Folk singer Reshma Saha conferred with Honorarium Doctorate

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Reshma Saha with her Honorarium Doctorate

Dateline Mussoorie: Folk singer Reshma Saha of Uttarakhand just added a new feather to her cap. The folk singer was recently conferred an Honorarium Doctorate by the Columbia Pacific Virtual University for her work in Folk Song and Folk Culture, at an event organized in Mathura.

For the past two decades and a half, Reshma has been putting Uttarakhand on the world map by lending her voice to many a folk song from Jaunpur region of Garhwal. Her folk songs from the region have given a fresh lease of life to the forgotten Jaagars, Pandava and Maangal songs among others.

Earlier this year, the Uttarakhandi folk singer was awarded the Ustad Bismillah Khan Youth Award in Lucknow.

Being felicitated by Mussoorie Press Club

Addressing the media at the Mussoorie Press Club, Mussoorie, Reshma reiterated the fact that she was proud of her roots and wanted young minds to stay connected to their rich cultural heritage through her songs.

A regular at musical soirees home and abroad, Reshma has come a long way from home. She said, “expatriates of India and especially Uttarakhand invite folk artists from their homestate and relive their culture through our art. I feel blessed and honoured to have received this Doctorate.”

Meera Saklani, newly elected Chairperson Mussoorie, recalled their school days spent together with Reshma. She lauded the artist’s dedication and struggle stating, “Reshma has earned this recognition only through her dedication and hard work. She has been true to her talent since an early age and has brought fame not only to Uttarakhand but also Jaunpur region. We are very proud of her achievements.”

Aint no mountain too high,’ signs off Dr Reshma Saha as she is all set to head to out for next musical event where she continues to win people with her melodious voice, reminding them of their home in the hills.

Veerathon 2025, Run for the Nation’s Pride

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Veerathon 2025, Run for the Nation’s Pride

Dateline Dehradun: The first edition of VEERATHON 2025 held in Dehradun was s resounding success. With eight hundred first time participants, this half marathon premier event featured multiple race categories. Open to all ages and levels of fitness – whether you’re a seasoned runner, an adventure enthusiast, or just looking for a fun day out, VEERATHON was a steal show.

Aimed to support the transformation of ancestral homes of the brave Veterans and Veer Naaris’ (widows of fallen soldiers) of the Indian Armed Forces residing in Uttarakhand, into home-stays thereby promoting tourism, helping reverse migration and securing our borders, the event was organised by Metamorphes Foundation and NBT.

The 5 categories: 21 km Half Marathon, 10 km Run, 5 km Run, 3 km Run for casual runners, 1 km Fun Run for Children, encouraged young participants raising awareness about fitness and patriotism.

Cash prizes worth upto INR 2 Lakhs were awarded to winners in various categories along with exciting hand-outs to all participants. The prizes were given away by Chief Guest Maj Gen Rohan Anand, SM, ADG NCC Uttarakhand and the Guest of Honour Rear Admiral Peush Pawsey, Joint Chief Hydrographer, NHO, Indian Navy.

Winners included Col Krishan Badhwar, Capt Anuj Kumar, Maj Shashi Mehta and Pooja Negi. Some highlights were Para athletes running 5 Km, people running in the age group of 60-80 years 10 kms, Blade runner, a lady drapped in sari ran 12km, a mother and her two sons won in 10 kms category, a 71 year old runner won along with children with special needs from Raphael Centre taking part in the 1 km fun-run.

With an impressive 800 plus runners participating, VEERATHON’S Star runners included the likes of Major General Vikram Dev Dogra (Retd) AVSM, (Ironman of India), Major DP Singh (Blade Runner), Ashok Bhanse (Running with Prosthetic leg) and Major Shashi Mehta.

Support Our Heroes NGO has been assisting needy Ex-soldiers and their families since 2017 across 20 states, particularly those excluded from existing policies or facing long delays. Also a mention about Martyr Tushar Mahajan Memorial Trust, who sponsored cash prizes in female category, established by the parents of Captain Tushar Mahajan.

Metamorphes Foundation was supported by Honorpoint,  Support Our Heroes (SOH), represented by Col R D Sharma (Retd), Col Sorabh Jain (Retd) and Mr Gaurav Shukla  who participated in the Marathon.

