High Moral Ground Vs National Interests

The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning an alleged plot, blamed by the US on elements in Iranian establishment to assassinate Saudi envoy to Washington, and asked Tehran to cooperate in the probe.

The resolution did not directly accuse Tehran of carrying out the plot, but it called on Iran “to comply with all of its obligations under international law, including the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, particularly with respect to its obligations to provide law enforcement assistance.”

This resolution received one hundred and six votes in favor, and nine votes against, while forty countries abstained.

Quite surprisingly India, which currently occupies the Chair of UN Security Council’s counter terrorism committee, abstained.

Our permanent representative to the United Nations, Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri said, “We have abstained on the resolution, as its substance deals with a specific case in which we are not in the possession of full facts and the mater is subjudice.”

This statement fails to convince any rational thought, as to how a country like India, which has been a victim of state sponsored terrorism for more than two decades, fail to support a resolution which merely calls upon a State to comply with all of its obligations under international law?

True, we may not have been in full possession of facts of the case, and matter was subjudice, but then what facts are required to impress upon a State to comply with all of its obligations under international law?

The specific case in question pertains to an attempt to assassinate Saudi envoy in Washington DC. Can any State in the world which genuinely condemns terrorism, afford to ignore the severity of the case?

Certainly, not all the one hundred and six countries which voted in favor of this resolution could have acted irrationally, if Mr. Puri’s defense is to be accepted as a rational justification for our abstinence.

Yes, this is yet another manifestation of our ‘weak kneeled’ foreign policy, which prevents us from taking the high moral ground even in such important intentional forums, because our national interests cannot be compromised at all. That we are looking at Iran for ensuring our energy security is only to well known.

But then, should we trade it off with something as critical as our uncompromising stand on terrorism, and develop ‘cold feet’ even where a reasonable demand is made on State such as this particular resolution on Iran?

President Obama's Proposed $447 billion Jobs Plan

President Obama's proposed $447 billion jobs plan to revive the US economy can succeed only if the Americans demonstrate an increased propensity to consume subsequently, thus providing the necessary impetus to boost the aggregate demand in the US economy. The multiplier effect of this increase in private consumption with its spill over effects in Investment demand could set the direction for a substantial decline in the unemployment rate which currently is over 9%.

For this the Americans need to feel secure about their jobs in particular and their economy in general. The likely opposition by the Republicans to this proposal, perhaps due to the impending elections next year are likely to heighten the sense of insecurity among the Americans, while the US economy continues to be in tender hooks.

The need of the hour for President Obama is to demonstrate statesmanship by getting the Republicans on board in a spirit of accommodation, and work out a mutually acceptable jobs plan, which would not be altered should there by change of guard at the Whitehouse next year. It would not be surprising if this initiative also helps US regain its topmost credit ratings, downgraded by Standard and Poor recently.

In this context, his dig at the Republican opponents to “stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy” was unwarranted.

It's Time to Reflect

While the ‘Anna phonomenon’ has taken the country by storm, as we the people of India quite understandably are fed up with this ‘mega monster’ called corruption, yet it is time for each one us to reflect upon the following:

a) Anna ji and his core team need to set an example for each one of us, by taking an oath in public, that we would not bend any rules, or violate any law of the land, and if we do unintentionally or otherwise, we would face the consequences, as dictated by the law of the land. No matter what the temptation might be, we would not try to bail ourselves out, by bribing the authority in question,

b) The current impasse is over the Lok Pal bill Vs the Jan Lokpal bill. Would Anna and his core team, care to educate citizens like me, as to how would the latter make our lives any better as compared to the former, besides enabling our country to progress much better?

