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Saturday,
January 11, 2003, Chandigarh, India   |
“Agni” on course Rejuvenating farm varsities Chandigarh’s roadmap for IT |
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Bush’s reckless militarism
Mastermind marches on
Time not ripe for A-I
disinvestment: Shahnawaz
Image of opposite-sex parents
reflects in marriages
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“Agni” on course IT is a travesty that Pakistan should attribute the test firing of the Agni ballistic missile by India to the latter’s “war-mongering mindset” and “sick war hysteria”. Coming as it does a day after Pakistan officially inducted the 1,500-km Ghauri missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, into its armoury, the test is only a logical and necessary attempt by New Delhi to safeguard its interests. The sickness, if any, happens to be in Islamabad’s own mind. India on its part has been adhering to the “no first use” policy not only in the matter of using nuclear weapons but also in relation to other defence-related matters. That is why Pakistan already has its 750-km Shaheen-I nuclear missile in operation, whereas India has conducted only the second test of its 700-800 km nuclear-capable Agni-I missile. The first test was conducted full one year back. At least five more tests will be necessary before it is inducted into service. It is futile on the part of Pakistan to threaten a tit-for-tar test, considering that it has already done so. There is a big gap in India’s striking capabilities between the 150-250 km Prithvi missiles and the 2,000-km Agni-II. Agni-I can suitably fill that gap when it becomes operational at the end of this year or early next year. The single-stage solid-propellant Agni-I can be deployed and launched much more swiftly than the liquid fuelled Prithvi. To that extent the test is a natural corollary of the establishment of India’s nuclear command and control structure. The 15-metre- tall Agni-I can deliver a one-tonne payload to most parts of Pakistan without being deployed close to the border. The Agni group of missiles is a vital constituent of the nuclear weapon triad comprising land-based mobile missiles, fighter bombers and sea-based platforms. Because of its range, Agni-I is more or less Pakistan-specific; hence the disquiet in the defence establishment of that country. Now that this “credible minimum deterrent” is getting operationalised, Islamabad knows that it cannot afford the luxury of any nuclear misadventure because the reply will be swift and conclusive. It can be depended on to carry out tests of its own and strike an aggressive posture. It may even try to discredit India’s defensive preparations, but nobody is taken in by its play-acting. The Indian patience, maturity and sagacity have withstood the test of time and do not require a certificate from a country like Pakistan. |
Rejuvenating farm varsities THE recommendation for more funds made by a panel of Vice-Chancellors to boost research and extension in agricultural universities is timely and needs to be implemented in right earnest. The expert panel, constituted by New Delhi’s Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), has examined the state of affairs in the agricultural universities in the country and lamented that the paucity of funds has affected farm education and research considerably. Providing timely and quality education to farmers and helping them in maximising the output of various crops is the responsibility of these universities. Their main objective is to impart agricultural education at the graduate and post-graduate levels and to provide practical training in respect of field problems in agriculture and allied subjects, as well as to integrate research, teaching and extension work for development purposes. However, if adequate funds are not given to them, how will they fulfil their avowed objectives? The VCs’ panel suggested that the Centre and the states should provide more funds to these universities for the improvement of infrastructure. It is common knowledge that 70 per cent of the country’s population depends on agriculture. However, it is amazing to hear from Dr I.V.Subba Rao, Vice-Chancellor of Hyderabad’s Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University, who is also a member of the IARI panel, that India spends only half a per cent of the GDP on agricultural education. Interestingly, Dr Rao says that developed countries are spending 6 per cent of their GDP on agricultural research even though a paltry 2 per cent of the population depends on agriculture. While there is a genuine need for adequate funds for agricultural universities to serve their intended purpose, the IARI panel’s observations also provide an opportunity to examine the pitfalls of these institutions and suggest necessary course corrections. Of late, there has been a steady decline in the standards of agricultural education and research for various reasons — casteism, politicisation, bureaucratisation, wasteful expenditure and ineffective monitoring. The faulty system of internal evaluation is also said to be one of the reasons for the falling standards. It is doubtful whether the Centre has implemented the Randhawa Committee’s recommendation for proper procedures to ensure accountability for the public funds provided to them. What else would explain reports of gross irregularities and misappropriation of funds in these universities? Moreover, overhead costs eat away a large portion of the funds available at their disposal and very little remains in their kitty for research and extension work. Had the Randhwa Committee’s recommendation for periodic checks and balances and regular evaluation of the performance of these universities been implemented in toto, things would not have come to such a pass today. There is need for concerted efforts for reforms to improve the academic and scientific standards in these institutions. Above all, they need to avoid the wastage of precious funds. |