Slated for March next year the 2nd edition of VEERATHON will provide free participation for winners.

997 Students Conferred Degrees at SRHU’s 7th Convocation

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Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the 7th Convocation of Swami Rama Himalayan University

Dateline Dehradun: 34 top-performing students received academic awards, 3 students honoured with the Swami Rama Best Graduate Award, and 19 scholars awarded Ph.D. degrees at the 7th Convocation held at  Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU), Jolly Grant. Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd.) PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest and conferred degrees upon 34 meritorious students. Kezia (MBBS), Khushi (Nursing), and Anjali (Nursing) were honored with the prestigious Swami Rama Best Graduate Award. A total of 997 students were awarded degrees at the convocation.

On Monday, SRHU President Dr. Vijay Dhasmana welcomed the Hon’ble Governor with a floral bouquet, a ceremonial shawl, and a memento of the Badrinath Temple.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh encouraged the students to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and society. He praised SRHU’s academic excellence and global reputation and expressed confidence that the graduating students would contribute to India’s rich and dynamic legacy. The Governor highlighted the increasing achievements of women in various fields and noted that a greater number of female students received medals at the convocation, reflecting their growing impact in shaping a strong and progressive India.

President, Dr. Vijay Dhasmana extended his best wishes to all graduating students, urging them to set ambitious goals and achieve them through dedication and perseverance. He emphasized that education is not just about obtaining a degree but also a path to self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajendra Dobhal congratulated the students and encouraged them to maintain a lifelong quest for learning and research. He emphasized the importance of curiosity and continuous exploration in academic and professional growth.

The event was attended by Dr. Ranjit Sinha, Secretary (Higher Education); Dr. Vijendra Chauhan, Director General (Academic Development); Commander Venkateshwar, Registrar; along with members of BOG-BOM, Doiwala MLA Brijbhushan Gairola, and the principals of various SRHU constituent colleges.

All Kinds of Natural Disasters Except for Tsunamis Rampant in Uttarakhand

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Book launch of 'Making Molehills of Mountains: Tales of Uttarakhand's Climate Crises and an Uncertain Development Model'

Dateline Dehradun: The entire world is facing the repercussions of climate change, but in Uttarakhand, the impact of climate change is escalating at double the speed. With the exception of tsunamis, there is no major disaster in the world that does not affect Uttarakhand. This was stated by experts during the launch of the second edition of the book ‘Making Molehills of Mountains: Tales of Uttarakhand’s Climate Crises and an Uncertain Development Model’ published by SDC Foundation.

The book was launched at the Doon Library and Research Centre, with former Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand, Shri N.S. Napalchyal, as the Chief Guest. In his address, he remarked that Uttarakhand is a state prone to disasters.  He stressed the need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern techniques to minimize the impact of disasters and devise strategies for disaster management. He pointed out that Uttarakhand is not only grappling with natural calamities but also man-made disasters. He emphasized that the unscientific cutting and blasting of mountains for construction purposes made the hills vulnerable.

Supreme Court lawyer Rajiv Dutta highlighted that Uttarakhand is not only environmentally sensitive but also a state where several environmentally damaging projects are being implemented. He has filed several public interest litigations (PILs) in the NGT and Supreme Court regarding these irregularities.

Aditya Pundir, Director of the Climate Reality Project for South Asia, stated that the impact of climate change in Uttarakhand’s Himalayan region is twice as severe as in the rest of the world. He further noted that with rising altitudes, this impact is only growing stronger. To prevent migration, he called for improving the quality of life, promoting solar energy, and ensuring better internet connectivity.

The second edition of the book was dedicated by SDC Foundation to the late environmentalist and Gandhian, Smt. Vimla Bahuguna. Her son, social activist Rajeev Nayan Bahuguna, in his address, emphasized that without a healthy planet, all other activities would become irrelevant.

Other authors of the book shared their contributions, including Dr. Mayank Badola, Chief Medical Officer at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, along with Gautam Kumar, Sara Garg, Mahika Fartyal, and Dr. Arunima Naithani.

The event began with a welcome speech by Chandrashekhar Tiwari, Program Associate at the Doon Library. Editors Anoop Nautiyal and Prerna Raturi from SDC Foundation shared insights on various aspects of the book. Publisher Abhimanyu Gehlot expressed his gratitude.

