REFRACTIVE POLITICS IN INDIA

 

REFRACTIVE POLITICS IN INDIA 

Perhaps, no other term can be coined to describe the dualities and deflections in the approaches and treatment of matters of national concern by the Political leadership of India, perhaps applicable to few other political systems across the globe. The terms and tunes bend, modify and get deflected along the angle as it emerges through different strata of the population which serve as the medium. The political system thus tends to lose the straightforward approach, boldness and the inherent strength to take decisions as the ‘State’.  The dialogues become devoid of core content and theme. Minorities of India form the thicker medium and the majority Hindus divided into castes and sects become the rarer medium. The leaders stand out in the infinite space; through the complexities of the medium, they look like Charismatic Stars.

Out of the seventy-five years passed by,  the first fifteen years could have been the most effective time in stabilising the borders, creating infrastructure, policies and schemes for industrial and agricultural growth, restructuring education, establishing R&D Centres in tune with political philosophy of economic structuring. In short, the formative years would have defined the people of the country and their outlook, perceptions, societal standards, quality of life, health and overall public order.   In the next sixty years, the population of the country would have been central to the national and state planning, with each and every one disposed of with their due share of life and responsibilities. The questions of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, backwardness, extremist political and religious ideologies and fundamentalist ideals would not have found its place and would not have cost the state exchequer.  The failures to hold the state in the process of pleasing and appeasing various segments of the population and the reciprocal pleasing of the political leadership for favours and gains can be collectively tapered to define the refractive Political diplomacy. The State becomes a non-existent entity in the mindset of the people, they belong to their religion, class, clan and their genius. The political stability of the country is misconstrued as the stability of centralised political party led Governments. The non-committal electoral system and the constitutional provisions for forming political parties and RPA 29 A without any commitment to the objectives of providing stable government has led to the chaotic state of politics.  Constitution that guarantees the right to vote, adult franchise and   adhering to the ideological stand and alliances, do not prohibit post-election alliances and mergers to form a government.  Any political party with the largest number of elected representatives should be able to form a stable government. India needs a Law Prohibiting defection after elections, limiting or permitting from the date of announcement to the last date of filing nominations. Mandate of the citizen cannot be left to the will and mercy of the elected representatives. The principle of adult franchise gets defeated, as the vote is cast to empower the representative in lieu of the voter in the respective law-making house. 

The full mandate covers power to make laws on the land and legitimate rights of the voters in all the states, except in Nagaland. In Nagaland, the power to regulate the land and its resources is held back by the land owners.

The impairments and lacunae in the conceptual framework of the political configuration of India has created a state subjective to minority interests.  In the process the State itself became devoid of political cohesiveness, The architects of India did everything possible at their hand to cover up and insulate the reality of religious partition. The Muslims of British India were given a separate Dominion. The status of the constituent assembly was not reverted after the theocentric separation. How can a Political party in India assert that Pakistan was created only for the Muslims living within the boundaries of that country in the eastern and the western part? If so, the condition of the British government on the inclusion of Muslims in the constitution would have naturally become void with the partition, whereas it did not happen so.  It led to communal divide, and within the next 16 years, northern parts of India became insecure with nearly five hundred communal riots. New Delhi was unaware of the massacres in Mirpur and Bimber? The inhuman atrocities by raiders and Pakistani Army regulars in Baramulla?

 The leadership constructed a fluid state by politically dividing the Hindus and segregating those who stood united stamped as fundamentalist Hindus. The conflict within the Hindu community was engineered to widen the gap between different sects and castes.  The impact of  a biased neutrality and secularism took its toll and the result is that, a sect of Hindus themselves stand against the Hindus forming another deflection in the Refractive Political Diplomacy.  Today, the Narendra Modi led Government faces certain difficulties in addressing the conflict on a strong platform. 

No other non-Congress Prime Ministers of India had the rare privilege of becoming the worst hostile enemy of the entire opposition. He is painted red in Saffron colours, every word of him is treated as a Harpoon flung on the Congress leadership. Enmity to Narendra Modi has crossed the boundaries of political dimensions and is now slowly starting to disfigure the ‘State’. 

The Prime Minister’s visit to Israel hours before the bombardment of Iran, again have been read along the lines of prejudices of political vendetta discarding the State.   It is a pointer that reinforces the impairment of strategic analytical processes within the Congress party.  It seemingly has became a playground of constraints in political vision let open to the limited vision and voice of a few leaders, who themselves had brought the party to the abyssal depths. 

There seems to be no reprieve. Logical basis of strong political debates became marred down and capsized in the parliament and outside. 

The timing of the Prime Minister's visit to Israel amidst mounting tactical pressures on Iran. Indirect negotiations between US and Iran were not yielding any result.  India in the hands of Narendra Modi do not seem to be a silent regime sitting back, gazing at the skies on the sheer helplessness sinking in political weakness.  India had not declared Hamas as a terror outfit. Part of the politics in the opposition plays the card of genocide in Gaza, and had acted against the interests of the State. The Indira Gandhi regime had recognised PLO, the first step taken by a non-Arab country. Yasar Arafat was a regular at No.1 Safdarjung Road.  Sister of Yasar Arafat, had even turned NAM summit in Delhi to assert her commitment to Palestine.  The alignment continued and its extent drew a colour when the Chief Minister of Kerala was adored in Keffiyeh in the 24^th CPI M party Congress. 

New Delhi went silent. But eyes were not closed on the hands behind the narrative of    “Dance and Sang" of 2017 episode.

Refractive Politics cropped up in the regional dynamics has cost India beyond speculations.  The manner in which Bangladesh was created and transferred to the new Political leadership has led to several pitfalls in the domestic and international affairs of India. The military operations of India in East Pakistan failed to identify the Pro West Pakistan military officials and to act appropriately. In the same way, India did not look into the hard-core religious institutions and militia. When Mukti Bahini was in line with the Indian Army, Pakistan had raised and supported Al Shams Mujahid Bahini. Jamaat e Islami was their front-line hardcore outfit Al Badr was actively supporting Pakistan Military, India totally ignored the role of Urdu speaking Bihari Muslims. New Delhi did not heed to the advice of Bangladeshi intellectuals to look into these aspects. The military mindset of the retired officials and the senior ranks continued the nexus with Jamaat e Islami and the frontal bodies. The deep-rooted training and the mindset infused on anti-India attitude and India as a threat of its existence continued to be carried on to the new incumbents.  The Military coup of Zia ul Haq drew strength to create theocentric line in the madrasa educated personnel among the new recruits as well.  The two frontiers created by the Indian regime and the disfiguration of demographic structure of the country gave space for the narratives of partitions. Jugular Vein theory from the west and the Seven Sisters claim from the east was bringing Jinnah back to life.  The campaign that the Muslims are not safe in India took the violent form during the time of the Citizens Amendment Bill and after the partition. Tablighi and Barelvi schools, like Jamaat e Islami do not have borders between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Formation of IMCTC – the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition resulted from the theocentric military doctrine of Pakistan with Saudi Arabia. It was to serve as a strong sectarian power that Pakistan could mobilise to capitalise the nuclear ambitions of the Muslim world.  Iran, Iraq and Syria and other Shia controlled Islamic countries were not included in the alignment. Bangladesh became close to Pakistan and indirectly supported IMCTC.

