US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children — sons Ewan and Vivek, and daughter Mirabel, visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, India on April 23, 2025. This was part of his four-day official trip to India.

“The Taj Mahal is amazing. A testament to true love, human ingenuity and a tribute to the great country of India,” Vance wrote in the visitor’s diary after his visit.

A Secret Service agent in the entourage suffered from a medical condition that needed emergency medical intervention.  He was rushed to Shantived Institute of Medical Sciences at Agra.

Dr Shwetank, the Director, Senior Consultant, Laparoscopic Surgeon, and Urologist at the institute immediately provided medical assistance. 

Vice President Vance, on return to the US, recognised the services provided by Dr Shwetank and his team and sent a Certificate of Honour. He called Dr Shwetank and conveyed his appreciation with an invite to the White House.

Thank you, Dr Shwetank and the team, at Shantived Institute of Medical Sciences.

Dr Shwetank is married to Dr Blossom Prakash is a well-known Obstetrician and Gynaecologist associated with Shanti Ved Hospital. The couple is blessed with a daughter Sara Prakash and son Vrishank Prakash.

Dr Blossom is the daughter of Veteran Colonel Joginder Singh and Kiranjit.  Colonel Joginder and I served the Indian Army – 75 Medium Regiment (Basantar River) – for 15 years.

Introduction: The Political Repercussion

On 04 November 2025, Canada unveiled an immigration plan for 2026-2028. While setting targets of 385,000 newcomers in 2026 and 370,000 for the subsequent two years, it explicitly prioritised immigrants in fields like emerging technologies, healthcare, and skilled trades—primarily construction. This targeted approach is not an anomaly but a strategic response to a looming global crisis: the large-scale job displacement driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI disrupts labour markets, developed nations are entering a new political era where the vulnerability of a worker is defined not just by their skills, but by their citizenship status, making migrant populations convenient political targets for economic anxiety.

Canada’s Alberta province government has tabled legislation to add health-care numbers and mandatory citizenship markers to driver’s licences and identification cards. Other provinces in Canada are likely to follow suit.

The Political Calculus of Displacement

The emergence of AI promises widespread job displacement, creating a significant political challenge for developed nations. In countries with large populations of migrant and temporary workers, governments will face intense internal pressure to protect their citizens from unemployment. The political calculus becomes straightforward as native-born workers are displaced, governments must be seen prioritising their re-employment. Consequently, the path of least resistance may be the large-scale deportation of temporary workers and stricter enforcement of immigration laws. Nations like the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK are already signaling this shift through tougher legislation and empowered enforcement agencies. In an automated economy with shrinking demand for routine labour, foreign workers—often the most vulnerable—risk becoming the primary scapegoats for political expediency.

This dynamic is already visible. In the US and Canada, the most vulnerable foreign workers are often in roles ripe for automation, such as programming, software testing, truck/ taxi driving, accounting, and customer service. Conversely, roles demanding high levels of interpersonal interaction, complex physical dexterity, and nuanced judgment are more resilient. Workers in healthcare, skilled trades, and agriculture represent a less vulnerable segment, as their tasks integrate a synergy of sensory perception, adaptability, and physical skill that remains difficult to automate. This explains the logic behind Canada’s targeted immigration plan. It is a pragmatic effort to fill enduring human gaps while the political winds shift against other migrant groups.

The Escalating Threat: From Specialised AI to Adaptive AGI

The current wave of automation is driven by specialised AI, which excels at specific, pre-defined tasks by recognising patterns in vast datasets. It powers everything from recommendation engines to data analysis tools. However, the frontier is advancing toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—a hypothetical system with human-like cognitive abilities capable of reasoning, learning, and adapting to solve novel problems across various domains. This evolution from task-specific automation to general-purpose problem-solving will fundamentally reshape the global job market, exposing even more sectors to disruption.

The Expanding Automation Frontline

The advancement of AI places a broad spectrum of jobs at risk, particularly those characterised by routine, repetitive, or data-intensive tasks. The front-line of vulnerability includes:

• Administrative and Office Support: Data entry, scheduling, and basic document review are highly susceptible to automation.
• Creative and Analytical Services: Entry-level content creation, graphic design, accounting, bookkeeping, and legal research are increasingly handled by AI, which offers superior speed and accuracy for standardised tasks.
• Customer Service and Software Development: AI-powered chatbots are replacing human agents, while AI tools now assist or perform routine coding and software testing, impacting entry-level tech roles.
• Transportation and Logistics: The development of autonomous vehicles directly threatens millions of jobs in trucking, delivery, and taxi services.

Canada’s dual policy of selective immigration and stricter enforcement is a microcosm of a future defined by AI-driven labour market. It reveals a world preparing to welcome the skilled immigrants it needs while simultaneously purging the temporary workers it deems expendable. As AI continues its ascent from a specialised tool to a generalised intelligence, the political temptation to blame foreign workers for all structural economic problems will only intensify.