Key attendees included Bihar Legislative Council Member Devesh Kumar, Former Chief of Forests in Uttarakhand Jai Raj, Dr. SP Sati, Ratna Manucha, Jagmohan Mehdiratta, Major General (Retd.) Sanjay Sharma, Madhu Pathak, Dr. Pathak, Dr. Piyoosh Rautela, Rahul Jugran, Alka Kukreti, Ravi Juyal, Kavita Chaturvedi, Durgesh Raturi, Rajmohan, Ramesh Chauhan, Ramana, Sandeep Bijlwan, Raghvendra, Jai Singh Rawat, Trilochan Bhatt, Harry Sethi, Vinod Nautiyal, Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi, Kamlesh Gurunani, Dr. Aparna Kathuria, and many others, including young researchers.

Community Concern Over Rapidly Increasing Plastic Waste

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Dateline Dehradun: Scientists, teachers, cultural workers, and social activists have expressed growing concern over the increasing plastic waste, highlighting its dangerous implications for the future. They emphasized that if efforts are not made to reduce plastic waste and dispose of it in an environmentally responsible manner, the entire planet will suffer the consequences. These groups assured their support for campaigns aimed at raising awareness and finding solutions for the effective disposal of plastic waste.

The Dehradun-based SDC Foundation, which has established over 300 Plastic Banks in the city, organized a program titled “Celebration of 300+ Plastic Banks” at the IRDT Auditorium, Survey Chowk, to commemorate the occasion. The theme of the event was ‘Our Mission, A Cleaner Planet.’ Scientists from various institutions, professors from local universities, school and college teachers, cultural workers, and social activists participated in the program, along with a large number of students and local citizens.

Chief Guest Dr. Harender Bisht, Director CSIR IIP, noted that while plastic waste is rapidly increasing, insufficient work has been done on its proper disposal. He called the Plastic Bank initiative a positive step in the right direction and urged everyone to minimize plastic waste at their own level.

Renowned folk singer Narendra Singh Negi mentioned that while urban areas are becoming more aware of the plastic waste issue, the situation in rural areas remains concerning. He assured that he would work to raise awareness about plastic waste in villages and stressed the need for continuous efforts toward both awareness and disposal of plastic waste in rural areas.

Anoop Nautiyal of SDC Foundation delivered a presentation on the Plastic Bank campaign. He shared that the campaign, which began in 2019 with just one school and 55 girl students from Upper Primary School Khurbura in Dehradun, has now reached about one lakh people, including 40,000 city based school students. SDC Foundation has established plastic banks in several locations, including 132 Maggi Points, 92 schools, 40 hostels, 10 universities and colleges, and 8 showrooms. He appealed to everyone to minimize their use of plastic and encourage others to do the same.

The program included a panel discussion on plastic waste, featuring Dr. Neeraj Atrey, scientist at CSIR IIP, Dr. Ankur Kansal from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, Girish Uniyal of Swami Rama Himalayan University, Praveen Gulati of Ess Ell Honda, Priyank of Swayambhu Recycling, and Pramod Kumari of SGRR Public School. The session, moderated by Prerna Raturi of SDC Foundation, revealed that while people previously viewed plastic waste simply as garbage, awareness is now growing. Some startups are also exploring plastic waste as a potential source of income through the concept of “waste to wealth.” The participants emphasized that waste segregation, especially at the source, is crucial.

Students of Sofia High School, Nashville Road, presented a play that highlighted the damaging impact of plastic, with the message that land that once yielded gold and silver is now being overwhelmed by plastic waste.

Awards were given to schools for their efforts in addressing plastic waste. Government Upper Primary School Khurbura received recognition for establishing the first Plastic Bank. Other awards for best-performing plastic banks were presented to Bhawani Balika Inter College Ballupur, Government Girls Inter College Lakhibagh, Sophia High School Nashville Road, Shri Mahavir Jain Kanya Pathshala Tilak Road, and Shri Guru Nanak School Racecourse.

In the video competition, the first prize went to Government Girls Inter College Lakhibagh, with Sophia High School securing second place and CNI Girls Inter College Rajpur Road coming in third. Six other schools were awarded consolation prizes.

In addition to the participating schools, several institutions, including the Wildlife Institute of India, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Quantum University, Tulas Institute, UPES, and BS Negi Institute, also contributed to the event.

