to the three-and-half tonnes carried by expression of any other individ- He is especially selected by a integrity and drafted the Banga- sonal restrictions that might was largely successful. One day, he was
the LCA. The increased payload and advanced elec- ual?’ It is however not so and the legally approved process and lore Principles of Judicial Con- be viewed as burdensome by apprehended by the authorities along
tronic systems of the Tejas Mk2 demand a higher reasons are replete in the code of placed in the position of an duct endorsed by various judicial any ordinary citizen. He is also with two other undocumented migran-
level of thrust and electrical power and the F414 conduct applicable to and ex- arbiter in the higher rung of his fora including the Round Table to conduct himself in a way ts. A migrant with regular status, Imdad
engine, with a maximum thrust of 98 kN, is consid- pected from sitting judges. Such society as an adjudicating author- Meeting of Chief Justices held at consistent with the dignity of demanded the reason for his detention
ered by experts as well-suited for the Tejas Mk2. It code of conduct however has no ity in respect of disputes brought The Hague on 25 and 26 Novem- his judicial office giving no scope only to suffer severe assault by mem-
legislative support. before him by the people of his ber 2002. for variation in perception of bers of the law enforcement agency. He
may be recalled that the indigenous Kaveri engine
In India nobody including a society for adjudication. The Bangalore principles impropriety. was in severe pain and was subse-
programme suffered from various technical difficul- sitting Judge has absolute free- What may be proper for an have set six values namely, Therefore a sitting Judge: quently taken into custody.
ties and significant delays. The engine was unable to dom of speech and expression. ordinary individual of that soci- (i)independence, (ii) impartiality, (i) shall avoid impropriety and Initially, he was denied any treat-
produce sufficient thrust, suffered poor performance Freedom of speech and expres- ety may not be so for a sitting (iii) integrity, (iv) propriety, (v) the appearance of impropriety in ment, but when other detainees inter-
at high altitudes, and had excessive weight. Further, sion although constitutionally Judge and again what may be equality and (vi) competence and all of the judge’s activities; vened, he was taken to a medical facili-
it was only able to produce thrust which was much protected as a fundamental right improper for an individual may diligence for a judicial officer. (ii) shall not, in the performance ty and a plaster was put on his broken
lower than the targeted 81 kN. An additional imped- in India (Article 19(1)(a)) never- be a virtue or a vice for a sitting These six values are prerequisites of his judicial duties, by words or leg. Within days, Imdad was deported
iment was the lack of testing facilities in India; inad- theless is not absolute as Article Judge. This situation leads us to for good conduct of a Judge to conduct, manifest bias or preju- home. His mobile phone was confiscat-
equate funding severely hampered the programme 19(2) expressly provides that free- the question of “sen- uphold rule of law dice towards any person or ed by the authorities. He was not even
too. It is to the Prime Minister’s credit that despite dom of speech and expression se of propriety” ap- and a guarantee group; allowed to contact his employer to
would not affect operation of any plicable to and exp- for fair trial. Under (iii) shall maintain order and claim his outstanding benefits and
his emphasis on the Make-in-India scheme, espe- law imposing reasonable restric- ected from a sitting the heading of decorum in all proceedings other entitlements.
cially for the defence sector, he has not hesitated to tions on exercise of the right in judge. Absence of a each value there before the court and be patient, The Gulf states’ shift to mandatory
ensure the Indian armed forces get what they need. the interests of sovereignty, sense of propriety are clusters of cla- dignified and courteous in rela- private health insurance for all, includ-
That Mr Modi’s American interlocutor President Joe integrity and security of the state, befitting a sitting uses providing gu- tion to litigants, jurors, witness- ing low-paid workers, has created fresh
Biden has delivered on the technology transfer friendly relations with foreign Judge is sure to be idelines for good es, lawyers and others with whom hurdles to healthcare access. The non-
aspect of the deal must be appreciated as well, con- states, public order, decency or damaging and at conduct of a sit- the judge deals in an official citizens are no longer eligible for free
sidering the pressure on him from the left-radical morality or in relation of con- times disastrous from ting Judge. As a capacity and correspondingly he non-emergency care and require pri-
(in the American context) cabal in the Democratic tempt of court or defamation or the point of view of constituent of the also shall require and/or enforce vate health insurance or government-
Party. It is a big deal. incitement of an offence. his obligation to be judiciary he is similar conduct of legal represen- issued health cards to access healthcare
The issue of exercise of right careful and cautious expected not only tatives, court staff and others in government hospitals and private
of freedom of speech and expres- in preserving dignity, BIMAL KUMAR to uphold but also attending the court, and clinics. Often, employers fail to adhere
CHATTERJEE
Opening doors sion by a sitting judge boils down
to two questions: (i) is there any
impartiality and in-
dependence of his The writer is Barrister-at-Law,
Senior Advocate and former
to exemplify judi-
cial independence
(iv) shall not engage in conduct
incompatible with the diligent
to the contract and buy or renew insur-
ance for the workers. In instances in
specific law imposing any restric- judicial office in par- Advocate General of the both at his per- discharge of his judicial duties. which they do so, those are not of qual-

