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.

On May 07, 2025, more than two weeks after gunmen killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India, blaming Islamabad for the attack, launched missiles at multiple sites in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan’s Punjab province.  For the following three days, both India and Pakistan launched missiles, drones and artillery at each other, bringing the subcontinent to the brink of a full-fledged war.

Already there is growing evidence that future wars will see a significant use of drones and long-range precision weapons, alongside a potentially greater reliance on artillery tactics. Drones, particularly loitering munitions and reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are more prominent in present-day battlefields. Army Air Defence Artillery got to adapt to counter-drone threats and maintain its ability to strike at depth. The four-day Indo- Pak face off provided further evidence to this evolving nature of future warfare. It is axiomatic that India-Pakistan conflicts of the future will follow a similar trend.

The war in Ukraine has starkly highlighted the evolving role and challenges of tanks in modern warfare, challenging the notion that the era of the battle tank might be over. This conflict has highlighted the importance of electronic warfare capabilities, network-centric warfare, and the integration of UAVs and drones. It has demonstrated the critical role of logistical and repair support for sustaining tank operations, as well as the necessity for Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to operate within a combined arms approach, including infantry, artillery, air defence, aviation and air support. This evolution reflects a broader trend towards high-tech, multi-domain combat operations, where traditional tank strengths are augmented by Electronic Warfare (EW) and advanced defensive systems to meet the demands of modern conflict.

In the Ukrainian war only a small fraction of tank losses was due to enemy tanks, with the majority attributed to mines, artillery, anti-tank missiles, and increasingly, drones. This has highlighted the diminished role of traditional tank-on-tank engagements and the rising significance of asymmetric threats, including kamikaze drones, which have proven effective at targeting tanks. In view of these threats, there is an urgent need for redesigning the MBTs and armoured tactics. Modern MBTs must be lighter, versatile and capable of defending against hemispheric 360-degree threats, marking a departure from the focus on frontal armour and long-range firepower.

A new dimension, with the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics are the land drones or Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). In Ukraine, these vehicles are operating on the front lines to carry weapons and explosives, to conduct remote mining and de-mining, and to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield. Use of UGVs is an asymmetric response to the enemy’s numerical advantage.

A key drone-countermeasure to the drones is by EW, controlling the electromagnetic spectrum by jammers, spoofers, deceiving enemy communication systems, radars, and other electronic devices. This causes the target drone to fall, veer off course, or turn around and attack its operator. Early warning and detection systems (radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and acoustic sensors,) jamming, anti-aircraft guns, high-energy lasers or microwave beams, can disable drones.

Proliferation of cheap, expendable drones has created an unfavourable interception curve for long range and expensive air defence platforms. Larger drones with a distinct radar cross-section are easy, slow-moving targets for air defence interceptors, while traditional air defence has some limitations against small systems. Army Air Defence gun systems which had become defunct against standoff weapons and fast-moving fighter aircraft have emerged most successful against drones. An emerging challenge of counter-drone defence is its cost-effectiveness, where the counter drone system must be cheaper than its target.  Thus, gun systems and EW will be the most cost-effective counter against drones.

Militaries the world over are status quo in attitude and slow to transform. Gone are the days of the second world war type pincer movements carried out by mechanised forces. In general, we are heading in the direction of high technology multi domain network centric warfare where targeting is increasingly becoming a point of focus. Some strategists now believe that military objectives may now be achieved through targeting alone. The Indian army as also the Navy and the Air Force are on a path of transformation with the intended move towards Integrated battle groups and Theaterisation of Commands. With its heavy tilt towards the Infantry and mechanised forces, as of now the force structure surely looks a bit lopsided. Supposedly we are on a path of modernisation, technology upgrade, joint-ness and self-reliance.

Future Force Structure

The lowest formation of the Army that has in its organisation various combat and combat support elements is the Infantry/ Armoured/ Mountain Division. In the context of Future hi tech wars these seem quite imbalanced in terms of the Infantry/ Armoured components. It is a moot point whether colossal organisational structures such as strike corps are relevant any longer. Also at the divisional level, there is a case for inclusion of offensive and defensive capabilities in terms of drones, UAVs, aviation, and even some integral ground air defence. Maybe one or two Fire Power Brigades suitably organised may render the required balance. The future may see some infantry soldiers being replaced by inexpensive robots or AI powered drones. Let us admit that its no longer science fiction, but a reality. There undoubtedly is a case for urgent re-organisation based on a new force structure as applicable to the likely nature of future wars

Technology alone is not a war winning factor. The force with the best technology will not necessarily win, but a combination of mass, manpower and morale is essential for battlefield success.  The importance of quality leadership as a battle winning factor cannot be overemphasised. More than at any other time, the nature of high-tech network centric multi domain warfare, demands high quality leadership. Let us therefore examine this factor in isolation.