It has to be read in conjunction with the religious military of Pakistan joining hands with the  Neo-Ottoman regime of Erdogan in Türkiye.  It is assessed that Pakistan has procured defence supplies worth 1.8 lac crores, which included a large stockpile of drones and components. Months before Operation Sindhoor, Erdogan had offered joint manufacture of KAAN fighter aircrafts in Pakistan. Upgrading the weapon systems of Submarines and attack helicopters are in the cards of Pakistan Türkiye Cooperation. With military exchanges with countries outside the Organisation of Islamic Countries, Pakistan Army is making all efforts to be the guardian Islamic Army. 

What prompted Iran to attack twelve Islamic countries in the pretext of harbouring US forces is to create a distrust of the Pakistan Army. Iran can survive as a Shia Muslim nation only if the Islamic Army concept is dismantled. Not even a single Arab or Islamic country could counter attack Iran. Practically, Iran has left no third country in the Arab Region to mediate for US.

It was necessary for US to create a political confusion within India on west Asian crisis. The Iranian Ships or assets within the Indian territory cannot be attacked, It sounded as if the US was waiting for the Iran Naval Ship to enter the international waters after leaving the Indian shore to attack. Insensible Indian media and the anti-Hindu religious divide in the Political parties were expected to raise questions on the BJP led regime of New Delhi. 

 The situations demand that India may have to look a little more back towards the Indo-Iranian Relationships along the plane of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.as well as that of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .  During the days of Shah, Iran moved close to Pakistan to create a strong Islamic line up against the threats posed by  Gamal Abdel Nasser. Marital relationship  of Pahlavis with the  Royal families Egypt failed and Nasser was against orthodoxy. Shah took sides with Pakistan to counter Naser and to create a non-Arab block of Islamic countries. Shah also fell under the influence of the adverse campaign against India that was unleashed by Pakistan. The Main objective of Pakistan was to get the support of Islamic countries for their revanchist designs in Kashmir and the disputed areas.

In 1955, Pakistan joined the Central Treaty Organisation along the side of Iran with the objective of getting into a larger forum for military support. Baghdad Pact was seen as a platform for a larger support base for Pakistan in the international Platforms against India in the Kashmir issue.  After the Baghdad Pact, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his wife spent a few weeks in India, Unlike the  Friendship treaty he made with Pakistan during his maiden visit to Pakistan nearly five years back,  there was no such understanding of the scale with India. The only message he conveyed was Iran -Hindi Bhai Bhai.  On 15^th of March 1950, India had established diplomatic relations with Iran when  Pahlavi was in Pakistan. India could not develop any political relations with Iran, other than the trade relations.

By the turn of 1960s, the US policies to the Middle East were on a new alignment to limit the influence of the Soviet Union in the region. The Indian Ocean attained much focus in the US Policies. The President of the United States Eisenhower in December 1953 had advocated the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.  The “Atoms for Peace” Programme found a way to Iran, as both the countries came together on several fronts.   The agreement with Iran, made in 1957 was for the Cooperation concerning civil uses of atomic energy. In 1959, Tehran Nuclear research Centre was established. After a series of negotiations, in 1967, the Tehran Nuclear research centre was provided with a small nuclear reactor along with Highly enriched Uranium.  The plant was ideal enough to produce over 0 .6 kg of plutonium

In between, the Agreement of Regional Cooperation for Development of 1964 was a major step towards strengthening the tripartite relation between Iran, Turkey and Pakistan. Simultaneously Shah developed keen interest in technical and economic cooperation with India. With the new cooperation agreement between the Soviets and India, Iran took no time to step in.  By the 1970s A new frontier of cooperation emerged and that totally pushed Pakistan out. But Teheran strongly supported Pakistan in the 1971 war, Despite the mounting pressures Iran refused to activate CENTO for military support to Pakistan.  Earlier, in mid-1969, the Joint Indo-Iran Commission for Economic Trade and Technical Cooperation was formed. Further in 1983 a Joint commission was formed for a larger economic cooperation. In 1971 war  also, Shah strongly backed Pakistan.

After the Islamic Revolution,  Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani  looked towards India with a difference. Bilateral relations strengthened during the Prime Ministership of Atal Behari Vajpayee with the Tehran and  New Delhi declarations. After a decade, during the visit of Narendra Modi to Tehran, the trilateral trade agreements and on movement brought Teheran and Afghanistan together for a joint cooperation.

Despite a series of MoUs and trade Agreements, Iran always supported Pakistan in all the matters relating to Kashmir, which was well pronounced during the Operation Sindoor. The only time neutrality was maintained while Iran was chairing the OIC.  Through Pakistan, Iran wanted to maintain a non-diplomatic channel with the United States. Pakistan was to insulate Tehran from the US policy of economic and political isolation.  With Saudi Arabia developing closer ties with the US, Pakistan tried to draw larger gains in the economic fronts.  The sectarian differences between the majority Sunnis and the Shia minority in Pakistan was not liked by Iran.   In turn, Iran gave support to Institutions of Shias and the Baluchis.  Saudi Arabia strongly supported the Sunni religious groups led to the mushroom growth of extremist groups, turning against India. The US and Iran were once partners in funding Mujahideen groups to fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. The Baloch minorities in Iran became united and formed Jundullah in 2003. 

Indian secularism lies entrapped in the religious renaissance of Islam promoted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The religious and educational institutions in India funded by the kingdom led to an unparalleled growth in Salafism. Recent statement of the Pakistan Military Chief Asim Munir, that led to the religious executions of Hindu men at Pahalgam was a message for India.  It was an open call to Sunni Muslims of the Country to fall in the order of Wahabi fisabilillah, and the return of Jahiliya.  The Constituency of the Prime Minister, Varanasi houses one of the central institutions funded by Saudi Arabia. Al-Jamia-tus-Salafia - the Markazi Darul-Uloom was founded in 1963 by Yusuf Al Fauzan, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to India.  In Keralam, Nadvathul Mujahideen and in Karnataka, Shimoga based institutions and in Kashmir Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith are the other major beneficiaries.  Political Parties with radical ideology that took shape in Indonesia as Political Defenders of Islam in the style of Front Pembela Islam -FPI, an anagram of the same was transplanted in India.   The Government of India has difficulties in dealing with the situations after Secularism, the basic structure of the Constitution was enforced through a judicial directive.

 Indian Political parties continued their policies overlooking the undercurrents of demographic instability created through religious institutions.  Every Hindu establishment came under the cloud of some or the other allegations or economic offences. The refractive politics made India to evade the Zoroastrian community of Iran. After the religious revolution Zoroastrians had come under severe pressure and stress. When the opposition Parties voice the concerns of the historical relations, they also tend to forget the relationship of Zoroastrian community and India. After the Islamic revolution, New Delhi had a sizable number of Zoroastrians who refused to identify themselves as Iranians, but were proud Persians. It does not essentially mean that they were free and were well treated during the period of Qajar dynasty. They were confined to Yazd and Kerman provinces till 19^th century. Hardly a few had dared to settle down in Tehran.  It was Arbab Jamshidi who made a sea change in the Persian and Iranian Politics, trade and international relations. He established trade relations with the Parsi community of the then Bombay, the present-day Maharashtra and Gujarat. A temple of Zoroastrians was also erected in Tehran. Most significantly, he established a school for the girls in Tehran. Zoroastrian community strongly supported the Constitutional Revolution of Persia between 1905 and 1911.  Though much has been said about the imperialist Russian British interventions, Malek al Motakallemin was the key figure. He was in India from 1884 to ’86. However, his book Mena’ ḵalq ela l ḥaq on the ideological Shiite Islam was not acceptable to the Ismailis of India and the British Government deported him.

