A Quantum Leap in Gunnery

The induction of the 155mm Bofors Guns into the Indian Army in 1987 was a quantum leap, bringing computing power into the field of gunnery for the first time. Until then, we had relied on cumbersome manual procedures: logarithmic tables, range tables, graphical instruments, and handheld calculators. The arrival of computers promised speed, precision, and a radical new way of thinking.

In our Regiment, I took on the responsibility of training our soldiers on these new machines. Adhering to the old military adage, It is easier to put a new idea into a military mind, but next to impossible to take out an old one, I selected our youngest soldiers for the first batch. The experienced Havildars and Naiks (Sergeants and Corporals) would wait; I reasoned that old habits had not yet taken root in the younger men.

Sepoy Nem Pal: A Star in the Making

The class began in earnest. Among the trainees was Sepoy Nem Pal, a highly intelligent soldier with nimble fingers and a fierce desire to excel. He was the ideal candidate.

After a few days, we moved on to the procedures for engaging targets. I demonstrated the steps, tasked the men with practicing, and was shortly summoned by our Commanding Officer.

Fifteen minutes later, I returned to find Nem Pal visibly worked up. He approached me anxiously. “Sir, it works perfectly when you do it on the computer. But when we do it, nothing happens. Why?“

Lacking a logical answer, I shot back with authority: “It is because you do not wash your hands in the morning with soap and water. When you touch the computer with dirty hands, the Computer God becomes displeased, and you fail.”

Nem Pal rushed out of the room. A few minutes later, he returned and tried again. Fifteen minutes after that, he came back to me, looking entirely puzzled. “Sir, I did wash my hands properly with soap and water. Still, I do not get the desired results.”

That, I realised, was the Indian Army way of handwashing. There was no set drill for it. No standard operating procedure. Everyone developed their own method—or none at all.

A Different Kind of Training

On landing in Canada, gardening became my hobby. Marina always insisted I wear gloves while gardening, but I found them uncomfortable and mostly avoided them.

One spring weekend, we decided to eat out for lunch. As I changed after gardening, Marina said, “Look at your fingers! They are so dirty. Please clean up before we set out.”

I spent the next several minutes scrubbing dirt from under my nails. After that day, I wore the gloves.

The Technician’s Secret

Years later, my career shifted from the military to corporate leadership. While serving as the CEO of a pharmacy chain in Canada, I was visiting one of our local stores when I noticed a young pharmacy technician putting on four pairs of gloves, one over the other.

Amused, I asked her why.

“Every time I handle a different medication, or if a glove touches a non-sterile surface, I simply peel off the top layer to reveal a clean glove underneath,” she explained.

“Where did you learn that protocol?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“I worked part-time at a fast-food restaurant in high school,” she said. “The manager taught me this technique to save us from constantly washing and drying our hands between orders.”

The Power of Standard Protocols

What a brilliant operational shortcut. It was efficient, hygienic, and practical—born not in a sterile hospital or a pharmacy school, but in a fast-food kitchen.

Like any discipline, whether it is operating a sophisticated Bofors artillery computer or maintaining medical hygiene, success relies entirely on standard operating procedures. True discipline begins at home, is reinforced at school, and becomes locked in at university or the military academy. Sometimes, it is passed down by a restaurant manager to a pharmacy technician, where that simple habit might one day save a life.

As for the Computer God? I like to believe that by now, Sepoy Nem Pal has made his peace with Him. Perhaps, somewhere, he is still meticulously washing his hands – just in case.

The 1978 Lecturette: A Case for Co-Education

In 1978, during my Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, we were given a slip containing three subjects for a five-minute lecturette. The subject I chose was co-education.

At the time, Sainik School admitted only boys—though today, girls are also cadets. My central argument was simple: imagine the transformation if girls were present in our classrooms.

My central argument was simple: imagine the transformation if girls were present in our classrooms. Our turnout would become impeccable. Haircuts would be crisp, uniforms sharply ironed, brass polished to a mirror shine, and shoes gleaming. Furthermore, our performance on the sports field and in academics would soar to new heights.

Studying and playing together would help cadets interact with the opposite sex naturally and confidently—a quality I personally lacked. It would provide a platform to shatter traditional gender roles, especially within the defence forces, encouraging cadets to pursue their ambitions without limitations.

Classroom discussions would bring out a wider range of opinions, broadening horizons and enhancing critical thinking. Ultimately, co-education would foster a motivating environment where students strive harder.

Every cadet, without exception, would conduct himself like a true gentleman.

The motive? To impress the girls.

A Theory Untested

I cannot say with certainty whether this theory would have worked back then. In my day at Sainik School Amaravathinagar, Tamil Nadu, we had no female cadets to test it.

However, with girls now thriving in Sainik Schools across the country, I believe the boys are performing far better than we ever did. As women join various Indian defence academies, the positive ripple effect continues.

I like to think that somewhere, my 1978 lecturette was ahead of its time.

Matthew’s parents had arrived in Canada, and his wife, Alice, had just given birth to their second child. Their eldest son, Chacko, was in sixth grade. Every day, the school bus dropped him at the doorstep precisely at 3:00 PM.

The Panic

But that day – the second Monday of November – when Ammachi (Grandmother) glanced at the clock, it read 3:20 PM. Chacko had not arrived.

Worried, Ammachi stepped outside to look for her grandson. By the time the clock showed 4:10 PM, Chacko had reached home.

Appachan (Grandfather) asked, “Where is Ammachi? “

Chacko and Appachan went out searching but could not find her.

The Call

Chacko called Matthew and explained what had happened. Matthew immediately dialed emergency services and informed the police. The police officer asked for Ammachi’s details. Matthew provided all the descriptions and added, “She is wearing a nightie.” Somehow, he managed to explain to the officer what a nightie was.

“A 60 year old lady walking on the streets in a nightie,” it was a difficult pill for the Canadian police officer to swallow.

Three police cruisers soon circled the neighbourhood, searching. And there they found her – Ammachi, shivering from the cold, sitting alone in a bus shelter. The officer gently placed her in the warm car and brought her home.

The Explanation

On the first Sunday of November at 2:00 AM, clocks in Canada move back by one hour for Daylight Saving Time. That morning, every clock in the house should have been set back by an hour.

Matthew had forgotten to do this.

Computers, cell phones, and car clocks adjust themselves automatically. But wall clocks with hands and a face do not. They must be turned forward in second Sunday of March and backward in first Sunday of November – by hand, by memory, by care.

That day, the clocks in Matthew’s home were still running on yesterday’s time. Ammachi, trusting the wall clock, had stepped out an hour too early.

The Lesson

The missing grandmother was found. The family was reunited. And Matthew learned, as many have before him, that Daylight Saving Time is not just about changing clocks, but about remembering—because sometimes, the cost of forgetting is far greater than an hour lost.

A Bold Step Forward

The Canadian government has proposed the long-awaited Safe Social Media Act aimed at online safety, including a ban on social media platforms for children under 16. The measure would create a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada and target different types of harmful online content. This proposed ban follows similar action taken in Australia, where the measure took effect last December.

