Why Shouldn’t There Be a Mandatory Educational Qualification for a Politician?

Why Shouldn’t There Be a Mandatory Educational Qualification for a Politician?

Have you ever felt that it is iniquitous that even for a priestly job you need to have some qualification but for PM’s job, which is the highest post in India, there is no need of any mandatory prerequisite?

In the Indian setting, there have been many instances that the education minister himself/herself was proximate illiterate and the law minister had a criminal background. Isn’t this totally absurd? I wonder how such things could be rationalized.

India, the largest democratic country in the world, has guaranteed identical rights to all citizens irrespective of any sort of discrimination that includes discrimination by education levels or rises. Of course, the very idea for such a noble thinking has its roots in a reflection to provide equal offers to everyone.

If we clearly examine the present day Indian scenario, the purpose and meaning of everything have been changed as desired by the prominent people. For example, the Upper House Rajya Sabha known as Council of States is one of the two houses of the Parliament of India. The membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are nominated by the President of India for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services. The residue of the body is elected by the state and territorial legislatures.

I wonder how many justifiable people who contributed to art, literature, science, and social services got elected to the upper house in the recent scenario. It has become customary that all those who could not get elected to the lower house, in general, are sent to Rajya Sabha. A similar situation arises in the state councils, from the other corner.

The million dollar question here is if there was any formal qualification that is required to get elected as people’s representative? The answer can be either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I would like to rationalize in the following manner: First of all, ‘No’, because the Constitution of the Republic of India guarantees every individual many rights that include chipping in the elections, without any sort of discrimination. So, everyone can get elected to the legislative institutions without any sort of discrimination. Thus, there is no formal criterion necessary to get designated in this manner. Secondly, ‘Yes’, because if we clearly look into the present day politics, it is a process of the pure fixture of money in both direct and indirect ways. A person who is not rich will not be offered a ticket to contest in the polls even by an insignificant political party. There is an almost negligible number of candidates who get elected to the polls as an independent candidate for not having supported by any political party. Also, political parties prefer to give tickets only to rich people who could fund the party, apart from spending lavishly towards election campaigning.

To excerpt, there are many instances wherein a person who is not a member of any house gets ministry in the government first and later sent to one of the houses before 6 months, by hook or by crook. At the same time, there are cases in point wherein a candidate is kept away just because he/she cannot afford poll expenditures.

At this juncture, indubitably, I would like to assert that there is a binding criterion required for getting elected to the legislative institution i.e. to be well-heeled. Is it not a point to ponder?

-Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

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The Significance of Bathukamma Festival

The Significance of Bathukamma Festival

Bathukamma is a ten-day festival that begins on the closed moon day of the Telugu Bhadrapada month, which is far and wide celebrated in Telangana state. This festival just falls before the festival of Dushera or Dasara. Significantly, this festival begins soon after the ending of monsoons.

During this festival, Goddess Gauri is worshipped by the name Bathukamma. The word Bathukamma in the local Telugu language literally means “Mother Goddess, Come Alive!” This is the festival of colors and the flowers. The flowers are arranged in a conical pattern that signifies the mother goddess — and is called the Bathukamma.

In the evenings, all the women assemble at a commonplace and place the conical stacks in the center and then dance around it singing their traditional songs and clapping in harmony. The festival is filled with fun and total thrills. For the nine days, the goddess is worshipped in various ways and on various names — Bathukamma remains common as a suffix to the name; and on the tenth day of the celebrations, the goddess is immersed in the local waters with proper rituals following a ceremonial way. There is a sumptuousness associated with the festival as far as the history is concerned.

According to the historians, the festival has a similar resemblance to that of Sankranthi. Both festivals are celebrated when the yield of the crops arrive at home. It is considered as the Siri (goddess of Fortuna) coming at home. So, these days are celebrated in a festive mood mainly by the women, the representatives of Lakshmi in every home. Also, in Telangana, it has been customary that women are given much freedom. The festival of Bathukamma symbolically indicates the same with the massive gatherings to celebrate the festival with dances and songs.

According to the bioscientists, the festival denotes the collection of flowers and leaves which are rich in medicinal values. The immersion of huge quantity of the same in the water observes all these ingredients and makes the water rich with medicinal values.

Whatsoever may be the significance of the festival, the festival makes the presence of the women, who are otherwise confined to their homes, most of the times.

-Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

A Blitzkrieg Counter to #MeToo: What Do the Defamation Laws Say?