Chandigarh’s roadmap for IT THOUGH delayed, the new IT policy for Chandigarh, unpacked in Delhi by the UT Administrator, LT Gen (retd) J.F.R.Jacob, on Thursday, promises almost everything that IT companies ask for from the governments all over the country: uninterrupted power supply, single-window clearances allowing firms to operate 24 hours a day throughout the year, employment of women in the 18-21 age group in night shifts with proper security and transport arrangements, self-certification by companies under different labour laws and exemption from the pollution control Act. In addition to this IT-friendly work culture, the proposed investors will find another attraction in the City Beautiful’s pollution-free environment and tolerable traffic flow -- something that the country’s densely populated and choking metropolitan cities cannot offer. The location of a number of reputed educational institutions in the city will not only ensure a regular supply of trained manpower for the upcoming industry, but also provide excellent educational opportunities for the children of IT executives posted in the city. A significant highlight of the UT’s IT policy is the provision to introduce the use of computers and Internet training in primary schools. Also there will be stress on teaching the primary-level schoolchildren the basic skills of spoken English with proper accent. It is expected that at least 30 per cent of the students passing out of the UT schools will have the soft skills to find employment in the fast-growing IT-enabled services industry. One only hopes that the policy does not remain on paper only. What has happened to Mohali, once trumpted as the proposed IT capital of Punjab, gives one enough reason for scepticism. It is clear that the UT policy is not another bureaucratic document for records. It lays a clear-cut roadmap for promoting the city as an attractive destination for companies engaged in the booming IT enabled services sector. Multinational companies, faced with severe pressure to cut costs due to the ongoing recession and intense
competition, are increasingly transferring their outsourcing business to developing countries like India and China, which stand to benefit tremendously. The UT’s IT policy sensibly takes into consideration this aspect of the changing global business scenario. What the Chandigarh Administration is doing in attracting private investment in the IT and
biotechnology fields is commendable, no doubt, it is better if an integrated approach is adopted at the regional level in cooperation with the state governments of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh so that there is no duplication of facilities and competition is avoided among the
northern states and the UT, especially when each one has limited resources at its disposal. Chandigarh has clearly emerged as a role model for the various states. While Punjab is still debating whether to introduce English in Class I in the government schools, its capital has gone a step further by promoting not just the use of English and computers in primary schools, but also attempting to create a competitive knowledge base for sustaining the growth of the IT industry. Why should the people of a progressive city like Chandigarh opt out of the existing UT status to join the state of Punjab, where politics stalls development and lack of visionary policies deny growth opportunities to youth? |
Bush’s reckless militarism
KOFI Annan’s gravelly voice announcing that he did not “see an argument for military action” against Iraq was the best news that the television broke on New Year’s day. It offered welcome assurance that the United Nations has not quite degenerated into a subcommittee of Congress of the United States of America, and that its Secretary-General, who has sometimes unkindly been called the Uncle Tom of international diplomacy, does not only echo the White House spokesman. It may have been no accident that within hours, George W. Bush expressed the pious hope that “this Iraq situation will be resolved peacefully.” True, he reverted to breathing fire and brimstone almost immediately afterwards. Even if he had not, it would not have done to invest the secretary general with more influence than even he might claim. But his symbolic authority is undeniable, and even if he does not exactly lead the world, his pronouncements give a good idea of which way the global wind is blowing. Gerhard Schroeder’s Germany, critical of Bush’s reckless militarism, joined the UN Security Council in early January. And two leading Saudis denied US claims that the kingdom had promised the military use of its airspace, airbases and an operational command centre. Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister, and Prince Abdul-Rahman bin Abdul-Aziz, the Deputy Defence Minister, reiterated their opposition to attacking Iraq. Given American leverage (of which we suffered a ruthless demonstration during the Bangladesh war), Germany and Saudi Arabia might yet succumb to pressure. But triumph alone will not make might right. Annan’s view that no military action should be considered until the inspectors report to the Security Council on January 27 drew attention to the inherent conflict between an imperial power’s determination to treat the UN as the instrument of national statecraft and the UN’s own respect for due process. The UN Chief executive’s tactfully muted tone was also a reminder that the UN is only as strong as UN members dare to be. They are under intense pressure like the weapons inspectors whose American mandate — a wholly illegal one, it must be stressed — is quite explicit: produce evidence of chemical, biological, nuclear and ballistic weapons or admit that Saddam Hussein has hoodwinked you. As one of them confessed helplessly, “Even if they open all the doors in Iraq for us and keep them open 24 hours a day, we won’t be able to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if it is not there.” The orders seem to be that if the cat doesn’t exist, concoct “proof” that it does. There is no question of investigating whether or not Iraq is “in material breach” of disarmament agreements. Bush pronounced Saddam “guilty” long before anyone had heard the evidence and announced that the “burden” of proving his innocence is on the accused. This perversion of justice recalls Henry VII’s tax extortionist Richard Empson. If a nobleman spent too much, he was obviously rich and could afford to cough up. If he did not spend, it meant he was salting away his wealth and had to cough up. The strategy became notorious as Empson’s Fork. Commonly, it’s called heads I win, tails you lose. It would be a laugh if, after all this, it turns out that Saddam really is making weapons of mass destruction and has pulled the wool over the inspector’s eyes. Undoubtedly, that would be material breach of various international treaties that Iraq has signed, but the USA has no god-given mission unilaterally to uphold their sanctity. For that matter, the no-fly zones arbitrarily imposed on northern and southern Iraq are of dubious legality and merit UN scrutiny. Some feel that only the International Criminal Court can decide whether Saddam is a serial aggressor who encourages world terrorism while stockpiling mass-murder weapons. But since the USA (like India) has wriggled out of that forum, the responsibility devolves on the UN, the “theatre of the absurd” that America has also done much to undermine. Annan’s statement is a reminder that the measure of UN legitimacy is not the degree of its compliance with the hawks in Washington. Its relevance depends on carrying out the collective will of UN members, even at the cost of offending the most powerful of them whose actions are clearly dictated by its domestic electoral agenda, economic concerns and political interests. That alone explains why Bush threatens to annihilate Iraq while waffling about diplomacy in North Korea. According to US intelligence, it will take Iraq five years to make the bomb while North Korea already has two and could build five or six more in the next six months. The difference lies in oil. When Bush’s father rushed to Kuwait’s rescue, Admiral William J. Crowe, former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, chuckled that the sheikhdom would not have been worth defending if it had exported bananas. Barren North Korea is not worth attacking. With oil reserves that rival those of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, Iraq is a different kettle of fish altogether. We owe a debt of gratitude to the New York Times columnist William Safire for setting us clear about America’s real objective in seeking a “regime change” in Baghdad. If the UN is disobliging, he says, Bush will take on the task himself “with an ad hoc coalition of genuine allies.” No humbug about removing threats to world peace in this assessment of the expected outcome. Instead, the Anglo-American alliance is licking its chops over the prospective booty. First, loyal Britain will oust truculent France as the chief European dealer in Iraqi oil and equipment. Second, Syria, suspected of selling Iraqi oil on the quiet, “would be frozen out”. Third, a grateful successor regime in Baghdad “under the tutelage and initial control of the victorious coalition” — read a Western puppet like the former Hashemite monarchy — would reward the US and Britain with guaranteed fuel and lucrative oil contracts. The new rulers will also have to concede. Turkey’s demand for a cut of the royalties from the Kirkuk oilfields (the original reason why Britain prised Iraq out of the Ottoman empire) and repudiate Saddam’s $8 billion debt to Russia. Thus, America’s friends would be rewarded and foes punished. Vladimir Putin’s nose will be put further out of joint when the USA and Britain manipulate to push down oil prices by investing heavily to improve Iraq’s drilling and refining capacity. Increased production from an Iraq that is outside the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries will force panicky Saudi princes to cut prices in a desperate bid to hold market share. The industrialised (and, incidentally, developing) nations will benefit, Japan will be rejuvenated, and Russia, now wholly dependent on oil revenues, will be forced to its knees. Hence the formidable mobilisation in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, Israel, Diego Garcia, the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. Some 60,000 American troops, 400 aircraft, at least four battle groups of warships and a fleet of B-2 stealth bombers are poised for action. Saddam Hussein’s disobligingness is the only obstacle to the success of this grand strategy. He just will not hand over the evidence that would confirm his death warrant. There is “zilch” evidence according to one of the inspectors. “We haven’t found an iota of concealed material yet,” he confessed. Baghdad has followed up its open door policy, its 12,000-page report and list of more than 500 scientists by inviting Hans Blix for further discussions. Annan suggests and interim report before January 27. He also thinks Iraq is cooperative. Bush clearly doesn’t. The difference between the two positions may not save Saddam. But, at least, it assures the rest of us that the UN is alive and well. The ballast it provides is all the more essential in a unipolar world. Any military action against its wishes would be the real crime against humanity. |