Certificates of recognition were presented to Swami Rama Himalayan University, Ess Ell Honda, Quantum University, Centrio Mall, Hope Town Girls School Selaqui, and Shriram Automobiles for their outstanding long-term efforts in the campaign.

Other notable attendees included Additional Secretary of Tourism, Abhishek Rohilla; Pradeep Joshi from the Pollution Control Board; Ganesh Kandwal from the FDA; Dr. Sanat Kumar, Dr. Avinash from IIP; Anil Sati from the Health Department; Jagmohan Mendiratta, Radha Chatterjee, Retu Chatterjee, Maya Norula, Bharti Jain, Sunil Nehru, Ajai Dayal, Anup Badola, Mohan Singh Rawat from GPO, J.R. Semwal, Anil Singh Gusain from Windlass, Devika Tiwari from Mall of Dehradun, Bharti Bhardwaj, Ayush Joshi and many others who were present. Vinay Jugran, Bittu, Subhash, Pramod and Laxmi Prasad from SDC Foundation were present as well.

The event was conducted by Dinesh Semwal of SDC Foundation, with the vote of thanks delivered by Pyarelal and Praveen Upreti from the Foundation.

Walkathon in Nine Yards, Dehradun Sari-thon

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Sari-thon, 2024

Dateline Dehradun: Women from all spheres are set to take part in the second edition of Sari-thon, Power Walk by Power Women on 1st March, Dehradun.

Honouring the tradition of draping sarees, women across age groups are being encouraged to take part in this annual open event, with the only criteria being, drape the nine yards and team it up with a comfortable pair of shoes as you walk down from The Doon Club to Ashtley Hall.

Talking to Newspost Venu Agrahari Dhingra, the brainchild of the event updated us about what this 2nd edition holds, “This year we are going to hold the event on 1st March where we will walk from The Doon Club to the Ashtley Hall and back.”  She further added, “the idea behind the event it to promote sari and textiles of India, which we are extremely proud of.”

Sari-thon, 2024

With the first edition saw over three hundred and fifty graceful women, honouring the saree legacy, this year the team looks forward to touching a thousand with the idea to promote sari, its weaves, our rich culture and traditions.

There is more to the walk. There will be discussions on pertinent issues such as Menopause, which we as women generally don’t know much about and suffer silently. Another important topic that will take centre stage is financial education for women.

One of the sponsors of  Sari-thon, Surbhi Sapra adds, “I am very proud to be a part of this amazing initiative. It not just brings about women empowerment but it also ensures that women empowerment is intricately interlaced with our tradition and our values.”

So for those who want to be part of the event and be with with like-minded, enthusiastic women, see you all tomorrow i.e. saturday, 1st March.

MaxCity VoW Literature Festival in Mumbai

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MaxCity VoW Literature Festival

Dateline Mumbai: In its 9th Edition this year, Valley of Words (VoW) collaborates for the first edition of the MaxCity VoW literature festival set to roll out in Mumbai on 01 and 02 March at the historic National Gallery of Modern Art and Kitab Khana.

MaxCity VoW litfest is a coming together of the experience of Valley of Words Literature and Art festival, led by Dr Sanjeev Chopra and the energy of Max City, led by Probal DasGupta and their respective teams.

The theme of the festival is ‘Issues that Engage us as a Nation.’ “In a world connected by technology, trade, maritime issues, wars, history and economics, India is at the interstices of opportunities and challenges. Mumbai, a prominent seaport, is India’s gateway to the world and a platform for deliberations on books and ideas,” expresses Probal DasGupta of Max City.

The literature festival includes former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant whose recent book ‘How India Scaled Mount G20’ makes its much awaited  Mumbai release. The other book releases include AVM Arjun Subramanian’s book ‘Shooting Straight’, former army commander Lt Gen YK Joshi’s book ‘Who Dares Wins’ and KV Ramesh’s book ‘Lights, Camera, War!’ have a Mumbai release at the festival. Joshi was awarded Vir Chakra in the Kargil war. The fest features another gallantry award winner and author – Rear Admiral SK Gupta, Mahavir Chakra of 1971 war.