A Blitzkrieg Counter to #MeToo: What Do the Defamation Laws Say?

Priya Ramani, a journalist, who came out first with her version, reproving MJ Akbar, the current minister of state for external affairs and a former journalist, of sexual harassment, has to now face a criminal defamation case. It is evident that MJ Akbar has been accused of his alleged involvement in sexual harassment of 14 women. Through Akbar’s advocates — Karanjawala and Co — the case has been filed in New Delhi’s Patiala House Court.

Akbar, in his complaint, has stated that Ramani has resorted to a series of spitefully made-up allegations. He also mentioned that she has been diabolically and brutishly spreading such rumors using media.

In the same approach, Alok Nath, a senior Bollywood actor, has denied Vinta’s accusations that he had sexually assaulted her. Ashu Singh, the wife of Alok Nath, has now approached the court against Vinta. It is worth recollecting that a few days ago, Vinta Nanda, a Bollywood writer cum producer, came out with a tear-jerking explanation of how 19 years ago she was allegedly assaulted sexually by Bollywood actor Alok Nath on more than one occasion. Later, actor Sandhya Mridul has also come out with her story of sexual harassment by Alok Nath.

In this row, author Chetan Bhagat has stated that Ira Trivedi’s allegations of sexual harassment against him were false. In order to defend his statement, he has posted a screenshot of 2013 email sent to him by Trivedi, on his twitter wall. Though he has not drawn near the court as of now, it is likely that he may also approach the court under defamation law.

It seems Newton’s third law — for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction — holds good in the #MeToo row. Seemingly, all those men who have been exposed by the women in the #MeToo are in the mood of knocking the doors of the court. In this background, it is very much essential to appreciate what amounts to defamation and what does the defamation laws in India say.

In general, defamation is an oral or written statement that hurts someone’s reputation. According to Article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of India, reputation is an essential and significant part of the dignity of the individual and Right to reputation. It is a natural right, which is an inherent right guaranteed under Article 21.

The Right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India is not complete for the reason that it has imposed reasonable restrictions for exercising rights in the interest of the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation. However, Defamation Laws protect an individual’s private interest and reputation.

In India, unlike in many foreign countries, defamation can be viewed as both civil offense as well as criminal offense. It may be defined as the writing, publication, and speaking of a false statement which causes injury to reputation and good name for private interest. The remedy for a civil defamation is covered under Law of Torts.

In civil defamation, a victim can move high court or subordinate courts for seeking damages in the form of monetary compensation from accused. Section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code provides an opportunity for the victim to file a criminal case for defamation against the accused. Punishment for the convicted for criminal defamation is simple imprisonment which may extend to two years or fine or both. On the other hand, under the criminal law, defamation is non-cognizable and compoundable offense.

Defamation statement must be in a spoken or written or published or visible manner and must be false and injured directly or indirectly to the reputation of an individual or his family members or caste and lowers the moral of the victim and statement is unprivileged statements. Likewise, like any law has some precincts, the following Statements can’t be deliberated as defamation:

·         Any truth statement made in public interest;

·         Any opinion given by the public in respect of the conduct of a public servant in discharge of his functions, his character appears;

·         Conduct of any person touching any public question;

·         Publication of any proceedings of courts of justice including any trial of court and judgment.

There is no doubt that if there is any truth in the contentions of the #MeToo, the defamation cases may become annulled. Also, it would ultimately demonstrate the allegations thus made by the #MeToo campaigners.

-Dr. Suman Kumar Kastur

Why don’t the ‘UN International Days’ List Has Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s Birthday as World Student’s Day?

Why don’t the ‘UN International Days’ List Has Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s Birthday as World Student’s Day?

I have been niggled by anxiety if there is anyone in India, who do not know about Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. To begin with, the full name of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is — Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. No need to mention that he was a renowned Indian scientist, who later assumed the position as the 11^th President of India, to serve the nation from 2002 to 2007. As the president of India, Kalam was extensively referred to as the People’s President. Dr. Kalam had served the nation for four decades in the capacity of a scientist and science administrator, mostly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

He was closely involved in India’s civilian space programme and military missile development programmes. Aptly known as the Missile Man of India for his work concerned with the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology, he conceived a few dream projects for Indian Armed Forces. They have been abbreviated as ‘PATNA’. No doubt, the successful completion of these projects have raised up the status of Indian Armed Forces, thereby paved a way to India in attaining the Supreme Missile Power. The term ‘PATNA’ stands for the five varieties of Missile System that Dr. Kalam had thought India should be in possession of. The five Missile Systems are:

·         Prithvi

·         Akash

·         Trishul

·         Nag

·         Agni

Whenever Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is talked about, he is mostly mentioned either as a scientist or the president of India. Nevertheless, Dr. Kalam’s extensive popularity among varied groups in India, and a continuing aspect of his legacy is the syncretism he personified in appreciating various elements of the many spiritual and cultural traditions of India.