A
merica’s decision to set up two new consulates tions on his freedom of speech ticular and the judi- state of West Bengal sonal level and It will not therefore be an ity and have limited acceptance, and
~ in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad ~ in addition and expression?, and, (ii) does ciary as a whole. also at institution- over statement if it is said that thus do not cover the workers’ needs.
to consular services it already offers at New an interview given to a print or All resolutions historically al level. All these values however before the said order and/or “Good insurance isn’t cheap and
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad, electronic media by him in and unequivocally adopted at do not touch upon the limited direction had been passed by the cheap insurance isn’t good,” as the
will prove to be a boon to Indian travellers. But the respect of cases which are being United Nations level say that a issue this essay has embarked Supreme Court, Justice Gan- saying goes.
decision, announced during the Prime Minister’s heard by him fall into any of judge, like any other citizen, is upon. It needs to be noted that gopadhyay had disqualified him- The above narratives collected
visit to the United States, is guided as much by those restrictions? The Supreme entitled to freedom of expression, said six values are prefaced with self from hearing and deciding from the returnee Bangladeshi migra-
Court while passing the said belief, association and assembly, these words: those two cases by giving an nts by the Refugee and Migratory
Washington’s need to further bilateral ties as it is to
order has not reminded us of any but in exercising such rights he (a) The principles are intended interview to the TV channel. Movements Research Unit (RMMRU)
feather its own nest. Last year, India generated Asia’s such restrictions. shall always conduct himself or to establish standards for ethical It is equally needless to say provide important insights on their
highest outbound travel volumes, overtaking China, The Supreme Court’s direc- herself in such a manner as to conduct of judges. They are that the Supreme Court by its health vulnerability in destination
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Nearly two-thirds of tion means and implies stripping preserve the dignity of his judi- designed to provide guidance to said order/ direction was only countries, including those in the Gulf.
those who travelled outside the country were on hol- Justice Gangopadhyay of his cial office, and impartiality and judges and to afford the judiciary affirming the said disqualification The case studies also shine a light on
iday and leisure tourism is always more lucrative for jurisdiction and power to hear independence of the judiciary. a framework for regulating judi- expressing its instant displeasure. the gaping holes in the migrant protec-
host countries. Only Dubai attracted more Indians and decide those two cases. It Therefore, contours of a sit- cial conduct. Nonetheless the question rem- tion and service structures of those
than the United States did. Travel to American desti- may not be that impertinent for ting Judge’s right to freedom of (b) These principles presuppose ains if the Supreme Court was countries.
nations more than 12,000 km away exceeded that anybody to ask what then clothed speech and expression according that judges are accountable for right in expressing its displeasure Over the last two years, a five-
to countries in the vicinity such as Thailand, Saudi the Supreme Court with the pow- to those resolutions have been their conduct to appropriate in the manner and language it did country Vital Signs study has garnered
er either to make those deprecat- outlined by those three words e.g. institutions established to openly, apparently adversely important evidence and insights about
Arabia and Singapore. Indians made up the third affecting the fitness and image of
ing observations openly in court dignity, impartiality and inde- maintain judicial standards, the health vulnerability of low-skilled
highest group of foreign visitors to America. These or to pass the said order direct- pendence of judiciary and in par- which are themselves indepen- Justice Gangopadhyay as a migrant workers who are subjected to a
facts, brought out in a report by an international ing the Acting Chief Justice of the ticular of his judicial office oblig- dent and impartial, and are Judge in the eyes of the public at wide range of cumulative risks to their
travel consultancy, would not be unknown to the High Court to reassign those two ing the Judge to conduct himself intended to supplement and not large, particularly when the issue physical and mental health. The study
Americans. They would similarly know that travel cases to some other judge? (“he” embraces “she”) according- to derogate from existing rules of public confidence not only finds that those risks originate from
plans of Indians to the United States are increasing- The answers to both the qu- ly. The international judicial of law and conduct that bind in a particular judicial officer but their workplace, living conditions and
ly frustrated by the slow pace of visa processing, estions lie not in law but in the community have shown their the judge. in the entire judiciary is of the environment, and include heat and
with wait times of 337 days reported in April this sense of propriety of the Judge concern in a Judge’s duty to There are however no known vital importance for judicial inde- humidity, pollution, abusive working
year. With the prospect of earning nearly Rs 12,000 concerned and/or in ‘code of uphold rule of law and constitu- existing legislative rules and pendence and a guarantee for a conditions, excessive working hours
conduct’ applicable to him. How tionalism with a view to ensure conduct that bind the Judge uni- fair trial. Was it not also at the and heavy physical workloads, lax
from each visa issued, with US airlines such as
come then that a “code of con- and also enhance public trust versally. same time necessary for the occupational health and safety (OHS)
American, Delta and United hoping to pick up a duct” which has no backing of and confidence in the judicial A sitting judge is required to Supreme Court to be more practices, exposure to long-term chron-
chunk of the traffic, and with trips to the US being of any law anywhere and not at least system of a democracy. Existence be absolutely impartial in per- restrained in its language while ic psychosocial stress, and, in the case
longer duration than to those in the vicinity, there in India comes into play to guide of public trust and confidence in forming his judicial duties with- reacting to the conduct of a sit- of female domestic workers, acute vul-
are spin-off benefits that the Americans cannot pos- freedom of speech and expres- the judicial system is a sine qua out favour, bias or prejudice and ting Judge of the High Court in nerability to physical, psychological
sibly ignore. Indeed, American Airlines had returned sion of a sitting judge? non or prerequisite of a democra- his conduct, both in and out of the said Special Leave Petition? and sexual abuse.
to India after nearly a decade in 2021 after seeing
the potential for business. Data from the US Depart-
ment of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism [email protected]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Office shows that travel from India to America has
crossed pre-pandemic levels in the first five months

Stronger teams
of this year, and the Americans have issued 44 per
cent more visas to Indians this year than they did in
the same period in 2019, the year before the pan-
demic struck. On the other hand, India last year
drew the third highest number of foreign visitors in SIR, The Indian senior men’s opportunity for our coach, Igor Sti-
Asia. Driven largely by the need of members of the team's resounding 4-0 victory over mac, to observe and analyze the
Indian diaspora to visit relatives and aging parents Pakistan in the SAFF Champi- players' performances, as well as
after the Covid years, most visitors to India were onship Football tournament is identify their shortcomings, which
excellent news for football enthusi- I am confident he will address in
from the United States, followed by the United asts and the team itself. The ongo- the coming days. India's men's
Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Thus, ade- ing 8-nation tournament, along current FIFA ranking is 101. Our
quate provision of consular services to their own with the recently concluded Inter- highest-ever ranking was 94,
nationals would also have been a factor that helped continental Cup where India tri- achieved when the ranking system
the Americans decide to open additional consulates. umphed over Lebanon, not only was first introduced, but unfortu- pete against teams ranked above Pakistan (195) does not serve much Qatar, and others.
The outlook for the rest of 2023 looks just as promis- boosts the morale of our players nately, we have not surpassed that us, especially those within the 75- purpose in terms of improving our Therefore, I believe we should
ing, with a 26 per cent jump projected in travel from but also provides crucial match achievement. 100 range, such as Oman, Uzbek- FIFA ranking or preparing the team carefully consider the selection of
India to the United States. It is not surprising there- practice for the upcoming Asia Cup To set a realistic target of istan, and North Macedonia. Play- to face challenges from Asian pow- participating teams.
fore that the Americans have decided to up their scheduled for January next year. breaking into the 85-90 range in the ing against weaker opponents like erhouses like Australia, South Yours, etc., Dibyendu Mitra Roy,
These matches offer a valuable FIFA Rankings, we need to com- Vanuatu (168), Mongolia (183), or Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kolkata, 22 June.
consular game.
 NEW DELHI, 25 JUNE 2023 07
Sustainable fishing to offset
NOW AND AGAIN

