Dehradun, October 20
What more can a music lover seek if he gets to see maestros perform on an open stage as the moon shines on the picturesque environs of the Doon valley, imparting it an almost surreal quality.

In the pleasant autumn chill, performances by artistes at Virasat-’08 are adding sweetness to the festive season, enthralling Dehradun audiences with breath-taking performances, amply justifying the logo of the event “Embark on a soulful journey.”

The performances range from folk music to classical art forms. One just has to descend on the venue to savour the audio-visual treat offered by renowned artistes.

The festival began with a spell-binding fusion performance by Kavita Krishnamurthy and L. Subramnaum along with their family members.

Grammy award-winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt performed a fusion “Desert Slide” along with Manganiar performers from western Rajasthan.

Together, they left the audience spellbound with their renditions of “Kesariya balam padharo hamare desh re” along with Hichki and the all-time favourite “Dama dam mast kalandar.”

The joy of the audience knew no bounds when Bhatt, an exponent of Mohan Veena, decided to play a tune from the album “A Meeting By The River" that won him a Grammy in 1994 along with Ry Cooder.

Dhananjay Kaul took the audience into the realm of thumri, dadra and tappe. Much to the delight of those present, he sang compositions by Amir Khusro.

The Wadali brothers weaved sheer majic with Sufi music. Their’s was an hourlong performance before a packed crowd. The renditions included the chartbuster "Tu mane ya ne mane dildara, asa te tenu rab manya", "Sauda iko jaya" and their all-time hit "Jugni."

A soulful rendition of Hindustani classical music by Ustad Rashid Khan proved the concept that classical music is not loved by masses wrong. He began with a number from the Bollywood blockbuster "Jab we met.”

The request for "Aayenge jab ghar" on behalf of the public came from none other than the chairperson of the ONGC R.S. Sharma. This was followed by a doleful “Raag Saraswati” and “Raag Bhairvi.”

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma won over the audience right from the word go.

The festival organised by REACH concludes on October 25.

Lieut-Gen Rajinder Singh Sujlana, AVSM, VSM, who recently took over as the 42th Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), spoke to Umesh Dewan on various issues pertaining to the academy

Q. The IMA maintains that academic expansion of the academy is on. At what stage is the expansion and what is new in it?

A. A holistic review of the capacity, training infrastructure is being carried out as part of Army Vision- 2020. Based on the recommendations of the study, a modernisation plan is in place. Approximately 65 per cent of accommodation to include Gentleman Cadets’ living quarters and messes and 53 per cent of the training infrastructure has been completed. We hope to see completion of projects by 2010.

What kinds of techniques are being introduced in the training of the cadets to make them more competent in counter-insurgency operations and foreign missions?

At the IMA, the counter-insurgency syllabi has been redefined with emphasis on human rights, zero collateral damage, focus on intelligence-based precision operations and constructive relationship with the media. The current environment has seen increased Army employment on UN missions and enhanced military-to- military interaction with a large number of countries.

At the IMA, we are widening the horizon of the cadets by including selective country-based studies, UN mission case studies, lectures by guest speakers and increasing interaction with foreign military training academies.

During 2009-09, we had cadet-to-cadet interaction with military academies of the US, Bhutan and Turkey.

What steps are being taken by the academy to make the cadets more IT savvy?

IT training has been given adequate emphasis in the curriculum. The endeavour is to prepare and fortify the officer cadet to operate in a networked technology- intensive battlefield. We have established information kiosks, wherein a GC can utilise the installed hardware and Internet in a congenial, stress-free and creative environment.

In the recent past there has been an increase in fratricidal killings. Is something specific being done on psychological training of cadets?

The phenomenon of fratricide has been evaluated by the Army in detail and effective measures undertaken to check the same. We are imparting value-based training to the cadets. The training includes aspects of human nature, changing social norms, stress management, select case studies and a checklist of dos and donts when dealing with their command.

In the wake of the increased threat perception to the IMA from terrorist outfit, what kind of measures have been taken to ensure security?

We are aware of the threat to the IMA from terrorist organisations. A holistic review of security arrangements has been carried out. A boundary wall around the complex is being constructed. The project is nearing completion. A security grid combining electronic surveillance sensors, physical security measures and military intelligence agencies is in place. We are in constant touch with the state intelligence and security agencies.

There was a move to construct a subway between the two main gates of the IMA. Is the proposal shelved?