The Strategic Imperative: Reskilling for a Collaborative Future

The cornerstone of this transition is a cultural and institutional commitment to continuous learning. As AI assumes a greater share of routine work, the value of uniquely human skills will surge. The workforce of the future must be equipped with:

• Digital and AI Literacy: Beyond basic computer skills, workers must understand how to interact with, prompt, and manage AI tools effectively.
• Critical Thinking and Analytical Acuity: The ability to question AI-generated outputs, identify biases, and solve complex, non-routine problems will be paramount.
• Creativity and Innovation: Machines optimise existing paradigms, whereas humans excel at imagining new ones. The ability to design novel products, strategies, and business models in partnership with AI will be a key differentiator.
• Emotional and Social Intelligence: Skills like empathy, persuasion, and team leadership are essential for fostering collaboration and trust in environments where human and machine intelligence intersect.
• Ethical Reasoning: Ensuring the responsible, fair, and transparent use of AI is a critical human responsibility that cannot be outsourced to an algorithm.

Redesigning Organisations for an Augmented Era

This skills shift necessitates a parallel evolution in organisational structure. The traditional, rigid hierarchy is giving way to more agile, network-based models.

• Flatter Structures: AI’s automation of middle-management tasks—such as data aggregation, performance reporting, and routine oversight—is leading to leaner organisations. Decision-making authority is pushed closer to the front lines, empowering teams to act quickly.
• Cross-Functional Teams: The future belongs to multidisciplinary teams that combine diverse expertise to tackle complex projects, moving away from siloed specialists.
• The Augmentation Model: The goal is not human replacement but human augmentation. In this model, AI agents handle high-volume, routine tasks, while humans focus on supervision, strategic oversight, managing exceptions, and providing the creative and emotional context that AI lacks. Workflows must be redesigned from the ground up to maximise this collaborative value creation.

Conclusion: Building a Future-Proof Ecosystem

The path ahead is clear. The most successful organisations—and indeed, economies—will be those that proactively invest in their human capital. By fostering a culture of adaptability and lifelong learning, and by deliberately designing systems that leverage AI to augment human potential, we can build a more efficient, innovative, and ultimately more human-centric future of work. The choice is not between people and technology, but in how we synergise their strengths.

Images Courtesy Pixabay.com

In Canada, Remembrance Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy as Canadians. The ceremony at the Celebration Square of Mississauga commenced at 10:30 AM on November 11.

The ceremony was held at the monument at the upper level of the Celebration Square. The monument consists of 21 candles, representing the 21-Gun-Salute, a sign of peace, honour and remembrance.

Everyone wore a Red Poppy. Please read Why Do We Wear a Poppy Today?

Dignitaries, veterans, soldiers, members of the Fire, Ambulance and Police departments and young cadets laid wreaths to honour the soldiers, veterans those who laid down their lives to make our lives better.

Among the distinguished attendees were Mississauga Mayor Caroline Parish, MPP Deepak Anand, and the heads of the Police, Fire, and Ambulance services. Anand, an engineer from Panjab University with an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2018 and holds a profound respect for soldiers and veterans.

Hundreds of observers looked on as Oh Canada, the national anthem was sung.  It was followed by the piper performing the song Danny Boy, followed by the recital the poem In Flanders Fields. Please Click to read about the poem In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a doctor of the Canadian Army during World War I.

At 11 AM, as the bugler sounded the Last Post, everyone stood up and observed two-minute silence in reverence to the soldiers, veterans and all those who laid down their lives.  The city’s buses and trains stopped their services for two minutes. At the end, Rouse was played by the bugler to mark the end of the ceremony.

Eight decades after the end of the deadliest military conflict in history, Canadians paused for Remembrance Day ceremonies to honour those who put their lives on the line for their country. Veterans Affairs Canada estimates that as of this year, there are 3,691 surviving Canadian veterans of the Second World War — 667 women and 3,024 men. The stories of that war — from the bloody horrors of combat to the aftermath of postwar economic uncertainty — are passing from the realm of living to recorded history as the number of veterans who remember those days grows smaller.

 The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten – Abraham Lincoln

The recent, tragic loss of two cadets during swimming lessons at the National Defence Academy (NDA)—both incidents occurring within a month—has cast a pall over the institution. These heartbreaking events compel a critical examination of aquatic training protocols within India’s various military training institutions.

Drawing from my own experience with the NDA’s swimming curriculum and insights from our son, Nikhil, a certified swimming instructor and lifeguard, I will explore the systemic issues that may be plaguing water-safety policies in our armed forces.

At the heart of the problem is the training of the instructors. Hailing from the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC), their curriculum contains only a short capsule on swimming. This is fundamentally inadequate to certify them as qualified swimming instructors or lifeguards. Consequently, we have a system where those responsible for water safety may themselves lack essential proficiency – some may be lacking basic swimming skills.

To ensure the highest standard of safety during swimming lessons, all personnel must adhere to the following requirements. These protocols are designed to create a secure learning environment through qualified staff, vigilant supervision, and clear emergency preparedness.

Personnel Qualifications & Requirements

Suggested instructor-to-student ratio for swimming classes varies by programme and must be from 1:4 to 1:6 for beginners and may increase to 1:8 or 1:12 for intermediate or advanced classes.