Spooked by the bell

climate change impacts

SHOVANLAL CHAKRABORTY

You might have read many ghost sto-

ries, but you may not believe them. I
learned all about witches and spirits from
my elder cousin sister when I was eight
years old. We used to spend our summer
DILIP KUMAR GHOSHAL essary government and panchayat holidays in Santipur, at my grandmother's
support and proper training, will be a house by the majestic Ganges. The square-
he year 2022 ended several silent but sure step to income genera- shaped house had huts outside the main

T months ago, without settling

anything or solving anything
on the havoc likely to be
wrought by global climate change,
though we heard eloquent rhetoric in
tion in the rural areas, besides pre-
venting the upcoming water crisis.
The learned research scholars
and fisheries scientists should leave
their ivory tower of scholarship and
building where weavers would weave saris.
There was a cow shed where five cows
would provide milk. The cottier woman,
Jaya, used to milk them each morning. But
the most attractive of all was the tamarind
international forums. Mother Earth, come down to learn lessons from tree, which had a tale attached to it. The
the only human habitat so far known, ground-level partnerships. Modern story goes that once my grandmother's
has been anxiously waiting to witness information technology may be fruit- grandfather, Manmohon decided to fell the
positive, visible action to prevent the fully used to make this project a suc- tree. The morning the woodcutter came
dreaded catastrophe of climate cess for all. Cutting down forests, eco- with his team there was a telegram from
change, already hissing before biting. logically disastrous mining and hasty London, where Manmohan’s elder son was
Climate, our long-time nourisher, and unplanned construction of a doctor, which read, "Stop felling tree, let-
cannot be provoked to ruin our civili- dams/barrages, throwing environ- ter follows".
sation. The less developed and poor mental and geological concerns to the The letter which followed was extraor-
countries will suffer from the disas- winds in mountainous regions dinary. Manmohan's son had a dream
trous effects of climate change much invokes Nature’s furious wrath in the where a lady requested him not to fell the
more, while rich countries with their form of snap and destructive floods tree, as she was living in it. News spread like
unrestrained pursuit of higher con- in the nearby residential plains. It also wildfire and police was called to control
sumption will continue to add to the results in silting of rivers and streams. people who came from far and near to have
calamity. The gap of inequality and men also matter. The crisis demands courage tourism which ushers in eco- vent further fall of our underground Innumerable fishermen who have a look at the tree. No one dared cross the
undeserved suffering between the much-needed cooperation and coor- nomic growth. But tourism and water levels. Strict protection of our lived near rivers for centuries are get- tree after sunset from then.
rich and the poor countries will dination between the Forest and Fish- development cannot mean thought- wetlands, ponds and tanks, whether ting less and less catch as silted up When we were in Santipur my cousin
widen. eries departments, and from pan- less or reckless profit-seeking that privately or public owned, is an effec- riverbeds are detrimental to fish habi- would share her knowledge of ghosts: they
When the sea level will start rising chayat bodies. It must be backed by result in denudation of the estuarine tive step towards a secure tomorrow tats. Rivers and streams with adequate wear white sarees and anklets with metal-
menacingly, the estuarine areas and the people’s responsible response and mangrove forest, which is a protective for our children. fish as before may reduce degradation lic bells to herald their arrival; they have
the coastline of West Bengal, as the active participation for reducing this wall against tides and cyclones. Fisheries, hygienically practised, of our rivers, even after providing liveli- twisted feet with toes pointing back, and
experts fear, will be the first to sub- man-animal conflict. Unplanned and perilous conversion in all our water bodies will bring hood to our fishermen. The fishermen, so on. I was enchanted to know that the
merge in sea-water. Agriculturists and While the Royal Bengal tigers of wetlands and tide-fed canals into income for the right entrepreneurs. too, must play a responsible role. tamarind tree was home to many such
fisherfolk of our Sundarban areas, May live majestically in the forest, the shrimp-culture sites, to feed our lust Wetlands cannot be wastelands. Pis- Sewage treatment plants, eco- ghosts. My cousin exploited my ignorance
already in penury and badly mauled fisherfolk also cannot be robbed of for export earnings may quicken the ciculture requires disciplined, trained nomically managed, for cleaning up by spicing up the spooky stories with
by their inhospitable surroundings their right to live on fishing and allied harmful effects of man-made climate- and duly authorised groups, not mus- municipal sewage or factory waste, descriptions of various genres of ghosts, like
will find their cultivable pieces of land avocations. They can surely sustain change. cle-flexing gangs of encroachers. Such are useful for stopping untreated Brahma Doityo, Shak Chunni, Skhanda Kata
more salty. Their ponds and wetlands themselves with supplementary and Mere electoral victory, which in well-maintained and productively sewage from falling into our rivers. and a spirit with a burning torch. We played
will be plagued with salty water, inca- allied activities like horticulture, ani- reality means enthronement for dom- cultivated wetlands, in both rural and Sewage-fed fisheries, around the east- on the ground which was nearly half a kilo-
pacitating healthy fish culture. mal husbandry, bee-keeping, duck- ination, is powerless before the swal- urban areas will be a check on ern fringe of Kolkata, are the natural metre from the tamarind tree. Day after day,
Their hopelessness will deepen ery, piggery, goats-rearing etc., lowing tides and too weak to stop the unscrupulous builders who are look- cleaners of the tanks. my sister was weaving new stories of spirits.
when their wobbly huts will crumble besides safe fishing. Success depends lashing hail of cyclonic storms. If ing to fill up, especially in urban areas, The marine fisheries sector also I handled the ghost stories well during the
with the lashing, cruel blasts of pre- on diligent entrepreneurship, with aid political victory can usher in all-inclu- any wetland for building sky-scrap- needs proper regulation. Mindless day, but twilight gave me the jitters.
dicted cyclonic storms. If a cyclone, and advice from government func- sive socio-economic, morale-boost- pers. and merciless mechanical sweeping I used to grab my cousin’s hand while
with capricious mercy, spares the ill- tionaries and panchayats. ing well-being for all, especially the We must not be blind to the sig- of the sea-floors with trawlers, mostly walking past the tamarind tree. One
protected island hamlets, and they They should free themselves indigent, ceaselessly struggling fish- nificant numbers of large or medium- foreign, are sure to decimate the flora evening, it was dark when we were return-
take the risk, to stave off impending from the dishonour of begging and ermen, it will be a triumph of the peo- sized water bodies in many govern- and fauna of the seas and ocean. ing from the playground. Just as we neared
starvation, of venturing out on their struggle, and help themselves go up ple. For this, divisive and constant ment-owned or managed premises. Besides, over-fishing round the year the tamarind tree, there was a cold breeze,
boats fish in the canals and streams the socio-economic ladder. Then, the bickering and narrow political feuds No such water body should remain leaves little time for breeding and sus- and an owl started hooting. I clutched her
dangerously close to the Sundarban buffets of nature or man-made must yield space to well-thought-out, fallow if found useful from the fish- tainable growth of marine fish. If the hand. I could hear a faint jingle of bells.
forests, they face the risk of the tru- calamity will fail to defeat them. The corruption-free implementation of eries point of view. Our environment Marine Fisheries Regulation Act and We started walking faster. The jingle got
culently prowling tiger, a hungry car- challenge of the hungry tides will then eco-friendly, employment-generating will thrive in health and not fall sick Rules continue to be ignored, this will closer. My sister left my hand and said,
nivore, chasing their movements with bring an opportunity to rise. But all projects. with conservation of water and pro- endanger the ecology of our seas and “Run.” Before I realised anything, she was
deadly stealth. stake-holders must work with trans- A large portion of the wetlands of ductive fisheries. oceans. gone! I started crying and started to run.
Tiger conservation is imperative parency, above narrow political parti- our country lie in West Bengal. Preser- Special schemes for women’s The jingle, more of a tinkle, was close
to prevent extinction of this endan- sanship. vation of our wetlands, without any participation in fish culture and fish (The writer, a former IAS officer, served as behind. My cousin was panting and wait-
Director of Fisheries, West Bengal.)
gered species but lives of poor fisher- It is nobody’s business to dis- concession or compromise will pre- seed, fish-feed production, with nec- ing for me at the door. We both looked back
to see a feminine figure emerge, with a crea-
ture behind her. As they came closer, we
POLITICAL DIARY KALYANI SHANKAR saw her saree was not monochromatic. Her
feet were not twisted, and there were no

