Ashok Parthasarathi: Some myths about the Indian military-industrial complex ( Info courtesy The Business Standard)

Ashok Parthasarathi: Some myths about the Indian military-industrial complex

As a student of military and security affairs, I find both analysts and the media having many misconceptions about our military industrial complex. This article deals with some major ones to promote a correct understanding of the matter.

First, our defence hardware imports are around 60 per cent, and not 70 per cent. Second, delays and cost over-runs in our defence production programmes also occur in all North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) countries; the reasons are many and complex. These have been documented in numerous reports of the General Accounting Office of the US Congress. The UK Comptroller and Auditor General has done likewise.

A specific major example is the M-88 aero-engine for the latest French fighter-bomber Rafale. France's sole and public sector aero-engine manufacturer, Snecma, which has been making military aero-engines for 30 years, took 11 years to design and develop that engine against its commitment of seven years to the French ministry of defence. There was also a 320 per cent cost over-run. As a result, there was also a massive delay in Rafale's first test flight from 1982 to 1987.

Another misconception is that the design and development (D&D) of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) took three decades. In fact, it took only two, despite encompassing laboratory R&D, production of two technology demonstrators and two prototypes plus 2,500 hours of test flying. The Tejas series production plan would be: six LCAs in 2014-15, eight in 2015-16 and 10 in 2016-17, all for induction in operational Indian Air Force (IAF) squadrons against an IAF order of 40 aircraft by 2020 - which will be met.

As for the IAF mainstay, the 4.5 generation Sukhoi-30MkI, it is misconceived that the plane continues to be assembled and not manufactured in depth by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Actually, the 30MkI (where the I stands for India), is radically different from the Su-30 Russia makes for its own air force. Their plane is a pure air-defence fighter; ours is a multi-role aircraft, i.e. it also includes air-to-ground attack capabilities. Moreover, the MkI was a joint D&D project with large technical and operational inputs from IAF engineers and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists working with Russian engineers. So, the 30MkI is the creation of joint Indo-Russian knowledge, ingenuity and skill to meet the IAF's operational needs.

HAL started its phased manufacturing programme for the 30MkI in 2004-05. Over 2004-05 to 2012-13, HAL manufactured 174 aircraft. By 2012-13, the air frame was 100 per cent indigenous while the more complex engine was 70 per cent indigenous. This included some 1,500 highly sophisticated and complex castings and forgings - to the great surprise of Russian engineers. Today, the aircraft's overall indigenous content is around 75 per cent. A detailed plan is underway to take that to 85 per cent in 2015-16.

Frequently, the Tejas D&D, the Su-30MkI production and the contract between HAL and French aerospace company Dassault for the Rafale medium multi-role combat aircraft are compared in terms of costs and supply time frames with the allegedly "speedy operationalisation" of finished import-based aircraft, such as the Mi-17v5 helicopter from Russia, the C-130J and C-17 transporters from the US and Pilatus PC-7 basic trainer from Switzerland. But doing so is not comparing apples with apples because the latter constituted direct imports. Additionally, Tejas uses indigenous technology.

Direct imports make the user eternally and massively dependent on the foreign supplier for spares and technical services, and when modifications, add-ons and upgrades over the 30- to 40-year lifetime of the aircraft have to be made. Financially, foreign suppliers jack up prices for both spares and service to exorbitant levels.

If an Indo-Pak war occurs or we conduct nuclear device tests, the Nato government of the foreign supplier will embargo all supplies of spares and technical services, thereby immobilising our imported weapon systems. Only Russia has never applied embargoes on us.

Another problem with direct import occurs if the foreign supplier phases out production of the supplied weapon system. It then cannot supply spares or technical services, so the weapon system becomes non-operational. This occurred with seven US-origin enemy artillery-location radars India imported in 2005. Consequently, all seven radars have been non-operational for the past six years and more.

A common uninformed allegation is that decades of defence ties with the Soviet Union have not helped "kick-start" our defence industry and that they have the character of a "patron-client" relationship. The contributions of such ties in building our defence industry have been so wide ranging and deep that they need a separate article to deal with them. Here, however, are some major examples: laying the foundation for the industrial capabilities and capacity for in-depth manufacture of fighter aircraft with the MiG-21 models FL, M and Bis from as far back as 1964 and the MiG-27 fighter-bomber from 1974. Taken together, these projects did, indeed, kick-start our defence aircraft industry by: (i) training a huge number of specialist engineers, technicians and skilled workers; (ii) building a large vendor population; and (iii) supplying highly specialised equipment and facilities to HAL to manufacture, test and prove the aircraft. The Soviet ties built our domestic technological and industrial capabilities so well.
l that our own engineers and technicians were able to upgrade the MiG-27 without any Russian assistance.