All India Congress Committee support group in London strongly supported the Constitutional Movement of Persia. Shyamji Krishna Varma was instrumental in gathering large groups of Indian students in support of the Persian movement. Indian nationalists, however, seem to have overlooked the Anglo Russian Convention and Edward Grey plan of dividing Persia into three.  In the same convention the boundary between Russian and British Empires was drawn, that gave complete authority of Tibet to China. It can be said that the Persian plan of Greys laid the foundations of British Policy to divide India also into three.  

Before the Government of India, takes a political stand on   multipolar conflict in the Western Front, much more exercises had to be done in the domestic and international front.  It cannot be let open for electoral politics or Parliamentary debates refractory Politics  has to be extinguished by all means.

 

INSTITUTIONAL INTENTION:

 

Institutional Intention:

Galgotias University in the explanation on the situations cropped out of a disputable technological display, mentioned on their “Institutional Intention”. It cannot be taken as an inadvertent natural manner of expression, instead depicts the core sets of the philosophical basis of the University.  More than an explanation, the timing used to apply such a phrasing indeed raises a question on the entire   Institutionalism in the education system of the country. In another way, it raises a question on the entire governmental structure and policy approaches in the education and technology development in the country.

Visibly, the personnel of the Galgotias University who explained the controversial display was not giving details out of her own knowledge or working experience on the Project. She was addressing the camera in the language of a preconceived written material, that probably would have been in tally with the description of the item given to the Organizers of the event and description of the item in the booklets for the visitors. The sudden jump into conclusions and actions led to loss of material construction on the course of the events, including why a government recognized institution entered into such a misadventure, or,  is it a calculated cake walk for a show piece and technological expertise of the faculty or a fabrication crystallized   in the limited faculties of some student or teacher? Or is it a well calculated collective decision on such a venture by the management of the University? Who gave clearances from the university for the article and the description? Equally important is the question on the conventions adopted by the Organizers of the AI Summit who gave clearance for the ‘Exhibits’ ?

What has come to the fore before a vast international audience is the audacity of the faculties of the university and the organizers. The trust deposed on the Indian Institutions and development centres cannot be drawn to infirmities in original thinking with such an incident. India, not limiting the glorious and outstanding graduates from Engineering and other science and technological disciplines would be rolling out not less than a few thousand innovative brains, who land up as mere workforce in some PSUs, Manufacturing segments or even get strayed into lucrative other professions. There may be few brilliant ones who dropped out of the monotony of the academic system and lost in the crowd. But who cares?

In between looms the aspirations and high ambitions of the managements and Faculty leaders of the Institutes who may leap over any norms to prove the excellence and the investments they have lured into their centres. The Pressure mounted on the students and faculties lead to disasters of the kind reflected in the February AI Summit.  If it was so, Idia would never have achieved self reliance in Chemical technology. The country remains indebted to the calibre and high quality of technical expertise created by the Faculty of the University Department of Chemical Technology created in 1933- set into motion by two stalwarts -Sir Visweswaraya and KM Munshi.  The linkage of technical education  to industrial production stemmed from the vision of VN Chandravarkar, the then Vice Chancellor of the Bombay University. If the beginners of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research had not set a the cardinal foundations of Ethics in Nuclear applications, the country would have been different. They had to first make gadgets and tools for experimentation as the country dis not have much investments or keen interest in innovative Research.  The beginning of Computational Research in the 1960s and Physical research were all carried out under the stress of financial constraints and the limited technological expertise. The state or the political governments cannot take much claim on the vision behind these massive structures that stand tall today.

 Yet, the question of ethical practices and the Institutional Intent” need to be looked into with a deeper perspective. How serious are Research Establishments, Universities and their regulatory mechanisms in the government on the Institutional Intent and Ethics of technological education and research. The country seems to have turned its face away from the voluminous malpractices in this segment in which both the Government owned and Private institutions are equal contributors. The retraction of research papers by the Scientific and Academic Personnel are a regular feature. Recently reports on the retraction 43 papers by a former CSIR Scientist were reported. After retirement, the same scientist through successive extensions continues as an industry sponsored scientist- a strong signal enough for the Government to employ a rigid regulatory mechanism to stream line the Emeritus Professors under the Research Development and Innovation Schemes.

Publications by the Universities of India is a booming sector. By the turn of the century, the number of published papers were little over a quarter lakh, in the first decade a steady progress was made reaching the count little less than a lac and then by the period between 2010 to 2020 the figures cross 3 lac publications. Between 2020 and 2025, the tabulation may seem difficult somewhat over 16 lac papers!

There has to be some restraint and regulation on the nature of publications as it will affect the reliability of High Impact Researches of the country. Retraction of research papers from the International Journals will raise questions on the overall credibility of the R&D Sector. Duplication of Data, unreliable Data, Euphemisms, Duplication, falsification and Fabrication of Images, errors in data analysis and interpretations, issues about authorship, doubtful inferences and results are some of the concerns which the Government of India has to take note of and find effective remedial measures. It is happening elsewhere is not an excuse or an acceptable tender. Research Articles numbering 161 from a university and its affiliates were reported to have been retracted between 2019 t0 2024. Galgotias University also figures in the list of papers retracted, those authored by the IT faculties or coauthored with other universities in India and abroad.

 

India is a country of ambitions thrown open to the rest of the world. Indian ambitions plunge deep into every technological arena to create a wider space for the highly qualified technical faculties that grow year by year.  Though the Education is a part of the planning in India, in 1976, the subject was transferred from state list to the concurrent list and holds some Institutions of National Importance in the Union List which among others include Inian Institutes of Technology, Information Technology, Engineering Science and technology, Science Education and Research and a few central Universities.  Some of the Institutes are under the Department of Science and Technology and administered by the state Governments.  Private Engineering colleges fall under the directives and regulations of AICTE and UGC would step in to deemed Universities. Accreditation Boards have another role to play.  All these are matters pertaining to regulation and operationalization of Engineering Education in the Country.

The present question of “Institutional Intent” does not find any erroneous interludes in the whole operational process of Institutional Operationalization of Engineering Education. The “Intent” is a question that has to be in tune with the Intent of the  Department of Science and Technology. The Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology certainly would be a milestone in transforming our Technical Institutions in hubs of Innovative and applicational initiatives. However, our Technocrats are from the same classic school of thought, who received PhDs and DScs following the line of research of the Guides and head of the Departments. It is quite natural that every Programme that is devised by these lineages will have its own drawbacks, who will leave ample space for rusted and mundane faculties to stick on to chairs. The reason for all these failures, is the Political system of the country, that takes least time and care to understand the realities of scientific research and Development. Following the FIST , Anusandhan National Research Foundation was created in 2023.