Modi's outreach to Indian diaspora works

anklets either. The creature behind her was
a cow. It was the bell in the cow’s neck that
spooked us. Jaya was coming back home.
My sister and I burst into laughter, patting
the cow's back.
rime Minister Narendra Modi pora "the real strength" of the U.S.- appointed many members of the

P had been wooing the Indian

diaspora even as chief minis-
ter of Gujarat. Consciously he
made all efforts to endear himself to
India relationship.
In applauding the diaspora, Modi
told the community that they are bril-
liant in every field, not just Spelling
diaspora in their administrations.
Biden has appointed 130 Indian
Americans in many key positions.
Prominent figures like Vice President
100 YEARS AGO
people of Indian origin people settled
abroad, whether in America, Great
Bee, and have played a significant role
in the country's relationship with
Kamala Harris and presidential hope-
ful Nikky Haley have shattered barri-
THE UNIVERSITY
Britain or Australia.
The recently concluded visit to
America.
Why does the diaspora admire
ers. Business leaders from the diaspo-
ra are heading over two dozen Ameri-
FUND
the United States was a critical Modi? Over the decades, the BJP has can companies, including Google To The Editor Of The Statesman
moment for Modi's international rep- built up a carefully committed dias- chief Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's SIR, - My attention has been drawn to a
utation. The visit displayed the pora. "The Friends of BJP" is an influ- Satya Nadella. letter published in the Statesman, with
increasing significance of growing ential organisation in America. Thirdly, and more importantly, regard to the collection of subscriptions for
Indo-U.S. ties. Late BJP Prime Minister Vajpayee the U.S. wants to prop up India as a a permanent University fund. I am
Modi was pleased to receive top started the Pravasi Divas and hon- counter-balance to China. The busi- informed that shortly after our invitation for
honors from Washington. This oured Indian-Americans. He even ness and defence ties with the U.S. subscription was issued His Excellency the
included a state dinner at the White appointed an NRI, B K Agnihotri as a have increased tremendously in the Governor as Chancellor had an interview
House, prestigious accommodations roving ambassador. However, the U.S. past decade. It includes commerce, with a large number of the members of the
at Blair House, and an opportunity to government refused to recognize a diplomacy, defence and related Senate including some of the members of
address the U.S. Congress for the sec- second envoy. areas. India has joined Quad, G 20, the Provisional Committee and desired that
ond time in nine years. Modi announced many facilities, and many other international group- agitation should not be carried on in the
Modi as chief minister of Gujarat, like a more accessible visa regime and ings. public press and platform as he hoped to
was denied a U.S. visa in 2005 for an Overseas Indian card. The diaspora The visit also had some embar- arrange matters amicably and meet the
alleged human rights violations. But wants voting rights, but this will take a rassing moments. The Indian diaspo- deficits of the University. Further collection
the U.S. has embraced him progres- long time. ra is not monolithic but a diverse was thereupon stopped and the idea of
sively as Prime Minister, and now Modi impressed Americans soon community. The supporting and holding a public meeting was for the time
more than ever. swing states. According to American turned out in large numbers at events after he took over with his memorable opposing camps assembled in Wash- being abandoned. The money paid in is in
The culturally rich, highly edu- media, 74 per cent of Indian Ameri- during the PM's visit. When he landed event in Madison Square Garden, ington to cheer Modi or protest deposit with the Bengal National Bank in
cated, and wealthy Indian diaspora is can voters backed Biden in 2020. in New York, he was greeted with New York, in 2014. Some American against him. On 20 June, 75 U.S. Sena- the name of Mr. B. Chakrabarti, the trea-
a link between the largest and the old- Modi's visit was not solely meant chants of 'Modi Modi', 'Bharat Mata lawmakers addressed the Indian dias- tors and Members of Congress wrote surer. It has not been returned as the com-
est democracies of the world. This to improve bilateral relations but also ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram.' They pora alongside Modi. Then came the a letter to President Biden to address mittee has been waiting to see what the
relationship has moved from Prime to cement his bonds with the Indian cheered him at the South Lawn of the Howdy Modi rally in Houston, which issues including "shrinking of political Government is going to do with regard to
Minister Nehru's non-interference diaspora and business leaders. He White House, where President Biden stunned President Donald Trump. space, the rise of religious intolerance, the University finance.