Other countries are also considering youth social media bans, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and South Korea. Malaysia has enacted a ban on social media accounts for users under 16, while Brazil now requires youth accounts to be linked to those of a legal guardian to ensure supervision. French legislation limiting social media age to 15 was approved by the National Assembly in January, is approaching a final vote, and is likely to be in place for the start of the school year in September.

Proponents argue that such a ban is necessary to rein in social media companies that have resisted regulation, and that it could help combat growing evidence of health impacts from screen use and social media among children.

Unlike Australia’s blanket ban, Canada’s bill features an incentive loop: tech companies can sidestep the ban if they can prove their platforms have built-in safeguards that minimize harm to minors.

How Would a Social Media Ban Work?

Combating online harms for youth is more complicated than simply keeping them off platforms. Regulations must be watertight, and penalties stringent. Social media companies must be held accountable for the harms that exist on their platforms. At the same time, new regulations should not come at the expense of strong privacy protections.

Privacy Risks

Enforcing a ban presents significant privacy risks. Under Australian law, platforms looking to verify a user’s age can either request copies of identification documents, use a third party to apply age estimation technology to an account holder’s face, or make inferences from data already available—such as how long an account has been held.

The potential data collection alone is concerning. To be effective, such measures would need to apply to all social media users regardless of age. It is difficult to discern between a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old by appearance alone—whether in person or online through biometric systems. Platforms would have to increase surveillance to identify user age, resulting in even more privacy concerns.

Evading the Ban

Research suggests many Australian teens are evading that country’s ban, while Australia’s online safety watchdog said in March that social media companies were not fully complying. A Molly Rose Foundation study found that 61 percent of 12-to-15-year-olds in Australia continue to hold social media accounts despite being banned, while 70 percent said it was easy to beat the ban.

Children’s Mental Health: The Case for Intervention

Advocates of the ban argue that restricting access would improve children’s mental and physical health while curbing growing online addiction. They contend that platforms must be required to make their products safer and less addictive for young people—not simply to target children.

The impact of social media on children under 16 involves unique vulnerabilities, as adolescent brains are undergoing a critical period of rapid development. Medical professionals warn that frequent social media use during these formative years can alter parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, impulse control, and sensitivity to social rewards.

The Negative Effects

The issues faced by children and youth are also faced by adult social media users. The negative effects generally fall into several categories:

Mental Health and Brain Development

• Depression and anxiety due to long screen time.
• Infinite scrolling triggers dopaminergic pathways, reinforcing addiction-like habits and shortening attention spans.
• The constant chase for likes makes users hyper-sensitive to peer feedback and social punishment.
• Problematic social media use is likely linked to lower life satisfaction.

Body Image and Self-Esteem

• Exposure to digitally altered or AI-generated images fosters distorted perception of body shape and lifestyle.
• Posts that normalise dangerous dieting habits, restrictive eating, or purging put children at risk.
• Cyberbullying leads to depression and body disorders.

Social Skills and Communication

• Inability to read body language leads to frequent misunderstandings in real life.
• Facing a person directly becomes intimidating when messaging has become the default.
• It becomes easier for youth to participate in cyberbullying or exclusion without seeing the immediate damage.

Physical Health and Lifestyle Disruptions

• Late-night scrolling causes severe sleep deprivation, eroding daytime cognitive performance and memory.
• Screen time frequently replaces essential physical exercise, academic focus, and real-world family interactions.

Exposure to Exploitation and Dangerous Content

• Platforms can inadvertently route children toward self-harm tutorials, illegal acts, or dangerous viral challenges.
• Privacy risks result from sharing highly personal or explicit photographs.
• Lack of robust verification on apps leaves children vulnerable to extortion, blackmail, or sexual grooming.

Education: The Missing Piece

Platforms must be legislated to implement steps for youth education on online dangers before they begin using these platforms. This is akin to mandatory youth driver’s education before putting someone behind the wheel of a car. Education to prepare youth for social media use is already part of Australia’s online safety regime.

A Cautionary Note

There are significant concerns that such a ban could become a band-aid fix for the larger problem of social media regulation—by putting the onus—and the privacy risks—onto ordinary Canadians. A ban, however well-intentioned, is only as good as its enforcement. And enforcement, in the digital age, comes at a cost we may not yet fully understand. The question is not whether we should protect our children. The question is whether we are willing to protect them without sacrificing their privacy—and our own.

A Radical Break from Colonial Design

The Indian National Army (INA), or Azad Hind Fauj, led by Subhas Chandra Bose, was deliberately crafted to dismantle the rigid class, caste, and religious divisions that the British colonial military system had engineered. Under Bose’s visionary leadership, the INA established a radically inclusive template – a secular, egalitarian, and united India in miniature.

1. Dismantling the “Martial Races” Class Structure

The British Indian Army was strictly organized around the colonial theory of Martial Races. This pseudo-scientific doctrine held that only certain ethnic groups and castes – Punjabi Muslims, Jat Sikhs, Gurkhas, Rajputs – were biologically and culturally fit for combat. The British grouped these men into segregated, single-class regiments to prevent inter-community mixing and to avoid another unified rebellion like the 1857 uprising. Bose overturned this structure entirely:

• Classless Regiments: He abolished segregated, caste-based, and religion-based infantry units. Soldiers from all regions, castes, and social classes lived, trained, and fought side by side in integrated platoons.
• Unified Messing: In sharp contrast to British camps, where separate kitchens were maintained for Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs to respect dietary caste codes, Bose enforced common kitchens. All soldiers ate the same food together – a revolutionary step that directly shattered traditional caste and religious barriers.

2. Dual Streams of Personnel

The workforce of Bose’s INA drew from two distinct socio-economic streams:

• The Military Elite (Prisoners of War): Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 professional soldiers captured by the Japanese in North Africa and Southeast Asia formed the INA’s backbone. These were trained, disciplined soldiers from the traditional peasant-martial backgrounds of British India.
• The Labour and Civilian Masses: Bose heavily recruited from the Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia – Malaya, Burma, Singapore, and Thailand. This group included wealthy merchants who provided financial backing, English-speaking white-collar clerks, and tens of thousands of impoverished, illiterate Tamil plantation labourers. This massive influx of civilian working-class volunteers democratised the military hierarchy.

3. Religious Composition and Secular Integration

Bose’s INA was a masterful realisation of inter-faith harmony. While Hindus formed the numerical majority (mirroring India’s demographics), Muslims and Sikhs held exceptionally high-profile leadership and combat roles. Key aspects of religious integration included:

• Top-Tier Leadership: Bose deliberately placed leaders of different faiths in critical command positions. Notable examples include General Shah Nawaz Khan (Punjabi Muslim, commanding the Subhash Brigade), Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal (Hindu), and Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon (Sikh). The British inadvertently cemented this image of inter-faith unity when they tried these three specific officers together during the famous 1945 Red Fort Trials.
• Secular Symbology: Official greetings, language, and symbols were stripped of specific religious connotations to ensure universal belonging.
• Language: Hindustani – a blend of Hindi and Urdu written in Roman script – was made the official language to bridge cultural gaps.
• Greeting: The secular phrase Jai Hind (Victory to India) replaced religious salutations as the universal greeting.
• National Anthem: The anthem, Subh Sukh Chain, was a Hindustani adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Jana Gana Mana.
• Brigade Names: Brigades were named after prominent secular and national heroes from diverse backgrounds – such as the Gandhi, Nehru, Azad (after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad), and Subhash Brigades.