Is the leadership of the Indian Army – the General Cadre – trained, equipped and prepared for Future Wars??

The Indian Government of late has often promoted officers to the highest appointments and positions based on merit-based selection, overriding the seniority principle which was in vogue for many years. There is of course the growing criticism of this being a politico-bureaucratic strategy to select a pliant military leadership and consequent politicisation of the Defence Forces. This strident criticism has some merit particularly when it is undeniably true that particularly in a country like India, there is no politico-bureaucratic authority or body that can truly judge the competence of military leadership. Often the selection boils down to who is best suited to the current political dispensation in power. So, if the merit-based selection principle is to be put in place, then the Government needs to clearly lay down the rules for such selection including the composition of this selection panel and various other parameters. In the absence of such rules, surely the seniority principle is a lesser evil at the highest levels of the hierarchy. One may even argue that at very high levels of the hierarchy the inter-se difference in merit is so minor that it may be ignored. In any case it is surely better than contentious merit.

Into this vexed question of seniority versus merit comes another lopsided system that of General Cadre. It is more in the nature of a prevalent unwritten convention, as to the best of my knowledge, no Government regulation, or rule or for that matter even an Army Order or instruction defines what General Cadre is. Essentially it is a cadre of officers who become eligible to be appointed to the highest command echelons of the Indian army. 

Officers from the Infantry, Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry (so called Combat Arms) are sort of born into the General Cadre while those from the other arms (So called combat support Arms) need to be selected into the General Cadre. Once selected on exceptional merit, such officers are then required to Command an Infantry/ Mountain / Armoured Brigade and their continued retention in General Cadre is based on recommendations in their confidential reports by their superior officers.

For those born into the General Cadre, no such recommendations are necessary. Command of such a brigade is automatic if approved for promotion. It is also ironic that at the time of passing out from the military academy, one is required to give one’s choice of Arm/Service, but no one explains what the difference is of being born into General Cadre or otherwise. Often one does not get one’s choice. So, by chance one may be chosen to be a born military leader or denied that opportunity. The very entry to the hallowed system of General Cadre is flawed at the outset.

It is mind-boggling that the system exists by some unwritten norm and is not governed by any government or even Service Order or Instruction. Add to this some classic anomalies exist. Any officer who commands an Assam Rifles battalion, sector and then becomes an Inspector General Assam Rifles now becomes eligible to command the highest echelons of a joint force although his exposure has been limited to that of commanding units/formations of only a paramilitary force.

The present military leadership of the Indian Army consists of mostly Infantry officers and some Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry officers. There are hardly any officers from the Regiment of Artillery, Army Air Defence and Aviation who get into the General Cadre. The existing system also promotes favouritism and lanyard culture.  

In this era of modern hi tech warfare surely a fresh definition needs to be made as to whether anyone at all fits into this category of officers who are born into General Cadre. What criteria should decide on this selection? This surely needs to be laid down as a set of clear-cut rules and not left to any norm or convention.

With the battlefield dominated by drones, UAVs, missiles and long-range artillery, there is a need to reorganise the General Cadre of the Indian Army.  The General Cadre must consist of Artillery, Army Air Defence and Aviation officers. Only those officers who have adequate knowledge and technical skills to manage employment of drones, UAVs, missiles and long-range artillery from the Infantry, Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry be considered for promotion to the General Cadre.

The evolving nature of future wars should indeed be a guide for formulation of rules in this regard.

On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air over the Potomac River in Washington, DC. The collision occurred at 8:47 PM at an altitude of about 100 m and about 800 m short of the runway. All 67 people aboard both aircrafts perished.

My friend Nandu, who lives in the US, asked me about the cause of the crash and I said Getting Home Syndrome. He now wanted an explanation of an unheard-of syndrome.

Getting Home Syndrome is a feeling of distress or anxiety that some people experience when returning home after being away, whether at work, a short trip, a long journey, or a permanent move. In this collision too, it can be summed up that everyone was in a hurry to return home as it occurred at 8:47 PM.