outlook to the diaspora's engagement made it a point to complement the and First Lady Jill Biden gave the Secondly, after the liberalization and more" in India. N.C. SEN.
during the regimes of Atal Behari Vaj- diaspora in all his speeches, includ- Prime Minister a grand welcome. in the nineties, India's economy is Taking them in his stride, Modi Calcutta.
payee and Modi. ing his address to the U.S. Congress. "I have come here many times, becoming the third-largest in the said he was "concluding a very spe-
The four-million-strong commu-
nity's political weight has not been
Modi projected India as a grow-
ing global power, instilled a sense of
but today for the first time, the doors
of the White House have been opened
world. It offers an attractive market.
As Prime Minister, Modi has
cial USA visit, where I got to partici-
pate in numerous programmes and A SERVICE
lost on Biden or Modi. It is the sec-
ond-largest and fastest-growing com-
pride in them, and used it to build his
constituency back home.
for the Indian American community
in such large numbers," Modi said in
interacted with three Presidents in the
past nine years – Barack Obama,
interactions to add momentum to the
India-USA friendship." Both sides GRIEVANCE
munity. They are key voters in several Indian Americans, on their part, his reply. He called the Indian dias- Trump and now Biden. They had all acclaim the visit as significant. To The Editor Of The Statesman
SIR, - A little while ago Mr. Montagu
in the Times mentioned a great hardship
CROSSWORD NO-292473 of the Services in India. I refer to the delay
in dealing with memorials. Mr. Montagu
thought much of the trouble would be
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ACROSS 14 Grotesque growth 27 One makes mistakes 2 Turkey, another 17 Freezing Scots obviated, if representatives of the Services
a feature of this beast more miserable when creature with man requiring kettle?
9 (7) goofy nerd’s involved small feet (8) (8) concerned could put their plaints before
1 Might he make a the Viceroy personally. About the hardship
10 11
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION mug out of Ronnie
16 Light discharge (9) 3 Tree, more mature 18 Maintain quiet
O’Sullivan? (6)
(4) 28 Animal killers held one (5) modesty’s awfully I can offer a present instance. In 1922 with
R E C I T E F I E RC E 19 League of Nations in esteem, a tad, 5 Quickly declare that perverse (8) other officers I submitted a memorial rep-
E H E C E A 4 Person I suspect has
held back by protocol or scorn dance is cancelled 20 Taps yellow light in
12 13 S T ROMA T A I GNOR E right to be inside? (8)
breach (4) (8) (4,3) meeting room resenting certain grave alterations in the
R W R S N E N 10 Criticism of minor conditions under which I was recruited.
21 Fantastic beast’s 29 Claw right back 6 High court has (7)
HO T D E S K I NG WE E D routes over
accidents, essentially
beginning to confirm almost to the dinner cooked 21 Angel fish enthrals Thinking an interview with His Excellency
14 15 16 E I D A S nature’s in trouble beginning, revealing (9) cockney woman the Viceroy was necessary, the Service fur-
(9)
S A R I N E S C A L A T E (7) a pop star 7 Cocaine is one, (6)
17 18
T T O L
11 Hill – famous one on
24 Pay for holiday, (6) for example (6) 22 Stand by – a repeated ther accredited two members. These
reflection for rambler addressed a letter to His Excellency
19 20 21 COU S COU S N I F T Y (5)
you say? That’ll slow 8 Hotplate’s no good? phrase is coming up –
N P P V A you down That’s a mystery musical tip humbly requesting an interview. The letter
22 23
B E T A P R OV I S I ON S
12 It turns but
(4,5) DOWN (6) (6)
remains unchanged was submitted at the end of January last.
24 25 C G E O V R O (5)
25 Eyes – not misty, 1 Turn up combative 9 VIP pantomime dame 23 Cup for a small mouth?
To date no reply has been received. And
DOA B L E N A I L D OWN 13 Bread not cut
peeled (5) to begin with during may have one (6) (6)
L O P A O A 26 Primitive home, fight in boozy 15 Black pudding is 25 Organisation poured rightly or not the officers consider the let-
before supper, say
26 27 D E L I S H I L L S A Y (9)
one with good facilities night out usually this hybrid beer regularly ter to the Viceroy has not reached His
(5) (3-5) (4-5) (5) Excellency. The only remedy that remains
in India is to ventilate the grievance in the
28 29
Press.
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required. (By arrangement with The Independent, London)
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 SUNDAY 25 JUNE 2023 | DELHI
THE

Mirror 7

Staggering distortions of Adi Kavya in Adi Purush

Vanam Jwala Rama promises to kill Vali It was brought when Ravana
Narasimha Rao The stunning name of this fabricated story film and fulfills his vow by way of threw the weapon ‘Shakti’ on
is ‘Adi Purush’ ostensibly based on the all-time releasing an arrow from his Lakshmana resulting in his