4. Gender Inclusivity: The Rani of Jhansi Regiment

Under Bose’s visionary leadership, the INA established a radically inclusive template—a secular, egalitarian, and united India in miniature – that gave equal space to women.

In a pioneering move for any World War II-era military, Bose formed an all-female combat unit: the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. It was led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan (later Sahgal), a Malayalee Hindu doctor. The regiment drew hundreds of young civilian Indian women from Malaya and Burma, representing multiple religious backgrounds – Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians. These women were trained in advanced combat, firearms, and tactics alongside male soldiers, shattering traditional gender and social roles in one decisive stroke.

Yet, it appears that present generations have largely forgotten the sacrifices, valour, and devotion to duty demonstrated by the INA’s women. Their stories – of marching into battle, of smuggling arms, of enduring imprisonment – deserve not just a footnote in history books, but a prominent place in the nation’s collective memory. Forgetting them is not merely an oversight; it is a disservice to the very idea of India they fought to create.

The present generations appear to have forgotten about the sacrifices, valour and devotion to duty demonstrated by the INA’s women.

5.  Summary of Differences

Feature	British Indian Army	Bose’s INA
Recruitment Basis	Martial Races theory (selected castes/ethnicities)	All-inclusive (professionals + civilian labour masses)
Regiment Structure	Segregated by religion, caste, and class	Completely integrated and classless
Dining (Messing)	Separate kitchens to maintain caste/religious purity	Common kitchens (all communities ate together)
Official Language & Motto	English; regimental religious war cries	Hindustani; Jai Hind
Women’s Role	Non-combatant / nursing only	Active combat infantry (Rani of Jhansi Regiment)

Epilogue

Long before independent India’s Constitution enshrined secularism and equality, Bose’s INA had already practised them on the battlefield – with common kitchens, integrated regiments, and women in combat. It was not merely an army; it was a vision of the nation Bose hoped to liberate. And though the INA did not win military victory, its legacy quietly shaped the forces that eventually won India its freedom.

If the women of Rani of Jhansi Regiment could do it then, the Indian women of today can do it better!!!

The Unwritten Truce

My first assignment to the Kashmir Valley – along the Line of Control (LOC) – came in 1987. I was a young Captain, serving as the Artillery Observation Post Officer with a Punjab Battalion. Fifty metres across the LOC lay the Pakistani post. By an odd coincidence, it was manned by a Punjab Battalion of the Pakistani Army. Between us lay a few hundred meters. Zero No man’s land. Classic eyeball to eyeball. Despite the 24/7/365 vigil, an unwritten truce prevailed. There was hardly any exchange of fire.

The area we defended was shaped like a tongue jutting into Pakistan, surrounded on three sides by Pakistani territory. Behind us loomed a massive mountain range with a single pass – Sadhana Pass. Local lore had it that when the Indian Army chased out Pakistani intruders in 1948, various mountain tops were captured as our forces rolled forward. The posts were named after the wives of the Company Commander who had captured them. Thus, the posts bore names: Sadhana, Ragini, Bimla, Thaya, and others.

The Companion

Our only source of entertainment was the transistor radio. At times, by positioning the antenna at a precise spot and angle, we could catch Sri Lankan Broadcasts. Otherwise, it was mostly Radio Pakistan. That little transistor was my life line; my window to the world, my music teacher, and, as I later discovered, my secret weapon.

But we listened to one programme religiously: Binaca Geetmala – the weekly Hindi film music countdown hosted by the iconic Ameen Sayani from 1952 to 1994. It ranked popular Bollywood songs based on record sales and listener requests. To me as with most Indians, Bollywood music was a passion. He provided details about the film from which the song came, including the producer, director, and lead actors. Sayani also shared behind-the-scenes stories about popular composers, lyricists, and playback singers.

The most popular Hindi film song programme on Akashvani (All India Radio) dedicated to the armed forces during the 1980s was Jaimala, which was broadcast on the Vividh Bharati service daily at 7:00 PM. It featured Hindi film songs requested by soldiers stationed in far-flung, remote border areas. Popular film stars and celebrities of the 1970s and 80s were often invited to present their favourite songs. While Jaimala was a top favourite, other shows that soldiers listened to were Aap ki Pasand and Bhoole Bisre Geet,

Romance of a Nation

Back then (and perhaps even now) social decorum often restricted the outward expression of intimacy. So, Bollywood music functioned as the primary language through which the Indian psyche conceptualised and experienced romance. These melodies provided a vital emotional outlet, using poetic metaphors of nature and longing to articulate feelings that remained unsaid in the pragmatic reality of everyday life. The music transformed the modest dreams of the salaried class into something cinematic and grand. Ultimately, these songs not only provided a backdrop for love, they also defined the very aesthetic of courtship, teaching an entire generation how to pine, how to woo, and how to find beauty within the boundaries of their social fabric.

A Daughter’s Question

In 2010, our daughter Nidhi was pursuing a B Sc at York University, Toronto. She had chosen an optional subject that intrigued me: The Music of Bollywood Films. The course explored the cultural evolution, history, instrumentation, styles, and societal impacts of Indian cinema’s soundtracks—from the days of Alam Ara through the films of Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand, covering roughly 1940 to 1970.

Nidhi began quizzing me:

“Inhi logon ne, inhi logon ne…”

I answered without hesitation: “Pakeezah. Lata Mangeshkar. Filmed on Meena Kumari. Music Director: Ghulam Mohammed. Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri.”

“Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya?”

“Mughal-e-Azam. Lata Mangeshkar. Filmed on Madhubala. Music Director: Naushad. Lyricist: Shakeel Badayuni.”

“Matwala jiya dole piya?”

“Mother India. Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi. Filmed on Nargis and Sunil Dutt. Music Director: Naushad. Lyricist: Shakeel Badayuni.”

“Jane Kya Tune Kahi?”

“Pyaasa. Geeta Dutt. Filmed on Waheeda Rahman and Guru Dutt. Music Director: S.D. Burman. Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi.”

The quizzing continued for two weeks. I managed to answer about sixty percent – a feat that surprised even me.

The Secret Revealed

Nidhi wanted to know how I knew so much about Bollywood music. I smiled and revealed my secret: the transistor radio during my first Kashmir deployment.

Then I asked a question with genuine authority: “Why are songs from that era only about three minutes long?”

She did not know. I showed off my knowledge, courtesy of Binaca Geetmala and Ameen Sayani.

In those days, music was recorded on His Master’s Voice (HMV) records. Each record could hold about three to four minutes of audio. Placing the grooves too close together significantly reduced sound quality. For optimal sound quality, three minutes was the recommended duration. The constraint of technology shaped the art – and the art, in turn, shaped a generation.