Getting Home Syndrome can be attributed to: –

• Homesickness due to a common feeling of sadness or longing for home and loved ones.
• Separation Anxiety after one has been away from home for a significant period related to the separation from their familiar environment and routines.
• Change Adjustment because of the stress of being overwhelmed being away from home.
• Empty Nest Syndrome may be experienced due to a sense of sadness or loss when returning to an empty home. 

Emotional symptoms of the syndrome are sadness, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a general sense of unease. It is coupled with fatigue, headaches, stomach problems, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

Now I asked Nandu to compare the number of accidents his friends and coworkers encountered while on the road while going to work or holidays and while returning home.  He confirmed that most accidents he was aware of were while returning home.

During many military moves I was part of, accidents occurred while we were returning home after long operational or exercise deployments. The last military move I carried out was while commanding the Regiment in 2002.  Our Regiment was mobilised from its peace location in Devlali (Maharashtra, near Mumbai) on that year’s New Year Eve.  The entire Indian Army had moved into their operational locations after the attack on the Indian Parliament building by terrorists believed to have come in from Pakistan. 

After ten months, we moved back to Devlali. Our Divisional Headquarters entrusted me with an important and critical task of designing an Aviation Base for operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) two days prior to the move back. I was given a week to complete the task and fly back to Devlali on completion. As the Commanding Officer, I wanted to be part of the move home to ensure that everyone returned home safely. 

I burnt the midnight oil for the next two days, completed the task, handed it over to the Divisional Headquarters. Our Colonel General Staff Azad Sameer asked, “While many Commanding Officers wanted to fly home on some pretext or the other, why were you so adamant about accompanying your soldiers on their journey home?”

I quoted the Chetwode Creed, a guiding principle for Indian Army officers, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.”

The task was completed in two days only because the Commanding Officer of the Aviation Base was our course mate from NDA – Colonel Kesar Shekhawat.  He provided all technical and aviation inputs and extended all out cooperation in planning the base. The Aviation Base stands testimony of our hard work and it is now the best Aviation Base of the Indian Army today.

It is a common perception that more accidents occur on the way home than to work though it does not have a definitive cause. The contributory factors may be: –

• Familiarity and overconfidence as drivers feel more relaxed and less attentive on routes they know well, leading to complacency and potentially risky behaviors like speeding or multitasking. 
• Driver Fatigue due to intensive workday which results in dip in energy levels, resulting in being more prone to drowsiness and slower reaction times. 
• Increased traffic volume during late afternoon and early evening commute, when many people are returning home, with potentially more aggressive driving, increasing the risk of accidents. 
• Impaired driving as some drivers are more likely to consume alcohol or become impaired after work, increasing the risk of accidents on their way home. 
• Multitasking by drivers is more likely while driving home, such as talking on the phone, texting, or eating, which can lead to accidents. 

How to Cope with Getting Home Syndrome

• Acknowledge and recognise that these feelings are normal and allow oneself to grieve or adjust.
• Prior to the journey, engage in activities to get back into a routine and engage in activities that bring joy and comfort. Suggested activities are watching a movie, reading, trekking, or any passion or hobby one is interested in.
• Seek Support by talking to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings. 
• Take Care of Yourself: Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in physical activities. 

If you know you’re going home, the journey is never too hard – Angela Wood

The ache for home lives in all of us – Maya Angelou

If you go anywhere, even paradise, you will miss your home – Malala Yousafzai

Indian Premier League cricket matches were suspended in the wake of the recent standoff between India and Pakistan.  Sunil Gavaskar, legendary Indian cricket player, has suggested that the remaining 17 matches be played without cheerleaders and DJs- as a respect to those who lost their lives in the recent conflict.

What about the soldiers??

On 08 March 2019, during India-Australia One Day Cricket match at Ranchi, the Indian players were wearing  disruptive pattern Indian Army caps with the BCCI logo in front and the manufacture’s Nike logo at the back.  I scurried through the internet to catch the news about the new headgear Indian players were wearing.

It was Lieutenant Colonel MS Dhoni, a legend from Ranchi, the wicket keeper, who came up with the novel idea.  He handed over the cap to Virat kohli, the Indian Captain, and also to all team members and support staff before the start of the match.  Captain Kohli at the toss said “This is a special cap, it’s a tribute to the Armed forces. We’re all donating our match fees of this game to the National Defence Fund. I urge everyone in the country to do the same, donate to the families of our armed forces.”