P world famous great epic Ramayana. Strangely, in

EOPLE like to see a bow from behind a tree but not unconsciousness for a brief
movie either for en- face to face as wrongly shown while. It was not because
tertainment or for a the introduction, it was mentioned that, Valmiki in the film. The rationale be- of his deathlike state in the
subtle message or for music Ramayana was the source and inspiration for hind this was a pioneer discus- hands of Indrajit. In another
and songs or for a comedy the theme of the film, but in effect, it is seldom sion on ‘Dharma’ between Vali typical and faulty manner, it
or a tragedy and appreciate if and Sri Rama. When Sugriva is shown in the film, making
they like. But, if a movie pro- observed in the film anywhere was sending his monkey bri- some medicine on the arrival
jected as mythology centric gade to all four sides in search of Sanjivani!!!
and shown with typical dis- The Great Sage Valmiki be of eye-catching. But when ridiculous manner. Without of Janaki which did not form According to Valmiki
gusting combination of folk blessed humanity with his one sees this film, the feeling signifying any context, Janaki part of the film, Hanuma was Ramayana, during the last
and social features, and turns Epic and a Great Literature one will have is, Oh! could was shown asking Raghava deputed to south. Sri Rama moments of Ravana, Rama
out to be a rude shock to Sri Ramayana that speaks this be the real and correct to fetch the Golden Deer that confident of his caliber gives used ‘Brahmastra’ and killed
viewers, how can it be better about the story of Sri Rama way to portray Sri Rama (Ra- was loitering there in a flock. dress, and like a magician, tie but did not feed Rama with his ‘Finger Ring’ to show it Ravana from the chariot sent
described or reviewed than known to be an exceptional ghava)!!! Adi Purush movie, Immediately, emulating the her with ropes in an uncon- tasted fruits. to Sita indicating that he is by Indra with Matahli in the
using a word ‘distortion’? ‘Role Model’ (Maryada Pu- had shown scenes of Raghava, style of Hero chasing Villain scious stage and putting her First meeting between Ha- Rama’s representative, but not driving seat and advising to
The instantaneous reac- rushottam). Unfortunately, in an awkward and often in a social film, Raghava chas- in an awkward space vehicle numa, Sri Rama and Laksh- the ‘single pearl’ as shown in use the weapon. The way it
tion of viewers of this movie, the film makers seems to dreadful manner, graphically es the deer and pulls his arrow of an unusual bird, and steer- mana was incorrectly shown. the film. Sita in return gives was shown in the film that
by and large was: ”Oh! Char- have totally forgotten that, supported, exhibiting his to kill it. Whispering ‘Sheshu’ ing by himself. The film shows Bajrang sit- her precious ‘Chudamani’ but both Sri Rama and Ravana
acters of Raghava (Sri Rama), Indians considered Rama- skills of unnecessary leaps, ‘Sheshu’ it dies and becomes a It was also shown in the ting at one place, exposing not ‘Bangle’ to Hanuma as exposing their bodies with
Sheshu (Lakshmana), Janaki yana as an Ideal and Best ex- jumps and heaps and dives!!! demon. There was no mention film, that Lakshmana who his six-pack body, and asking shown in the film. Chests overflowing out and
(Sita), Bajrang (Hanuman), ample and practiced the im- In one scene, it was shown of Ravana friend Maricha that went to help his brother meets Raghava and Sheshu illogical On leaving Sita, as a show muscles on display and fight-
Ravana, Vibhishana, Kumb- mense culture and traditions, awkwardly, Raghava sitting was in that form!!! him half a way through and and senseless questions which of strength, Hanuma trium- ing standing on the ground
hakarna, Mandodari, Shoo- which are totally distorted indifferently alone and sud- There was no reference both return to the Ashram, is not in Valmiki Ramayana. phantly fought against Ra- like boxers or wrestlers is
rphanaka etc. could also be in the movie beyond any- denly turning aggressive with to ‘Laxmana Rekha’ or the exactly at a time when Ra- Actual story is, on seeing vana’s supporters before sur- again another awkward scene.
shaped and presented this one’s imagination!!! Valmiki non-existing and elusive crea- Grill as in the film, drawn by vana was little away in the sky Rama and Lakshmana in the rendering voluntarily, in a bid After Ravana’s death, the film
way, without doing proper Ramayana that emanates tures in a rare display of folk Laxmana before leaving Sita abducting Janaki. They were vicinity of Rushyamook, Su- to reach Ravana. Hanuma and was abruptly ended with
homework.” The stunning a unique poetical sound style heroism.!!! What is this? or Janaki and go to help Sri shown staying silent without griva afraid of them as per- Ravana meeting where Hanu- Rama and Sita joining.
name of this fabricated story (Dhvani Kavyam) speaks Logic and rationale to start Rama in Valmiki Ramayana. attempting to counter Ravana sons sent by Vali to kill him, ma exhibits his communica- Valmiki Ramayana is the
film is ‘Adi Purush’ ostensibly of sixteen characteristics or the film with parts of Aranya Ravana, according to Valmi- which is incorrect! They both deployed Hanuma to elicit in- tion skills was not shown in one and only standard text
based on the all-time world qualities of Sri Rama con- Kanda, negligible bit of Kish- ki, enters the Ashram right reach much much later after formation. Hanuma in a ‘Bik- the film for obvious reasons. that talks about the exact sto-
famous great epic Ramayana. textualizing various phases kindha Kanda and abruptly royally and threatens Sita Ravana left. It was Kabandha shuka’ attire went to them and Instead Bajrang was shown in ry of Sri Rama and Sita Devi
Strangely, in the introduc- of his life. The film makers, closing with Yuddha Kanda and kidnaps her by touching who suggested Sri Rama to revealed all about Sugriva and an awkward way using filthy (Raghava and Janaki) and rest
tion, it was mentioned that, strangely gone totally oppo- bit is also debatable. Sheshu and pulling her. In the film make friendship with Sugriva Vali and reasons for Sugriva language on burning his tail. are all Texts with self-styled
Valmiki Ramayana was the site and portrayed him with (Lakshmana) positioning a Adi Purush, it was shown but not Sabari. Accordingly, being in exile driven away by Construction of Bridge on the insertions. It was the first and
source and inspiration for his unlike characteristics. grill-like structure around that, Ravana appearing as a Sri Rama and Lakshmana Vali. Later he took them to Ocean with stones was also foremost literary exposition,
the theme of the film, but in When one reads Valmiki Janaki (Sita) with a warning Bikshuka first making Janaki proceeded and, on the way Sugriva to befriend. Thus, the shown faultily. Hanuman did The Adi Kavya. Strangely, this
effect, it is seldom observed Ramayana the characters and not to cross the border, when to cross the line and later in a met Sabari, who gave them bond of friendship between bring Sanjeevani Mountain Movie is named as ‘Adi Pu-
in the film anywhere. importantly of Sri Rama will she is alone, was shown in a modern hair style and typical the best of the fruits collected, Rama and Sugriva developed. but the context was different. rush’!!! Any relevance???