Luckily for me, this very question came in the final exam and Nidhi got it right!!!!

Epilogue

Decades later, sitting in Canada, answering our daughter’s university questions about Bollywood’s golden era, I realised something: the lonely months at the LOC, the crackling transistor, the voice of Ameen Sayani – they had given me more than entertainment. They had given me a cultural education that would one day bridge continents and generations.

And somewhere in Kashmir, on the windswept posts named after forgotten wives, I imagine the ghosts of those songs still linger, three minutes at a time.

A Grandson’s Demand

Our daughter Nidhi and son-in-law Jay were away on a week’s vacation, and four-year-old James, our beloved grandson, came to stay with us. For three days, all went smoothly. Then came the demand.

“I want my Daddy!” James announced with unmistakable conviction.

“Don’t you want your Mummy?” I suggested hopefully.

An emphatic “No. I want my Daddy!” was his only answer.

I managed the situation with a video call that brought both parents onto the screen simultaneously. But the episode left me pondering: What creates such a powerful bond between father and son?

A Canadian Birth

James was born in Canada, where hospitals strongly recommend natural birth whenever possible. Nidhi and Jay attempted this, but the baby’s position necessitated a C-section. Throughout the process, Jay remained by his Nidhi’s side – as is customary in Canadian hospitals, where husbands stay with their wives during childbirth.

Immediately after the C-section, something significant happened. James was placed on Jay’s chest for skin-to-skin contact. That moment, I believe, forged a bond that continues to this day.

It is Jay who bathes him, feeds him, plays with him, and helps with school assignments. The attachment is palpable and profound.

The Science of Support

Having a spouse accompany a mother during delivery is not merely a cultural preference – it is strongly recommended by experts and supported by evidence-based studies. A supportive, trained partner acts as a crucial advocate, providing emotional comfort and physical aid that measurably improve both the birth experience and health outcomes.

Emotional Support and Reduced Anxiety

The presence of a trained husband significantly decreases a mother’s anxiety during labour. Through reassurance, encouragement, and a familiar loving presence in a high-stress environment, he provides comfort that no medical professional can replicate. This support empowers the mother, helping her feel safe and more in control – leading to a more positive birthing experience.

Training for expectant couples in Canada is readily accessible through the public health system, which offers comprehensive prenatal and postnatal education through both in-person and online formats. These programmes cover essential topics ranging from pregnancy health and the stages of labour and delivery to newborn care and breastfeeding techniques. By equipping parents with knowledge and practical skills, these courses help build confidence and reduce anxiety, ensuring that families are better prepared for the transformative experience of welcoming a new child.

Physical and Practical Support

A spouse’s role extends beyond emotional comfort. He can assist with pain management through counter-pressure on the back, gentle rubbing, or breathing techniques. He handles practical tasks – wiping a brow, providing water, helping the mother move or change positions to aid labour. Research indicates that continuous partner support can lead to shorter labour times and reduced need for medical interventions, including pain relief medications.

Advocacy and Safety

Perhaps most crucially, a spouse acts as an advocate – communicating the mother’s needs and preferences to medical staff when she is unable to speak during intense labour. In busy hospital settings, he ensures she receives timely care and that her concerns are addressed. He helps her understand procedures and ensures her birth plan is respected, facilitating truly informed consent.

Bonding and Shared Experience

Being present allows the father to witness his child’s birth directly, creating an immediate, powerful bond with both mother and baby. Sharing this intense, life-changing experience deepens the emotional connection between partners in ways nothing else can. In the immediate postpartum period, the partner can assist with skin-to-skin contact, help with the first feeding, and support the mother as she begins her recovery.

The Proof in a Four-Year-Old

All this science explains what I witnessed in a simple four-year-old’s demand: “I want my Daddy!” James’ preference was not a rejection of his mother, but a testament to the bond forged in those first moments of life—when father and son met skin-to-skin, and a lifetime of connection began.

In demanding his daddy, James was simply expressing what the research confirms: that fathers matter from the very beginning, and that presence at birth is not a luxury but a foundation.

The Senior Subaltern

Back in 1986, I was the Senior Subaltern – the Big Brother to all the Subalterns of the Regiment. The Senior Subaltern as the term suggests is the senior most subaltern or the junior most Captain. He generally must have a PhD in mischief management. He functions as a high-stakes professional translator, skillfully turning the Colonel’s terrifying roars into gentle suggestions that the junior officers can understand and survive.

He is a walking paradox who can enforce iron-clad discipline on the parade ground while simultaneously serving as the mastermind behind every legendary prank in the Officers’ Mess. To the juniors, he is a scary mentor who knows all their secrets; to the seniors, he is the only one who can keep the young pups from accidentally saluting a tree or a lamp post or generally keeping them away from one miscellaneous chaos or the other.  Ultimately, he is the regimental glue – one with the heavy responsibility of keeping the youngsters out of harm’s way from the Adjutant’s crosshairs.

One morning, after the Mandir Parade, a delegation of young officers led by the legendary (late) Captain Pratap Singh, MVC, approached me. They looked like they had just cracked a secret code.

“Sir,” Pratap began, “Our boys say you’re a pro at the Sanskrit aartis and shlokas, though a christian from Kerala. We stood right behind you today to see if you were actually reciting or moving your lips like a Bollywood extra. You were surprisingly good….. But we have one question.”

Then came the trap.

The Ritual Showdown

For those who haven’t been to a Mandir Parade, it ends with a classic call-and-response with the Pandit (the Regiment Chaplain):

• Pandit: प्राणियों में  Praniyon Mein… (Among all living beings…)
• Response: सदभावाना हो  Sadbhavana Ho! (May there be goodwill!)
• Pandit: विश्व का Vishw Ka (For the universe)
• Response: कल्याण हो Kalyan Ho (may there be Well-being)
• Pandit: भारत माता की Bharat Mata Ki (To Mother India)
• Response: जय हो Jai Ho (Let there be Victory)

The Unexpected Answer

Lieutenant Gulshan Rai Kaushik stepped forward with a smirk. “Sir, what exactly did you say when the Pandit called out ‘Praniyon Mein’?”

Without missing a beat, I replied, “Sambhavana Ho!”

Kaushik froze. “Sir, its Sadbhavana (Goodwill), not Sambhavana.”

I kept a straight face. “Look, Kaushik, for a Mallu like me, it’s Sambhavana. If you don’t believe me, go ask any Malayali soldier in the Regiment. It’s a regional variation.“

Now, what I didn’t tell him was that in Malayalam, Sambhavana (സംഭാവന ) means a donation or contribution. So, while everyone else was praying for universal goodwill, I was essentially praying for a Divine Donation.

Fire Support from Our Second-in-Command (2IC)

Just then, our 2IC, Major Mohan Krishnan, walked toward us. He was a certified war hero from the 1971 Battle of Jarpal – a man who had stared down enemy tanks and was mentioned in dispatches. He directed the artillery fire, fighting alongside Major Hoshiyar Singh PVC of 3 Grenadiers as the Observation Post Officer. He was also, conveniently, a fellow Mallu, a hard core variety.