Again, would it be proper to say that India delves on the mistaken identity between Engineering advancement, Process Development and Technological Development with that of innovative Research and Technological Development? India has achieved substantial Technological advancement and growth. However, the growth and expansion cannot be linked to innovative developments in nascent technologies and their applications. Most of the research’s confine to adaptations, modifications, improvements or parallel operational mechanisms. It would cover a wide range of intermediary design and devising which draws a phenomenal volume of patents. 

The state of R&D in the country is narrowed down by the narratives that are enough to blink the eyes of the political leadership depending on the same mouths for their briefings. Advisories are the adversaries. Not even a single person have seen the fag end of the day, who have questioned the credibility of these big bluffs who have scores and scores and publications to their credit. The ill fate is that the same data is explained under different heads and slight modification and finds space even in the international publications.

Nothing more needs to be said. What happened in such a programme of National importance in the international stage cannot be explained due to oversight or due to misrepresentation of facts. It is time for our political leadership to draw a line between Academic Research and applicational research for the manufacturing sector.  What has to be done at a doctoral level cannot be thrown open to undergraduate courses. Faculty advancement and improvement do not mean process development. It requires a Philosophy, concept, objective, Utility, space for application and commercial requirement and value, gaps in the existing technological knowhow, design, components and structuring and modelling to begin with.

It is true that students develop brilliant ideas and they may not have the right methodology to develop those into a workable reality. That is where the faculties need to take up matters along the right direction.  Most university departments have a line of approach that is well set by the concerned head of the Departments and the institutions as such. It would be very difficult for any student with an innovative idea to find a space in the Indian situations. Some of the Professors on new posting to the universities used to take along with them their PhD scholars. The same is the case of our Research laboratories, During the Tenure of each of the Director General, a major shift in the themes would not be incidental. So is the case with the Directors down to each departmental head. The sickness of the Indian R&D sector remains unanswered. On paper the presentations are beautiful and the appear great.

But did any Prime Minister of the Country raise a question on why India could not be a forerunner in Frontier Technology development?

A look into the revenue generated from R&D segment will be self-explanatory.

A look into the revenue generated from R&D segment will be self-explanatory.  From the Financial Year 2000-’01 to 2004-’05, the Government of India had revenue from R& D segment 921, 736,696,839 and 4068 crores. From 2004 ’05 to 2006-’07 it came down suddenly 104.96, 117.34 and 111.9 crores where as from 2011 –’12 to 2015 16 realization seemed better , 669.75, 725,57, 632,92, 703.22, 8423,38 and revised estimate of 2015-16 was around 930.4 crores. The receipts from R&D showed better prospects in 2022-23 at 3554.84 cr.  Estimates for 2024-25 and 2025 -26 stood at 1272.43 and 2046.27 respectively.

During the 2021 period the production linked Incentive Scheme was introduced and till December 2025, the Government had disbursed 28,748 crores for core sectors. 

Sustainability of the manufacturing segment is the key component of a stable economy in a self-reliant country. Technological self-reliance is the key to economic stability and market strength. The biggest contributor in the and player in the niche carved out by the government for the R&D sector is a well-supported manufacturing segment for global competitiveness. However, the figures of the revenue from the R&D sector do not prove such a vibrant economy. It can be seen from the present budget demands from the R&D governing establishment, the Department of Science and Technology.  It raises the eyebrows a little when the Research and Development is estimated at 48.41 cr.  And R&D invention scheme at 20,000 cr, and Loans for other scientific Research to the same amount as for innovation.

Self Sufficiency in technology is the key to economic growth and diversification. India is still in the process of expansion of the manufacturing segment, which shows the deficit in technological innovations and process design and development.

If not anything, the “Institutional Intent” as projected by Galgotias is a wakeup call to the planners and architects of Scientific and Industrial Research and Development.

MiG 21- In the Coldness of Cold War.

 As MiG 21 is off the Indian  Sky….

New Delhi, a Hot summer day towards the last week of  May 1962. The Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru was on the move for holidaying out at his favorite destination-the Vale of Kashmir. Behind the hectic activities to send him off  who, a couple of months before had recovered from a health condition, was leaving behind an important decision. India was to take a decision to find an alternative strategic partner other than the United Kingdom for air superiority over communist China and Pakistan. The United States had already delivered a batch of F 104 aircrafts to Pakistan. India had a sizable number of Folland Gnats; yet, the combat preparedness demanded a larger buildup of supersonic aircrafts to deal with the situation.  Military operation, a year before carried out in Goa, had turned the North Atlantic Treaty countries against India. Together with a red faced US, was not a favourable political climate for India. Raisina Hills was divided between two strong lobbies of VK Krishna Menon in favour of the Soviet Union and the other a Pro USA lobby led by Morarji Desai.

 At the airport, a curious ring of Journalists was awaiting Nehru with the question on the procurement of US aircrafts. Before Jawaharlal Nehru could reply, the Defence Minister, VK Krishna Menon intervened –“    “Remember, this country is free, we have the right to purchase any equipment or arms from anybody we like." The answer did not give enough  fodder for the US diplomats to signal anything to the White House.  The United States was strongly against the purchase of MiG21 aircrafts from the Soviet Union, which the White House figured out to be against the neutrality India was displaying, keeping equidistance with the key players of the Cold War.

China had already made propaganda on the Indian troops mounting attack fire on their troops. Both NEFA and Ladakh Divisions were under Chinese military buildup. The vacation of Nehru for the second time following his health issues, indeed delayed the decision on the procurement of fighter aircrafts. With this delay, India failed to capitalize the ideological rift between China and the Soviet Union. Despite being committed to NAM, again New Delhi could not take advantage of the US objectives to equip India as a strong ally against Communist China.  

Behind the curtains, both VK Krishna Menon and Nehru faced the backlash from the Soviet Union under Nikita Khrushchev who was all out to dismantle the Stalinist policies. He was a close confidant of Joseph Stalin and  was well aware of the undercurrents  behind the Political transition in Delhi, using a duo from Malabar, the region slipping into the fold of communist lobby, VK Krishna Menon and ACN and Nambiar. Both of them maintained a non-diplomatic channel between Stalin and Nehru.  It was well known in the days of  Berlin  operations that Nambiar   was a spy  of Nehru on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose  and came into prominence after Indian Legion was dismantled His role in the elimination of Abbanni and Chato during the Great Purge is yet disputed and India will have to believe Vijay Lakshmi Pandit.  Khrushchev knew it well that China had taken a very aggressive stand against its neighbours from the incidents of Sino Indian Borders in 1954 and 1958. The exchange of fire had already taken place at a few segments, which New Delhi down played as stray incidents at few outposts, even when 2800 square miles of India was already taken over by China. After Joseph Stalin, New Delhi did not get the same red cover from the Soviets and India was becoming more and more vulnerable to the designs of Mao.  

The relationship with Mao and Khrushchev was becoming bitter. At this point of time, together with the Cuban Missile crisis, the delivery of the first squadron of MiG 21 was cancelled. India had to face a crushing defeat in the first phase of the Chinese aggression in NEFA.  China consolidated their position in Aksai Chin.

Nehru was caught between Non Alignment and was indecisive on the strategic partnerships between US and Soviet Union, while continuing procurements with France and Britain.  Folland Gnat had already been inducted to the service of IAF in 1959. Yet,   India was not prepared to face any full scale war with organized armies like the PLA of Communist China.