Ways criminals could INDIA’S POPULATION QUESTION

Sunita Narain

use AI to trap more

of environmental problems; ment level (2.1).
it is their consumption pat- The latest National Fam-

I NDIA is expected to over-

take China to become
the world’s most populous
tern that leads to environ-
mental degradation.
We know that the envi-
ily Health Survey reveals
that Bihar, Jharkhand, Ma-
nipur, Meghalaya and Uttar
Daniel Prince country sometime in July, it ronmental damage caused Pradesh are the only outliers,
is said. We don’t have a firm by wealthier countries is with fertility levels above two

W ARNINGS about arti-

ficial intelligence (AI)
are ubiquitous right now. They
month, because our census—
the count of population—is
more than a decade old.
extensive—they overexploit
land, water, forests and other
resources, but externalise the
children per woman (also the
country average).
It is well known that fertili-
have included fearful messag- So, we can only estimate source. Their consumption of ty declines only when girls are
es about AI's potential to cause the expected overshoot date— fossil fuels is driving global educated, women are empow-
the extinction of humans, in- sometime in mid-2023, we warming. But their local air ered and they have health and
voking images of the Termi- will match China’s 1.45 billion appears “clean” because they economic security. Fertility is
nator movies. The UK Prime people and then surpass it. have the money to invest in not about population control
Minister Rishi Sunak has even The question I get asked often improved technology. These but about women’s right over
set up a summit to discuss AI is, what does this mean for the wealthier countries have wil- reproductive decisions. It is
safety. However, we have been environment? derness areas, and so, you Illustration: Yogendra Anand / CSE an indicator of progress. We
using AI tools for a long time There is no doubt that may argue that their natural are seeing this happen. We
– from the algorithms used to customers and optimised to see if they match your more people will need more habitat is protected. need to stay on track.
recommend relevant products business efficiency. Your first passwords. That's why long, resources to survive. But it But no. Because their use
Population per se is not the determinant of Then, of course, is the issue
on shopping websites, to cars contact with an organisation complex passwords are safer; cannot be argued that popula- of the natural habitat is ex- environmental problems; it is their consumption of the population dividend—
with technology that recog- is likely to be with an AI sys- they are harder to guess by tion growth is an indicator of tensive, it results in the over- pattern that leads to environmental degradation. this is also where education
nises traffic signs and provides tem, before you get to speak this method. Brute forcing the resultant environmental use of forests and degrada- How do we make sure that as our population kicks in. We need to do much
lane positioning. to a human. Criminals can is resource intensive, but it's degradation. It is not as linear. tion of land in other places. more to get this right.
AI is a tool to increase effi- use the same tools to create easier if you know something The simple counter argu- The poor, on the other hand, grows, we do not end up being in the And finally, the environ-
ciency, process and sort large automated interactions with about the person. For exam- ment is that countries like have intensive use of their lo- self-destructive mode as the rest of the world? ment question. Ensuring this
volumes of data, and offload large numbers of potential ple, this allows lists of poten- the US with 336 million peo- cal environment. will be much more difficult
decision making. Neverthe- victims, at a scale not possi- tial passwords to be ordered ple or Australia with 26 mil- In their villages they depend wealth and modernity. absolute growth in numbers because the aspirational idea
less, these tools are open to ble if it were just carried out according to priority – in- lion people have much great- on forests that are already And even if we do not means more pollution. of global middle class is not
everyone, including crimi- by humans. They can imper- creasing the efficiency of the er environmental footprints lopped, land that is grazed and reach the obscene levels of So, we must focus on three so easy to deconstruct and
nals. And we're already see- sonate legitimate services like process. For instance, they than that of India. waterbodies that are polluted. consumption as the other points: How do we keep a take apart.
ing the early stage adoption banks over the phone and on could start off with combina- Earth Overshoot Day— But even with this visible de- middle class, our sheer num- check on the population The lifestyle of the global
of AI by criminals. email, in an attempt to elicit tions that relate to the names a group that calculates the struction, their combined bers will add up to leave the growth? And how do we use consuming class is about mar-
Deepfake technology has information that would allow of family members or pets. bioresources used by coun- impact on the environment is same environmental impact. this population dividend? ket forces and the economics
been used to generate re- them to steal your money. Algorithms trained on tries—estimates that if every- less than that of the smaller We already see that with There is no doubt that every that drives wealth creation.
venge pornography, for ex- your data could be used to one lived like an American, we but richer populations. waste generation—as we get human being is a wonder- But this is really where the
ample. Technology enhances Deepfakes help build these prioritised would need five Earths; as an That said, it is also a fact richer, the quantum of waste ful creature and an asset. So, rubber meets the road—we
the efficiency of criminal AI is really good at generat- lists more accurately and tar- Australian, we would need 4.5 that the Indian population increases; its composition the third point is, how do we want a planet that is livable. It
activity. It allows lawbreakers ing mathematical models get many people at once – so Earths and as an Indian, we has a smaller footprint be- changes; and garbage takes make sure that as our popula- is time we discussed this seri-
to target a greater number that can be “trained” on fewer resources are needed. would need 0.8 of an Earth. cause it is poor. It is poverty over our streets. tion grows, we do not end up ously and urgently.
of people and helps them be large amounts of real-world Specific AI tools could be de- These countries with that makes us frugal. We also see this with air being in the self-destructive
more plausible. Observing data, making those models veloped that harvest your on- smaller populations have So, it can be argued that pollution in our cities—the mode as the rest of the world? (Writer is Director General
how criminals have adapted better at a given task. Deep- line data, then analyse it all to emitted huge amounts of car- as we get richer, we may also richer we get, the more we The answer to the first is of CSE and editor of Down To
to, and adopted, technologi- fake technology in video and build a profile of you. If, for ex- bon dioxide into the atmos- wish for the global middle- drive in individual vehicles; relatively clear: India is al- Earth, an environmentalist who
cal advances in the past, can audio is an example of this. ample, you frequently posted phere, adding to our com- class lifestyle (the American and even as we clean up each ready seeing a decline in its pushes for changes in policies,
provide some clues as to how A deepfake act called Meta- on social media about Taylor mon jeopardy. So, population way), which has now become vehicle with better emission total fertility rate, which has practices and mindsets; Cour-
they might use AI. physic, recently demonstrat- Swift, manually going through per se is not the determinant the benchmark of economic controls and fuel quality, the dropped below the replace- tesy: Down To Earth)
ed the technology's potential your posts for password clues
A better phishing when they unveiled a video would be hard work.
hook available
AI tools like ChatGPT and
of Simon Cowell singing op-
era on the television show
Automated tools do this
quickly and efficiently. All of BREAKTHROUGH DISCOVERY
Google's Bard provide writing America's Got Talent. This this information would go into

