The heart-rending aircraft accidents in recent times

2014 was a disastrous year for the global aviation industry.The sudden disappearance of MH 370,the shooting down of an aircraft in conflict-ridden Ukrainian province and more recently the accident of an Air-Asia flight raises several question on safety in airspace.Although there were no traces of MH 370 and the black box of the Air-Asia plane is yet to be retrieved to draw on precise causes of the accident,certain facts are particularly worth-noting.

The European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA),in its 2010 survey,noted that almost 25 percent of the recent aircraft incidents are weather-related.That said,there is a growing phenomena called supercells-a combination of rain,winds,hail,lightning and turbulence.A pilot needs to have adequate know-how on how to steer the aircraft through through this disturbance.Therefore,properly trained pilots is an imperative as pilot error is a very important cause for aircraft accidents.The recent accident of Air-Asia flight was probably due to the rough weather as preliminary reports indicated that the pilot requested the air-traffic control authorities to change the flight level.There is a high likelihood of the pilot being unable to go past the rough weather.

The mechanical failure of airplane cannot be ignored entirely.It may be caused either due to weak airplane parts or the negligence of maintenance personnel.In today's world,fuel efficiency factors a significant role in building the structure of the aircraft.But,the robustness of the aircraft parts in the event of extreme-weather conditions is still a secondary factor in flight trials of the modern aircrafts.

The MH 370 and the Air-Asia flight lost contact with the ground stations before the accident.Thus,improving the radar systems and increasing its coverage even in unforseen circumstances might prove to be handy in preventing disasters.The aircraft communication system is an area that has much scope for improvement.

It would be unfair to ignore the cultural factors too.Due to cultural hierarchy,the pilot may ignore the advice of his subordinates.Conversely,the subordinate may feel hesitant enough to report any snag to the pilot on the first instance.The communication gap,at times,might prove fatal to the safety of the aircraft.A study has revealed that improvement in the work culture play a vital role in averting major aircraft disasters.

Most importantly,the proper training of pilots is paramount for aviation safety.The pilots need to be well trained even in type-aircrafts.It is because two different type-aircrafts might have different operational guidelines, and a minor lapse on the part of the air crew members may create undesirable consequences,at times fatal.

If non-violence is the law of our being,the future is with women-Mahatma Gandhi

"To call woman the weaker sex is a libel,it is man's injustice to woman.If by strength is meant brute strength,then,indeed,is woman less brute than man,If by strength is meant moral power,then,woman is immeasurably superior to man.Without woman,man could not be.If non-violence is the law of our being,the future is with woman.Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman?"
(Mahatma Gandhi,To the women of India published in Young India,1930)

In an address to a group of women students in Lahore,in 1934,Gandhi said"When I was in South Africa,I had realised that if I didn't work for the cause of women,all my work would remain unfinished."That said,Gandhi believed in the abilities of women during his struggle in South Africa.It is ironical that Gandhi was a typical,traditional,Hindu patriarch.He was born and brought up in traditional patriarchal Bania family,which naturally pre-disposed him towards patriarchy.However,certain events in South Africa made him reconsider his decision,and in time,abandon his prejudices towards women.

In Johanessburg,Gandhi and his wife shared their home with a English couple,Henry and Millie Polak.Though the English couple revered Gandhi as a leader,they had differences in their opinions with Gandhi.In one of their arguments,Millie Polak said that the women in the East are treated as subordinate to men.Gandhi then expressed that the East had given the woman a higher position than men.'The east had given her a position of worship'.Gandhi,then,substantiated his view by quoting a mythological instance of how Savitri wrestled with the God of death to rescue Satyavan.Millie polak then responded that the Satyavan-Savitri example vindicates her fact that the East has made woman a subject of man.Millie found Indian women 'always waiting on the pleasure of some man.'

Gandhi gradually reconsidered his patriarchal views through his interaction with Sonja Schlesin,an independent-minded woman.who worked as a secretary to Gandhi in his political works.She was always ready to speak up her mind and even differed with Gandhi in matters of treating woman as equal to man.Further,in his extended visits to England in 1906 and 1909,Gandhi saw how the women suffragetes fought bravely and preferred imprisonment,so that their sisters may get the right to vote.In the last phases of satyagraha in South Africa,Gandhi was quite impressed by the way the Tamil women came out in large numbers to court arrest for their rights.Here,even Gandhi's wife,Kasturba went to jail thus sacrificing herself to the cause of Satyagraha.