This must be the first time the Indian Cricket team must have shown such a gesture to the soldiers.  Obviously, it had complete support from BCCI.

English Cricket Team that played a test match at Rajkot (November 9-13, 2016) were seen wearing the Red Poppy in honour of fallen soldiers to commemorate Remembrance Day (11 November).  Will the Indian Cricket Team ever do so for the Armed Forces Flag Day (07 December)?

Few years ago, we watched a baseball game at Toronto between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rogers Centre is the home-ground of the Blue Jays. The atmosphere was as electric as that of any cricket matches of the Indian Premier League.

During the  innings interval, a sixty year old Veteran from the Canadian Army who was a Captain and had served in many UN assignments was called on to the centre and the Team Management of the Blue Jays presented him with a team shirt with his name printed at the back and with the team captain’s signature in the front. The entire stadium stood up to give the veteran a standing ovation – no one instructed anyone to do it, but was spontaneous. This is what is called patriotism.

Our son then said that during all the matches, a veteran from the armed forces or the police forces, who is a registered fan of the Blue Jays, is honoured this way.

Can we ever expect such a gesture at Mohali from the Kings XI Punjab or at Chennai from the Chennai Super Kings? Why one veteran, we can always honour a dozen at every match.

Will this ever happen in any Indian city? Will this remain a distant dream?

Social media accounts are extensions of ourselves. Your social media account can reveal a map of your family and friends; a catalogue of your personal preferences and political views; and a comprehensive diary of your thoughts and speech. Social media surveillance threatens your rights to speak freely and live without fear of constant government scrutiny.

During the campaign for the Federal Elections 2025 in Canada, saw four candidates—three Conservatives and one Liberal – being dropped from the race over their controversial social media comments.

• Liberal candidate Paul Chiang announced he was withdrawing his re-election bid in the riding of Markham-Unionville over comments he made in the past about a Conservative candidate.
• Conservative Party dropped Mark McKenzie, who was running to represent the riding of Windsor after an audio recording of a 2022 podcast appearance in which McKenzie voiced his support for public hangings.
• Third candidate to leave the race was Stefan Marquis, a Conservative Party candidate from the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie. He said a party representative informed him that his recent social media posts were sufficient reason to end the political collaboration with the Conservatives.
• The Conservatives dropped Lourence Singh, the party’s candidate for Burnaby riding of British Columbia without elaborating any reasons behind his departure.

Social Media Monitoring in Canada for Immigrants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) routinely compare information provided in applications with what’s available in the applicant’s public domain, especially social media. If there are discrepancies between the application information and what can be found on the web, this could be grounds for refusal

If discrepancies are found, it can lead to application refusal and potentially a ban from traveling to Canada for up to five years. As a Canadian immigration applicant, any information can be used as evidence of the accuracy or inaccuracy of your application.

Misrepresentation is a serious offence and difficult to overcome. Immigration officers are strict about misrepresentation and a finding could result in an application being refused. Misrepresentation on immigration applications can also have severe consequences beyond your application refusal and may:

• Forbid you from entering Canada for at least 5 years;
• Give you a permanent record of fraud;
• Take away your status as permanent resident or Canadian citizen;
• Have you charged with a crime; or
• Remove you from Canada.

It is important that applicants submit information that is entirely accurate and complete. Applicants should double check all information provided to make sure it is correct and remains consistent throughout the application.

The key to avoiding misrepresentation is to disclose all relevant information, even if you think it might negatively impact your chances of being approved. It is better to address potential issues directly in an application and provide supporting documents to explain them.

Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) was developed by IRCC (AI based) to assess a candidate’s social media activities. Social media monitoring includes online public communications, forum discussions and social media activity.

An immigration applicant may meticulously complete all paperwork with the best of intentions, but if they forget to include a key piece of information that is available elsewhere on the internet, it could look like a deliberate omission to the immigration office.

Social Media Monitoring in the US

Social media has become a significant source of information for US law enforcement and intelligence agencies for purposes ranging from conducting investigations to screening travelers. A person’s social media presence can reveal an astounding amount of personal information: beliefs, professional and personal networks, health conditions, sexuality, and more.