All instructional staff must possess the following minimum credentials:

• Swim Instructors: Must be certified in swim instruction and hold current CPR and First-Aid certifications.
• Lifeguard Requirement: A dedicated, certified lifeguard must be present on deck whenever an instructor is teaching in the water. The lifeguard must be free from all other duties to maintain constant surveillance of the water.
• Supervisors & Officers: All supervisors, including officers, must be trained in emergency response protocols.
• Minimum Staffing: A minimum of two certified staff members (instructors or lifeguards) must be present during any instructional session.

Core Principles of Active Supervision

Safe supervision is defined as constant, direct, and active monitoring to ensure the safety of all participants.

• Constant Vigilance: Supervision requires uninterrupted attention. Staff must be free from distractions (e.g., phones, casual conversation) and always maintain visual contact with all students.
• Proximity for Non-Swimmers: For non-swimmers and beginners, instructors must stay within arm’s reach to allow for immediate intervention.
• Active Monitoring: This includes:
  • Maintaining an accurate and continuous head count.
  • Clearly defining the teaching area.
  • Enforcing safe entry and exit procedures.
  • Immediately stopping any unsafe or risky behaviors.
• The Water Watcher Role: A designated Water Watcher may be used to support supervision. This person must:
  • Be explicitly nominated and focused solely on watching the water.
  • Be vigilant and free from all distractions.
  • Rotate this duty every 15-20 minutes to prevent fatigue and maintain alertness.
  • Note: A Water Watcher is a preventive measure and is not a substitute for a certified lifeguard or instructor.

Instructor Competency & Emergency Response

Instructors must be assessed as competent to manage all aspects of water safety, demonstrating the ability to:

• Effectively supervise the entire group while tracking individuals.
• Recognise signs of distress or someone needing help.
• Execute a necessary and timely rescue.
• Safely recover an individual to the poolside.
• Provide immediate first aid, including CPR, while awaiting emergency medical services.

Safety Equipment

• Life Rings: A ring buoy with a rope attached should be kept poolside for quick access.
• Shepherd’s Crook: A pole with a hook at the end used to reach and pull a distressed swimmer to safety.
• Life Vests: Always have life vests in appropriate sizes for swimmers who may need them, especially non-swimmers.
• Rescue Tubes: Flexible tubes, like those used by lifeguards, can be used to support a distressed swimmer.
• First-Aid Kit: A fully stocked kit is necessary for treating injuries.
• Signs: Clearly posted signs are needed for rules like “No Running” or “No Diving,” as well as depth markers in the pool.
• Non-slip Surfaces: Having non-slip surfaces around the pool area can help prevent falls.
• Handrails: Stairs and steps should have handrails for added support.

Critical Reminder on Drowning Prevention

Drowning is often quick and silent. It does not involve splashing or calls for help. Therefore, the entire safety team—instructors, supervisors, lifeguards, and water watchers—must understand that prevention through constant, focused attention is paramount. Never wait for an emergency to occur; proactive intervention is the key to saving lives.

The Pillars of a Modern Physical Training System

The physical training regimen of the Indian Armed Forces requires a critical and comprehensive review. The traditional model, often perceived as the exclusive domain of the Havildar Majors of the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC), must evolve from a time-honoured tradition into a sophisticated scientific art. For a blueprint, one need only look at the advanced, data-driven approaches employed by the physiotherapists and trainers of modern Indian cricket teams, where peak performance is systematically engineered. A future-ready physical training program must be built on three core scientific principles:

• Integrated Functional Training: Modern training must move beyond isolated drills. It should integrate strength and endurance through High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), which simultaneously improves aerobic capacity and neuromuscular performance. This optimises a soldier’s readiness for critical tasks like load carriage over difficult terrain, handling heavy materials, and casualty evacuation, all while significantly reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
• Periodisation and Variation: To induce effective physiological adaptations, training must provide a greater variation of stimulus. Programmes must be meticulously periodised—meaning training load increases progressively but incorporates essential recovery cycles. This structured variation prevents plateaus and builds a more well-rounded and resilient soldier.
• Individualisation and Recovery: The ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is obsolete. Given the vast differences in the initial fitness of recruits, some degree of individualized programming is crucial. This personalization avoids unnecessary injuries and over-training by respecting individual thresholds, ensuring that each soldier develops optimally without being broken in the process.

The Critical Role of Fitness Evaluations

It is essential to systematically review and update the Physical Fitness Tests. These evaluations must be aligned with contemporary scientific research and the varying demands of modern warfare. The tests should not just be a test of basic fitness but a valid predictor of a soldier’s capability to meet specific operational requirements.

Conclusion

Maintaining and enhancing physical fitness – including swimming – is non-negotiable for operational success. By embracing scientific principles—functional integration, smart periodisation, and individualisation—the Indian Armed Forces can transform its physical training paradigm. This shift will forge a force that is not only stronger and faster but also more durable, resilient, and precisely prepared for the complex physical challenges of the 21^st-century battlefield across various terrains.

Images Courtesy Pixabay.com