It seemed as if the Soviet Union opened the doors of a new Strategic partnership. But, India seems to have not read the political considerations behind the decision. Soviet Union decided to support India and agreed to make way for the MiG 21 Aircrafts under liberal conditions, not because of any political affiliation or friendly relationship. The decision was taken to teach Mao  a lesson after he took a sharp turn against the decision of  Khrushchev for a dialogue with the US President Eisenhower. The USSR was to settle scores with the US to avert a nuclear catastrophe. Mao felt it as a deceptive stand against the aspirations for a communist centric world that would dictate the global politics over the Capitalist and imperial Western Powers.

Khrushchev felt offended at the bloodthirsty mindset of Mao and acted fast calling back all the engineers and staff working on various defence projects in China.  In a quick move, he decided to help the countries under the threat of the revanchist designs of China. Khrushchev took note of the widening rift between China and India along borders with Ladakh and NEFA.  India was facing an acute shortage of Foreign exchange reserves and was finding it difficult to get into terms with the US. At this juncture, the Soviet  Premier made the conditions liberal, agreed to accept payments in Indian Currency and through trade, besides agreeing for indigenous production of the aircrafts. The plans of China for a preemptive strike was already in the knowledge of Leningrad and swiftly entered into agreement in 1961 to supply a squadron of MiG 21 aircrafts to India and the rest for indigenous production.

At any time, India will have to accept that the “Forward Policy” of Nehru failed.

Seemingly, New Delhi was unaware of the rift between Moscow and Peking over Communist dominance.  The Chinese Communist Party took stock of the consequences of the event India got equipped with the supersonic aircrafts from the soviets and Zhou en Lai stepped in.  He signaled his Diplomats in New Delhi.

Matters went off the track for India faster than expected. The Ministry of External Affairs, perhaps did not find anything unusual in the meetings between Chinese and Soviet Diplomats engaging in frequent exchanges. The negotiations between the  Diplomats paid well in resolving the  ideological deadlock between  the two Communist powers.  After the matters were sorted out between the diplomats at New Delhi, Zhou en Lai summoned the Soviet Ambassador to Beijing  and gave  a description as if the Indian Military intruded into the borders of  China, inflicting heavy casualties to the PLA. He then directed his Ambassador in Moscow to meet Khrushchev to cancel the delivery of MiG 21 Aircrafts to India,  It has to be understood that following the brief from his envoy in New Delhi, Khrushchev invited the Ambassador of China to Moscow for dinner. This marked the  end of the diplomatic deadlock with China, after Khrushchev had deviated from the Stalinist stand against capitalist US and imperialist European countries. The Soviet leader assured Liu Xiao, the Chinese Ambassador, that the Soviet Union fully supported China in their initiative against India.

The Soviets Accepted the Chinese theory that India had attacked the Chinese soldiers and  China deserves the right for a preemptive strike on India. The USSR withdrew support to India in the war. China could win over Russia through diplomacy .

Khrushchev refused to deliver the first batch of MiG 21 Fighter aircrafts before the forces of Mao crossed the borders.

Within seven days of this meeting, an attack on India was launched.  

On 20th of October China launched a full scale offensive against India. They consolidated  in Aksai Chin  in the west and penetrated deep into NEFA. After the initial withdrawal, much to the brave fights single handedly put by soldiers like Jaswant Singh Rawat,  and Major Shaitan Singh  could delay the advancement of the PLA, giving time for the reinforcements of the Indian Army . Chinese troops faced an unexpected set back, retreated and  fell in large numbers. The casualty was not estimated, that is another episode..

The unilateral ceasefire was declared by Chou en Lai on 21st November 1962.  NEFA was retained without any change in the borders. More than a ceasefire, it has to be seen as a carefully, methodologically planned and well timed pull out. Nehru failed to understand the dynamics of the Chinese communist party in taking a decision to attack India and to pull out. It was a well-planned test fire on the Communist  strategy of Khrushchev on the capitalist forces of the US and UK backed regimes.  More than the projected claims on allowing the Dalai Lama in, it was a test of ideology with  Russia with a war.

Exit of MiG 21 from IAF draws the same political significance. US and India differed on Trade relations,    Prime Minister Narendra Modi was In China, Russian Air defence system tested its agility at war with India. The Ukraine War realigned the Communist axis of Russia –China- North Korea again. October 7 raid of Israel again split Europe along Pro US and Russian sides. The threat of Nuclear  War is mooted from the nose tip of the US president by a Pakistan General.

MiG 21- Made India Great to the 21st Century – on the path of Self Reliance and self Sustainable Economy.

Before US Hit Nuclear facilities of Iran

 BEFORE US HIT IRAN

 

21 June 2025

 

Earthquake in Iran .

 

Earthquake of 5.2 M in Semnan at with epicentre nearly 50 Km South West of Semnan has raised quite a few doubts.

Semnan had attained international attention as early as 2006 with the Iranian space program. Semnan Region then caught attention in 2008 as SPND, the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research came under the row for upscaling Iranian Nuclear warhead Programs. Rangin Kaman - or the Rainbow project was started in the desert region of Garmsar. The location was ideal for Long and Extended Range Missile Programs beginning with ICBMS of 3000 km range onwards. Iran developed a massive area here, at Ivanaki into a highly sensitive belt under the cover of extreme security with the extraction and purification of Tritium began around 2008. Iranian Revolutionary Guards - IRGC created five ancillary companies around the time of which PETSAR , Pishtazan e Tosee Sanati Aria Razi came under the eyes of the international observers and the Journalists. It needs no high tech education in the beginning of the 21st century to understand the role of Tritium in the making of Hydrogen Bombs.

When Donald Trump Administration and IAEA , distances Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities to be months away from the time of Israel mounting attack , the question remains. Why did Iran initiate development of ICBMs capable of delivering nuclear war heads as early as 2013?

Presumably the major earthquake occurred near to the Ivanaki site , 50 to 60 kms away from Teheran, the site of Rainbow Project. The project area falls on the valley of mount Kalraz in Kuh e Seffid Region.

Whatever the FBI findings may be, no one in the world can take the matters as accidental on the forgetfulness Wheeler.

The Hydrogen bomb Technology was said to be forgotten in the toilet of a Train by the physicist JA Wheeler in 1953. There were later reports of a Classified key nuclear technology that remained left out in some other Library. Other matters related to as many as a few hundred Dirty Bombs made of Nuclear wastes that disappeared during the Breakdown of the Soviet Union. China and Iran have made advancements in the Hydrogen Bomb development and nonnuclear Explosions. In 1980s , there were reports that China made Neutron Bombs with technology stolen from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. Also, US had alleged that China improved the Neutron Bombs through the technology stolen again in 1995.

Earthquake in Semnan becomes doubtful of a Nuclear Implosion only if an accident can occur while handling, as Iran, like Pakistan has not much trained hands to handle assemblage of Nuclear Warheads with Long range Missiles. Due to the sanctions and other constraints, Iran could not conduct enough test launches to have careful handling of the assembly lines.

 

16 June 2025

Fordow Nuclear Facility Iran.

With a clear data on a 2.5 M Earthquake jolting the area of Fordow, the consequences of striking a nuclear facility becomes more reinforced.

With the earth quake of Fordow following a strike by Israel, the inferences of induced seismic activity becomes more prominent.

