Read BBC's article
summarizing Chandrayaan-1 project and trying to clarify whether its a success or a failure.
Despite the project ending prematurely, it has achieved significant results. Great never-seen-before images of the moon, placing Indian flag over the moon, etc.. and achieving a 100% successful launch to the moon. Imagine how it would have been if our launch itself had failed! ISRO did it perfectly at the first attempt itself and as the article points, it launched it with the "un-Indian trait" of "no cost or time overrun"!!
Its saddening to read in some sites that this project is a waste of money and that the government should stop ISRO from spending on such fantasies and invest it to resolve starvation. How narrow could people think :(
Does anybody spare a thought for our LCA, Dhruv copter, Arjun MBT, Trishul missile project, Gorshkov carrier, etc?
All of these have been dogged by perennial delays and cost overruns.
The government has been spending millions and millions on some of them for decades with nearly no results.
LCA is still under trial. Dhruv has complaints from the armed forces. We've not reached a stage where we can say HAL will take care of at least most of our helicopter needs. The main battle tank Arjun is a fiasco. The army has to get back to Russia for its proven T90 tanks. Trishul was scrapped after it was found outdated. That they found after 2 decades. Gorshkov is still in the pipeline. No one knows how long the russians will take to deliver or the cost of it.
Compared to any government company or department, ISRO is doing a far superior and stupendous job. Its fetching us foreign exchange by launching satellites for other countries. What should stop it from investing its hard earned money for its own future research?
Whatever be it, Congratulations to ISRO's scientists and the visionaries.
All the best for their Mars mission, manned space mission and other future projects.
They surely will keep our flag flying, literally, sky high.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Coorg-Kabini
Last weekend, Manju and I took time off from our hectic schedule and went to visit Coorg. While returning we stayed for a day in the Kabini Jungle lodge.
In Coorg, we stayed in a homestay by name 'The Nest'. Our room overlooked the scenic paddy fields and coffee plantations. The hosts (Asha and Sagar) are very hospitable and serve great food!
And they have 5 wonderful dogs. Each of a different breed and absolutely friendly. Asha's stories about them are totally entertaining. :)
Sagar helped us plan our sight seeing. He would draw a map of all the places we can visit on that day and tell us how much time we can spend in each place.
Over the next two days in Coorg, we visited the Namdroling Monastery, Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbi falls and Raja seat.
While returning from the monastery, it was late in the night and we had to drive through the forest. It was pitch dark and there were no vehicles on either side. Suddenly ahead we saw and screeched halt to a giant tusker grazing in the middle of the road. It was barely 50 feet ahead of us. We switched off the engine and kept the lights on.. and patiently waited for his majesty to pass across the path. Wild elephants can get crazy and getting so close can be dangerous.
Soon after it crossed, we sped. We saw two more herds after that on our way.. but they weren't in the middle of the road and we didn't stop again. :)
Talacauvery is on a high hill and it was raining as we started driving up. The top half of the hill was covered by the clouds. Visibility was very poor. Barely 10-20 feet.
It being a week day, there wasn't a big crowd at the temple and we could enjoy the calm.
On the third day we left for Kabini. We had booked a tent in the govt run Jungle lodges and resorts. For a govt run place, its very clean, green and its people are friendly and on time.
The resort itself is on the banks of the Kabini. For the safari, they take you in jeeps deep into the Nagarhole jungles. We spotted a leopard from far, a pack of wild dogs, a serpent eagle, racket tailed drongos, gaurs, elephants, chitals, sambhars, a crocodile, langurs, wild boars, peacocks and jungle fowl. Except for the deer and the elephants, it was difficult to spot the animals.
We couldn't spot a tiger. Though the rangers said there are about 50 tigers in Nagarhole, they themselves spot tigers rarely. Its very disturbing. Are there really 50 tigers out there? :(
Also just 50 tigers in 640 sq km of forest?! The jungle can easily accommodate a hundred more tigers. Looks like there are enough deer too. If only poachers are caught and punished. The ranger informed that each tiger can fetch Rs 10,00,000.00 for the poachers. Everything goes to China.
Left Kabini the next day and reached home in the evening on June 10. End of a wonderful vacation. It was one of the best trips we've had. Comparable to the trip to Mount Shashta in Northern California with Soumi and Prasenjit.
Some photos here.
In Coorg, we stayed in a homestay by name 'The Nest'. Our room overlooked the scenic paddy fields and coffee plantations. The hosts (Asha and Sagar) are very hospitable and serve great food!