Further, the experience and expertise developed as a result of these defence ties played a major role in enabling HAL, DRDO, IAF and the Aeronautical Development Agency to D&D, engineer, flight test, and manufacture the Tejas LCA.

The ties also contributed to numerous other major weapon systems, such as the stealth frigates of the Navy and two generations of main battle tanks for the Army - the T-72 of the 1970s and the T-90 of the early 2000s.

Then there is the major case of the nuclear weapon-tipped ballistic missile firing nuclear submarine, Arihant, and the futuristic Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft now in progress. These are weapon systems no other country was, or is, willing to even discuss with us, let alone undertaking joint technology development as the Russians have.

The Russians have also provided us enormous technical assistance to overcome our design and engineering problems in successfully launching and targeting the critically important 3,500 km Agni-3 intermediate range, nuclear-tipped, strategic ballistic missile developed by DRDO. These few examples put paid to the allegation that Indo-Soviet/Russian defence ties were, and even now are, those of a "patron" vis-à-vis a "client". Would a "patron" help a so-called "client" overcome problems in a strategic missile developed by the "client"? Would the US be willing to even consider providing us such help?

The legend of Mahashivarathri (Info courtesy Wikimedia)

Image Courtesy- Wikimedia and the author

Maha Shivratri (the 'Great Night of Shiva') is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. The Mahashivratri festival, also much popular as 'Shivratri' or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva', is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Alternate common spellings include Sivaratri, Shivaratri, Sivarathri, and Shivarathri. It marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha which falls in February or March as per the Gregorian calendar. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the MahaShivarathri is the most powerful^[3].

The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or golden apple or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil (jagarana). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", a sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's highest good steadily and swiftly. On this day, the planetary positions in the Northern hemisphere act as potent catalysts to help a person raise his / her spiritual energy easily. The benefits of powerful ancient Sanskrit Mantras such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra महामृत्युंजय मंत्र increase manifold on this night^[4].

In Nepal, millions of Hindus attend Shivaratri together from different part of the world at the famous Pashupatinath Temple. Thousands of devotees also attend Mahasivaratri at the famous Shiva Shakti Peetham of Nepal.

On Mahashivratri, Nishita Kala is the ideal time to observe Shiva Pooja. Nishita Kala is the time when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga. On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava puja is performed.

Legends

Maha Shivratri is associated with Marriage of Shiv and Shakti.

All these legends signify that this day is the favourite day of Lord Shiva and also throw light on the greatness of Lord Shiv and his supremacy over all other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Mahashivaratri also marks the night when Lord Shiv performed the 'Tandava', the cosmic dance.

According to another legend of Samudra manthan, Shiv saved the world from the disastrous effects of a poison that emerged as a by product of churning of sea (Samudra manthan), by consuming whole of it. Shiv could arrest the poison in his throat by his Yogic powers and it could not go down his body. His neck turned blue due to effect of poison on his throat and henceforth he is also called as Neela Kantha or The blue Throated.

Pralaya

Another version relates that the whole world was facing destruction and Goddess Parvati worshiped her husband Shiv to save it. She prayed for the jivas (living souls) remaining in seed-like particles of gold dust in a lump of wax, since Pralaya is brought about by Him. Shivratri is also when Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiv married again.

Lord Shiva's Favourate Day

After earth's creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phagun, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.

The Story of Chithrabhanu

Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa (India), was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakracame on a visit to the court of the king.

The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had a gift of remembering the incidents of his past birth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter inVaranasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before the new moon, while roaming through forests in search of animals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew he noticed the deer's family and their sadness at its impending death. So he let it live. He had still not caught anything when he was overtaken by nightfall and climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water, so he was both hungry and thirsty. These two torments kept him awake throughout the night, thinking of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.

The next day he returned home and bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own.

At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of GOD Shiva, sent to conduct his soul to the abode of GOD Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by unconscious worship of GOD Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there had been a Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bottom of the tree. The leaves he dropped had fallen on the Lingam, in imitation of its ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteen had washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously had worshiped the GOD. At the conclusion of the tale the King said that he had lived in the abode of the GOD and enjoyed divine bliss for a long time before being reborn as Chitrabhanu. This story is narrated in the Garuda Purana.^[5]

'Sivaratri' means 'night of GOD Siva'. The important features of this religious function are rigid fasting for twentyfour hours and sleepless vigil during the night. Every true devotee of GOD Siva spends the night of Sivaratri in deep meditation, keeps vigil and observes fast.