Overall,Gandhi transformed himself and realised the power of women through his interaction with women he came into contact with during his struggle in South Africa.His resolve to get men and women together was quite instrumental in furthering the struggle against colonialism in India in later years.
(Ideas borrowed from Ramachandra Guha's book on Gandhi)

Reservation system in India

The history of India is replete with examples where certain sections of the people faced untold discrimination at the hands of certain privileged groups.The constitution makers of India were aware of the century-long historical injustice faced by these sections of the society.Hence,they unanimously agreed to provide reservation benefits to the socially disadvantaged sections of Indian society.The objective of reservation system was to provide equality of opportunity and eradicate caste-based discrimination faced by these vulnerable sections.This is in accordance with the objective of 'social justice' as mentioned explicitly in the preamble and the constitution of India.

The reservation policy has empowered the marginalised communities to participate in the growth of the nation.In the realm of politics,their participation was particularly note-worthy.The rise of Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP) in Uttar Pradesh is a case in point where the Dalits were able to assert themselves politically.We have had a Indian president,chief ministers,a speaker of Parliament and a Chief Justice from the Dalit community.In premier educational institutions like IITs and IIMs,students from backward communities are adequately represented.

Yet,after 67 years of independence,a complete eradication of social inequalities remains a far-fetched dream.Despite the positive discrimination,the reservation system failed to fulfill the desired objectives as was expected.Only the privileged of the backward classes continues to avail its benefits while excluding many needy people from its ambit.The tribal communities in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism(LWE) and North-east region do not receive even basic education,leave alone reservation benefits.

Particularly conspicious is the absence of SCs and STs in the realm of culture,media and private companies.Recently, the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies(CDS),conducted a survey in 37 Delhi-based publication companies and television channels.Surprisingly.not a single employee in these institutions belonged to the SC,ST or adivasi communities.This survey brings forth the conclusion that social discrimination continues unabated in Indian society which aspires to be a super power in near future.

Thus,the social condition in India is still not ripe to dismantle the caste-based reservation system.We do need quota system,but it should be better targeted.The government may think of introducing a 'self-destruct' clause,wherein the reservation benefits cease to apply to those who have already benefited through reservation and brought into mainstream.In a phased manner,it should be dismantled which would enable the needy to enter the mainstream society,while giving due importance to promoting merit and efficiency.

Also.in my view,promoting diversity in both public and private institutions.would go a long way in ensuring adequate representation of the disadvantaged sections.The diversity-index based incentive,which would include SCs,STs,OBCs and women would even correct the gender discrimination in employment.The grant of concessions,recognition and subsidies to the private sector should be linked with promoting diversity in their labor force.The principle of diversity based incentive was even mooted by Sachar committee constituted by the former UPA regime.

Above all,the merit and efficiency should not be compromised in any manner.That said.reservation ought not to be used by political parties as a gimmick so as to garner votes.After the Indira-Sahwney judgement,the National Commission of Backward Classes(NCBC) was authorized to identify the backward communities based on detailed survey.The views of NCBC should be taken into consideration while determining the eligible backward communities by the political parties.As former president,Dr.A.P.J.Abdul kalam has very rightly said"India need development politics rather than mere political politics".

Tackling flood problem in Assam

Flood is a recurrent problem in Assam.Almost every year,damaging floods leave a catastrophic impact on human lives,livestock and the economy of the state.In Assam,flood is caused by two major river systems-the Brahmaputra river in the North and the Barak river in the south.The geographical setting of the region,high intensity rainfall due to South-West monsoon,extensive siltation brought down by Brahmaputra river,easily erodible geographical formations and anthrop

ogenic(man-made) causes are primarily responsible for the flood problem in Assam.

The flood damage in the country is pegged in the range of Rs.6000 crore annually.In Assam alone,in 2014,the loss due to flood was estimated to be around 2000 crore.Notwithstanding the multitude of steps taken by the Central and the state governments,the flood situation in the state continues to be grim.We need innovative measures,both structural and non-structural,to tame the deleterious impact of the recurring floods.