And they have 5 wonderful dogs. Each of a different breed and absolutely friendly. Asha's stories about them are totally entertaining. :)
Sagar helped us plan our sight seeing. He would draw a map of all the places we can visit on that day and tell us how much time we can spend in each place.
Over the next two days in Coorg, we visited the Namdroling Monastery, Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbi falls and Raja seat.
While returning from the monastery, it was late in the night and we had to drive through the forest. It was pitch dark and there were no vehicles on either side. Suddenly ahead we saw and screeched halt to a giant tusker grazing in the middle of the road. It was barely 50 feet ahead of us. We switched off the engine and kept the lights on.. and patiently waited for his majesty to pass across the path. Wild elephants can get crazy and getting so close can be dangerous.
Soon after it crossed, we sped. We saw two more herds after that on our way.. but they weren't in the middle of the road and we didn't stop again. :)
Talacauvery is on a high hill and it was raining as we started driving up. The top half of the hill was covered by the clouds. Visibility was very poor. Barely 10-20 feet.
It being a week day, there wasn't a big crowd at the temple and we could enjoy the calm.
On the third day we left for Kabini. We had booked a tent in the govt run Jungle lodges and resorts. For a govt run place, its very clean, green and its people are friendly and on time.
The resort itself is on the banks of the Kabini. For the safari, they take you in jeeps deep into the Nagarhole jungles. We spotted a leopard from far, a pack of wild dogs, a serpent eagle, racket tailed drongos, gaurs, elephants, chitals, sambhars, a crocodile, langurs, wild boars, peacocks and jungle fowl. Except for the deer and the elephants, it was difficult to spot the animals.
We couldn't spot a tiger. Though the rangers said there are about 50 tigers in Nagarhole, they themselves spot tigers rarely. Its very disturbing. Are there really 50 tigers out there? :(
Also just 50 tigers in 640 sq km of forest?! The jungle can easily accommodate a hundred more tigers. Looks like there are enough deer too. If only poachers are caught and punished. The ranger informed that each tiger can fetch Rs 10,00,000.00 for the poachers. Everything goes to China.
Left Kabini the next day and reached home in the evening on June 10. End of a wonderful vacation. It was one of the best trips we've had. Comparable to the trip to Mount Shashta in Northern California with Soumi and Prasenjit.
Some photos here.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunfeast 10K run
Participated in the Sunfeast 10K run. Took about 1 hr 40 minutes to complete.
I was faster last time. Check here.
Still I'm happy for even completing the distance. What more can you expect with rock bottom fitness levels.
Prasad and I participated together. Long time since we spent some good time together.
The event was nicely organized. Some 45000 people had registered, I heard. Wonder how many turned up actually. Still you could see thousands. It was pretty crowded.
The running circuit was clearly marked. Didn't confuse the runners. Water, glucose were provided at several places. Some stalls had ice too. Some high calorie snacks were provided upon completing the race. Took care of participants well. Ah, they even provided a bag of goodies full of complimentary biscuits, shampoo, medicines, etc.
There wasn't much info available on boards though. I had a parking pass in UB city. But there was no way I could locate the building, with most roads closed for this event.
There were not enough restrooms. There were long queues in front of the very few that existed. If one stood in the queue, he/she could easily lose 15 minutes. :)
Overall its a nice feeling attending the event. Wish to regain fitness and finish faster next time.
Link to photos here.
I was faster last time. Check here.
Still I'm happy for even completing the distance. What more can you expect with rock bottom fitness levels.
Prasad and I participated together. Long time since we spent some good time together.
The event was nicely organized. Some 45000 people had registered, I heard. Wonder how many turned up actually. Still you could see thousands. It was pretty crowded.
The running circuit was clearly marked. Didn't confuse the runners. Water, glucose were provided at several places. Some stalls had ice too. Some high calorie snacks were provided upon completing the race. Took care of participants well. Ah, they even provided a bag of goodies full of complimentary biscuits, shampoo, medicines, etc.
There wasn't much info available on boards though. I had a parking pass in UB city. But there was no way I could locate the building, with most roads closed for this event.
There were not enough restrooms. There were long queues in front of the very few that existed. If one stood in the queue, he/she could easily lose 15 minutes. :)
Overall its a nice feeling attending the event. Wish to regain fitness and finish faster next time.
Link to photos here.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Prachanda or Prabhakaran?
TOI gaffe.. Mentioning Prachanda in place of Prabhakaran..