“Don’t take my word for it,” I told the youngsters. “Ask our 2IC.”

The juniors gathered their courage. “Sir,” Kaushik asked, “what is the correct response to ‘Praniyon Mein’?“

Major Krishnan didn’t even blink. He barked out: “SAMBHAVANA HO!”

The Verdict

The junior officers were stunned. Two Mallu officers, one a war veteran and the other a Senior Subaltern, both confidently shouting for sambhavna in the middle of a prayer. Now sambhavna in Hindi meant possibility or probability which in the context of the prayer made little sense to us. They couldn’t possibly guess our intended prayer for divine donations. They began to wonder if there was some secret Malayali Sanskrit they hadn’t been taught by their parents.

The Major walked away coolly. I followed him with a smirk.

The best part? The Pandit’s next line: Vishwa ka Kalyan Ho (May the world have well-being). In Malayalam, Kalyanam (കല്യാണം) means Marriage. So, while the rest of the Indian Army was praying for world peace, we Mallus were basically chanting for a World Wedding Festival, (for which divine donations were initially requested.)

The young officers never questioned my Sanskrit again. To this day, I think they’re still wondering if we were genuinely confused – or if the Mallu Mafia has its own hilarious way of keeping faith.

Ultimately, I realised that leadership isn’t about being technically flawless in every prayer; it’s about the unspoken loyalty that connects a Regiment. Because at the end of the day, a soldier doesn’t follow a dictionary – they follow a leader who speaks their language, even if that language is a hilarious Mallu version of the truth.

On 16 December 2025, I attended the Mandir Parade during the Diamond Jubilee of our Regiment – 75 Medium Regiment (Basantar River,) I had a terrifying realisation: I might have forgotten my ATM PIN, my wedding anniversary, and where I parked my car, but the aartis and slokas I learned forty years ago were still part of my DNA, still rearing to go.

This wasn’t my first spiritual flashback. Back in 2017, during a trip to Kashmir with my Sainik School buddies, the local Religious Teacher saw me reciting verses with such gusto that he handed me the gaumukhi shringi (that fancy horn-shaped copper vessel). I held it with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he was doing. I was also secretly hoping I wouldn’t accidentally pour holy water down my own sleeve!

What began as a leadership lesson became something far deeper. The aartis and slokas I learned in the Mandir, the hymns I heard in the Gurudwara, the prayers I offered at the Peer Baba’s shrine in Kashmir, and the Lord’s Prayer I whispered each morning and evening – they all came to feel like different doors to the same Sacred Room.

Decades later, standing at the Mandir Parade of our Regiment’s Diamond Jubilee, I understood that I had not merely memorised verses. I had absorbed a lesson that transcends religion: that faith, in all its forms, is the language of trust – and in the Army, trust is everything.

How did a Christian boy end up as a part-time Pundit?

It all started in 1982 when I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.  Our Regiment was like a multi faith buffet: one battery of Brahmins, one of Jats, and one from the South, even more multi faith. Our Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel AN Suryanarayanan, took one look at my work-in-progress Hindi and decided the best cure was immersion therapy. He posted me to the Brahmin Battery. Our Battery Commander, late Major Daulat Bhardwaj, gave me the ultimate leadership pep talk: “To command Brahmins, you must become a Brahmin. You must be mentally alert, morally straight, and spiritually superior.”

I said, “Sir, the Academy made me physically tough, but I’m a Christian. My spiritual ‘superiority’ usually involves a Sunday hymn and a bit of bread afterward.”

Major Daulat wasn’t having it. “Get to the Mandir Parade. Learn the mantras. Rote-learn those until you’re singing them in your sleep.”

A month later, I was a lean, mean, chanting machine. I did have a moment of panic thinking about the Ten Commandments – specifically the part about no other Gods before Me – but I figured the Almighty was probably fine with it. After all, I was pretty sure that He wouldn’t be mean enough and just waiting to push me into hell at the slightest provocation.

More seriously, all officers of the Indian Army are trained to internalise and adopt the religious customs and practices of the men they command. It is an inherent part of the trust and rapport-building process.

The Test Behind the Mandir Parade

In 1986, I was the Senior Subaltern – the most senior Captain or Lieutenant in the Regiment – tasked with supervising, mentoring, and maintaining discipline among the junior officers.

One morning, after the Mandir Parade, the young officers approached me, with Late Captain Pratap Singh, Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous), leading the pack. Captain Pratap spoke for the group. “We heard from our soldiers that you are well versed with the aartis and slokas recited in the Mandir. We wanted to check for ourselves. We stood behind you during the Parade to see if you were merely lip-syncing. You came out with flying colours.”

Their curiosity now piqued, and Captain Gulshan Rai Kaushik pressed further – दिल मांगे मोर Dil Mange More (The heart wants more.) They needed answers as to how had I learned all the aartis and slokas – especially being a Malayalee Christian.

I smiled and explained. It had begun in my early days with the Regiment, when Lieutenant Colonel AN Suryanarayanan and Late Major Daulat Bhardwaj had taken it upon themselves to rechristen me – not as a convert, but as a Brahmin in spirit. To command men of faith, they taught me, one must first understand their faith. And to understand, one must participate. What began as a leadership lesson had, over time, become a part of who I was.

Kashmir: Where Atheism Goes to Die

On my first assignment to the Kashmir Valley as a young Captain in 1987, my belief in God Almighty was instantly rekindled – not through theology, but through the sheer inhospitality of the terrain: sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, avalanches, thin air deficient in oxygen, altitudes above 10,000 feet. If you want to find God, don’t go to a cathedral or a temple; go to a mountain road where one wrong turn sends your jeep into a gorge that doesn’t even have a bottom.

I was with a Punjab Battalion. On Sundays, attendance at the Mandir and the Gurudwara was mandatory. It was a Parade, which in Army-speak means: You will be spiritual, and you will be spiritual at 0800 hours sharp.

Then there was the Peer Baba shrine on the road to Headquarters. Legend had it that if you didn’t stop to pay your respects, your vehicle would develop a sudden urge to fly off a cliff. I became a very frequent visitor. Between the Mandir, the Gurudwara, the Peer Baba, and my own morning & evening Lord’s Prayer, I had a feeling that I must be the most spiritually insured man in Northern Command.

I, a Christian by birth, continued my own rituals – the Lord’s Prayer each morning and evening, a habit instilled by my father. It was right there in Kashmir, amidst the swirling snow and the will-my-jeep-survive-this-turn terror, that I finally cracked the code on Secularism. In the Army, secularism isn’t some fancy political theory – it’s essentially Spiritual All-Risk Insurance. I realised that whether I was chanting a sloka, bowing at a Gurudwara, nodding to the Peer Baba, or whispering the Lord’s Prayer, I was knocking on different doors of the same cosmic office. I wasn’t entirely sure who was signed in on the duty roster that day – Jesus, the Gurus, the Hindu Deities, or the Baba – but considering the sub-zero madness and the bottomless gorges, I figured it was best to keep all of them on speed dial. After all, when you’re 10,000 feet up, you don’t argue with the Management; you just make sure you’re on good terms with the entire Board of Directors.