The worship of GOD Siva consists in offering flowers, Bilva leaves and other gifts on the Linga which is a symbol of Lord Siva, and bathing it with milk,curd,ghee, honey,sugar,coconut water, butter, rose-water, etc.

When creation had been completed, Siva and Parvati had been living on the top of Kailas. Parvati asked: “O venerable GOD, which of the many rituals observed in Thy honour doth please Thee most?” GOD Siva replied: “The thirteenth night of the new moon, Krishna Paksha, in the month of Magha(February–March) is known as Sivaratri, My most favourable Tithi. My devotee gives Me greater happiness by mere fasting than by ceremonial baths, and offerings of flowers, sweets, incense, etc.

Just hear, My Beloved, of an episode which will give you an idea of the glory and power of this ritual, said GOD Shiva to Parvati.

“Once upon a time, there lived in the town of Varanasi a hunter. He was returning from the forest one evening with the game birds he had killed. He felt tired and sat at the foot of a tree to take some rest. He was overpowered by sleep. When he woke up, it was all thick darkness of night. It was the night of Sivaratri but he did not know it, He climbed up the tree, tied his bundle of dead birds to a branch and sat up waiting for the dawn. The tree happened to be My favourite, the Bilva.

“There was a Linga under that tree. He plucked a few leaves dropped them down. The night-dew trickled down from his body. I was highly pleased with involuntary little gifts of the hunter. The day dawned and the hunter returned to his house.

“In course of time, the hunter fell ill and gave up his last breath. The messengers of Yama(lord of Death) arrived at his bedside to carry his soul to Yamlok(abode of Yama). My messengers also went to the spot to take him to My abode. There was a severe fight between Yama’s messengers and My messengers. The former were easily defeated. They reported the matter to their GOD. He presented himself in person at the portals of My abode. Nandi gave him an idea of the sanctity of Sivaratri and the love which I had for the hunter. Yama surrendered the hunter to Me and returned to his abode. Thereafter, Yama has pledged not to touch my devotees without my consent.

“The hunter was able to enter My abode and ward off death by simple fasting and offering of a few Bilva leaves, however involuntary it might be because it was the night of Sivaratri. Such is the solemnity and sacredness associated with the night”.

Parvati was deeply impressed by the speech of GOD Siva on the sanctity and glory of the ritual. She repeated it to Her friends who in their turn passed it on to the ruling princes on earth. Thus was the sanctity of Sivaratri broadcast all over the world.

Rituals of Mahashivarathri

Very early morning, Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, young and old, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship (puja) and hence hope for favours from the God. Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any other holy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajurao). This is a rite of purification, which is an important part of all Hindu festivals. Wearing clean clothing after the holy bath, worshippers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shivalinga. Women and men both offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva. The temple reverberates with the sound of bells and shouts of “Shankerji ki Jai” meaning 'Hail Shiva'. Devotees circulate the lingam three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour milk over it.

According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items:

• Bathing the Shiv Linga with water, milk and honey. Wood, apple or bel leaves are added to, which represents purification of the soul;
• Vermilion paste is applied to the Shiv Linga after bathing it. This represents virtue;
• Offering of fruits, which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires;
• Burning incense, yielding wealth;
• The lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;
• And betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshipers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga). They also represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.^[6]

Wearing a mala (rosary) made from the rudraksha seeds of the rudraksha tree (said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshiping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha seed is mahogany-like color, or could sometimes be black. They might also have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary is used in worship ceremonies or annointations.

Other tradition of Lord Shiva worship

he twelve Jyotirlingas (lingams of light) are sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, and centres for his worship. They are known as Swayambhus, meaning the lingams sprung up by themselves at these locations, and temples were built there afterwards.

Panchakshari Mantra

Shiva, as the god of destroying evil, is the third among the divine trinity of Hindu mythology. The holy mantra consisting of five-syllables: "Na" "Ma" "Shi" "Vaa" "Ya" (Om NamaH Shivaaya) in praise of Lord Shiva is chanted incessantly on special occasions like Shivaratri. His thousands of names, each of which describe His greatness, may also be chanted. Shiva means "auspicious". As Shankara, He is the giver of happiness to all. Nataraja (the king of dancers) is a favourite form adored by dancers and musicians.