Mastermind marches on IF there is one Indian programme one can be proud of, it is ‘Mastermind’ India. Many, including this column, rate it higher than the original BBC programme to which it acknowledges its origin. Every time I watch it, the range of subject, the specialised and general knowledge questions and answers take my breath away. These are the best brains of India competing under stringent and relentless grilling and coming out tops. In this its fifth year ‘Mastermind’ went to another historic setting, the Faluknama Palace in Hyderabad, after earlier rounds at St Stephens College in Delhi, the century-old Gaiety Theatre in Shimla and Mayo College, Ajmer. These magnificent settings create the kind of awesome ambience which adds to the intellectual dignity of the programme. The contestants come from every conceivable calling and choose the most extraordinary subjects for the specialised section. This year one of the subjects was “Fermat’s Last Theorem”, which I am still trying to work out and so, I expect, would many viewers. Behind the high quality of the programme lie two factors. First, quizzing has been a challenging pastime in many cities and at one time Kolkata was the quiz capital of India. That famous quizzing family, the O’Briens, comes from there and Kolkata not only led in the amount of quizzing which went on round the year, but for some time Bengalis figured in ‘Mastermind’ in the final and often as winners. Then there is the remarkable achievement of women, who have won three out of the five contests. Dayita Bira Dutta, a school teacher from Dehra Dun, was the first winner followed by another school teacher Ajai Banerjee, again from Dehra Dun. And there were only two all-men finals, including this year. This year’s winner was the youngest at 22, a software engineer from Pune, Ramanand Janardhanan. The second factor behind the tremendous success of this programme is undoubtedly Siddhartha Basu, who set enviable standards of excellence from the start. Popularly known as “Babu”, Basu started off with a modest, but pioneering national quiz for students, ‘Quiz Time’. He then went on to ‘India Quiz’, the third being on the 50th anniversary of Independence. He has done quizzes in Hindi and even had MPs only in a quiz programme, ‘Kissa Kursi Ka’. And to each programme, including the record-breaking ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ with Amitabh Bachchan, where he was the producer, Basu has held splendidly to the same standards of excellence, backed up by hard work, a skilled research team and an uncanny knack for creating the right atmosphere for each programme. He has more than deserved the several awards he has won down the years. This, combined with his innate modesty and courtesy off and on the sets, have won him fans from every level of viewer, from top intellectuals to ordinary viewers. Truly, both ‘Mastermind India’ and Siddhartha Basu are now national institutions, showing India at its intellectual best. May it continue to thrive. Now to the other extreme. During the past year there has been an alarming increase in sex on Indian channels and violence on the foreign channels. And when I say sex, I do not mean the see-through kind which upsets Sushma Swaraj on the ‘Fashion Channel’. In fact, her monitors seem to have been sleeping on the job recently because not only is the old baring and daring order back in full force, but about three weeks ago I actually saw on that channel some models in the buff. And the overall effect was negligible compared with the explicit sex which is now being aired on Indian channels. It all began with titillation from South Indian channels. The familiar sequence of a man (sometimes middle-aged) and a woman (youngish) cavorting in long shot, then up comes a singing-dancing group (more physical jerks of the ugly acrobatic kind than proper dancing) and the romancing duo weaving in and out of the crowd. Then revert to chasing each other, getting nearer and nearer in close shot, then a clinch after some crude pawing, then the final bedroom scene with some elderly or child voyeurs peeping through the window. The strange part was that one even saw respected and intelligent actors like Kamal Hassan taking part, in these goings on. Then the same sort of sequences started appearing on the Punjabi channels, with some bhangra-style Punjabi pop and bonhomie thrown in. Somehow, the extrovert nature of the Punjabi boys and girls made all this a little more bearable. And then, lo and behold, last week I found the normally holier-than-thou Bengali channels going in for the same. It was horrifying to find a Bengali lass with thin spindily legs in a mini-skirt and bulging top rubbing herself with gusto against a young moshai. It was so ugly, so out of context, that one could only feel bewildered about the need for such silly masala. And I came to the conclusion that this kind of daring and baring, whether in the North, South or East India, had gone much further in indecency on Indian TV than in commercial films (and might be responsible for increased eve-teasing and rape incidents. Time that Indian channels as well as viewers started looking at where they are going. |