Siachen: The High-Altitude Prayer Meeting

During later years of field service, I had a stint at the Siachen Glacier – the world’s highest battlefield, a disputed territory between India and Pakistan, renowned for its treacherous terrain, freezing cold at minus 40 degrees Celsius, crevasses, avalanches, and, lastly, enemy action. Statistics reveal that since 1984, when the Indian Army first occupied Siachen, more lives have been lost to the weather than to enemy action.

At minus 40 degrees, your breath freezes, your tea and everything else turns into a brick, and your brain starts wondering why you didn’t join the Navy. In Siachen, everyone is religious and your dependence on faith increases exponentially each following day. When the ice beneath your feet groans like a hungry monster and the air is too thin to support a conversation, let alone a firefight, you start talking to whoever is listening upstairs. Faith isn’t a luxury there; it’s the only thing that keeps you from checking your sanity at the base camp.

The Conclusion of a Confused Christian

Looking back, I understand now that the Indian Army’s genius lies not in imposing a single faith, but in embracing all faiths as one. The Army doesn’t care which door you use to enter the Sacred Room, as long as you show up. I learned that trust is the real currency. If my men saw me chanting their slokas, they knew I wasn’t just their officer; I was one of them. In the end, who kept me safe through the shelling, the avalanches, and the sub-zero madness? Was it Jesus? The Guru Granth Sahib? The Peer Baba? Or the Hindu deities?  I like to think they all took turns. And honestly, considering the frequent messes that I got into, they probably needed teamwork. I honestly hope that this genius of the Indian Army is not changing its colours anytime soon.

Besides, considering your duty as a warrior, you should not waver. Indeed, for a warrior, there is no better engagement than fighting for upholding of righteousness. – Bhagavad Gita 2.31

You are my Protector everywhere; why should I feel any fear or anxiety? – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji on Ang (page) 103.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6

O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to attack you and we sent upon them a wind and armies of angels you did not see. And ever is Allah, of what you do, seeing. – Surah Al-Ahzab 33:9

On the morning of Sunday, 8 March 2026, I moved my clock forward by one hour to mark the beginning of Spring Daylight Saving Time. As I tuned into the news, a dramatic rescue operation caught my attention. About two dozen ice fishers had become stranded after the ice shelf they were standing on broke away from the shoreline in Georgian Bay, Ontario. The massive sheet drifted approximately two kilometre from shore before splintering into several sections, leaving some people partially submerged in the freezing water.

Following the report, the newscaster offered a fascinating explanation of the different types of ice found in Canada – each colour-coded to indicate its density, age, and, most importantly, its safety level. While white ice is the most common, environmental factors such as compression, water content, and impurities can produce a surprising spectrum of hues.

White Ice: Opaque and Weaker

White or opaque ice forms when snow falls on existing ice, melts, and refreezes, or when slush freezes rapidly. Its cloudy appearance results from countless trapped air pockets. While common, white ice is only about half as strong as blue ice of the same thickness and demands cautious treatment.

Blue Ice: The Strongest and Safest

Blue ice is the gold standard of ice safety. Dense and ancient, it has been compressed over years by the weight of overlying snow, forcing out nearly all air bubbles. This density causes the ice to absorb longer wavelengths of light (reds) while scattering shorter ones (blues), giving it its distinctive transparent azure appearance. Found primarily in deep lakes or at the base of glaciers, blue ice is the strongest variety – just four inches (10 cm) is typically sufficient to support a person’s weight safely.

Grey Ice: A Sign of Danger

Grey ice signals trouble. Its dull, dark appearance indicates the presence of water or active melting and deterioration. Commonly seen in spring or on fast-moving water, grey ice is dangerously unstable and incapable of supporting significant weight. It should be avoided entirely.

Red Ice: The Watermelon Snow Phenomenon

Red or pink ice, often called watermelon snow, results from blooms of microscopic algae (Chlamydomonas nivalis) living on the snow’s surface. These organisms produce a red pigment to shield themselves from intense solar radiation. Common in British Columbia’s mountainous regions and the Arctic during spring and summer, this phenomenon tints the snowpack in shades ranging from faint pink to deep crimson.

Green Ice: A Marine Mystery

Green ice typically appears in marine settings, particularly in icebergs formed when seawater freezes to the underside of ice shelves. Scientists believe its emerald or jade hues result from high concentrations of iron oxides—derived from rock flour—trapped within the ice.

Black Ice: Clarity in Disguise

The dreaded black ice is a thin, nearly invisible, and highly slippery layer of transparent glaze ice that forms on roads, bridges, and walkways. Appearing as a wet patch on dark pavement, it occurs when moisture freezes instantly, often during early mornings or after light rain/melting snow. It poses a severe, unexpected danger to drivers and pedestrians resulting in many slip, falls, crashes, etc.

Conclusion

This colour-coded guide serves as a vital reminder that ice is far from uniform. Whether walking, fishing, or simply exploring, understanding these distinctions can mean the difference between a pleasant outing and a life-threatening emergency.

In December 2025, I travelled to India to attend the Diamond Jubilee of our Regiment – 75 Medium Regiment (Basantar River.) My journey from Toronto to Delhi and onward to Kochi aboard Air India’s Boeing 777-300ER was a revealing experience – one that showcased a promising transformation still in progress.

The Tata Turnaround: A New Era Begins

After decades of political interference and red-tape, Air India’s 2023 privatisation and takeover by the Tata Group was a watershed moment. Their ambitious five-year plan to modernise the fleet and enhance customer experience is beginning to bear fruit. The operational improvements were immediately noticeable: proactive updates on email and Whatsapp about gate changes and exceptional baggage tracking across Toronto, Delhi, and Kochi provided an incredible sense of reassurance after long-haul travel.

Onboard Experience: Highlights and Missed Opportunities

Service & Hospitality: The standout feature was the cabin crew. Their service was exceptional – warm, proactive, and genuinely attentive. The welcome ritual of a hot towel and chilled orange juice set the tone for a journey marked by outstanding hospitality.

Dining: The culinary presentation and quality were impressive, easily surpassing many competitors on the Toronto-India route. The well-curated bar selection and thoughtful non-alcoholic options added a touch of sophistication. However, the rigid, religion-based meal labelling—’Hindu Non-Veg‘, ‘Vegetarian Jain‘, ‘Muslim Meal‘ – felt out of place in a modern, global airline. Simplifying categories to ‘Indian Non-Vegetarian’, ‘Vegetarian’, etc., would be more inclusive and pragmatic. After the dinner was served, I took the tomato sauce and inscribed a cross over it and converted it into a Christian meal.  Luckily for me, we were flying over the Atlantic!

Seat & Comfort: Here, the experience faltered. Despite pre-selecting my seat, I found the 2-3-2 configuration on the 777-300ER disappointingly cramped for Business Class. The middle seat strips away any sense of privacy. My own seat’s recline mechanism was faulty, with faded markings on the controls – a clear sign of deferred maintenance. While the cabin crew heroically converted it into a bed, even they couldn’t restore it for landing, necessitating a last-minute seat change. Passenger aircraft seats should be refurbished every 15-20 years; this aircraft’s cabin felt overdue.