In the first round of attacks last week, Israel had inflicted heavy damages to Iranian Nuclear Facilities in Isfahan and Natanz..

Meanwhile, Kalat and Sistan areas of Baluchistan near to the Iran Border had experienced Tremors of 3.1, 2.90 and 4.40 M respectively.

  

Friday, October 11, 202

OCTOBER WAR:  Made Together to Hit?

On 05 October 2024 two earthquakes occurred in Central Iran. The first one was 4.48 M at 8.59 AM at a depth of 6. 2 miles and the second one of 4.1 strength happened at 1.13 pm at a depth of 9.3 miles.

These two earthquakes led to a host of speculations on   probable nuclear tests carried out by Iran in the wake of a counter offensive in retaliation for raining Missiles to Israel. Amidst these high pitched notes on weapon grade nuclear arsenal tests, another earthquake occurred on 06 October 2024, at 12.45 AM  of 4.6 M struck Semnan Region of Iran at a depth of 6.2 miles.  If at all Iran had conducted nuclear tests, it would be a question on the   International assessment on the Nuclear Programme of Iran. If the seismological station of Norway situated over 3500kms from the Soviet Nuclear test location in Kazakhstan could pick up a small explosion of a quarter kiloton, today with thermal radiation mapping through satellite imaging together with highly sensitive Seismography can be integrated to detect nuclear tests of any dimension. Better diagnosis can give a clear picture  to differentiate between chemical explosions and detonations for mining and nuclear explosions. There would be a marked difference between the wave pattern and travel time of waves in an earthquake and explosion. The time of signal generation is in the fraction of a microsecond in a nuclear explosion may be to the scale of 0.0000001 seconds, whereas the earthquake waves by the friction of plates or   rock formations would be longer to the extent of quite a few seconds or minutes .  Here, a speculation of any kind would have been unnecessary , as the Iranian nuclear programme was under watch.  

 The tunnels of Hamas were made open to the world by Israel in Gaza exposes the capability of Iran to employ the “Decoupling” method in nuclear tests, more effectively than any other country.  Horizontal drilling at very lower depths forming chambers to hold test devices could deceive the seismic observatories. The signals would not be as sharp as that from a vertical   well.  In such a case, Iran can have the capability to conduct concealed tests of massive dimensions to the extent of a few kilotons, without being noticed.  Earthquakes in Iran on 5^th and ^th October were reported to have the same depth of 6.2 miles and almost near magnitudes seismic intensity of little over 4 M. This  can certainly  be a reason for speculations on the probable nuclear test unless it is a repeat of the explosion.

The sounding of nuclear tests by Iran surfaces amidst apprehensions in the American and European media on  the possible  attack by Israel on the Nuclear Installations of Iran.  Four decades back, Israel had proven the capability to strike the nuclear facilities in Iraq, where Iran could not be successful in their effort .   It was the first ever successful strike against any nuclear installation in the world.  Nuclear reactor at Osiraq in Iraq was hit on 07 June 1981.

Saddam Hussain had been vigorously working on the Nuclear Programme and achieved much progress by 1980 working    in collaboration with Italy and France.  Around the same time the term of US President Jimmy Carter had ended and Ronal Regan had won the elections.  The political change in US administration was expected to revamp the 1978 Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of Carter.  Osiraq strike   was visibly not acceptable to Regan administration and to make matters worse, Israel had used US made F16 aircrafts for the raid. As a sign of displeasure, Ronald Reagan Administration suspended further supply F16 aircrafts to Israel.  Netanyahu may not take a calculated diplomatic conflict with US Administration at this point of time by repeating the past.

It took nearly two decades for the US to come up with a policy on nuclear proliferation that came to be known as Bush doctrine of 2002.

 National Security Strategy of 2002, also known as the Bush Doctrine, underlined a number of tools available for U.S. counter proliferation policy. Perhaps the most controversial is the preventive use of force against emerging nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons programs. By that time, Iraq had to struggle for long to revive the nuclear programme after the destruction of Osiraq facilities.  Menachem Begin Doctrine took shape with eight   F16 aircrafts did a pretty good job in little over 90 seconds without damages or losses to Israel. Bush doctrine took note of the strategy of Israel in developing the new doctrine of attacking the installations through minimum attack with limited time operation.

Menachem Begin, the then Prime Minister of Israel, was an excellent Military strategist of the time, was seemingly a continuation of Irgun for him.   The Israel Defense Force was shaped by Irgun.  He had been closely watching the Nuclear Programmer of Iraq which started the reactor, almost a gift of the Soviet Union in 1968.  The expansion programme came to limelight after the reports of negotiations with France for another reactor, probably of gas graphite that would enable production of minimum for nuclear warheads every year. The negotiations could not succeed, yet, in 1975 France was in agreement   for 70 MW reactor research purposes, but it was enough for Iraq to talk loud about the Arab Atom Bomb in the process.  Even after Iraq had raised the budget for the nuclear programme and employed thousands of Scientist and took cues from the Soviets to evade surveillance, they could not make a bomb even by 1991.  The easiness in the Iraq operation was the success that   US could benefit from razing down of Osiraq,

In 2006, Israel found that Syria had made major headway in nuclear installations in the remote region of Dier ez Zor.  The then Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert was keeping a watch on what was taking shape under the cover of Syrian – North Korean Diplomatic relations.  Yet there were reports of disagreements within Israel’s government on the technological expertise of Syria for such a venture. Finally, during the first quarter of 2007, when the Syrian Atomic Energy chief was in Vienna, Olmert gave orders to hack their computers. The result was quite convincing on the programme for a Syrian nuclear facility to the nature of  North Korean design. Olmert was determined to destroy Dier ez Zor plant at any cost. But, Israel was yet to recover from the 2006 war with Lebanon and was concerned about the adverse situation of possible escalation into war with Syria. It was feared that  in such a situation, Hezbollah would join Syria and will receive support from Iran. Olmert had to get clearance from George W Bush, who was facing backlash over the failures to find any weapons of mass destruction or manufacturing facilities in the 2003 war with Iraq.  Bush kept on delaying the matter, in the same manner as Joe Biden in the 2024 situation with Iran and Israel. On 07 September 2007, eight F16 aircrafts destroyed Dier ez Zor nuclear facility almost completely. Syria, a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty had to hide the reality and issued a statement that its forces repelled an air space violation by the Israel Air Force.  In 2018, Israel had admitted that it had destroyed the Nuclear Facility of Syria.

At the same time, Iran slipped into an agreement on the proliferation of nuclear energy, realizing the potential threat from the US and Israel.

 

“Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran was established by Shah in April 1974 during the world energy crisis to develop nuclear power in Iran on a top Priority basis.” A declassified document of  the US State Administration  dating to 15^th April 1976   is narrative of the interests of Shah Government ,  The document reads “ The Government of Iran cultivates the impression that its ambitious programme to produce 23,000 MWe of nuclear power by 1994 is purely intended as an eventual alternative to thermal and  hydeo-elecric power and is no way intended to serve as base upon which to develop nuclear weapons capability.. Iran has signed and ratified the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has accepted controls of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over the nuclear installations and materials within its sovereignty.”