Celebrated authors such as Amish Tripathi, Sanjeev Sanyal, Amb Tirumurti, Sanjeev Chopra, Smriti Ravindra, Shabnam Minwalla, Probal DasGupta, food writer Rashmi Uday Singh, Hindol Sengupta and publishers Milee Aashwarya, Pramod Kapoor, senior journalists Sandeep Unnithan, Tamal Bandopadhyay will speak at the festival. Alongside are governance experts such as Brijesh Singh and Ashwini Bhide and well known personalities such as Lt Gen PS Pannu, Senior Advisor to Space (SIA), columnist Commodore Srikant Kesnur, historian Shiv Kunal Verma, actor Avantika Akerkar and mythologist E Banerjee, who complete a versatile group. Cdr Abhilash Tomy, the first Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world under sail will also speak at the litfest.

Iti Nritya, an initiative by Valley of Words, continues its mission to nurture and support the next generation of Indian classical dancers here too. In collaboration with MaxCity, Valley of Words will present two exceptional performances at the renowned Jehangir Art Gallery, on both days of the fest: Vikiraj Kadale – a gifted Bharatanatyam dancer and Kirti Kurande – a talented Kathak dancer. Iti Nritya Curator Shalini Rao tells us, “VoW Iti Nritya has become a distinguished platform for dancers aged 18 to 25, showcasing diverse classical dance forms. This event promises an unforgettable experience, highlighting the passion, discipline, and artistry that define India’s classical dance heritage.”

The idea behind the lit fest as explained by Dr Sanjeev Chopra stands, “The MaxCity VoW Litfest is a unique amalgam of litterateurs, defence and governance experts coming together to talk about an India that is carving out a salient place for itself as an emerging nation. A nation confident about itself, and extending its support to the Global South.” He further adds, “The sessions on the role of navy in Blue waters along with the changing profile of our cities including Mumbai makes it absolutely relevant in the current context.”

VoW celebrates International Mother Language Day

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Pic Courtesy Devang Budakoti: VoW Celebrates Mother International Language Day

Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.”

— Rita Mae Brown

Dateline Dehradun: On February 23rd, Valley of Words (VoW), in collaboration with Him Jyoti School, demonstrated its commitment towards nurturing cultural diversity and linguistic preservation amongst young-minds. Recognized by UNESCO in 1999, International Mother Language Day (celebrated globally on 21st February) serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our native languages.

The 4th edition of this annual event was graced by the presence of Anil Raturi, former Uttarakhand DGP as the Chief Guest and Manohar Singh, DGM Regional Head for Union Bank of India both affirming the importance placed on fostering a passion for learning and expressing in their mother language.

The celebration brought together fifty enthusiastic participants from eight distinguished schools across Dehradun, showcasing an array of languages. Students displayed their linguistic prowess while reciting this year’s theme “Grandmother’s tales in mother language.” Close to thirty languages including Sanskrit, Nyishi, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Rajasthani, Tamil, Odia, Marathi and many more, reflected the rich tapestry of India’s cultural heritage.

The teachers behind the event

Giving the welcome note, Ruma Malhotra, Principal Him Jyoti School said, “Our mother tongue, the first sounds we hear- even before birth- has a profound influence on our emotions, thoughts, and cognitive development. It is the language of the heart and mind, shaping our understanding of the world in ways that no other language can. To celebrate this richness of linguistic diversity, Him Jyoti School is proud to host this unique oration event, in collaboration with Valley of Words”.

Speaking at the event Dr Sanjeev Chopra, Festival Director of Valley of Words, said, “Today, we celebrate not just the diversity of languages, but the stories, traditions, and histories they carry. Each language here today forms a vital thread in the cultural fabric of our nation, and by preserving these languages, we preserve our shared human heritage.”

The Chief Guest, Anil Raturi, added to the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity as a cornerstone of democracy and cultural identity. “Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue.”

The event, held at the Him Jyoti School, echoed the successes of previous years, where similar celebrations had been conducted with zest and zeal.

The unique aspect of this year’s event was not just the number of languages spoken, but the depth of engagement and the quality of performances, which included orations, cultural displays, and traditional attires, representing each language’s unique attributes. This platform not only promoted linguistic diversity but also encouraged students to take pride in their linguistic and cultural roots.