In-Flight Entertainment: This system urgently needs an overhaul. The screen resolution was mediocre, the film library dated, and the regional language selection was woefully inadequate – just two Malayalam and one Thamizh film in a sea of Hindi cinema. For a global airline serving the diverse Indian diaspora, this is a significant oversight. No wonder the Thamizhans are up in arms against imposition of Hindi!

The Operational Reality: The Pakistan Airspace Factor

A unique operational quirk defines this route. Due to Pakistani airspace closures, Air India’s Delhi-Toronto flight takes a longer westward path via Vienna for refuelling. The return flight, however, often benefits from strong tailwinds (jet streams) and flies direct. This explains the stopover in Vienna, where passengers remain onboard for two hours, a necessary but noticeable operational constraint.

Verdict: A Strong Contender with Clear Potential

Air India’s Business Class under Tata is a compelling proposition. The core service is excellent, the food is a highlight, and the operational logistics are handled with impressive transparency. It is a marked and welcome improvement.

Would I fly it again? A definite YES, but with clear caveats. Choose your seat carefully – avoid the middle at all costs. Temper your expectations for in-flight entertainment and seat modernity. If those aspects are upgraded to match the stellar service, Air India will not just be a good choice, but a leading one.

The airline is on the right path. It feels like a phoenix still stretching its new wings – a few feathers are still settling into place, but the flight is already impressive.

The fragile economic relationship between North America’s largest trading partners reached a breaking point this week. Following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of a strategic trade partnership with China, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a scorched-earth ultimatum on Truth Social: “If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A.”

While Trump initially signaled openness to Canadian trade autonomy, the rhetoric soured after Carney’s Davos speech, where he claimed the “US-led world order had been ruptured.” Trump retaliated by rescinding Canada’s invitation to his Board of Peace, asserting, “Canada lives because of the United States.”

1. The Pivot to the East

Despite the threats, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, clarified that the government is not seeking a full Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Beijing but rather a “resolution on critical tariff issues.” Under the new agreement with President Xi Jinping:

• Canola Oil: Chinese levies will drop from 85% to 15% by March.
• Electric Vehicles: Canada will slash tariffs on Chinese EVs from 100% to the most-favoured-nation rate of 6.1%.

Carney framed the deal as essential for a “new world order,” aiming to reduce Canada’s 75% export dependency on a volatile U.S. administration.

2. The Mutually Assured Destruction of Trade

The escalating conflict poses severe structural risks to the U.S. economy, specifically across three critical sectors:

3. The Energy Shock

U.S. Gulf Coast refineries are architecturally locked into Canadian heavy crude. Billions have been invested in cokers and hydrocrackers specifically designed to process thick Canadian bitumen.

• Irreplaceability: With Venezuelan and Mexican heavy crude production in decline, Canada now provides over half of all U.S. crude imports.
• The Fallout: A 100% tariff would effectively starve U.S. refineries or force a catastrophic spike in gasoline and diesel prices for American consumers.

4. Food Inflation: The 2026 Potash Crisis

American farmers face a Potash Crisis that could double fertilizer costs by Spring 2026.

• Supply Chain Vulnerability: Despite some tariffs being lifted in late 2025, the Trade Commissioner Service warns that renewed 100% duties on Canadian potash—a primary source for U.S. agriculture—would jeopardise the 2026 planting season and trigger historic food price volatility.

5. Defense Sector: The Golden Dome at Risk

The U.S. defense sector is currently scrambling to secure aluminum and cobalt for the Golden Dome—a next-generation integrated air and missile defense system.

• Strategic Shift: The U.S. has been using Defense Production Act (DPA) funds to finance Canadian mining projects in Quebec and the Northwest Territories.
• The Irony: Trump’s proposed tariffs would tax the very minerals the Pentagon deems “essential for national security” to counter China, effectively subsidizing the cost of U.S. defense through American taxpayers.

6.  The Automotive Breaking Point

The integrated just-in-time supply chain of the Great Lakes region faces collapse. With tariffs on parts—including engines and transmissions—potentially reaching 100%, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association warns of:

• Price Surges: Thousands of dollars added to the price of every North American-made vehicle.
• Manufacturing Exodus: Production slowdowns and massive layoffs as automakers struggle to restructure supply chains that cross the border up to seven times during a single build.

7. The Water Bomb

Trade disputes have significantly strained the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. While these remain distinct from commercial pacts like CUSMA, current tensions are destabilizing their implementation: 

• Diplomatic Disruptions: In March 2025, the U.S. administration abruptly excluded Canadian mayors from a longstanding White House meeting during the annual Great Lakes Day summit, citing “diplomatic protocols”. This unprecedented break from tradition raised fears that shared environmental resources are becoming “collateral damage” in trade rifts.
• Water as a Trade Lever: Growing concern exists that the U.S. may leverage shared water management in future trade talks, potentially revisiting demands for bulk water diversions to drought-stricken American regions.
• Regulatory Conflict: Friction is mounting within joint management frameworks as American shippers argue that stricter Canadian environmental standards create a competitive disadvantage.
• Risk of Treaty Termination: Although it has endured for over a century, the Boundary Waters Treaty can be terminated with 12 months’ written notice. Escalating trade wars could lead either nation to withdraw legally, ending mandates for joint consultation on pollution and diversions.

8. Criticality of Critical Minerals

As of early 2026, tariffs have severely disrupted industries reliant on minerals essential for defence, manufacturing, and energy. 

• Integrated Supply Chains: The U.S. remains heavily dependent on Canada for gallium, niobium, aluminum, palladium, and platinum—minerals deemed crucial for electronics and military technology. Canada serves as a vital storehouse, meeting approximately 25% of U.S. uranium demand and providing essential feedstock for nuclear energy and defense.
• China’s Strategic Advantage: Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have allowed China to position itself as a more stable alternative. For instance, a 25% tariff on Canadian nickel may force U.S. manufacturers toward cheaper Indonesian nickel, which is largely controlled by Chinese mining companies. This undermines Western efforts to secure strategic autonomy.
• National Defence Vulnerability: Mineral supply chains support advanced systems like precision-guided munitions, F-35 fighter jets, and secure communication networks. Trade disputes that escalate production costs or delay manufacturing directly impact military readiness and the strategic autonomy of both nations.

9. Conclusion

Trump is facing limited domestic pressure to resolve the U.S.-Canada trade standoff and appears politically positioned to wait Canada out. His administration has prioritized other trade deals and framed Canada as a low-priority partner.

There is little pressure from US businesses. While some US industries (e.g., auto, agriculture, tourism) are affected, there’s no unified business lobby pressuring Trump to resolve the dispute. His 51^st state rhetoric and claims that Canada cheated resonate with populist messaging.

To improve the nutritional health of Canadians, Health Canada has implemented new regulations requiring milk and margarine producers to more than double the vitamin D content in their products. While fortification has been mandatory for decades, these updated standards aim to ensure a greater portion of the population meets the daily recommended intake.