c) “I have faith in the parliament but not in the elected representatives of our parliament”. Would the orator of this statement care to explain to citizens like me that, what is left of our parliament, if we were take out our elected representatives? Secondly, it was shocking to say the least, to witness members from the opposition, launching an all out attack on the government in both the houses of parliament yesterday. The timing was pathetic. This is the time for all the existing parliamentarians to come to together and seriously debate as to how to we can further strengthen this key symbol of our democracy, which is our parliament,

d) The nation today faces tremendous challenges in terms of growth, and bold policy decisions need to be taken at the executive level, which need to be implemented by the bureaucracy. With such kind of frenzy, it is no secret that the entire governance is being held hostage, and hardly anyone in the government and bureaucracy is bold enough to put his signature on the files, without any fear of being subjected to undue scrutiny, even if he/she commits a genuine mistake. Now, how can we expect all round prosperity and progress, by growth in job opportunities, increase in our national income, besides being able to create confidence in the world community, that India is an emerging economic superpower? and finally

e) Having made his point so forcefully, isn’t it time for Anna ji and his core team, to now work with our government, respecting the key institution of our democracy, which is our Parliament, which has been vested with the sole authority to frame laws for the nation? Whose cause is he espousing by literally holding the government to ransom? Aren’t those who are hostile to our national interests rejoicing over this unprecedented impasse? And above all, does he expect to set a dangerous precedent now, which seeks undermine the supremacy of our Parliament, where framing of laws are concerned?


It’s time to reflect.

An Open Letter to President Obama

Your Excellency,

I am pleased to introduce myself as an ardent admirer of your good self, and am based out of New Delhi. This letter of mine has been prompted by your appeal to the American lawmakers to end their bickering and come to an agreement over raising the country’s debt ceiling so that the US government can pay its bills.

As of this moment, the world economy waits with a baited breath, over the outcome of your efforts, to avert an impending economic catastrophe for the United States spilling over to the rest of the World, and we sincerely hope that saner counsels would prevail among the American lawmakers to work out a practical solution to the current challenge confronting the United States.

It would be extremely disastrous to ignore that, even if you are able to raise the debt ceiling beyond the currently mandated $14.3 trillion, would you be laying the foundations for yet another catastrophe for the US Economy a few years down the line, when it would might grappling with spiraling inflationary pressures, jobless growth, and a significant erosion in the value of US Dollar?

While there could be no two ways about the need to raise the US Debt ceiling today, to effectively meet the challenge on hand on a timely basis, yet it would be dangerous to lose the sight of prudence which ensures that for one, you are not repeating the past mistakes of unbridled consumption fuelled by easy money, and secondly for every dollar that is being released into the system today, at least half of it is being spent to improve the productive capacity of the economy with sufficient linkages to create sufficient jobs, and arrest the ever bloating fiscal deficits.

Unfortunately, I am constrained by my limited knowledge to give a detailed account on the specifics of such linkages. However, at a very elementary level, may I suggest that such linkages could be:

* reducing oil consumption by encouraging Research and Development of alternate fuels, which are both renewable and environment friendly,
* focusing on creating better infrastructure to facilitate the private sector to expand output and employment in the most cost effective manner, and
*most importantly, sponsoring the development of various environment friendly technologies which could have their own spin-off effects in the future.

In this context your $150 billion new energy agenda which aims to reduce the greenhouse gases by 80% by the year 2050, besides of course creating five million new jobs, is certainly in the right direction which would give the US a leadership position on facilitating the desired climate change in the world.

Apart from the technologies which could help tackling the challenge of global warming and reducing oil consumption etc, technologies to efficiently and effectively harness the rainwater could be an excellent investment for the future.

Today it is oil, and tomorrow it could be potable water, which could become a major source of foreign exchange earning for any country.

The second manifestation of the challenge before us is to revisit the old school of thought, which necessitated sufficient checks and balances in any economy, with stringent punishments to deter any financial institution daring to throw all caution to the winds, and then causing unmitigated disaster, as was witnessed few years ago. A highly regulated capitalist society need not be an oxymoron, and today few would have the wisdom to contest this fact.

However, given the roots behind the problems today, which is chiefly the fact that living beyond one’s means and lending beyond one’s means, had become a way of life encompassing not only an average US citizen, but also those iconic corporations which were once a cherished destination of many bright students of some of the leading business schools of the world.