First,there is a need of nationwide hydrological data with a decentralisation approach.That said,the state should be in a position to monitor real-time hydrological data without relying excessively on central help.The satellite imageries could be efficiently used to monitor the snow-melt and water distribution in upstream areas of the river.A significant cause of flood is the inadequate information on the amount of water flowing into or out of the reservoirs.The hydrological data would improve flood alert warning systems and would assist in rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Second,underground taming of flood waters through the creation of artificial aquifers and storage systems would be an effective measure against flood.Moreover,in the dry seasons,the residual water could be used judiciously for irrigation purposes.A significant portion of water passes as run-off that causes flood in cities like Guwahati.A comprehensive plan to build underground structures at vulnerable locations would be an innovative solution.

Third,desiltation should be carried out through dredging the river-bed.The Brahmaputra is a braided channel river which brings down excessive silt from upstream areas.Consequently.the river exceeds its carrying capacity and overflows its beds,causing floods.Of all the dredgings carried out in the state so far,none turned out to be effective due to the corruption-ridden administration in the state.The development funds are siphoned off,thus creating hardships for the common people.

The customary approach for flood-prevention in Assam is of primarily two fold:embankment construction and building dams.Constructing embankments for decades have been unable to control floods effectively.Moreover,there are concerns about loss of soil-fertility and water-logging due to embankments.Majority of dams in the state are designed for power generation rather than flood prevention.Also,in a highly seismic zone,construction of dams could be carried out only after weighing the pros and cons through extensive research and studies.A harmonious mix of structural and non-structural measures would go a long way in mitigating the recurring flood problem in Assam.

Are you really serious about NEW YEAR RESOLUTION?

Now that the new year is around the corner,many of you might be in the process of finding new year resolutions.Some of you are thinking of exercising 5 days a week(with occasional jogging),waking up early in the morning at least on weekdays or hooking up less on facebook and whatsapp.Others,in my view,are eagerly waiting for Jan 1,2015 to cut down on smoking,alcohol or paan-masala.On Dec 31,nearly 90 percent of the drunkards(both habitual and occasional ones) take a collective pledge while holding their pegs "Cheers,aaj se daaru pina chhod denge"(Cheers,henceforth,we shall do away with drinking).

Taking up resolutions is very easy.It needs just the word of the mouth or noting down on a piece of paper in bold letters.Following it up for 12 months is quite an uphill task.Leave alone 12 months,I have had not a single record of honouring my resolutions for even 12 weeks.Every time,I used to give up consoling myself that some of my friends had even failed to keep their quasi-promises for 12 days.They would say "Bas bahot ho gaya yaar,zindagi ek hi baar milti hai"(Enough is enough friend,life comes only once).

I still remember one of my teachers advising me to treat every day as a new year day.Perhaps,we both fell in the same category of serious thinkers failing every year to keeping our resolutions intact.His guru mantra might have been the by-product of repeated failed attempts.He was against taking up new year pledges unless one had the serious resoluteness to follow it for 365 days.

So,my new year's resolution for 2015 is to not make any new year's resolutions.Breaking resolutions often accompany a sense of failure and I do not want to be a part of it.For,those who have succeeded in keeping up their new year promises,I salute your firm determination and courage.I too extend my best wishes to those planning quite seriously to adhere to their resolutions scrupulously as a 365-day mission.

HAPPY NEW YEAR,2015.

Bodo conflict in Assam-the complex factors involved

Assam is once again in the news for all the wrong reasons.This time,the NDFB(S),a breakaway faction of larger NDFB group has attacked tribal people,mainly women and children,for no fault of theirs.This was a barbaric act of crimes against humanity which can neither be condoned nor justified.

The NDFB(S) appears to have no clear aims and objectives.They are opposed against the larger NDFB group,led by Ranjan Daimary,which is in a ceasefire agreement with the Indian Government.The indiscriminate killings of the innocent people in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts of Assam was a retaliatory action against the offensive launched by the state police forces against the militant group.In 2012,they resorted to divisive tactics of dividing Hindus against the Muslims,which led to wider communal conflict between the two groups.As one police officer has stated,the militant group engages in such divisive tactics thus taking time to regroup themselves and exposing the maladministration of the state government in maintaining law and order.