The proposal is a part of futuristic IMA design plan. The requirement has been accepted in principle and a technical feasibility study is being undertaken to evaluate the technology available and cost involved. Based on the recommendations of the study, further action will be initiated. The endeavour will be to cause minimum dislocation and enhance security.

There is shortage of officers in the Army. Is there any move to increase the intake capacity of the IMA?

The IMA is designed to train 1650 cadets, including the ACC wing. A study on reconstructing the officer cadre in consonance with current security needs is underway at the Headquarters Army Training Command and Army Headquarters.

The general opinion of IMA Commandants is that the physical standards of those coming in for pre-commission training at the academy has gone down. Does that mean that IMA officials/instructors have to work harder to make the cadets come up to the required standards?

Due to a vast plethora of systems available today, energies of the modern youth are being diverted towards activities other than physical. At the IMA, we are continuously reviewing the parameters of different facets of a cadet. Physical training is scientifically reviewed periodically. We have a gymnasium, qualified sports medicine personnel, a scientific diet programme and refresher training for all instructors to ensure the cadets achieve the required standards.

Have you identified any key areas which require betterment?

The IMA is a world-renowned premier military training institute. Our endeavour will be to develop state-of-art infrastructure and facilities commensurate with the academy’s image and reputation in consonance with the security needs of the nation.

We also need to focus on our heritage and core values. We will need to draw a fine balance between intellectual pursuits and physical capabilities in our cadets.

What difference do you see in present-day training of cadets?

Technology has transformed the present-day battlefield. Today, wars are a complex mix of human element, artificial intelligence, and precision firepower. The battle space is shrinking at a rapid pace and the scope for error is minimal.

Training has been reoriented and reconstructed to enable the officers to operate and provide effective leadership in an integrated inter-service environment.

In view of the changing social norms and values and their impact on the soldier, we also impart broad-based instructions on psychology, stress management and financial management. Yet, we remain focused on imparting the basic skills.

Is there any move to shift the OTA to the IMA campus?

There is no such move.

Rishikesh, October 20
After the monsoons, rafting in the Ganga is again back with a bang. Hundreds of rafting enthusiasts are flocking to Rishikesh and upstream to seek the adventure of white-water rafting.

Over the past ten years, Rishikesh, known for its ashrams and religious centres in the serene surroundings of the Himalayan foothills, has become synonymous with rafting.

This year, the state tourism department has given 78 permits to rafting companies to operate in the river. Senior tourism officials would be inspecting the sites tomorrow and on Wednesday to look into fresh applications.

Since the 1990s, rafting slowly has gained popularity in this river-side town from where holy Ganga enters the plains from hilly Garhwal.

After the creation of Uttarakhand in 2000, the rafting industry has gained momentum and is now one of the fastest growing areas in tourism sector.

The situation is such that one had heard of traffic jams on the roads but now the river stretch from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh, which is about 40-km stretch, is facing jams due to 214 raft boats plying on this world famous rafting route.

Several rafting companies have set up their camps all along river Ganga from Beasi to Rishikesh.

“The demand is increasing every season due to the volume of money involved in the rafting business and a separate policy is needed to check problems arising due to so many boats,” a tourism official said.

Forest department officials are contemplating limiting the number of operating companies to ease the pressure on the fragile zone along the river.

Also the safety of wild creatures, their unhindered movement and pressure on the forests in the belt have led to the demand of keeping check on the ever-growing number of rafting companies.

“The rafting experience is totally different here as Rishikesh provides the best rafting route in the world,” said Praveen Chandola, an executive of a multinational company from Gurgaon.

Roorkee, October 20
Even as encroachment continues unabated in Roorkee and area adjacent to the Delhi-Haridwar and Saharanpur-Haridwar national highways, the local administration remains in slumber.

The encroachments by local shopkeepers and vendors come in the way of pedestrians, often causing traffic chaos. Inappropriate parking of vehicles along roadsides, especially two-wheelers, has only added to the nuisance of encroachments.

Highways in the periphery of small towns of Narsan, Manglore, Puana, Bhagwanpur and the main town of Roorkee are the worst-affected. These encroachments have not only put the life of pedestrians at risk, but also increased the probability of accidents on the highways.

"Encroachers are openly flouting the norms but the authorities concerned hardly take any initiative to solve this trouble which gets worse during religious festivals. On account of the large number of people visiting Hardwar, vehicular traffic is thrown out of gear, causing inconvenience to everyone," rues a local resident.

The administration maintains that stringent action will be initiated against those encroaching the highways. But when will this be done, is anybody’s guess.

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