This has to change, not only in the US, but perhaps across the economies in the world which are today engaged in a similar fire fighting exercise.

Your Excellency, just a few hours back, you have put it aptly by cautioning the lawmakers that “America risked its AAA rating not because we couldn’t pay our bills but because we did not have a triple A political system.”

While your intention was to push the lawmakers to agree raise the country’s debt ceiling, so that the US government could pay government salaries and pensions, reimburse medical care for seniors etc, yet the ‘not so intended’ message behind this statement of yours is:

“Its now time for all of us regardless of our political affiliations, to work together, to get the United States of America out of this mess. We need to take tough measures to contain the ever burgeoning debt which has now crossed the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. This is not the time for each patriotic American irrespective of his or her political affiliations, to score political points at the cost of our Nation which today is being hailed as the sole superpower of the World, but to sink our differences and evolve a consensus to pave the way for an era when the US Dollar would be most preferred currency across the world, and the US economy would a model to behold for every emerging and/or troubled economy of the World.”

And in this hour of reckoning, your message to the people of the United States of America should be:

“We owe it not only to ourselves, owe to our future generations as well, not to repeat the mistakes which brought us to this stage in the history of our nation. We will change our mindsets; we will be an epitome of a nation worthy of being emulated across the globe. Not simply because of the fact that we are the most powerful, not simply because of our influence across the globe and beyond the globe in the universe, but simply because of the fact that we the people of the United States of America, know how to manage our lives and our economy better. The path is likely to be difficult, testing, and full of frustrations. But we will endure the same, for we know that a dream destination awaits all of us, at the end of this path. We will reach there.”

Your Excellency, let history judge you as the first President of the United States, who not only broke the barriers of race, but who successfully forged a collaborative approach with the opposition party as well, to pave the way for an economically vibrant US Economy, and sacrificing politically favorable practices and attitudes, which otherwise could have wrecked havoc not only for the US Economy, but also for the millions of Americans, who had reposed their trust on you in 2008.

I would also pray the current challenge regarding the debt ceiling ends with the right decision within the deadline, and would be really delighted at witnessing your re-election next year.

Most Respectfully,

Navneet Dhawan

New Delhi

Cheers to the '95% plus club'

The jaw dropping cut offs this year, at some of the colleges of Delhi have triggered a debate in the media, with some renowned personalities dubbing it as a “malaise of our education system, which needs a complete overhaul”.

One of the main reasons advanced behind such a thought is that, our education system is compelling students to engage in ‘rote learning’, thereby suppressing all creativity in them, as well as denying them the opportunity to excel in sports and extra curricular activities.

Before I offer my prognosis on this vexed issue, I would pose three questions to all those who have passed their judgement on the sanity behind such absurdly high cut offs in some of the colleges of Delhi University:

a) If the membership of the ‘95% plus club’ has increased from 199 in 2006 to 2097 this year, then does it not indicate that notwithstanding the various distractions today, such as the internet in general and social networking sites in particular, cable TV, other sophisticated electronic gadgets etc. the number of students who pursue their studies with a single minded dedication, and with an ‘iron willed’ resolution of not losing even a single mark, is only increasing by the year?

b) How easy it is for someone to mock at such ‘95% plus club’ by citing a few exceptions, who have made a mark for themselves in various fields, despite being a disaster in school. Has anyone even wondered, that if some students are unable to even devote themselves to their academic pursuits, when their parents are facing all other challenges and tensions in life, then can we expect these very students to be able to face the various challenges and tensions in life later on, when they have to take over from their parents?

c) And finally, if a student has the will power to stay away from the distractive powers of the internet, cable TV, other sophisticated electronic gadgets etc. would it still be difficult for him/her to do justice to academics and other extra curricular activties?

Competition is omnipresent in our lives, and whether we like it or not, is getting fiercer by the year.