Syncretism is nothing but the unification of dissimilar beliefs while amalgamating practices of numerous schools of thought. Syncretism involves the merging or integration of several originally separate customs, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, thus stating an underlying unity and allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths. In addition to his faith in the Quran and Islamic practice, Kalam was knowledgeable in Hindu traditions — he learned Sanskrit, read the Bhagavad Gita, a holy book of Hindus.

 

No sooner Dr. Kalam left the President’s Office than he had taken up the responsibilities as a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Management Indore; he was an honorary fellow of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram; additionally, he served as professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University; and an adjunct at many other academic and research institutions across India. Also, he taught information technology at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. He also taught at Banaras Hindu University and Anna University. Of course, the drawn-out list itself is plenty to appreciate the passion he had for teaching.

Despite the fact that Dr. Kalam has achieved marvels for India both as a scientist and the President of India, his favorite job was teaching and that’s how he wanted the world to recall him. The United Nations declared his birthday i.e. October 15, as World Student’s Day in 2010, considering his love for students and focus on promoting education. However, the perplexing fact is — even to this date, the same has not been ascribed in the ‘UN International Days’ list. According to the UN official website page on International Days, available at the URL http://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-days/   October 15 is — International Day of Rural Women,  not World Student’s Day!

As an aficionado of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, I plead the concerned authorities to strive hard to impute October 15 as the World Student’s Day in the ‘UN International Days’ list.

                                                                                   -Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

Will #MeToo be Another Closed Chapter?

Will #MeToo be Another Closed Chapter? Mahima Kukreja (@AGirlOfHerWords), a young Indian writer, on Oct 4, 2018, on her twitter platform, posted that a Mumbai-based famous comedian, Utsav Chakraborty, had once sent her an unsolicited photo of his male organ. Responding to the tweet, another woman tweeted by sharing stories of parallel behavior from Chakraborty. This dialogue continued and Kukreja began posting screenshots of the messages she received. Thus, she has outset an inferno. Truly speaking, the MeToo flicker was well and actually sparked on October 15, 2017. It was just ten days after the Kantor-Twohey story came into light when actor Alyssa Milano tweeted a demand for victims of sexual harassment or assault with the Expression. This ignition spread across the world, resulting in the tweets in their native languages. The Spanish, in their tweets, used the hashtag #YoTambien, while Italians had #QuellaVoltaChe and the French #BalanceTonPorc. In this MeToo drive, many such Hollywood fame as Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman have been accused. As far as the state of affairs in India is concerned, Bollywood’s Nana Patekar, Vikas Bahl, and Sajid Khan have already been taken on by the mounting blaze. Of course, this list is not confined alone to the film industry. One of the most high profile men to be blamed in this scenario is M.J. Akbar, the current minister of state for external affairs and a former journalist. Numerous women have come on record to accuse Akbar of persecution and tactless behavior. This ultimately has led to a demand of MJ Abkar’s resignation. Another noticeable name in the list is of Chetan Bhagat, a leading Indian author. Screenshots of inappropriate messages sent by Bhagat to a woman some years ago have been shared on social media platforms. The #MeToo movement has come to India in operation, more or less a year after the allegations against Harvey Weinstein were exposed. Surely, it has been a slowly built up campaign in India. The contemporary situation in the country is — scarcely anybody speaks until the time something out blazes massively. The #MeToo campaign is not an exception in case. Nevertheless, things have been slowly changing. It is worth mentioning that the brutal December 16, 2012, gang rape case of Nirbhaya, and the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Asifa Bano in Kashmir in January 2018 (aptly known as Kathua rape case), also brought huge numbers of women onto the streets in protest that clutched the global attention. In this background of #MeToo, the movement has now built on that impetus by giving more Indian women the audacity to name the culprits. Palpably, in addition to media personnel and actors, other expert groups are opening their own campaigns. So many organizations have, by now, set up their ICCs (Internal Complaints Committees). As far as the Women executives are concerned, they see #MeToo as a platform to speak up about their bitter involvements. They have been believing that their owes would be heard, firmly. The only hope they have is — it will prevent at least some impending and potential stalkers, as they will have a fear that they may be called out in public. In my opinion, regardless of a predominant robust law to prevent sexual harassment in India, we never had real discussions — it has been a mere cloak-and-dagger. With the #MeToo campaign in vogue, the situation seems to be changed and discussions are taking place across workrooms. In this setting, there is a need of buoyancy to think about a perpetual grievance redressal handling system, beyond the ICC, for the reason that there have been many instances wherein women have moved towards the ICC and have been advised against. So, therefore, there are other courses of action that need to be thought of. Of Course, I am apprehensive if like many other movements that transformed into the closed chapters, #MeTOO campaign might also gather dust over the record books in the near future. Even before the commencement of #MeToo campaigning, Sri Reddy, a Tollywood actress has come out with the allegations of the casting couch — relatively a similar topic like #MeToo. It has created a buzz in all forms of media. But the end result was unsound. In fact, the real test for #MeToo campaign is weeks down the line when #MeToo may not be in headers. If proven guilty, I wonder whether the accused would be punished or not, kowtowing to the power of the #MeToo campaign. In concluding words, according to me, for most of the Indian women, #MeToo is less about seeking redress and so much about discharging years of repressed emotion!

• Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

Know Your Air Force!

Know Your Air Force!

Plurality is the nature of India — so is with Indian Air Force. People from different regions, languages, cultures, and heritage get together for the only objective — safeguarding the Indian skies. The success of Indian Air Force lies in the unity of air warriors. Every individual in general — and the nation as a whole — can draw inspiration from the IAF.

Way back to times gone by — it was on the same day (October 8) in 1932 — Indian Air Force was officially established as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire. With an inconsiderable strength of 25 air warriors, the first aircraft squadron had come into force on April 01, 1933. During the World War II, the IAF played a dominant role in blocking the encroachment of the Japanese army in Burma, where its first air strike was on the Japanese military base in Arakan. The IAF was actively involved in many vital maneuvers such as strikes, close air support, aerial scouting, bomber escort, and pathfinding missions for Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Heavy bombers. During these operations, RAF pilots were embedded in IAF units and vice versa to gain combat experience. Consequently, the IAF pilots participated in air operations in Europe as part of the RAF.

The diligent efforts put in by the Indian Armed Forces make us settle secured. They strive round the clock to safeguard our boundaries, skies, and oceans. The result is of course, conspicuous to all. Every individual of this nation could draw inspiration and adopt the following specific qualities abundant in any soldier.

• The value of discipline and punctuality;
• A thirst for adventure;
• Fortitude to achieve definite objectives;
• Realizing the strength of unity;
• The power of true friendship;
• Patriotic zeal;
• Sacrifice for a purpose;
• High standards of professionalism;
• Maintaining one’s own integrity and preaching the same;
• Positive attitude at all times;
• Dependability in times of dire need.

The core values followed by the IAF make Indian Air Force what it is.  Without following these core values, the IAF could have never been so successful. These are the values that instill confidence, earn lasting respect, and create willing followers. They strengthen mental and physical courage when an air warrior enters combat. In personification, they are the three pillars of professionalism that lay the foundation for armed forces leadership at every level.

There is no doubt that the IAF has conventionally had a very strong value system. In accordance with the changing times and further improvement in work culture, the IAF has singled out three core values that govern whatever an air warrior does, be it in peace or war or at work and in their personal lives. The three core values are — Mission, Integrity, and Excellence. Of course, there is no need to mention that each and every air warrior follow them in letter and spirit.

The IAF achieves the objectives through these core values by:

• Giving confidence to frank and free communication on the concept across the IAF;
• Monitoring feedback and instituting corrective mechanisms;
• Consistently rewarding those who achieve high standards of integrity, excellence and mission accomplishment;
• Punishing those who violate Core Values.

Also, there exists a well deliberated underlying principle behind these core values. Firstly, these core values tell every air warrior what they mean by being an Indian and belong to the Indian Air Force. Secondly, the core values point to what is universal and unchanging in the profession of arms. Finally, the core values enable to set the ethical climate in the IAF.