Moreover,there are complex factors involved which cause tension in these areas.In the Bodo Territorial Administered Districts(BTAD),the Bodos constitute only 30 percent of the population.Rest of the population comprises of Assamese,Bengali Hindus,Kuch-Rajbongshi and the adivasis.The Bodo Peoples Party(BPP) wield political power in the region often resorting to violence and intimidation to supress other ethnic groups.This has not gone down well with non-Bodo ethnic groups,resulting in recurrent conflicts in the region.

With the political rise of BPP(the erstwhile BLT,a militant group),the acolytes of prominent militant leaders benefitted.The government gave amnesty to the leaders,who were accused of grave crimes prior to the cease-fire agreement in 2003.Some of these leaders committed criminal acts with impunity for narrow political interests.Thus a sense of laxity and impunity developed among these groups,who continuously try to disrupt the peace in this region.The state government has also failed to prosecute these wrong-doers.It has given free hand to these groups,primarily the BPP,which is a political ally of the Congress party at the state.

The union government,responsible for enforcing cease-fire ground rules,has failed to do so.The cease-fire ground rules clearly prohibit the reconciled groups to carry arms or move in uniforms outside designated camps.They can neither procure additional arms nor take part in extortion or intimidation of individuals including government officials.Yet,these Bodos and Dimasas groups flout the rules with impunity.

It would be unfair to ignore the problem of illegal migration in the state.The people in the North-east India are very conscious of their identity over land,territory and natural resources.The illegal migration in the state has altered the demography of the region.The land encroachment continues with the connivance of state administration and the immigrants.This has created a sense of alienation among the ethnic tribes in the region resulting in conflicts.

The first responsibility of the State government is to provide security to the ordinary people.The state administration should carry out effective monitoring of any impending ethnic-conflict.It should prosecute those individuals responsible for alleged crimes against humanity,irrespective of political affiliation.There should be sustained dialogue between the government and those groups who gave up arms for the sake of peace.Monitoring and supervision of designated 'cease-fire camps'should be carried out on a monthly basis.A comprehensive action plan needs to be drawn so as to accomodate all the ethnic groups in the path of development.

Remembering Indian soldiers who fought the first world war

The historic world war-I would remain incomplete without mentioning the heroic efforts of Indian soldiers.Nearly 1.5 million Indian soldiers took part in the war and represented the British empire.Recently,Markandey Katju,the chairman of the Press Council of India and a former Supreme Court judge described them as mercenaries who fought for the British empire.Dismissing them as mere mercenaries,in my view,would be an injustice to their valiant efforts in serving the cause of British India.

Indian soldiers participated in the war with the hope that the British would grant India dominion status in due time.Even prominent leaders like Gandhi and Tilak exhorted the Indians to contribute their share thus helping the British in their war efforts.Indians took part in the war not only as soldiers,but also as labourers and workers.India sent raw materials to Britain so that their economy flourished even during the crisis.

The initial political payback came with the Montagu declaration which clearly stated"self-rule was not to be the constitutional right of British alone."That said,Indians were optimistic to get paid in the form of greater self-rule and the right to self-determination.With the passage of time,the British,however reneged on their promises and instead imposed the Rowlatt act.This was a gross insult to Indian's faith on British rule,which,in turn,aroused the nationalistic sentiments against the colonial rule.The hatred against colonial rule,among all the sections,would later ensure mass participation in Non-cooperation and civil-disobedience movements.

Moreover,during the war,the Indian soldiers got exposure to the democratic culture of the west.They realised that the Europeans were better off than the Indians in all aspects of life.In Europe,the girls were well educated and contributed to their workforce,thus making them self-dependent and empowered.On their return,many soldiers pledged to educate their girl children.They too realised as to how the British rule resulted in the economic drain of their homeland.

Thus,we cannot write the Indian soldiers out of history by describing them as mere mercenaries.They were an integral part of India's struggle against the British for independence.The centenary year of the first world war,2014,is thereby an occasion to remember the Indian soldiers who fought for the betterment of India.