Rudrabhisheka

There is a special set of mantras in the Vedas, "Rudra Sukta (Rudri)", which is recited by Bramhan/pundits (priests) while they offer a holy bath to the Shiva-lingam, with the waters of sacred rivers like the Ganges, cow milk, curd (yoghurt), ghee, honey and sugar powder. This ritual, known as "Rudrabhisheka", is an important part of Shiva-puja

Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam |
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat || 

20 Home Remedies Everyone Should Know (Info courtesy The Natures Farmacy)

20 Home Remedies Everyone Should Know: 

1. Having pomegranate’s juice daily is good for heart and useful for people suffering from low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

2. One natural treatment for acidity is chewing a few Basil (tulsi) leaves after a meal. This not just works as an antacid as it helps the body absorb food but also prevents reflux and the formation of ulcers.

3. Sucking a piece of Clove after meal helps in reducing acidity problem.

4. A flake of garlic swallowed with water taken empty stomach daily in the morning can be helpful in solving many stomach & gastric problems.

5. Headache caused by summer heat is cured by consuming watermelon juice. Just one glass a day works wonders…

6. Eating an Apple on an empty stomach in the morning relieves one of migraine pain. This must be done for a few mornings. I have been a migraine patient for past 10 years and this one worked most for me.

7. Open 6 dates and boil in 1/2 liter of milk for 25 minutes over low heat. Drink three cups a day. This is ultimate dry cough remedy.

8. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with equal quantity of ginger juice. The concoction helps to expectorate mucus, providing relief for the common cold, coughs and sore throat.

9. Eat before breakfast half cup of cooked beets if you suffer from chronic constipation or indigestion.
10. Ayurveda cough syrup at home. Peel and chop six medium onions. Put the pieces in a container and add four tablespoons of honey. Cover and leave them in a water bath over low heat for two hours. Strain and take one tablespoon every three hours.

11. Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes and neck for fifteen minutes is very much beneficial for acne and blackheads.

12. A simple remedy for Anemia or iron deficiency - Pound 3-4 soft dates with milk and add a little ghee in it. Eating this mixture will help to prevent Anemia.

13. Home Remedy to Cure Dark Circles- Tomato paste is one of the most effective remedies for dark circles. You can make it easily at home. Take one or two fresh tomatoes, one tablespoon of lemon juice and a pinch of gram flour and turmeric powder. Blend these ingredients nicely until they become a thick paste and apply it very gently around your eyes. Rinse it off gently with clean water after 10 or 20 minutes. Repeating this process twice or thrice every week will make your skin tone around your eyes lighter and will eventually make your dark circles go away completely.

14. Best natural remedy for sore throat is to gargle with turmeric and salt. Mix: ½ cup of warm water ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp powdered turmeric After you gargle, don’t drink or eat anything for at least ½ hr for the salt and turmeric to do their job of killing bacteria. You can repeat this as often as you need throughout the day.

15. A drop garlic juice into your ear helps to relieve the pain of an ear infection.

16. A mixture of baking soda and lemon juice applied underarms will reduce body odor.

17. Add a few fennel seeds in a pot of hot water, and then boil it for five minutes on a low temperature. Strain the solution and then drink it. You can also chew the fresh fennel leafy plants if you can bear the taste. Else you can take a mixture of fennel, cardamom and mint leaves and boil them in water to make a concoction that can help during stomach gas. This is very effective Home Remedy for Gas and Bloating:

18. Lemon is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C on the planet and it also contains nutrients like Vitamin B, riboflavin, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. Lemon juice with warm water can also help eliminate waste in your system and serve as a Liver tonic. Daily intake of lemon water has several health benefits: It keeps your stomach healthy; acts as cure for nausea, heartburn, indigestion, high blood pressure, stress, and depression.

19. When you suffer from a hangover ,a banana milkshake with honey can give you immense relief. Cold milk soothes the stomach lining and bananas with honey build up depleted blood sugar levels.

20. Home Remedies Treatment for Cough - For severe cough, mix tulsi juice with garlic juice and honey. A teaspoon of this mixture is taken once every three hours will treat excessive coughing.

INS Sindhuratna mishap, time for Indian navy to learn from their mistakes

Image courtesy- Wikimedia and the author 

In the maritime world, submarines has a special place of pride being the centennials of maritime security. They are the prowlers who sneak up to the enemy and get the job done before the enemy even realize that they are there. They are the enforcers who lie hidden in the depth of the sea and who pounce upon an unsuspecting enemy and can inflict maximum damage to an enemy fleet, the legendary "U" Boat of the Germans being the best example. 