Soldiers, the unsung heroes, are praised only in times of dire straits, in times of need, and in times of natural calamities like the most recent Kerala floods. Let it be fighting a war, rescuing the people during calamities or showcasing spectacular parades — whatever the Armed Forces do, the only message they always convey is –Patriotism. Let us all recall the sacrifices of martyrs and wish the IAF a great success in each and every endeavor. Jai Hind!!

-Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

Mix-ups of Freedom of Press

Mix-ups of Freedom of Press

The right to expression and freedom of speech is very essential in a democratic nation. Intellectuals have backed it for a long time as a gateway to other liberties, conjecturing that curtailment of freedom of expression inexorably leads to restrictions on other rights such as the right to be informed. The Right to Freedom of Speech is guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of India.

From the other end, Article 19(1) (g) of the Constitution of India is critical in determining the standards applicable to the conduct of the many news-providing outlets i.e. the media institutions in India.

Nevertheless, the right to freedom of speech is confused and equated with the need to overlook the media as a business (dealt by Article 19(1) (g) of the Constitution of the Republic of India), which is fundamentally blemished. The rights of a citizen and the rights of a media business owner fall under different creels and outlines, and cannot be considered both are the same.

It is very essential to understand that freedom of speech and expression includes freedom of circulation, to the extent that the ability to propagate one’s expression is inherent in that freedom. Also, it is equally essential to understand that a recipient of news and a publisher of news belong to fundamentally different interest groups. This is in particular why expressing an opinion per se and the business of publishing/circulating news has been so clearly distinguished by our lawmakers. Both, therefore, need different levels of misunderstanding to ensure that a later right preserved in Article 19(1) (g) does not abrogate or limit the rights enshrined in Article 19(1) (a).

Press freedom under Article 19(1) (g) has to be secured as such to allow the public to be well informed. Also, the self-governing testimonial of a state is judged by how mindful the press is to ensure that the ordinary citizen actually gets the right to free speech and expression—to enable an effective democracy and that such a right is not denied to them for commercial ends.

The Constitution, the supreme law of the land, guarantees freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 that deals with the protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech. While Article 19 (1) (a) states that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, from the other end Article 19 (1) (g) allows every individual to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

Further, fundamental rights form a part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution and cannot be amended. There are certain restrictions imposed on the freedom of speech and expression by Article 19(2), constitutional protection is the greatest guarantee of freedom of speech in India. Also, according to Indian law, the freedom of speech and of the press does not confer an absolute right to express one’s thoughts freely. Article 19 (2) of the Indian constitution enables the legislature to impose certain restrictions as follows:

• Security of the State,
• Friendly relations with foreign States,
• Public order,
• Decency and morality,
• Contempt of court,
• Defamation,
• Incitement to an offense, and
• Sovereignty and integrity of India.

In the purview of the above-mentioned restrictions, every individual and media organization needs to understand whether there is any violation of the above restrictions, while they quote Freedom of Speech as the authority. In fact, there is a very thin line that separates the right to freedom of speech from the restrictions associated with the same. So, there is a need to understand the right thoroughly.

-Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

Will Amavasya Effect on TRS Give Big Success to Maha Kootami?

Will Amavasya Effect on TRS Give Big Success to Maha Kootami?

Ever since OP Rawat, the Chief Election Commissioner, on October 6, 2018, has declared that the state of Telangana would go to the polls on December 7, guesswork has been on track amongst the people. All buzzes have been fretful only with the winning party. Furthermore, currently, news making rounds that Amavasya, the new moon, is falling on the polling day — December 7, 2018. It has come to stomping ground the reigning TRS Party.

As soon as the Election Commission on Saturday publicized the polling date, social media was inundated with posts pointing out that it was Amavasya and the date may not grow into favorable for TRS as it is deliberated as inauspicious.

For quite some time, the Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao, has been understood as a firm follower of numerology, astrology, and vaastu. Now, in the same milieu, much as it is being spread that it would be a bad omen for the ruling party. Of course, one of the Party’s Member of Parliament, Boora Narsaiah Goud, has already laid off such talk. It is worth mentioning here that except for the Karttika Amavasya, the Amavasya of Diwali, no other Amavasya is deliberated favorable as per Hindu beliefs.