How our genes make us prone to allergies

support, allowing inexperi- technology is beyond the making the profile, making it
enced writers to craft effective reach of most criminals, but easier to guess passwords and
marketing messages, for ex- the ability to use AI to mimic pins. Healthy scepticism We
ample. However, this technol- the way a person would re- should not be frightened of
ogy could also help criminals spond to texts, write emails, AI, as it could bring real ben-
sound more believable when leave voice notes or make efits to society. But as with any New York and are common in popula-
contacting potential victims. phone calls is freely available new technology, society needs tions. These complex condi-
Think about all those spam
phishing emails and texts that
are badly written and eas-
using AI. So is the data to
train it, which can be gath-
ered from videos on social
to adapt to and understand
it. Although we take smart
phones for granted now, so-
R ESEARCHERS
identified how genetic
have

differences that alter a specific

tions cannot be explained by
simply "turning off " one gene.
Instead, they may be
ily detected. Being plausible media, for example. Social ciety had to adjust to having protein can affect the human caused by small changes in
is key to being able to elicit media has always been a rich them in our lives. They have body's response to allergies. the DNA that affect how
information from a victim. seam for criminals mining largely been beneficial, but A team from the University genes work together. How-
Phishing is a numbers game: information on potential tar- uncertainties remain, such as of Pennsylvania, in an ani- ever, researchers still do not
an estimated 3.4 billion spam gets. There is now the poten- a good amount of screen time mal model, found that small know much about how these
emails are sent every day. My tial for AI to be used to create for children. changes in the protein called Golnaz Vahedi, PhD, and changes in DNA relate to
own calculations show that a deepfake version of you. As individuals, we should ETS1 can lead to an increased
While there has been progress in understanding genetic Jorge Henao-Mejia, MD, PhD how our genes are organised
if criminals were able to im- This deepfake can be be proactive in our attempts likelihood for allergic reac- traits that follow predictable patterns, like those passed or how they affect how genes
prove their messages so that exploited to interact with to understand AI, not com- tions that cause inflammation. down from parents, it's been more challenging to can mess up the dimmer are expressed in most com-
as little as 0.000005% of them friends and family, convinc- placent. We should develop The findings were published understand conditions that involve many different genes switch, causing problems plex diseases.
now convinced someone to ing them to hand criminals our own approaches to it, in the journal ‘Immunity.’ with controlling the ETS1 "This work demonstrates
reveal information, it would information on you. Gaining maintaining a healthy sense By using modern genomics and are common in populations. These complex conditions protein. This can lead to im- how small differences in our
result in 6.2 million more a better insight into your life of scepticism. We will need and imaging techniques, a col- cannot be explained by simply "turning off" one gene balances in our immune cells DNA can disturb the bal-
phishing victims each year. makes it easier to guess pass- to consider how we verify the laborative team of researchers and cause allergic inflamma- ance between our immune
words or pins. validity of what we are read- co-led by Penn’s Golnaz Vahe- T helper cells, which are im- ETS1 protein is made. "We tion," she added. cells, resulting in significant
Automated talks ing, hearing or seeing. These di, PhD, an associate professor portant in allergic reactions discovered that these inter- While there has been observable characteristics in
with victims Brute forcing simple acts will help society of Genetics, and Jorge Henao- and help orchestrate the im- actions work like a dimmer progress in understanding patients. This phenomenon
One of the early uses for AI Another technique used by reap the benefits of AI while Mejia, MD, PhD, an associate mune response by activating switch," said Golnaz Vahedi, genetic traits that follow pre- may occur in other common
tools was to automate inter- criminals called “brute forc- ensuring we can protect our- professor of Pathology and and coordinating other im- Associate Professor of Ge- dictable patterns, like those diseases such as autoimmune
actions between customers ing” could also benefit from selves from potential harms. Laboratory Medicine, found mune cells. DNA interactions netics, at the varsity's Perel- passed down from parents, disorders," said Jorge Henao-
and services over text, chat AI. This is where many com- (Writer is Professor that the ETS1 protein plays within the genomic segment man School of Medicine. it's been more challenging to Mejia, Associate Professor of
messages and the phone. This binations of characters and of Cyber Security at a role in controlling a type encompassing the ETS1 gene "When there are changes understand conditions that Pathology and Laboratory
enabled a faster response to symbols are tried in turn Lancaster University) of immune cell called CD4+ control how much of the in the DNA in this area, it involve many different genes Medicine at the Perelman.
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