Another unclassified Documents of US defence highlights Shah Md Rez Phlavi  justifying the rights of small countries to arm themselves with powerful nuclear warheads.  Shah later denied any such talks on Iran longing for nuclear weapons, but was said to have been disappointed in the failure to acquire eight nuclear reactors.  Shah was consistent in his efforts for a successful nuclear programme and had negotiations with some European countries as well. India had timed the Nuclear test in such a way that would deter US from supporting the nuclear programmes of the Middle East countries and Pakistan.  However, Shah was ambitious to make Iran a SuperPower in the open and he changed his statements on Nuclear weapons quite frequently. The US became skeptical about the intentions of the Shah leading to the Iranian monarch inking the Proliferation Treaty. 

Intelligence Estimates US in August 1974, now declassified, had assumed that Israel had already produced Nuclear weapons by then.  After Shah was removed from power in 1979, the new theocentric Government pursued the nuclear programme. Until the change of power, Iran and Israel had military cooperation.  David Ben Gurion , the Prime Minister of Israel as early as the 1950s , embarked on closer ties with non- Arab Countries . The Gurion doctrine of   “Periphery Doctrine” perhaps seemed to convince Iran to recognize Israel. There years before, Iran had vehemently opposed the UN Security Council motion to divide Palestine into Arab and Jewish Countries.   The decision of Iran was more or less a new alignment against Soviet design of Pan Arab Nationalism mooted by Abdul Nasser.  The Countries that were opposed to the formation of Israel as a sovereign state had to come together. Peripheral Doctrine worked well for Israel to wriggle out of the Isolation, joining hands with Turkey, Ethiopia and Iran.  The military Coup of Iraq in 1968 and rise of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party brought matters to a more conflicting political situation equally for 1srael and Iran. Israel was already in the political scenario of Iraq in the fight of Kurds against the Iraqi Regime.  Israel-Iran and Turkey had formed a combined intelligence force to aid Kurds by 1958. The common Trilateral Intelligence Agency, the Trident paved way for military cooperation and exchanges between Israel and Iran.

Iraq had become a potential threat for Iran. Shah negotiated with US for the procurement of arms and Fighter Aircrafts. It is not certain whether Israel had looked into a probable setback as Iran would become self-reliant in its defence preparedness. Such a possibility under consideration of Israel would have   created a check on Iran in venturing into Iran through its deep penetration infrastructure. The design of Project Flower in 1977 would have been different if it was so.  Project Flower was the Joint programme of Israel and Iran to develop and produce an advanced missile system, under the agreement of Oil for Arms, almost little over a billion USD.  The Missile Technology development programme of Israel was in a way funded by Iran!  The extent of military cooperation grew to a larger extent between Iran and Israel even under the Khomeini regime. The potential threat from Saddam Hussain tightened their Bonds. Saddam Hussain left no stone unturned to boast about his ambitious nuclear programmes. His old enemy, a nuclear scientist (was released from Prison and was given a massive task of rebuilding the Nuclear Power plant.

 Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin reciprocated well on the shortfalls in the maintenance of US made Aircrafts that Shah had procured.  Disregarding US interests, the Israeli Prime Minister supplied to Iran much needed components.  The relationships between two countries became sour after Israel crossed Lebanon borders in 1982. Hezbollah gained considerably with this Israeli attack and in no time military cooperation between Iran and Israel ended, with age old hostilities and resurfacing the big “No to the Jewish State”, that too, after the death of Ayatollah Khomeini. By the turn of the millennium Israel became more convinced about the potential threat from Iran. Cooperation with Russian military and nuclear programmes, Iranian tactical support for Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi changed the security perceptions of South West Asia. New frontiers opened with the Russian –Chinese North Korean axis, prompting Israel to act on Lebanon and Syria with all its superior intelligence machinery. 

The Nuclear Programme of Iran is centered around four of its facilities with the Atomic Research Station in the capital Teheran, Nuclear Energy Facilities in Bushher, the Uranium  plant of Isfahan and Fordow along with the Heavy water facilities at Arak. There have been reports that after a series of mishaps in the nuclear facilities they have tailor made the centrifugal facilities to such modules that can be dismantled and relocated in the event of a probable threat.

Israel seemingly was not fully trusting Iran on their Joint comprehensive Plan of Action –JCPOA of 2015, wherein, Iran conceded to reduce the size of its nuclear programme. However, this agreement was of some relief to Saudi Arabia, if not to Israel till 2018.  Donald Trump citing failures in overseeing the Agreement, the US withdrew from JCPOA. Few incidents led Tehran to reconsider the spirit of the agreement and   to enhance their Uranium enrichment capabilities. 

After the black out of the Natanz atomic energy Plant in July 2001, it became open to the world that the Iranian Uranium enrichment plant was built as an underground facility. However, the country did not reveal anything about the incident, other than terming it as an act of “nuclear terrorism”.  By then, Iran had lost patience as barely a year ago the Ishfan plant suffered a big explosion. The plant had locally made centrifuges, Such explosions had occurred in 2013 and 2014 in the other two nuclear installations as well. After the 2020 explosion, the Natanz plant was shifted to more inaccessible hilly terrains as Iran became suspicious about the US- Israel collaborative “Operation Olympic Games”. This Operation was cited to have been behind the Stucknex virus that damaged the computers and network system of Natanz nuclear facilities. Operation Olympic Games was the brainchild of George W Bush in 2006 to unleash a cyber war against the hostile countries feeding proxy war against US and its allies.

Tactical issues confront Israel to destroy the nuclear facilities of Iran. A tough country on the move would have underground micro modules in populated areas. Iran would go silent even if Israel strikes through other means. Three earthquakes in a row cannot be ruled out as a probable hit on the underground facilities or storages. 

 

Pakistan had earlier on the previous day had threatened to Strike Israel with their nukes, however, by the evening, they changed their stand .

 

787 - A burden to Air India?

 Heavyweight-  787-Losses after Losses? 

Theory on the mistakes of the pilot is projected by some of the Western experts. Without understanding the bearing of such a campaign to the country, some of the media also has followed their suit.

Tata's Did not buy Dreamliner Aero planes. Whichever Government gave orders for AI should give explanation on the  Safety Standards. 

Air India faced delays in the delivery of 27 Dreamliner Aircrafts and in 2010, there were reports of charging compensation for the same reasons. Orders were placed in 2006 and deliveries were to commence from 2008. 

Air India Limited had placed the orders even before the prototype of 787 series  was rolled out and test flights were conducted. . After delays in the production , they were given Type certification by the mid of 2011. 

Then also, and now also the question remains. 

Air India, while facing financial crisis, how could they place orders for a non existent aircraft?  Was Air India Ltd.in a position to follow All Nippon Airways in taking such a calculated risk that would add to the financial liabilities?  

In 2009, AI had stated that Boeing had agreed to pay around 145 million USD for the delays, and a year later, another bill was raised  for 840million USD .  Some of the reports around the time had carried figures near to 320 million USD was paid by Boeing to Air India.  In 2009,  the deliveries were rescheduled to commence from 2011. 

The Ministry of Civil Aviation will have to review the technical evaluation  of  AI and the ministry prior to issuing the order for Boeing and Airbus. 

AI had sold some of its Long range B 777  aircrafts in the next three years after the 787 deliveries were in the process. The Etihad Airways  were given 5 Aircrafts of the category. Air India,  was then said,  to have incurred a loss of over 600 crores. 