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/South-Asia/Sri-Lanka-says-no-sign-of-Prachandas-body/articleshow/4543175.cms
Sunday, April 26, 2009
About the open letter from Col. Harish Puri
You have to read this. It came in the Pakistan news dailies recently.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=172290
I read in Chidanand Rajghatta's column, TOI, that the letter stung the pakistanis so much that the newspaper had to issue an apology for publishing it. :)
Then you have to proceed to the reactions to the letter and to the reactions themselves.
http://ishaal.instablogs.com/entry/you-asked-for-it-col-harish-puri/
I think its foolish to believe Pakistan will vanquish Taliban and walk towards world peace. Even it means its good for the pakistanis themselves first. It works against their establishment.
As long as they have Taliban, they can keep getting funds and military aid from America. As long as they can manage that, they can keep challenging Indian forces and inciting unrest in India.
As it appears, the average pakistani serves the country better by joining Taliban than by working in the fields or industries. Cool proposition!
Not only does Pakistan sustain the battle with Taliban to drive bigger margins from US, it also pushes the wealthy nations to think that they will be worse off, if Taliban gets hold of any of its nuclear weapons. More money then.
Taliban quietly evacuating Buner as quietly as they came and 'seized' control, is one such example.
The world media's reaction swayed from pole to pole, something like, 'oh, Taliban is now just 100km from Islamabad and they're going to takeover Pakistan like they took over Afghanistan' to 'ah, the Taliban retreated. The Army's in control. The nukes are in safe custody.'
Wonder if the Indian and American govts are even sighting an end to this problem.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=172290
I read in Chidanand Rajghatta's column, TOI, that the letter stung the pakistanis so much that the newspaper had to issue an apology for publishing it. :)
Then you have to proceed to the reactions to the letter and to the reactions themselves.
http://ishaal.instablogs.com/entry/you-asked-for-it-col-harish-puri/
I think its foolish to believe Pakistan will vanquish Taliban and walk towards world peace. Even it means its good for the pakistanis themselves first. It works against their establishment.
As long as they have Taliban, they can keep getting funds and military aid from America. As long as they can manage that, they can keep challenging Indian forces and inciting unrest in India.
As it appears, the average pakistani serves the country better by joining Taliban than by working in the fields or industries. Cool proposition!
Not only does Pakistan sustain the battle with Taliban to drive bigger margins from US, it also pushes the wealthy nations to think that they will be worse off, if Taliban gets hold of any of its nuclear weapons. More money then.
Taliban quietly evacuating Buner as quietly as they came and 'seized' control, is one such example.
The world media's reaction swayed from pole to pole, something like, 'oh, Taliban is now just 100km from Islamabad and they're going to takeover Pakistan like they took over Afghanistan' to 'ah, the Taliban retreated. The Army's in control. The nukes are in safe custody.'
Wonder if the Indian and American govts are even sighting an end to this problem.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Kasab's trial
Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was caught massacring Mumbai public on 26th Nov, 2008.
Its established that he's a terrorist and Pakistani and caught while committing the act.
What is the need to try him in the court? Why give him a chance to hoodwink justice?
I have read that the cop who helped disarming him lost his life. So many lost fighting Kasab and his accomplices. Isn't there no value for these peoples lives? What is the need to accord a foreigner-terrorist with the privileges of our judicial system? He conspired with his accomplices and together massacred more than 150 people.
Is he same as a Pakistani who just overstayed his welcome in India? or is he a Bangladeshi labourer working in Rajasthan without proper documents? Or even as terrorist, is he Indian?
I think Kasab should be handed over to the army as a prisoner-of-war.
I think some of Indian laws may not hold good for all situations. That is where the elected representatives come into picture. They should discuss/brainstorm/debate in the parliament oh how to convict terrorists and make necessary amendments to such laws.
If it doesn't happen soon, we may even see Dawood/Prabhakaran in Indian courts getting anticipatory bail and delaying conviction by decades.
Its established that he's a terrorist and Pakistani and caught while committing the act.
What is the need to try him in the court? Why give him a chance to hoodwink justice?
I have read that the cop who helped disarming him lost his life. So many lost fighting Kasab and his accomplices. Isn't there no value for these peoples lives? What is the need to accord a foreigner-terrorist with the privileges of our judicial system? He conspired with his accomplices and together massacred more than 150 people.
Is he same as a Pakistani who just overstayed his welcome in India? or is he a Bangladeshi labourer working in Rajasthan without proper documents? Or even as terrorist, is he Indian?
I think Kasab should be handed over to the army as a prisoner-of-war.
I think some of Indian laws may not hold good for all situations. That is where the elected representatives come into picture. They should discuss/brainstorm/debate in the parliament oh how to convict terrorists and make necessary amendments to such laws.
If it doesn't happen soon, we may even see Dawood/Prabhakaran in Indian courts getting anticipatory bail and delaying conviction by decades.
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