Any student who is serious about a career in any field or vocation later on in life, has to inculate the mindset to be ‘better than the best’ right away, so as to develop that ‘killer instict’ right now, so essential for them to be winners later on in their lives.

What would be a better way to accomplish the same, other than by taking up a challenge to excel in academics and other extra curricular activities right away?

As a footnote, one reform which is required in our examination system is that, the questions should aim at primarily testing the analytical and comprehension powers of the students, and not merely their ability to memorise.

Cheers to the ’95% plus club’!!!

An Open Letter to Ms. Mamata Banerjee

Respected Madam,

You have created history in West Bengal by ushering in a change of guard after thirty four long years. the 'Red Bastion' which hitherto looked invincible, has been humbled at the hustings.

Your resolve and determination all these years have finally paid off, and today you symbolize a new beacon of hope, not only for millions in West Bengal, but in our Country as a whole, who are desperate to see West Bengal transform itself to one of our most prosperous and dynamic states.

Certainly, while there are several challenges awaiting you as the Chief Minister, and you have an unenviable task in delivering upon the expectations of all those who have deposed their trust upon you, there is a pressing need for you to call upon your electorate in particular and the people of West Bengal in general, to come forward and begin that ‘Paribartan’ in their respective attitudes and mindsets right away.

May I suggest that you appeal to the people of West Bengal on the following lines:

Dear Fellow Citizens,

With your support we have created history in our state by ushering in a change of guard at the Writers’ Building after thirty four long years.

Today, I have inherited the governance of a state which is crying for development, where our educated and talented youth have no choice but to migrate out of West Bengal in search of appropriate job opportunities, where major portion of our tax receipts are spent on salaries, pensions, and interest payments on debt, thereby leaving very little for productive expenditure etc.

While you have voted out those who governed our state for over three decades, and reduced it to such a pitiable condition, let us not forget, that the rest of the country is watching us, if we can change our fortunes in the next five years.

While on behalf of each member of The Trinamool Congress, I give you a commitment, that we would leave no stone unturned to live upto your expectations, but at the same time I need a commitment from each one of you as well, that together we will transform our state to one of the most progressive and investor friendly states of our country, which has a highly disciplined workforce.

And to achieve this dream, there would be no more ‘bandhs’ in our state under any circumstances, and any attempt to cause any disruption will be dealt with very severely.

Each one of us who is fortunate enough to be employed anywhere in our state, in any undertaking whatsoever, be it government, private etc, will make a renewed commitment to our employers, that we would display a new sense of commitment and discipline, where our responsibilities are concerned.

If any of us have any genuine grievance, we will address them with our management in a very cordial manner, and attempt to find an amicable solution. Those of our fellow countrymen and others, who wish to invest in our state and generate jobs for us, besides contributing our overall progress and development, would be accorded a warm welcome by each one of us, and we would do everything possible to ensure that their experience of investing in our state, is very memorable indeed.

Let us not forget, that with such an attitude, we would ensure a better standard of living for our own selves, besides making West Bengal one of the most progressive and dynamic states of our country.

Let’s get down to work right away.

Jai Hind !!

Dear Mahender Singh Dhoni

Dear Mahender Singh Dhoni,

The magnificent win, which team India under your able Captaincy pulled off in Mumbai to lift the ICC World Cup, would certainly go down in the annals of Indian Cricket, for all times to come.

The nation prayed with a bated breath, and millions of hopes, aspirations, and dreams, were put on the able shoulders of your team members and your goodself, which came true in the most exciting contest of the entire tournament.

In what seemed to be a lost opportunity initially, when we lost the two opening batsmen most unexpectedly, the finesse, calm, and remarkable skills, with which the batting order progressed subsequently, to turn the tide in our favor, was indeed an excellent source of inspiration for each one of us.

Certainly, besides that great performance which left millions of fans spellbound and created mass hysteria, the art to keep our nerves in check and maintain focus, despite all odds, which ultimately enabled such a superb outcome, was not lost among all those, who would otherwise be battling similar kind of situations, in their everyday lives.