Most recently, when elections were held for Karnataka state assembly, similar suppositions made rounds. In that situation, some Karnataka politicians were more distraught about the date of counting of assembly elections than campaigning and conquering the adversary. It is evident that polls for the Karnataka State Assembly were held on May 12, 2018 (Saturday), and counting was held on May 15, 2018. Some well-thought-out Saturday was inauspicious due to the effect of Shani, a planet god who by all accounts becomes fuming definitely. Here, in this case, the main cause of concern for most was the date of counting, May 15, 2018, which was on Amavasya. For those who believe in astrology, the polls on Saturday and counting on Amavasya was a nerve-racking combination.

If we compare the situation in Telangana and Karnataka — in the case of Telangana, it is the polling day that falls on Amavasya and in the case of Karnataka, it was the counting day that fell on Amavasya. If we deduce that Amavasya effect has to be there on the elections, the consequence should be either with respect to polling date or counting date. But logically speaking, if Amavasya is to be sure inauspicious, then it is inauspicious for all those contesting elections. It is extremely implausible that Amavasya would be biased and be off-putting to some but not so much for others. This is a matter of prophetic expectation, which the best astrologers only could answer in a healthier mode.

As it has already been declared, the elections results for all 119 seats in Telangana state assembly will be announced on December 11, 2018 — just four days after the single phase poll. As far as December 11, 2018, is concerned, it is Chavithi, the fourth day of a new month, which most people consider as an auspicious day. So, on the other hand, taking this as an orientation, it would be a good premonition to the ruling TRS Party.

In my opinion, if something is bad for one party should be bad to another party as well, vice versa is also applicable. If something goes wrong, coincidentally, it is related to the fallacies, that’s all! Just like that, take any two weekend (Sunday’s) predictions/horoscopes for the following week and try to match. I am sure that no two horoscope predictions for the given zodiac sign cup tie more than forty percent. These are all sheer gullible beliefs. Nothing else!

It is very fathomable that all political parties, for that matter even the independent candidates, have to purely depend upon the voter’s decision. The fate of any contender is alone in the hands of the voter. I do not codswallop the science behind the numerology, astrology, and vaastu sastra. However, my point for debate is if a day is inauspicious to one party, logically it should be inauspicious to another party too!

• Suman Kumar Kasturi

A Mission to Touch the Sky with Glory

A Mission to Touch the Sky with Glory Indian Air Force is the decisive sharing out of the Indian Armed Forces – the military forces of the Republic of India. It is the youngest service among the tri-services as compared to the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. But as far as the mightiness is taken into account, IAF unquestionably outshines the other two services. In retrospect, it was on the same day in 1932, Indian Air Force was officially established as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire. With an infinitesimal strength of 25 air warriors, the first aircraft squadron had come into force on April 01, 1933. During the World War II, the IAF played a dominant role in blocking the encroachment of the Japanese army in Burma, where its first air strike was on the Japanese military base in Arakan. The IAF was actively involved in many vital manoeuvres such as strikes, close air support, aerial scouting, bomber escort, and pathfinding missions for Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Heavy bombers. During these operations, RAF pilots were embedded in IAF units and vice versa to gain combat experience. Consequently, the IAF pilots participated in air operations in Europe as part of the RAF. During the war, the IAF passed through a juncture of strapping development. In recognition of the services rendered by the Indian Air Force, King George VI conferred the prefix Royal in 1945. From then on, the Indian Air Force was referred to as Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF), for quite sometime. No sooner India became a republic in 1950 than the prefix was slumped and it slipped back to the Indian Air Force. Thereafter, Indian Air Force continued with the same name, abbreviated suitably as the IAF. Today, the Indian Air Force, whose motto is Nabhaḥ spr̥śaṁ dīptam which literally means “Touch the Sky with Glory”, is celebrating the 86^th  anniversary. Since independence, the Air Force in India has been involved in four wars with adjoining Pakistan and one with China. Worth mentioning here is the fact that India triumphed in every war with great sensitivity. Besides, the IAF had undertaken many other major operations. The IAF is just not cramped to conflicts rather it has been an active participant in various United Nation’s peacekeeping missions. The IAF today is a modern, technology-intensive force equipped with a wide collection of modern aircraft and support equipment, communication equipment, detection systems, and weapon systems. With both offensive and defensive striking capabilities, the IAF has full-grown to the echelon of second to none. The IAF is hovering at the doorsill of a new idea of modernization in keeping with the new security challenges faced by the nation. Air-superiority fighters, multi-role combat & strike, air defence, reconnaissance aircraft and Surface to Air Guided Weapon System are the backbone of the IAF. The IAF has served India with guts and efficiency in peacetime and war. It contributes to the stability and security of the region. The IAF has claimed a world aviation record by airlifting amass of civilians in 2,140 missions during the 15-day Operation Raahat to rescue victims of flicker floods in Uttarakhand. It is worth calling to mind the assiduous and starring role played by the IAF during the recent Kerala floods. The core values followed by the IAF make Indian Air Force, what it is! They strengthen mental and physical courage when an air warrior enters combat. In quintessence, they are the three pillars of professionalism that lay the foundation for armed forces leadership at every level. In accordance with the changing times and transformation in work culture, the IAF has singled out three core values that govern whatever an air warrior does, be it in peace or war or at work and in their personal lives. The three core values are – Mission, Integrity, and Excellence. The diligent efforts put in by the Indian Armed Forces make us settle secured. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan was a popular slogan given to India by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. The importance of soldiers and farmers was symbolised in this way. Yet, both the farmers and the soldiers are brought forth only during the crisis and calamities. In any case – on the occasion of the 86^th anniversary of the IAF, let us all think of the sacrifices of martyrs and wish the IAF a great success in each and every endeavour. Jai Hind! -Dr. Suman Kumar Kasturi