Boeing 787 brought in a new comfort. In the eastern sector, within a fortnight or so, a major technical problem led to the cancellation of the flight . Passengers had to go through a bad time . Similar defect was detected in other aircrafts, leading to the Grounding of all  of them. Issues pertaining Lithium battery was said to be reason. But for such a huge damages and operational losses who were responsible? The purchase agreements were blank on any such clauses. 

It is the right time for the Ministry of Civil Aviation to get Boeing into the right track.  The  787 aircrafts supplied to India has a considerable weight difference, that had a bearing on the fuel efficiency and operational costs. It was then heard that Boeing would adjust the damages in the  pricing of other fleets , but seems they did not comply. 

AI 171 & Boeing 787 Series: Technology vs Emotions?

 

AI 171: No missing and misgiving:

 Media Briefing of K Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation provided an insight into the nature investigation into AI 171 Boeing 787 -8 crash at Ahmedabad. The minister asserted that the Indian Aviation sector employs the highest degree of security protocols to ensure the safety of the passengers. He sought the help of the media in the investigations.

 In the meanwhile the media has cast a host of theories on the crash; some of the views questioned the credibility of the Boeing and the safety standards.  One has to take note that the relationship between Boeing and India is not limited to the procurement of Commercial Aircrafts. Boeing has made significant contributions in rendering new dimensions to the Indian Aviation Sector. They have research projects in India both in the   academic and commercial arenas including a Joint venture for the manufacture of fuselages for the Apache Helicopters.  Vertical fins for 737 category aircrafts are few of them. With more than 250 partners in India Boeing has a transaction to the tune of 1 billion USD employing more than 10000 persons directly and indirectly.

 At this instance, it is pertinent to review the Communication-Navigation-Surveillance and Air Traffic Management Plan developed by Boeing and Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The Agreement for developing the comprehensive plan was signed in 2019. The decadal plan under US-India Aviation Cooperation Program was completed in 2022

 Some of the Experts in some TV Channels in India and overseas had talked about the pneumatic controls of the aircraft. Some of the passengers even highlighted the malfunctioning of the electrical and Air conditioning systems.

 As one of the first among the passengers of the Dreamliner in the inaugural flight between Kolkata and New Delhi, more than the rose flower gifted, the new aircraft was a transformation in the passenger comfort level.  A week or so later the same schedule had to be cancelled for certain technical flaws.  Then " E category aircrafts were new in India.  The Captain who was from The Boeing gave a detailed account of the technical flaw of the aircraft. Curiosity on the mechanisms and development of the Dreamliner led to a better understanding of the manufacturing and collaborators     

 As some TV Channels had wrongly put across, 787 do not have pneumatic systems and are almost fully electrically operated. . The 787 series, as far as it was known in the initial days, were using the already existing ground units in most of the airports. Unlike some other aircrafts, the lights were not turned off for starting the engines as this series uses ground power units. Gearbox mounted engine starters. Architecture of the 787 series became a matter of curiosity.

 Following the Ahmedabad accident, there was no mention of Pratt & Whitney in the whole discussions and reports. The 787 Series uses   the Auxiliary Power unit supplied by Pratt& Whitney, No doubt, they can claim to be the pioneers in Auxiliary Power Unit Development for commercial air crafts of the category.  The steady power supply is said to be of 450 KVA gas turbine APU, and is claimed to be worth for operations above 43000 feet. However, the highest Altitude heard from the captains is up to 42000 feet Altitude

 Like APS 5000 for 787 series. Pratt & Whitney manufactures APS 3200 for Airbus A320 series; they supply the APU for Boeing 747 Series as well. So far their credibility remains unchallenged. It would be ideal to have their expertise made available in the Risk elimination model for future safety standards.  In the aircraft, the 235V AC current is produced by four generators; APU systems form a secondary line of supplementary Power generation along with Battery support. The batteries are rechargeable and give power to the aircraft before the engines are started. If there was a power failure in the cabin before the engines started then the question of the Battery function would come into question. How did the AI 171 start during the ill-fated schedule will have to be answered by the Ground staff?.

 Battery support and Ram Air Turbine automatically operate whenever a total Power failure occurs. Ram Air Turbine manufactured by Eaton Corporation, seemingly has to be tailor made for the all electric 787 series, to be activated automatically when a dire emergency  situation arises. The conditions for such an automatic deployment occur when both the engines fail and as an when complete failures of electric and hydraulic systems become dysfunctional.  RAT provides emergency power supply to open the doors.  Role of Eaton in the production lines of 787 is not limited to Supply of RAT. Other products of Eaton used in the 787 include electric motors, Pumps, flow control mechanisms,  fuel management systems, displays, Cockpit controls as well as load management systems.   Eaton will certainly have system maintenance, and management protocols. Since the question gears have come under question, Eaton will have to look into as they provide hydraulic motors of the gears for the takeoff and landing, landing along with a Host of other components.

In the case of AI 171, the assessment of the battery function during the preflight assessment would become crucial. As per Boeing, they have demonstrated that 787 series can fly for 5hours and 30 minutes and land safely with a single engine and one generator in operation. Complete failure of all systems and accident is a big question before the users and manufacturers of the Components for the Dreamliner. The Federal Aviation Administration that certified the electrical systems will become answerable if the investigation points a finger on the design and complete failure of the electrical systems. The expert opinions of nature before the completion of the investigations will be a matter of serious concern for both the US Government and the Government of India.

 Also, as the Complaints against the Air Conditioning systems surfaced, it would be ideal for the investigating agencies to invite a technical explanation from Hamilton Sundstrand along with Maxon Group.

The technical review may also include a hearing of Airbus industries on why they removed Pratt & Whitney from the APU supply, while Boeing continued to rely on them/ Airbus now relies on Hamilton Sundstrand.

 The questions on the gears also need to be looked into on the design parameters of the taxiway and runway at all airports in India.  Higher temperatures of the wheels may be taken into account. There is a deliberate effort from some scorners to point a finger at the First Officer; Pilot error should be considered only when all parameters and operational conditions were found to be in perfect order.

 Questions will remain till the investigations are completed pertaining tp the maintenance crew, ground Staff,  Operational Clearance, any outsider withing the premises and so on.  The question will remain on the security and intelligence network of the airports

It is for the Civil Aviation Ministry, especially DGCA  and Ministry of Home Affairs to gather all inputs and to narrow down the Reasons of the crash to any ground. 

 Packets of data on Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System - ACARS is more crucial along with Automated Engine Trend Data in the evaluation. What is the nature of Aircraft Condition Monitoring employed by Boeing in collaboration with the operator of the airlines Air India is not generally a matter of public concern. All these matters become a matter of Concern, when such a catastrophic incident of massive proportions occurs. 

 Eliminating Human errors in the crash is a herculean task. There is no room for Human errors or pilot error in a commercial aircraft. Human error in such a case can be treated as Sabotage or a terror plot unless the screening of the entire staff of two airports in this case removes even a microscopic threat to such a thought. 

 The onus of the catastrophe cannot be thrust on the Pilots as they rely on the display systems. After reaching the initial velocity V1, there is no other option than to lift off. Here, it has to be seen whether the operational failure happened during the acceleration to V2 as well.  Lives were lost both on ground and of those in the aircraft. The Investigation report has to be a public document.