The schools participating in this linguistic showcase included Rashtriya Indian Military College, Doon Girls School, St Kabeer Academy, Unison World School, APS Birpur, Oceanic International School, Him Jyoti School and The Oasis each contributing to the harmonious blend of languages and cultural narratives. The collective efforts of these schools were pivotal in the successful execution of the event, supported by their staff and student bodies.

Review: Beyond the Battlefield by Lt Gen Ajai Kumar Singh

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The military is certainly about symbols – flags, bugles, conches, regalia, trumpets, medals, badges and epaulettes, and of course protocol, discipline and hierarchy. In fact, in the very first chapter of the Bhagwad Gita (BG) we hear Sanjaya informing the king of the Kurus about the conches blown by the warriors on both sides: Yudhishtar with his Anant Vijaya, Arjun with his Devadatta and Bhima with Vaikodra as against Paundram of Bheesham Pitamah and Hirangarbhahya of Karna. But the principal character of the Mahabharata is not any one of these great warriors, but the charioteer Krishna, who gave the most powerful and stirring spiritual discourse to a despondent warrior Arjuna who willingly gave up the most powerful weapon of his times, the Gandiva to the ground, and woefully declared :

evam-uktva hrishikesham gudakeshah parantapa
na yotsya iti govindam uktva tushnim babhuva ha

Having thus spoken, Gudakesh, that chastiser of enemies, addressed Hrishikesh: “Govind, I shall not fight,” and became silent. BG II.9

The possession of a weapon is not the main determinant of war

Thus, the possession of a weapon is not the main determinant of war. What matters is the spirit of the man who holds the weapon. This is precisely the point which the highly decorated General Ajai Kumar Singh brings to the fore in his superb reflection ‘Beyond The Battlefield (BTB): Spirituality as an Enabler of Military Leadership’. This brings to the fore his very mature deliberation on the subject with four key USPs: his field experience of four decades, the academic rigour of a doctoral programme, his skills as a narrator and his ability to relate the text to the context.

The Introduction, which starts with the famous aphorism

hato va prapsyasi swargam jitva va bhokshyase mahim
tasmad uttishtha kaunteya yuddhaya krita-nishchayah

If you die in battle, you will attain heaven. If you win, you will attain the earth. So, get up and fight. Treat joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, gain and loss alike, and prepare yourself for battle. BG II.37.

The next verse is equally, if not more powerful, but it is certainly more direct:

sukha-dukhe same kritva labhalabhau jayajayau
tato yuddhaya yujyasva naivam papam avapsyasi

Fight for the sake of duty, treating alike happiness and distress, loss and gain, victory and defeat. Fulfilling your responsibility in this way, you will never incur sin. BG II.38

 

Research Hypothesis

This then is the background to the hypothesis General Ajai Kumar Singh seeks to test: will spirituality enable the Indian military leadership to become more effective and efficient in today’s challenging environment? His conclusions are based on the responses received to a wide array of questions – ranging from the differences between business and military leadership, transformational versus transactional leaders, motivational factors, leadership traits, relevance of concepts like Karma and Dharma, SSB selections and the challenge of leading soldiers who are educated and well informed. He then seeks responses on whether figures from the past can motivate the soldiers of today. Can spirituality and trust help counter stress and strain? The questionnaire then probes what spirituality stands for, and who are the principal stakeholders. The penultimate set of questions are directly related to the research hypothesis – the need for ‘spiritual fitness’ and a comparison of its importance relative to physical, emotional and intellectual fitness, its impact on empathy, integrity, motivation, sacrifice, compassion, and last, but not the least the current level of spiritual quotient among the members of the Indian armed forces. And finally, there were two direct questions on ‘how to’ institutionalize spirituality training for a fighting fit army of the 21st century.

The SLIM Model and IDE

Based on the responses from a cross section of soldiers, as well as the literature survey from Chaplain’s office of the Canadian and US armies, General Ajai Kumar Singh has proposed the Spiritual Leadership Indian Military (SLIM) for the development and practise of IDE concept. We are all aware that General Slim led his force to victory in the Imphal theatre during the second world war, now it is time for the SLIM model to provide the leadership! The I in the acronym IDE stands for Imbibe High Values, D for Develop Right Attitude and E for Exhibit Positive Behaviour. The model identifies three key stakeholders: Spiritual Military Leaders (SML), Spiritual Military Warriors (SMW) and Spiritual Military Empowerors (SME).