While the next ICC World Cup may be four years away, yet I am sure that this feat would relive itself millions of times each day, as and when millions of your fans like me, are able to pull off small victories in our everyday lives under similar situations, all thanks to the inspiration provided by team India under your able Captaincy.

Undoubtedly, there is much more to this performance for all of us, than mere entertainment!

And finally, I an alumni of Jawahar Vidya Mandir School Ranchi, where I spent two of the most memorable years of my student life, feel proud to belong to a fraternity of its former students, the most distinguished of all, is none other than your goodself!

With Best Wishes

Navneet Dhawan

New Delhi

Abductions by Maoists - Enough is Enough

The abductions of Malkangiri Collector R.V. Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Majhi by the Maoists, has reiterated the fact that, when it comes to tackling the Maoist menance, the state governments are yet to demonstrate a firm determination to crush it with all our might.

It was a known fact that the Malkangiri district is a Maoist infested area, besides being Orissa’s remotest flank. As per reports, Krishna and Majhi were on a two wheeler when their abduction took place. How come the state government not consider it prudent to provide adequate security cover to both of them? That the Maoists have been using abduction as a favorite strategy to put the state governments on the backfoot, is a well established fact.

Now, within hours of the abductions, Orissa government halted all the combing operations against the Maoists, and is now also considering the release of some of their cadres to secure the release of the two officials. Whether or not the cadres who are being considered for release, were booked on serious charges, is a moot point.

What merits serious concern now is that, such a swap deal would only reinforce the fact that, the best way to tame the state governments, is by carrying out such high profile abductions, and then getting some Maoist cadres released, thereby making a complete mockery of the anti Maoist strategy deployed by the various state administrations.

Secondly, another matter of serious concern is that, if Krishna could be abducted despite doing an excellent work in this remote area of Orissa, then how could we expect to bring about the necessary progress and development in such remote areas, which are at present infested by the Maoists? It is no surprise that many administrative posts in such areas are vacant, as no official is willing to be posted there.

That more than 10,000 tribals in the area covering fifteen villages along the Andhra-Orissa border, besides several others, held peace rallies seeking the release of Krishna and Majhi, speaks volumes of the kind of popularity which Krishna enjoys, all due to his dedicated efforts in bringing about a transformation in those remote areas of our country.

By ignoring such appeals, the Maoists have proved it beyond doubt, that they are nothing but a band of ruthless criminals, who are bent upon challenging the might of the Indian state, to serve their own interests.

The Orissa government should have first upped the ante against the Maoists, by deploying as many forces as possible in the region, where Krishna and Majhi are suspected to be held, followed by a heavy air surveillance by the IAF or Army choppers, so as to put pressure on the Maoists. Besides, the government should have also capitalized on the support of the tribals, to zero down on the area, where the two could have been held hostage by the Maoists.

This would have given the state government the necessary psychological advantage, before getting down to negotiations. Simultaneously, the state government should have also threatened an all our war if Krishna and Majhi were harmed in any way. But then who has the courage to take this kind of a bold stand?

That will be the day when the various state governments in coordination with the Centre, make a firm resolve to wipe out this menance once in for all, by a well coordinated action, which may include assistance from the defence services if required. But till then, let us be prepared to see more of such abduction dramas and release of some important Maoists, who have been captured at the cost of the supreme sacrifices made by our valiant security personnel, not to overlook the innumerable civilians, whose lives have been so ruthlessly snuffed out by such criminal elements.

And finally, what is really worth noting is that, while there was a brief drama in the Orissa assembly over this abduction, there has not been any voice of condemnation or protest by the political bigwigs in New Delhi. Perhaps, for such political bigwigs misappropriation of funds and corruption, are far more important issues than misappropriation of the priceless lives of our security personnel and all those helpless victims of such ruthless Maoists.