The history of the Indian navy operating submarine goes long time back and they have successfully ensured that no hostile country were successful in penetrating the Indian sovereign waters. The potency of the submarine was demonstrated in 1971 a fleet of Russian submarines ensured that the mighty American fleet were forced to withdraw rather than help Pakistan at the time of the formation of Bangladesh. India currently operates two major class of submarines, The Kilo class and the German Type-209 class. But in recent times, the navy had to deal with an aging fleet as no new platforms had been inducted into the fleet. The navy's next generation scorpene class subs manufactured with French collaboration is running behind schedule. The next line of subs dubbed P-75i is only on a initial phase. Thus navy has to deal with an aging fleet, that is being reduced in numbers. In no time in history has Indian Navy been tasked with such security scenario with the Chinese navy expanding at a phenomenal rate and expanding into the India domain of influence. But the govt has been tardy in approving speedy construction and induction of new platforms. Thus the navy is severely handicapped in dealing with expanding threats. 

The Indian navy's woes with their fleet does not seem to go away. There was the unfortunate incident of the drowning of the INS Sindhurakshak at the Mumbai docks after a massive explosion in which huge number of brave souls were lost. Then now it's sister ship  INS Sindhuratna has also met with an accident that has been unfortunate in the loss of two lives and scores injured. These are in an a series of incidents involving navy ships being involved in accidents in the recent past. It is time for the navy to take stock and change their approaches and procedures. It is time for the navy to correct any mistakes in their procedures so that such unfortunate incidents can be avoided. One thing, there is no excuse when national security is compromised. National security is supreme and there is nothing above and beyond the same. 

It is time the govt took immediate and urgent steps to correct the depleting submarine fleet. It is time the navy involved the private ship building companies so that greater number of ships can be inducted at a faster pace rather than relying on public sector ship yards who has history of missing deadlines repeatedly. It is time concrete steps is taken so that national security is not allowed to be compromised at any cost

VANDE MATHRAM 

India becomes biggest foreign buyer of US weapons (Info courtesy CNBC)

India imported $1.9 billion of military kit from the U.S. last year, making it the biggest foreign buyer of U.S. weapons, according to research from IHS Jane's.

The U.S., which remained the largest exporter of military equipment, displaced Russia as India's biggest arms supplier. In total, the U.S. exported $25.2 billion of military equipment in 2013, compared with $24.9 billion the previous year...................

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101438440

China cannot get very far with fear strategy | GulfNews.com

Image courtesy- The Diplomat

Not long ago, China was a soft-power juggernaut. Media accounts highlighted Chinese leaders’ thoughtful forays abroad, depicting policymakers that were respectful of others’ opinions, willing to listen, humble to a fault, and reluctant to dispense unsolicited advice. Here was a country that was content to allow its own example of success to speak for itself.





China cannot get very far with fear strategy | GulfNews.com

Five Ways to Make Maritime Strategists ( Info courtesy The Diplomat)

Image courtesy- Wikimedia

So how do you “make” a maritime strategist, an adept handler of nautical affairs? Sea-service chieftains are mulling how to do so, and more power to them. Why now in particular? Because the services are “refreshing,” or updating, the 2007 U.S. Maritime Strategy to keep abreast of today’s realities. It’s become plain that the niftiest strategy in the world is no better than its executors. If you want to oversee the global system of trade and commerce while fending off war — all on a shoestring — you need a deep-thinking cohort of mariners...........

http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/five-ways-to-make-maritime-strategists/

Strategy and the Tyranny of Maxims ( Info courtesy The Diplomat)

Image courtesy- Wikimedia

A coda to our running series on how to mold maritime strategists. Strategic thought is a habit of mind as much as a body of knowledge. Those who reach for the strategic canon reflexively in times of stress stand the best chance of withstanding the seductions of military maxims. That’s important for keeping bureaucratic institutions supple.......

http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/strategy-and-the-tyranny-of-maxims/

20 Clever Inventions You Probably Didn’t Know Were Made By Indians (Info courtesy The Story Pick)

Indian inventions and discoveries have been instrumental in shaping the face of the current modern world. We picked up 20 such interesting findings out of a whole bunch that will make you say, “I didn’t know that”..........

http://www.storypick.com/20-clever-inventions-probably-didnt-know-made-indians/

HEALTH TIPS- DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH ( MUST READ) (INFO COURTESY THE NATURES FARMACY)

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute

3.. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily..