You leave a digital footprint on the internet, a trail of information while browsing the web or posting on social media. It may haunt you when you apply for a visitor visa, student visa, immigrant visa etc. One post, like or comment on social media could lead to an arrest, deportation or denial of citizenship. On March 27, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio estimated that he had signed perhaps more than 300 letters revoking the visas of students, visitors and others to force their expulsion from the US because of their foreign policy views or criminal activities.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 5, 2025, mandated that the social media accounts of travelers and immigrants coming into the US be used to vet them upon entry, as well as to monitor them while they live in the US, to determine whether they pose a security risk. Immigrants now got to provide social media information on their immigration applications.

If you have your children, siblings, spouse, relatives or friends living in foreign countries, your social media comments and forwards may prove harmful for them.

Look is a verb which refers to the act of turning our eyes in a particular direction to see something or someone external. It also refers to search something. As a noun look refers to the act of looking or an expression, appearance style or fashion.  Outlook is a whole lot different, and it refers to a person’s point of view or general attitude. It is about how a person thinks. It can be an attitude, a conviction, an expectation, an observation, a viewpoint, or a perception, based on a person’s state of mind and knowledge

When you look at an object or an idea you see the object or perceive the idea. When you analyse it, you develop an outlook based on your analysis and visualisation. Your analysis and visualisation are based on your knowledge and your experiences about that object or idea.

It was a ritual in our home that everyone recited the Twenty-third Psalm at the end of the morning and evening prayer. This Psalm is applicable to one and all, irrespective of one’s religion and it reaffirms one’s faith in their God. The Twenty-third Psalm begins with The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In the Malayalam version which we recited as children, the “I shall not want” part was translated as എനിക്കു മുട്ടുണ്ടാകുകയില്ല (enikku muttundakukayilla), and I always looked at my knees after reciting it, as it literally translated in any child’s mind as I will not have my knees. This of course corresponds to the knowledge and experience of a child.

As you grow and gain knowledge, your outlook towards the very same object/idea/notion changes. You interpret what you see differently now, and you analyse it further.

As I grew older, I realised that without the wants humanity would have never progressed and developed to its current evolved stature.

Then comes vision which in the simplest form is an act or power of seeing.  Many use vision and outlook interchangeably. In a literal or management sense vision is far different. Vision is generally a long-term, aspirational goal or desired future state, focussed on a distant future whereas outlook describes a current perspective or attitude towards a situation, often with a focus on the near future and potential outcomes. 

• Vision entails a more ambitious and idealistic picture of what could be, whereas outlook is a more practical assessment of what is likely to happen based on current conditions. 
• Vision is a guiding principle that inspires action towards a long-term goal, while outlook is a mindset or perspective with or without any specific actions. 
• Vision is generally detailed and specific about the desired future state, while an outlook is more about potential possibilities. 

Two decades ago, after migrating to Toronto, Canada, the meaning of the second and third lines of the Psalm became clear one evening while walking along the shores of Lake Ontario, as my mind wandered off trying to connect the distant past with an uncertain future – He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul, He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Now let us throw in the differences between mission and vision. Vision is an organisation’s/ individual’s aspirational future state, outlining what he/it wants to be, while a mission defines the individual’s or organisation’s current purpose. Mission is how it plans to achieve its goals, focusing on the present actions taken to reach that future vision.  Vision is where you want to be, and a mission is what you are doing now to get there. 

In short, your mission is what you are doing right now, while your vision is what you hope to achieve in the future. A visionary is one who can foresee a desirable end state and work towards it.

We have yet another term in this thought process, that of Purpose.  Purpose is the fundamental reason why you exist or do something, explaining your motivation and the core value behind your actions. Vision is what you want to achieve, while purpose is why you want to achieve it. 

As a young Captain of the Indian Army, in 1987 I was deployed along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir Valley where both Indian and Pakistani armies were positioned face-to-face, with our posts as close as 50 yards from the enemy. At that time, my mission, along with our soldiers, was to protect our motherland from enemy aggression.

On a bright sunny day, as I sat on top of the bunker basking in the sun and having my breakfast, the next two verses of the psalm crossed my mind – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

If you have purpose in life, it keeps you focused. It pushes an organisation or individual to focus on action. It reminds you why you are part of that organisation. This helps everyone in that organisation to connect their personal purpose to that of its leader.