New Standards for Daily Essentials

The fortification levels have shifted significantly to combat widespread deficiency:

• Milk: Increased from approximately 2.3 mcg to 5 mcg per cup.
• Margarine: Increased to 13 mcg per 50g (roughly three tablespoons).
• Alternatives: While not mandatory, yogurt, kefir, and plant-based beverages are now permitted to include increased vitamin D to ensure those opting for non-dairy lifestyles still receive adequate nutrition.

The “Sunshine Vitamin” Challenge

According to Health Canada, one in five Canadians is deficient in vitamin D. This is largely due to Canada’s high latitude; for six to eight months of the year, the sun’s angle is too low for the skin to produce vitamin D naturally. Studies indicate that the risk of deficiency doubles during these darker winter months, making dietary sources and supplements—such as drops or pills—essential.

Why Vitamin D Matters

Vitamin D is a critical nutrient that enables the body to absorb calcium, the building block of strong bones and teeth. Maintaining adequate levels is vital for:

• Bone Density: Reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis as bone cell renewal slows with age.
• Disease Prevention: Research suggests low vitamin D is a risk factor for developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

A 2023 report from Statistics Canada confirmed that 20% of Canadians aged 6 to 79 have levels below health requirements. Notably, the data shows that individuals who consume at least one glass of milk daily are significantly less likely to face deficiency than those who do not.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

The amount of vitamin D required daily is measured in International Units (IU) or micrograms (mcg):

Age Group	Recommended Daily Dose
1–70 Years (Including pregnancy/lactation)	600 IU (15 mcg)
71+ Years	800 IU (20 mcg)

Optimizing Vitamin D Absorption: The Role of Fatty Meals

Taking vitamin D supplements with a fatty meal can significantly enhance their absorption compared to taking them on an empty stomach. Dietary fat facilitates this process by forming micelles—tiny molecular structures that transport fat-soluble vitamins like D into the bloodstream. Research indicates that individuals who consume vitamin D supplements with a high-fat meal experience a greater increase in serum vitamin D levels than those taking the same supplement without food. To maximize absorption and effectiveness, it is advisable to take vitamin D alongside meals containing healthy fats such as yogurt, milk, avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, or fatty fish.

Simple Ways to Boost Vitamin D Intake

• Upgrade Your Breakfast: Use fortified milk instead of water when preparing oatmeal.
• Creamier Soups: Replace a portion of broth in stews or chowders with milk.
• Coffee Break: Switch from a “splash” of milk to a latte (half milk, half coffee).
• Smoothie Power: Blend smoothies with milk and fortified yogurt for a double dose of bone-building nutrients.
• Weekly Fish: Incorporate fatty fish like salmon or mackerel into your meal rotation at least once a week.

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

The Fireman’s Lift, known in North America as the Fireman’s Carry, was a source of significant dread for us casualties—far more than for the rescuers. At the military training academies, as one of the lighter cadets, my services were in high demand during training exercises, and I found myself hauled across the parade ground umpteen times, perched precariously on a fellow cadet’s shoulders.

This technique is a cornerstone of emergency response, a practical method designed for strength, endurance, and mobility. It allows a single rescuer to swiftly transport an injured person over considerable distances by draping them across their shoulders, distributing the weight to utilise the powerful muscles of the back and core. Its primary purpose is clear: to move victims away from immediate danger with efficiency and speed.

The carry’s name suggests a modern, practical origin, but its legend is rooted in a much older folktale of loyalty and cunning. The story takes us to the siege of Weinsberg in 1140, when King Conrad III of Germany besieged the fortress of Duke Welf VI of Bavaria. Facing certain defeat and starvation, the defenders negotiated terms of surrender. The King, in a gesture of mercy, granted the women of the city safe passage and the right to take with them their most precious possession, provided they could carry it on their shoulders.

Expecting them to emerge with bundles of gold, jewels, and household goods, the King’s men were astonished as the women filed out of the gates. Their most treasured possessions were not objects, but their husbands, whom they carried on their backs. King Conrad, though reportedly urged by his advisors to renege on the agreement, was so impressed by the women’s cleverness and devotion that he honoured his royal word, allowing the men to go free and securing the story a place in history.

Thus, the Fireman’s Carry is more than a mere physical technique; it is a timeless symbol of rescue, born from a clever twist of words and an unwavering commitment to saving what one holds most dear.

While the specific term Fireman’s Carry is a modern invention, the act of bearing another on one’s shoulders is a powerful and ancient motif within Indian tradition. This concept finds profound expression not in a singular mythological tale, but through a tapestry of stories and practices that intertwine the physical, the devotional, and the socially transformative.

The origins of Vikram Aur Vetaal lie in the Vetaal Pachisi, a series of spellbinding stories penned by the 11^th-century Kashmiri poet Somdev Bhatt. These tales depict the battle of wits between the legendary King Vikramaditya and a clever ghost, Vetaal. Every time Vikram successfully captures him, Vetaal responds by narrating a story that ends with a complex moral question. Bound by a vow, Vikram must answer if he knows the truth, but the moment he speaks, Vetaal vanishes—forcing the king to begin his pursuit anew. The stories were vividly brought to life in many comics and a 1985 mythological series on Doordarshan, memorable for its iconic image of Vikram carrying Vetaal in a Fireman’s Lift.

The most poignant example comes from the epic Ramayana in the story of Shravana Kumara. A paragon of filial piety, Shravana carried his blind and elderly parents on a pilgrimage. He bore them in two baskets suspended from a bamboo pole across his shoulders, fulfilling their every wish. This image is the quintessential Indian archetype of the carry—not as a combat technique, but as an ultimate act of duty, love, and sacrifice.

Beyond mythology, the principle of leveraging weight and momentum is deeply embedded in Indian physical culture. In traditional Indian wrestling, or Kushti, a move known as Kalajangh (or Kalajang) is a classic takedown. This technique involves hoisting an opponent onto one’s shoulders to throw them, demonstrating that the conceptual strength and biomechanics of the carry have long been recognised and perfected in martial practice.

The motif evolves further from physical burden-bearing to carrying a profound spiritual and social message. A powerful narrative, often associated with saints like Ramananda or Namdev, tells of a sage who carried an ostracised Dalit devotee into a temple on his shoulders. In one version, this sage is Loka Saaranga. This act defied rigid caste hierarchies, asserting that divinity resides in all humanity. By literally elevating the marginalised individual, the carry became a radical symbol of equality and a vehicle for divine grace, leading to the devotee’s sainthood.

Although Hindu deities like Vishnu or Shiva are often depicted with multiple arms, this iconography symbolises omnipotence and the ability to wield multiple divine powers simultaneously, rather than a literal representation of carrying people. The true essence of carrying in Indian thought is less about sheer multi-tasking and more about the profound responsibility, devotion, and transformative power embodied in the act itself.

From the physical discipline of the wrestler to the sacred duty of Shravana Kumara and the revolutionary act of Loka Saaranga, the act of carrying another is a deeply embedded symbol of strength, sacrifice, and liberation.