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.
It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.
Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks:

• Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting,
• Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
• You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
• Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
• 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
• Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.

A U.S.-China Summit Diplomacy Rivalry ( Info courtesy The Diplomat)

Image courtesy- Reuters/Thomas Mokuya

To date, U.S. diplomacy has not extended to high-level summits to manage state-to-state relations with countries on the African continent. That is in stark contrast to the approach China has been taken, with its triennial Forum on China-African Cooperation (FOCAC). Now, however, the situation looks ready to change, as President Barack Obama prepares to host the leaders of 47 African countries at a landmark summit, the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, in Washington, D.C. on August 5 and 6 this year....

http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/a-u-s-china-summit-diplomacy-rivalry/

Beijing Wants Answers For Pakistan's Security Questions ( Info courtesy The Diplomat)

Image Courtesy-The Pakistan Today

China and Pakistan issued a joint statement Wednesday after Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. As expected, there was a heavy focus on the economic aspect of China-Pakistan relations, especially on the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Early reports of pending deals to construct the Gwadar International airport and to upgrade the Karakorum highway between Pakistan and China were confirmed with the official signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), according to China Daily.............

http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/beijing-wants-answers-for-pakistans-security-questions/

General Elections-2014, A audit of strategic, defence and foreign affairs for the last 10 years

It is general elections again and it is time to take stock of how much we achieved in the last 10 years and what more ought to be done. Have the government achieved or have they done their job correctly or have they been an utter failure? Let us analyse-

India is situated in a dangerous and volatile region of the globe. In the west, we have a neighbour who is sinking to civil war and anarchy but which also posses nuclear fangs which really makes that country unpredictable. On the east we are confronted with a larger neighbour who with decades of stable economic growth has now engaged in rapid development of defence but who is anything but aggressive to their neighbours. India has long running territorial dispute with both the countries and had also fought many wars with these countries. Further they both in their own right had been aiding and abetting non state players with the intention to destabilize us because it is in their special interest to see a weak India. Under the circumstance, it is time for us to access as to how much we have worked on making our armed forces stronger and making our country secure. 

For India, the economic growth had anything but stable. Coupled with economic slowdown and a tardy economic recovery measures by the government coupled with high inflation and the weakness of our currency, the economic situation is grim. What aggravates the vows is the fact that the Government seems to have lost a strategic vision of development of the national defences and foreign policy. In the last year or so, China has continuously shocked the world with steady development of cutting edge technology. Be it combat aircrafts or for that matter any other weapon systems, China has definitely stolen the show over India. China now has two 5'th generation planes flying, they being J-20 and J-31 respectively. At the same time, India's own project of an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) still languishes in the drawing boards. Also the Indian joint collaburation Russia for the development of the 5'th gen FGFA aircraft is also lagging behind by years. Adding insult to injury is the fact that India is just now rolling out and completing it's first fourth gen aircraft, The Tejas  while for many countries , they are retiring their forth gen aircrafts. In the same way, many projects of weapons development are running late by years with still no sign of being completed. 

                                                    

IAF is also copping with falling squadron strength which now hovers around 33 squadrons which is volley inadequate for India's strategic necessaries. India in times to come will have to deal with a two front war. The IAF had been candid in their admission that they are not equipped to deal with such a scenario. The induction of Rafale aircraft which ought to have acted as a mid gap measure are also running late with the govt even not interested in completing the deal and that too at a time when China  are inducting large numbers of aircrafts to their inventory.

The story is not different for the navy and the army. The navy is seriously copping with steep fall of their submarine arm. The government had been dragging their feet in the approval of many projects for the development of indigenous combatants which is having a negative toll on the preparedness of the armed forces. 