Tragic Casualities in Our Defence Services - Let's Do Something

A Cheetah helicopter crash in Nasik claimed the precious lives of two Army Majors, one of whom was a qualified flight instructor. According to newspaper reports, preliminary investigations suggest, that the chopper’s rotors developed a snag within minutes of the take off.

The same report mentioned that seventy Cheetah copters have been lost in the past nine years, and the Defence Ministry plans to replace the entire fleet of Cheetah copters by 2017.

The tragic casualties involving our young and promising defence personnel, either in crashes involving flying machines from all the three services or anti terror operations, have become a routine affair now. The sad part is that, even our mainstream media does not consider it worthy enough of a sustained campaign, to force our political Bosses to do something, which could save the lives of all those who have been valiant enough to opt for such high risk careers.

To take the case of anti terror operations. Young Army officers like Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Captain Devinder Singh Jass and others losing their precious lives in various anti terror operations, have become a routine news item for most of us, who by now have perhaps become immune to such costs, which we the people of India have to bear, for what seems to be an eternal problem confronting our nation.

Apart from an occasional visit by a politician to the bereaved families, and a short lived public sympathy, there is nothing really much which attracts the attention of the powers that be, either at the Centre or the states. No one in the highest echelons of our political bureaucratic apparatus seems to be really concerned at the loss of such precious lives, nor considers it prudent to reflect upon the following:

• Could we have avoided such casualites ?
• Was the intelligence inadequate regarding the quantum of threat in such encounters?
• Did we not have adequate information on the number of terrorists and the kind of destructive materials and arms at their disposal?
• Were our security personnel assigned for such encounters not well equipped with the right bullet proof protective gear, night vision goggles etc?
• Did they go overboard while taking on the terrorists thereby suffering so many casualties in the bargain? Was it necessary?
• Was it not possible for them to be equipped with gas masks and gas spray or any such equipment, so as to immobilize their targets and getting them alive without harming themselves?
• Have the authorities such as the Army, conducted a thorough and meticulous probe into the particular encounters to identify the possible loose ends, and make the learnings part of their SOPs to be strictly adhered to in the future encounters? And most importantly
• Is the Defence Ministry aware of the same, and has pledged all support to our security personnel involved in such ongoing war against terror?

A satisfactory answer to the above questions would depend upon how we as a nation are committed towards the overall safety and security of our fellow citizens , who perhaps despite all odds and opposition from their loved ones, followed their heart to join the Defence Forces, and have put their own security at risk, for the safety and security of our nation, and for we the people of India.

In this context, it would be worthwhile to reflect upon some newsitems which appeared last year in ‘The Times of India’. These have been reproduced word by word from the respective news items, and are indicated in italics as under:

Dated 4th March, 2010

State of fleet across services a matter of concern( Against the backdrop of the crash of a Kiran MK2 aircraft in Hyderabad in March 2010, which killed both pilots each having over 1000 hours of flying experience)

While the Indian Armed Forces that include the IAF, Navy, Army, and Cost Guard do have a flight safety record that is satisfactory, the material state of the fleet across the board is cause for deep concern. Vintage aircraft that have been assigned a place of pride in museums abroad are still flown by the IAF and IN. The Kiran, the primary trainer for Navy or the MiG 21 for the Air Force are case in point. The basic design and technology for both these aircraft are almost 50 years old and yet they form the mainstay for training of fighter pilots in India.
The reasons for this kind of obsolescence that puts lives in jeopardy on a regular basis may be ascribed to the strategic culture of India and the protracted procurement processes that plague Indian Military since the days of the first Prime Minister , Pandit Nehru. Specific to the aircraft inventory, it merits recall that the IAF mooted the need for an advanced jet trainer as far back as 1983. It took the Indian elephant a good 20 years before the AJT became a reality in 2003, and that too because of the many crashes and lives lost. Even now, the number of AJTs in the inventory is far short of what had been sought, and as far s Navy is concerned its original request for an AJT is still to be realized. Hence, Kiran still remains the work horse for training for the IN.