And this is the point of departure of the soldier from the academic. The suggestions are backed by an institutional mechanism. He has identified the Institute of National Integration (INI), established by the Indian army at Dapodi, Pune to ‘foster a sense of brotherhood for a common cause, and to integrate people of different faiths, religions, regions and languages under one national flag’, the Sarv Dharam Sthals, the religious teachers (pandits, maulvis both Sunni and Shia, granthis, padres, and Mahayana professing Buddhist monks), Yoga, including pranayama, and lectures and seminars to foster qualities of devotion to duty, integrity and esprit de corps. BTB has also identified the right proportion of Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic food for different age groups and leadership roles in the army. BTB also lays down a proposed curriculum as well as an implementation plan. The blueprint is ready and the CDS may like to give directions that this template may be adopted, and if necessary, adapted to the specific conditions in which the paltans are placed.

Before closing, I have two suggestions, and two critical comments, which the author may like to consider for the next edition, for this one will soon run out of print! The proposed syllabi must include Zafarnama, the epistle of victory addressed by Guru Gobind Singh to Aurangzeb in which he castigates the Emperor for breaking the oath taken on the Holy Quran. It is also important that the Maulvis also explain the real meaning of Jihad as an ‘internal spiritual quest’, and not the extermination of those who do not follow the tenets spoken by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

As I was telling the general, who I am now privileged to call my friend, there are two minor points which I am sure will be corrected in the next edition as this one will be lapped up by the readers in a matter of weeks if not months. Samudra Gupta should not be described as Indian Napoleon: his Empire was more extensive, the succession was smooth, and he had an uninterrupted reign of twenty-five years, more than double that of Napoleon who ruled from 1804 to 1814, and then briefly for another year before his decisive defeat at Waterloo, and died in exile, forlorn and a broken man with his legacy in shatters. The second is the contribution of Lal Bahadur and Y.B. Chavan – for in order to achieve victory in battle, all the three elements of Prabhu Shakti, Mantrana Shakti and Utsah Shakti must go hand in hand.

Let me commend BTB to the readers. It is inspirational and practical: it makes sense not only for those connected with the defence forces, but for everyone else as well, for the battle of Mahabharata is not just external – it goes on within each one of us, all the time and Lord Krishna’s message to Arjuna transcends the limitation of time and space.

Live Rock ‘n’ Roll performance in Dehradun, 8th February

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Big Bang Blues, Rock n Roll

Dateline Dehradun: Rock ‘n’ Roll lovers get ready to grove this 8th February, from 4:30 p.m. onwards at The Chaupati, Malsi road, Dehradun.

An initiative called ‘Standup for Rock N Roll’ was founded by Ashish a seasoned musician, but for this Special episode Ramon, from the Record Label and Entertainment industry & Diwas who manages a video production house, all rock n roll enthusiasts got together to make ‘music bigger, better and unite, support, and empower the passionate existing rock music community in Dehradun.”

Big Bang Blues

This monthly affair with Rock n Roll has witnessed five episodes conducted at various venues scattered around town. With each surpassing the other in the number of music lovers who come to grove, local bands from in around Dehradun also get to show case their talent in front of a like-minded community.

About time, the trio felt was a time for an upgrade!

Big Bang Blues, the oldest surviving blues-rock band from North India will be performing live  at ‘The Chaupati’, next to the Malsi Zoo in an open space which can easily accommodate 500 music lovers.

Winners of last year’s the Blues Band Hunt competition organised for Mahindra Blues Festival, the band is all set to make the emerging Dehradun Rock-‘n’-Roll culture groove to their heavy beat and uncomplicated melodies, featuring along with them will be Manjit Joseph amongst the finest Rock n Roll guitarist in North India.

An integral part of the  open-air venue will be food stalls to fuel audience as they groove to the band which recently released an EP called ‘Live at the Pianoman.’ The band will also be belting out famous tracks like Hoochi Coochi Man by Muddy Waters to Sunshine of your Love by Cream and Rock n roll – Zeppelin amongst other famous songs. And make sure this love affair lasts a lifetime!

Block your date!

Catch the groove on 8th Feb, post 430 PM at The Chaupati, Malsi Road, Dehradun.

For further information call Ashish @ +91 98706 05171