Today, I live by remembering the last line of the Psalm – Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

You may wonder why are we indulging in this semantic exercise of trying to understand the specific meaning associated with some of these esoteric terms mostly related to management? No, its not exactly a semantic exercise. As each of us grow and evolve hopefully into a better human being, we need to identify our own notion of happiness and the purpose of our existence. This depends entirely on our outlook. This of course is our changing attitude to life as we grow and evolve. Most people identify such purpose work towards it in a haphazard manner and they may or may not be able to measure how close they are to achieving it. But happiness is a still a state of mind and they may be happy/unhappy irrespective of how close they are to their purpose.

An organised person, however, after identification of purpose goes about setting a future vision, and periodic/ intermittent missions to pursue and achieve. But even in the case of the organised man happiness may just be a state of mind, an attitude unrelated to attainment of purpose. So a clear understanding of these terms helps each of us in developing our own philosophic moorings but that is not to say that as individuals we need to be like corporate. For corporate purpose /vision/ mission are vital to their very existence. For individuals, they may not be essential depending on one’s outlook. Some may argue that a right attitude, an outlook is just about enough to be happy.

After a hiatus of being a Canadian househusband for 16 years, I was appointed the Chief Operating Officer of a Pharmaceutical chain six months ago.

During one of my visits to a pharmacy for audit, a young Indian girl who works as a Pharmacy technician asked me “You are from the Indian Army. How come you know so much about medicines, inventory, computers, software, accounting, financing, etc?”

I replied “फ़ौज में हम गोली समालते थे – यहां पर मैं गोली समाल रहा हूँ – आप मुझे गोली मत देना.” (In the Indian Army, I was dealing with Bullets, here I am dealing with Medicines, but you do not try your tricks.)

In Hindi Goli गोली means a Bullet, a Medicine and a Trick!!!!!

She was superbly impressed with my Hindi too!!!!

After 27 years of the the murder of Donna Oglive on March 8, 1998, a team of investigators from Toronto Police using Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) solved the murder mystery. On February 6, 2025, 50-year-old Ronald Gordon Ackerman, of Gander, Newfoundland, was arrested at Pearson International Airport, Toronto and was charged with First Degree murder of Donna Oglive.

The Toronto Police claimed that “with IGG, anybody who committed sexual assault or homicides over the past 40 or 50 years – if they’re still alive – they’d be expecting a knock at their door at any point.”

In Donna Oglive murder case investigations, the Genealogists of OTHRAM lab in Texas assisted the police who began tracking the Deoxyribo-Nucleic Acid (DNA) in 2022, leading to Ackerman’s family. Investigators were able to gather DNA samples and make a match in 2024.

IGG is a DNA technique that can help identify suspects in criminal cases and can lead to an arrest when a suspect’s DNA profile matches the DNA profile at a crime scene.

DNA is the building block of the human body – unique to everyone.  This unique DNA is present in one’s blood, saliva, skin tissue, hair, and bone. Unlike one’s fingerprints, DNA does not change or alter throughout a person’s life span.

How does IGG work?

• DNA from a crime scene is uploaded to a genetic genealogy database.
• The database identifies genetic relatives of the person who left the DNA.
• A family tree is built using genetic relatives and public records.
• Leads are developed to identify the person from the family tree and case information.
• The Police narrows down the suspect pool to a small group of relatives.
• The Police examine each suspect until they find a direct DNA match.
• The Police arrest if the DNA profile matches.

In 2022, IGG helped identify a suspect in the murders of two women in Toronto in 1983. In 2025, IGG helped identify the remains of a man found in the Detroit River in 2003. Recently, the police used IGG to identify and arrest the suspect of two 1983 murders in Toronto. The Niagara Regional Police Service also used the IGG to locate a suspect in the 1999 murder of a 26-year-old Torontonian.

IGG by Toronto Police

When the police recover DNA from a crime scene, it is sent to the Centre of Forensic Science to create a Short Tandem Repeat (STR,) or a DNA profile with 21 DNA markers. The STR is uploaded to the national database.   The STR is then sent to OTHRAM lab. With a DNA-sequencing machine, from the STR, a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) is generated with hundreds of thousands or even millions of DNA markers that show a person’s skin colour, eye colour, hair colour, where their family is originally from.

The police upload an SNP profile to sites like GEDmatch or FamilyTreeDNA. They extract a list of people on file who match with the offender’s DNA – anywhere between zero and a couple hundred. If they match with a close relative, they will finish a case in 24 hours. If it’s fourth or fifth cousins, it takes six or eight months to solve the case. When they narrow down search to one family of interest, then it is a more of traditional police investigation.