The policy issue that is crying for attention is the total inadequacy of the Indian political bureaucratic apex to deal with procurement issues in an objective manner which is politically bi partisan and driven by the single consideration of enhancing national security. From the needless Bofors scandal to the current submarine and Gorshkov delays, and the much anticipated fighter deal, major procurement decisions have been marred by delays, steep price revisions, and charges of kickbacks and corruption.

But life alas is cheap and the Indian apex rarely accountable for their transgressions.

Barely had we managed to get over this tragic loss of two well experienced pilots, the plight of their bereaved families, and this pathetic state of affairs of our political bureaucratic set up as illustrated above, we were greeted with another piece of news which shocked us beyond words:

Dated 12th March 2010

Government quietly inks deal for 12 VVIP copters
The Defence Ministry has quietly inked a Rs. 3726 crore deal to acquire 12 three engined AW 101 helicopters from Agusto Westland, for IAF’s elite Communication Squadron which ferries around the President, PM and other VVIPs, “All the 12 helicopters would be delivered in three years or so” said a source.

The ministry as usual remained silent about the deal, leave alone the exact contours of it, despite repeated claims made by the defence minster A.K. Antony of “ total transparency”. The Cabinet Committee on security apparently gave the nod for the exorbitant helicopter deal despite objections from the Finance Ministry, due to security concerns by the Special Protection Group as well as IAF .

One wonders :
• What was the life and death kind of a situation which prompted our Defence Ministry to go about it in such a hush hush manner, disregarding the objections of even the Special Protection Group and the IAF ?
• Why is such kind of an urgency lacking for more critical requirements, like the latest Advanced Jet Trainers for the IAF and IN etc.?
• How can we ignore the fact that the crashes of IAF fighter jets, mainly of the MiG series have claimed so many promising young lives? As indicated above in the newsitem dated 4th of March, such vintage aircrafts now deserve a place of pride in the museums, but unfortunately are still being flown by our pilots thereby exposing them to unnecessary risks, and
• What’s wrong with our priorities ? Are the lives of our young and promising fellow citizens serving in the Defence Forces not valuable enough for us? Are the VVIPs so important that we can bend rules and disregard even the security concerns of the Special Protection Group and the IAF ?

The tragic crash of a naval jet in Hyderabad in March 2010, which claimed the lives of two young pilots who had over 1000 hours of flying experience to their credit, was yet another reminder of the kind of avoidable and unnecessary risks faced by some of our Defence personnel.

Such state of affairs in our overall security apparatus in general and with reference to our Defence Forces in particular, concerns the interest of our public at large.

For one, it has a direct bearing on the precious lives of our loved ones, who perhaps despite the availability of other attractive career options, and perhaps despite strong reservations of their parents etc opted for such a career in the Defence Forces,

Secondly, it is an open secret that our Defence Forces are woefully short of officers as compared to the sanctioned strength. This situation could only get worse if we do not take the corrective measures right away, most critical being the need to send out a clear message to the nation that:

“ When it comes to the overall security and welfare of our defence personnel, there will be no compromises whatsoever from our end. We value each and every precious life which is at stake to protect our territorial integrity and the security of our citizens”

If we have to secure our borders, effectively deal with the insurmountable challenges posed by our internal security situation , cross border terrorism , and above all an untrustworthy neighbourhood, then we have no other option but to move heaven and earth to do everything possible to restore the pride and dignity to a career in our defence forces, besides of course raising the morale of our combat units by eliminating as many threats as possible to their lives during the course of their operational roles.

Needless to add, the most critical step towards the same would be to ensure adequate and timely investments in the right equipment and the right military hardware, which as indicated above leaves a lot to be desired as of now.

If such state of affairs are indeed a matter of concern and do impact our national interests ultimately, then its time for a Public Interest Litigation in which our Defence Ministry is made a respondant to explain the reasons behind such state of affairs, and the steps being taken to eliminate as many risks as possible to the lives of all those who have embarked upon such a noble mission of defending our motherland from various threats.