China is increasing it's defence posture with raking up territorial disputes with huge number of countries. India is no exemption with many reported cases of China's incursions deep inside Indian territory with no assemetic counter responce from us. Summing up, it has to be surmised that the government has been a total failure in taking steps to beef our defences and be aggressive in protecting our claim over hostile neighbours. It is time for us to take urgent steps to correct the anomaly and build a credible defence, foreign and strategic policy that will be in toe with India's emergence as a first rate world power capable of protecting our interests and projecting our power where ever it may so be necessary. It is time for India to select a leadership who are strong and capable of protecting and securing our interests thus making us one of the shinning lights in galaxy of nations in years to come

VANTE MATHRAM 

Shakuna Vimana (Part-1) ( Info courtesy The Ancient Indian UFO)

Pic courtesy- The Ancient Indian UFO

Shakuna Vimana  (Part-1)

Viman Shastra - Written by Sage Maharshi Bharadwaaja 

Chapter 6, Segment 15, Page 90-93 :

The parts of shakuna vimaana are:

Peetha or floor board; hollow mast; three wheeled keelakas with holes; 4 heaters, air-suction pipes, water jacket, oil tank, air heater, chhullee or heater, steam boiler, vidyud-yantra or electric generator, air propelling yantra, vaatapaa yantra or air-suction pipe, dikpradarsha dhwaja or direction indicating banner, shakuna yantra, two wings, tail portion for helping vimaana to rise, owshmyaka yantra or engine, kiranaakarshana math or sun-ray attracting bead. These 28 are parts of Shakuna vimaana.

The construction of this vimaana:

The floor-board or base should be made of levelled Rajaloha sheet, shaped quadrangular, circular, or cradle shaped. The weight of the peetha should be one-hundredth of that of the plane, and its width should be half the height of the vimaana. In the centre of the peetha the hollow mast should be fixed with screw joints.

This vimaana is named SHAKUNA VIMAANA.

Chapter 6, Segment 15, Page 90-93 : (Part - 1 http://is.gd/ShakunaAIUFO

 

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"Shakunaadyaah Panchavimshat Kritakaah." Sootra 4.

In English - "Shakuna and other 25 types of Vimaanas are Kritakaah."

Bodhaananda Vritti Says :

In shape and movements there is no difference in the vimaanas, except in the matter of the use of mantraas and tantraas. The kritaka or artificial vimaanas are of 25 varieties.

Shownaka sootra Says :

"Tishyay kritaka bhedaah panchavigamshatih! teshaam naamaanyanukramishyaamah: shakuna sundararukma mandala vakratunda bhadraka ruchaka vyraaja bhaaskara gajaavarta powshkala virinchi nandaka kumuda mandara hamsa shukaasya somaka krownchaka padmaka symhika panchabaana owryaayana pushkara kodandaa iti."

In English - In Kaliyuga, the kritaka or artificial vimaanas are said to be 25. Their names are given below as indicated by sage Gowtama: shakuna, sundara, rukmaka, mandala, vakratunda, bhadraka, ruchaka, viraajaka, bhaaskara, gajaavarta, powshkala, viranchika, nandaka, kumuda, mandara, hamsa, shukaasya, sowmyaka, krownchaka, padmaka, symhika, panchabaana, owryaayana, pushkara, and kodanda.

Maharshi Bharadwaaja Says :

"Raaja-lohaadeteshaam Aakaara Rachanaa." Sootra 5.

In English - "These should be built out of Raajaloha."

Bodhaananda Vritti Says :

These 25 kinds of vimaanas are to be made of Raajaloha metal only.  

Kriyaasaara Says :

In manufacturing artificial aeroplanes the best of metals are those known as Ooshmapaa or heat-imbibing or heat resisting metals. Out of them the variety known as Raajaloha or king of metals is most suited to Shakuna and other vimaanas.

Maharshi Bharadwaaja Says :

Three kinds of metals, soma, soundaala, and maardweeka, in the proportion of 3, 8, and 2, adding borax, to be filled in crucible or smelter, and placed in furnace, and heated to 272 degrees, and melted thoroughly, and churned, will result in the alloy Raajaloha.

Vishwambhara Says :

"In the science of metals, for the manufacture of Vimanas, 16 types of Ooshmapaa or heat-sucking lohas or metals are the very best. The fourth in that series, is called Raajaloha. Out of that alone should Shakuna Vimaana be constructed."

1. The Peetha (Floor Board)

The height of the peetha should be 80 feet. It should be 56 feet in length and breadth, 70 feet high on the north and south sides. The tip should be three-cornered. This is for shakuna vimaana.

2. Naalastambha or (Hollow Mast)

At the bottom the mast should be of 35 feet diameter outside, and 30 feet inside. At the middle the mast should be of 25 feet diameter outside and 20 feet inside. Higher up it should be of 20 feet diameter outside and 15 feet diameter inside; The height of the mast should be 80 feet. It should be made of Raajaloha. In order to fix the mast in the peetha screw joint should be made. And in order to adjust the air-speed as required, 6 wheels should be inserted inside the mast.