The Success Connotations of Pragathi Nivedana Sabha

The Success Connotations of Pragathi Nivedana Sabha

As expected, the prestigious ‘Pragtahi Nivedana Sabha’ organized by the TRS Party is a splendid coup. Making arrangements for such a huge get-together for the biggest ever TRS public meeting is absolutely a herculean task. Nevertheless, KCR, whom I think through a dab hand leader of management, has once again come out with his executive strategies to make the meeting, a grand success.

The TRS party claimed that 25 lakh people attended the meeting held at Kongara Kalan near Hyderabad. The interesting points of observation I have drawn from the epic gathering are: territorial imperative clubbed with the Game Theory and Minimax approach. Beforehand, I would like to make acquainted with the concepts of territorial imperative, game theory and the minimax principle, while extenuating my arguments.

Territorial Imperative

In effect, normally, the term Territorial Imperative is used in the milieu of a war. Of course, making such an epic gathering, a success is not less than winning a war. The territorial imperative is the need to claim and defend a territory. It could be well-thought-out as the way people use space, including their seating arrangements and conversational distance. The entire thing booms territorial imperative.

Addressing a massive gathering of above 25lakh people certainly demands a great forward thinking, on top of numerous administrative and managerial abilities. Indubitably, such execution of top brass in TRS party has been a grand victory.

Game Theory

On the other hand, game theory is the study of scientific models of strategic communication between balanced decision-makers. It has solicitations in all fields of social science, as well as in logic and computer science.

In the beginning, game theory spindles zero-sum games, in which one person’s gains result in losses for the other participants. In the contemporary society, game theory spread over a wide range of behavioral relations — it is now a key term for the knowledge of logical decision making in humans, animals, and computers.

As far as a zero-sum game is concerned, there is always a calculated demonstration of a situation in which each participant’s gain or loss of function is precisely well-adjusted by the losses or gains of the function of the other participants.

Going back to our context of the discussion, KCR’s speech at Pragathi Nivedana Sabha, achieved what a zero-sum game in game theory intends to. His impeccable speech has achieved the very objective — palpably, what TRS party has gained through KCR’s speech, concerning TRS government’s performance during the last four and half years, has equally well-balanced by the virtual loss of the opposition.

Minimax Approach

The third connotation of the success of Pragathi Nivedana Sabha that I would like to imply here is the Minimax principle. Minimax approach is an administrative principle by which when offered with two conflicting strategies, one should, by the use of logic, determine and use the strategy that will minimize the maximum losses that could occur.

Again, turn back into KCR’s speech at Pragathi Nivedana Sabha and applying the minimax principle, it could be definitely said that KCR by restraining himself from making any comments on the party’s manifesto for forthcoming elections as well as on advanced polls, has definitely minimized the maximum losses that could have otherwise occurred. It is definitely a strategic move for the reason that Pragathi Nivedana when literally translated means projection of progressive accomplishments. In a meeting intended for showcasing TRS government’s performance during the last four and half years, if the revelations about the party’s manifesto for impending elections would have conversed, unquestionably it would have ensued in a great loss rather than paybacks.

Without a doubt, TRS party’s successful groundwork for such a huge get-together for the biggest ever public meeting has spotlighted the great managerial qualities that a party’s top echelon should have!

• Suman Kumar Kasturi