DNA evidence is powerful, but it does mean that the DNA taken from a suspect is an absolute guarantee of the suspect’s guilt. The technique has the following limitations: –

• Contamination from other sources during collection.
• Degradation of DNA due to environmental factors.
• Human error in analysis.
• Difficulty interpreting complex or mixed DNA profiles.
• Sample size of the DNA database.
• Criminals planting fake DNA samples at a crime scene.

DNA evidence contains a wealth of personal and genetic information that can be used to identify an individual or a family. The collection and analysis of DNA evidence can also result in the creation of large DNA databases that can be used for purposes other than the investigation of a crime. This can result in the violation of privacy rights and civil liberties, as well as the potential for abuse and misuse of the information.

Reading this work of fiction by General Tharakan sent chills up my spine so many times and it completely blew my mind. This book deals with a General Court Martial (GCM) and I have experienced the role played by each character – accused, witness, defending officer, prosecutor and the Commanding Officer of a soldier who went through a similar situation.  I enjoyed this book so much because I could relate with all the scenes in the book.

Portrayal of the incident that led to the GCM and the conduct of the GCM are as accurate as possible. The story is very gripping, and it takes the reader through the minds of the characters. The story is so vivid and fascinating that you would never believe it if it hadn’t happened.

The facts surrounding the crime, mostly perceived by the witnesses while lurid, were also fascinating.  The skill of the defending officer and his quality of the advocacy was brilliant. Reading through the spectacle was an enthralling experience.

The description of the GCM proceedings in a chronological order makes the assimilation of the story easy. The role of the Presiding Officer and members of the GCM, the Judge Advocate, the limits of advocacy, and the rights accorded to the accused in the Indian Army – all changed dramatically during the GCM. The role of social media and visual media coverage, which had a significant impact on the members of the GCM and the witnesses is well etched.

The author has written this book with a great respect for the legal proceedings in the Indian Army and the rule of law. If you were looking for some gossip or cinematic court scenes, you will be disappointed. 

The book illustrates how perceived injustices (justice) is overturned as the Defending Officer presents his logical arguments, leading to the acquittal of the accused, against all perceived odds. 

A reader will find this book to be a terrific read, but this book will be particularly rewarding for anyone who is interested in the role of advocacy in an Indian Army’s system of justice.

I enjoyed this book. I liked it so much that I finished it in three hours in one sitting. I recommend this book to all lawyers, law students or anyone with an interest in Military Law – and above all to all officers of the Defence Forces.

The book is available on Amazon Buy The Second Bullet Book Online at Low Prices in India – Amazon.in

The third Monday in January is deemed the Blue Monday.  It began in 2005 as a marketing gimmick by Sky Travel, a UK travel company, to be the most depressing day of the year. The term was coined in 2004 for Sky Travel by Cliff Arnall, a psychologist and motivational speaker, who claimed that they calculated the date considering the weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere.

Like all Mondays, it is dispirited because one must return to work after the weekend. It is characterised by a lack of energy, fatigue, lack of concentration, weight gain, etc.

The third Monday of January is also the Cheese Lover’s Day and this year it was the day of the Presidential Inauguration of Trump.  Did it make it more depressing for some?

It caught the attention of Canadians as it appeared true.  Year after year, the third week of January recorded very low temperatures. In 2025, the week recorded minus 20°C. During this time of the year, daylight is at a premium, nights are long and cold. It is the time when holiday bills arrive giving many a nightmare. It is also the time when most New Year’s resolutions are broken.

Arnall’s calculations were rejected by the scientific and academic community world over as there is no credible research evidence to show that Blue Monday is more depressing than any other day of the year. It cannot be that this day must be a bad day for everyone.  Some may have it good too. Remember that no single day of the year is universally great for everyone or terrible for everyone

Suggested ways to wade through the Blue Monday is to involve in daily meaningful activities like getting proper sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, being physically active, setting up a budget to manage your spending habits, pursuing your hobbies and interests, stay connected with friends and family, avoid drugs and alcohol, etc.  It applies to every day of the year and is not limited to Blue Monday.

During the run up to Blue Monday, some companies advertise their mood-boosting supplements, discounted gym memberships, financial management classes and travel deals to sunny destinations.

The happiest day in Canada on a similar scale is believed to be between June 21 and 24 – the period of Summer Solstice – close to mid-summer.

Now the third Monday of January has been labelled the most depressing day of the year – a notion planted in the consumer for marketing travel deals – and also creating a market desire to fix it.