3. The Wheels

Inside the mast at the height of 4 feet above the peetha, three wheels should be provided, of 15½ feet diameter, with holes. The wheels above and below should be fixed with bolts, and unmoving. In order to revolve the middle wheel keys should be fixed outside on the mast, As there are holes in the wheels, as two wheels do not move, and as the middle wheel revolves in a group with the other two wheels, movement of air is, allowed or stopped by the turning of the key outside. Similarly at the height of 44 feet above the peetha three wheels corresponding to those below should be fixed and operated similarly.

4. Window dome:

The window dome should be of 15½ feet outside circumference. Its inside should be five feet wide and it should be 2 feet high. It should be fixed on the top of the mast.

5. Sun-crystal:

A sun crystal 7 feet round, and 2 feet wide and 2 feet in height should be fixed so as to crown the window dome. 10 feet above the bottom peetha, on a floor-board 3 inches thick, three floors or tiers should be built, each 14 feet high, with 3 inch floor-boards, the upper two floors being supported by pillars fixed at 10 feet intervals with screw joints and strong bolts. In the four corners 4 heating yantras should be fixed, 10 feet in circumference and 8 feet high. On the ground floor along the supporting pillars accommodation for passengers should be provided in the form of individual boxes. 

On the second floor booths should be constructed to accommodate the anga-yantras, or the various mechanisms recommended for the safety of the vimaana. It should be 60 feet wide and 14 feet high with 3 inch thick ceiling board. The third floor should be 40 feet wide and 14 feet high. The partitioning boxes for passengers as well as the booths of the various machines should be divided off by railings starting from the hollow mast to the side walls in all the four directions. 

Beneath the ground-floor board a 7 feet high cellar should be constructed. In it the several necessary yantras should be located. In the centre is the foot of the hollow mast. On the four directions from it 4 air pumping machines should be fixed. In order to stimulate them 4 steam engines also should be installed. 

On the two sides of the vimaana two air expelling machines, and an air heater machine, and 2 machines to keep the heater supplied with air from outside, should be erected. In order to enable the wings on either side to spread and flap, proper hinges and keys should be provided for, safely fixing them to the sides of the vimaana, and for enabling them to fold and open easily. 

The revolving tractor blades in the front should be duly fixed to the heating engine with rods so that they could dispel the wind in front and facilitate the passage of the vimaana. The wings are two, one on each side, very strongly fixed to the vimaana with bolts and hinges. Each wing should be fixed in a 11 foot scabbard up to 20 feet length, where it would be 10 feet wide, widening further up to 40 feet at the end of its 60 feet length, besides its. first 20 feet of scabbard length. The tail should be 20 feet long, and 3½ feet wide at the start, and 20 feet wide at the end.

6. The Air Blower and Heater

The length of the air-blower should be 15 feet, and width 3 feet. The naalaas or pipes should be 3 feet wide, and their outer circumference should be 4 feet. The rods and hinges and other equipment should be suitably prepared. 

The vaatapaa yantra or air blower should be 12 feet long and 9½ feet wide. Inside it should be covered with circling wires. A pipe should be fixed inside, for air flow. By the hot oil fumes from the heated tank, the air becomes heated and should be passed into the owshmya yantra or heater, while the cold air from outside should also be let in. Tubes and fixings should be provided in the yantra. In order to emit the fumes of the oil flames to the outside, a 6 inches pipe should be fixed from the yantra to the foot of the mast. 

Air blowers should be installed with 10 feet wheels to pump in fresh cold air from outside. To the east of the air machine should be placed a light burner in order to aid combustion of the oil. An electric generator provided with switches should light the burner. When the light is off the oil should be kept duly sealed. A rope should be tied to the tail joint, for the pilot to manipulate the fluttering of the tail to help the ascent or descent of the vimaana. 

Similarly ropes should be tied to the hinges of the two wings, and passed to the pilot like reins, so that he might spread them out or close them as needed. Ten feet beneath the passenger floor of the vimaana, to a height of 2½ feet from the bottom plate there should be a cellar-like enclosure. The bottom of the vaatanaala mast should be fixed in its centre with firm screw joints. In this cellar should be located two oil tanks 15 feet by 9½ feet by 4 feet, with water jackets. Four bellows of 15 feet by 2½ feet by 6½ feet, should be provided for storing the air pumped in by the air-blowers, and letting it out as required.

And underneath, on all the four sides wheels of 7 feet circumference should be fixed for the movement of the vimaana on the ground.

To be Continued...........................