Time not ripe for A-I disinvestment: Shahnawaz
Excerpts: Q: Would you agree that travelers from abroad are not very appreciative of the quality of staff and services available at Indian airports. What is the effort of your ministry in this direction? A:
Well, I don’t agree. Improvement of services is a continuous process and I have accorded top priority to it. Various agencies like security, customs, immigration, and airlines function at the airports some of which are under different Ministries. Facilitation Committees have been established under the Airport directors at the airport level and under the Director- General of Civil Aviation at the national level which meets from time to time to review and coordinate functioning of different agencies at the airports and to bring about improvements. Recently a series of meetings were held at the Secretary level with the Ministries of Home and External Affairs where also decisions have been taken to improve the quality of services and personnel of various agencies at the airports. As part of improving airport services in the metros, various steps have been taken including installation of automatic money dispenser at the IGI Airport. Q: You had proposed to upgrade Patna into an international airport. Has the proposal in this regard been finalised and how many more airports in the country do you propose to make international? A: Yes, it is proposed to make Patna airport an international airport. We have already decided to take a number of steps to increase the usability length of the runway at Patna airport. A foundation laying ceremony for expansion and modernisation of this airport is proposed to be held later this month. Patna airport already has custom and immigration facilities. National carriers can operate international flights even from domestic airports which have customs and immigration facilities subject to demand for international traffic. At present there are 12 international airports in the country. Some of these airports like Guwahati, Cochin, Amritsar, Ahmedabad are yet to reach optimum level of traffic. Airports get the international airport tag on the basis of the traffic demand and requests of international airlines for operation. However, international airport tag without sufficient traffic potential would discourage operations to an airport as the airport charges will go up on being classified as an international airport. Q: Has the controversy which had resulted in the standoff between the Centre and the Bihar government been finally sorted out? A: There is no controversy between the Centre and the Bihar Government on this issue. It is the Centre’s duty to consult and coordinate on matters pertaining to airport expansion/ modernisation which aim ultimately at passenger safety. In this case, the State Government was initially requested for cutting and pruning of about 2,500 trees which have been identified as forming obstructions in the approach path of the Patna runway. Bihar was impressed upon to comply with the requirement. This is an issue relating to safety of civil aviation operations and hence there is no controversy in the matter. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has recently been allotted 4.22 acres of land by the State Government separately. Another 0.8 acre of a private party is also being acquired. This will enable increase of the runway by 700 ft. which will result in a reduced load penalty on payload for operation by 320 type of aircraft. Q: What is the status on the acquisition of new planes for AI and IA? Why is there a delay in the acquisition of new planes and by when are they expected? A: I do not agree that there is any delay in this regard. The acquisition of aircraft is a long and systematic process which requires lot of consultation and co-ordination between the various organs of the government. As regards Air India, it is in the process of acquiring seventeen 250 plus seater and twenty-one 160 seater aircraft. The AI Board has approved the recommendations of the Technical Committee on the acquisition of 17, 250 plus seater long range aircraft with three class configuration and has directed the management that a technical economic evaluation be carried out in respect of two aircraft manufacturers — the A-340-300 and B-777-200 ER. Q: You had installed the most sophisticated CAT-III system at a cost of Rs 43 crore at the IGI airport. But the flight schedule this winter has remained disturbed. Why? A: The ILS installed at IGI Airport is CAT-IIA which enables flights to land in poor visibility condition subject to a Runway Visual Range (RVR) of 200m (600 ft) and a decision height of 50 ft. The system is in a fit condition so far as the technical specifications are concerned. The system has also been recently calibrated by a team deputed by ICAO; and has been found working satisfactorily. However, the disturbance of schedule of flights this winter is due to weather conditions being below the technical specifications of CAT-IIIA system. Further, not all Indian pilots have been cleared for CAT-IIIA operations. A programme is being implemented for training the pilots for this purpose. Q: What is the controversy in connection with the sale of the Centaur Hotel at Mumbai? Is the resale of the hotel actually allowed and what action the government plans to take in this regard? A: In October last there were reports that the Centaur Hotel Mumbai Airport has been taken over by the Sahara India Group. A reference was made by the Disinvestment Department inquiring whether the Batra Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (BHPL) has sold off the Hotel. M/s A.K.Batra replied that they have sold the entire share holding of M/s BHPL to the Sahara India Group and the ownership right, title and interest in the entire business of Centaur Hotel Mumbai Airport rests with the BHPL. It has been further informed by Sahara India that the name of BHPL has been changed as Sahara Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. from November 15, 2002. The issue of re-sale by M/s. Batra Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. to Sahara Group and whether there was any breach of the provisions of the transaction document executed by HCI and BHPL is being examined by the government in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice. Q: What are the reasons for the turnaround of AI? Is the proposal for disinvestment of the country’s international carrier prudent? A:
Air India has made a profit of Rs 15.44 crore in the financial year 2001-02. In the first half of the current financial year, Air India has made a net profit of Rs 46.79 crore. This has been possible because of rationalising aircraft use by reducing B747-200 operations and replacing them with A310 operations wherever possible. No recruitment/ appointment has been made except in essential operational area. As of date, 781 vacant posts have been abolished. Air India has deployed 628 staff from the non-operational areas to operational areas to tide over the shortage in these areas. Reduction in staff strength at foreign stations has been undertaken along with closure/ downsizing of some online/offline offices and surrender of space. Agency commission has been reduced from 9 per cent to 7 per cent. Q: What is the status of Indian Airlines’ disinvestment? A: The Government had decided to disinvest 51 per cent of its equity in IA. The process of disinvestment of IA could not be completed because of no bidder being left in the fray. But the Disinvestment Ministry will have to take a decision on restarting the process or otherwise. Q: What are the new destinations you are proposing? A: Recently, IA have started Gaya-Bangkok and Lilabari-Guwahati flights. During December, 2002, ATR-42-320 of Alliance Air commenced its operations in the North-Eastern region connecting Dimapur, Guwahati, Lilabari, Agartala, Tezpur and Jorhat. We are also contemplating new destinations like Lucknow-Delhi- Dubai, Delhi-Singapore, Delhi-Bangkok, Chennai-Singapore (additional frequency) and Calicut-Saudi Arabia. Q: What will be the role of the private airlines in the new routes? A: I feel private airlines have an important role to play in the civil aviation sector. In future, it will be the non-scheduled private airlines which will play a bigger role in expanding the network of regional stations. However, the scheduled private airlines are free to operate on any new routes subject to compliance to Route Dispersal Guidelines. As per the current policy, the domestic private airlines are not permitted to operate on international routes. |
Image of opposite-sex parents reflects in marriages THE
famous cliche that men marry those women, who resemble their mothers, while women seek partners who remind them of their fathers, has been proved true by a study in Britain. During research psychologists at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, were startled to find that men were particularly attracted to women who had the same colour hair and eyes as their mothers. Women were significantly more likely to have partners with the same colouring as their fathers. “It is quite well-known in psychology that if you are constantly exposed to an image, it becomes more attractive”, said Dr Anthony Little, who led the research, which was published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour. “Since we obviously see a lot of our parents as we are growing up, we decided to look and see if they had an effect on the people we find attractive later in life”, he was quoted by The News as saying.
ANI |
Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness. — Henry Frederic Amiel, Journal, January 26, 1868
*** Fire is the test of gold, adversity of strong men. — Seneca, On Providence, 5.9
*** Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. — Bible, Job 5:7
*** Every calamity is a spur and a valuable hint. — R.W. Emerson, The Conduct of Life: Fate |
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UNION Civil Aviation Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain has many firsts to his credit. From being the youngest ever Union Cabinet Minister, the 34-year-old youthful minister from Supaul in Bihar, Mr Hussain has come a long way. The biggest achievement for the diploma holder in Electronics Engineering, however, is the big turnaround of the country’s international carrier Air India (AI). From being in the red for years, AI has for the first time posted a profit of more than Rs 16 crore. And the credit for it is being given to none other than the minister himself and to his hard policies. The credit for making domestic travelling cheaper through various schemes also goes to him. In an interview to The Tribune in New Delhi, the minister talked about some of the steps he had initiated after taking over the reigns of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.