Mars to shine bright!

Do not miss it! Mars to shine brightest on 13 Oct, won't happen again until 2035!!

In exciting news for space enthusiasts, Mars will shine brighter than at any other point in the year, on 13 Oct. The Red Planet will not appear this bright again till the next 15 years, so make sure you don't miss this opportunity.

Notably, Mars is the closest planet to Earth and the fourth closest to the Sun. What is the reason?

According to Sky and Telescope, this is because Mars will be in 'opposition', directly opposite the Sun, making it shine along Earth's horizon in the northern hemisphere.

This opposition will be extra special due to the orbits of Earth and Mars lining up to be at their closest to each other. That's when Mars will be at its absolute brightest point for the year, rising at sunset and remaining up until sunrise.

On that day, Mars will also be at its maximum apparent size when viewed through telescopes. "October is a great time for viewing Mars, as the planet is visible all night right now and reaches its highest point in the sky around midnight. This period of excellent visibility coincides with the event known as opposition, which occurs about every two years when Mars is directly on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun", Nasa wrote in a sky watching guide.

"This is also around the time when Mars and Earth come closest together in their orbits, meaning the Red Planet is at its brightest in the sky, so don't miss it", it further said.

By the end of November, Mars will be only a quarter as bright.

How to watch?

You'll be able to look for Mars when the Sun is setting and sky gazers in the northern hemisphere will be in a better position to spot it. Sky watchers can just use a pair of binoculars to watch Mars and even a cell phone with a quality camera on it. You can also view this phenomenon with a naked eye.

Source. India.com via dailyhunt.

Tailpiece.

It was real heavy rain, along with thunder and lightning, all through the night thanks to the trough of low over the Bay of Bengal. Had got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Spoke to two of my classmates, Sudhakar and Jojy - I was speaking to the former after a lapse of almost eight years and he stays pretty close, at Palakkad. It was his birthday. The Harisree Department Store rep delivered our monthly stock of grocery, soon after lunch. 

Attended an interesting webinar by NN Panicker, International expert in Gandhian Philosophy and in Ocean Engineering on the topic, "Sahajivan Swaraj for a green economy". It was between 1500-1630 hrs. It did cut into my siesta but was definitely worth it!

The servicing of the Chevy got over around 1800 hrs and hence, told them that they could deliver it tomorrow morning.   

A nice story from the air!

Surreal experience narrated by Group Captain Sanjay Mishra, Captain of the Indigo flight from Delhi to Bangalore.

It started with the lead informing me that the lady on seat 1C, is an expectant motherfeeling a little restless and that she had not eaten anything since morning. She was comforted and was given fluids and something to eat. A while later, her anxiety and restlessness increased. She also started complaining of stomach pain. As the situation was developing, I asked the lead to page for a doctor.

By sheer providence and divine destiny of this would-be-new-born, there were two very accomplished doctors on board. One of them, Dr Nagaraj, was a plastic surgeon working in King Fahd Hospital in Riyadh and the other, Dr Shailaja, an Obstetrics surgeon , heading the fetal medicine department in Cloud Nine Hospital. We were near Jaipur, cruising at FL (that is 39,000 ft). 

She was initially diagnosed with gastric pain or just constipation and the doctors felt that she would be fine. However, her discomfort and restlessness kept getting worse. Both doctors were in constant attendance. I spoke to the lady doctor who assured me that she was watching her carefully. A little later, north of Bhopal, came to know that she had started bleeding followed by the shattering news that she was suffering an abortion. 

Forward galley and the lavatory were swiftly and efficiently converted into a makeshift ward/labour room taking all precautions by an excellent team of cabin crew who rose to the requirements of the occasion. They were very brilliantly supported by several Captains and Crew, travelling ACM and Dead Head. I was waiting for one final update from the doctors to decide on my next course of action.

As I was mulling over this disheartening piece of news, heard and noticed sudden increase in the activity levels in the cabin......screaming......shouting......clapping and a faint cry of what sounded like a new born....It was a baby boy! From a feeling of deep sadness, it turned to a feeling of intense joy.....never witnessed fortunes turning so swiftly and so miraculously!! Don't think there was a single soul on board who didn't have goose bumps on him or her at that moment.

So the youngster was born on Cloud Nine with the help of a doctor from Cloud Nine! The baby was premature and there was not much clarity on how many months pregnant she was.....could have been saying anything......she had earlier mentioned 5 months?? My decision making skills were getting tested with rapidly unfolding situations.

Although the doctors confirmed to me that the mother and child were doing well.....things could again worsen any moment. Nagpur was 500 m in thundershowers......Indore had a closure.....Hyderabadwas the best option to divert in case of any new contingency. At the bottom of my heart, I was hoping and praying that the youngster on for another hour and a bit.....he did well......much better than expected at his ripe old age of five minutes. 

I didn't want her to land up in Hyderabad in these Covid times and with a premature baby as she was travelling alone. In my address to the passengers, I informed them that "We have an extra passenger on board...." POB was also revised.....plenty of congratulatory calls on air on Nagpur, Madras and Bangalore frequencies......Nagpur gave me direct BL552 for Bangalore 27L from just south of Bhopal......enjoyed the uninterrupted high speed run! Post landing 'Birth on Board' form was filled in a domestic flight in India ever.......and it is most appropriately titled FFS 007.

On ground amid all the frenzy, I could sense a genuine sense of happiness and joy, among all present, KIAL staff, Aster Clinic staff.......in all the gloom surrounding us, people were looking for a reason to celebrate and they got one...! There were banners, chocolates, gifts......and the brave mother was given a rousing reception! 

Met 007! Had a look at his face......of course, he was unaffected by all the commotion around him......by now he was an hour and a half old....As for me......I couldn't have asked for a happier Air Force Day eve!

A baby boy was born on Indigo flight enroute 6E 122 Delhi - Bangalore. Flight landing at 1940 hrs. All operations normal. Mother and child healthy!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. As I cycled on the exercise bicycle at our balcony, saw a team come by in a pick up truck, cut down two big trees with a portable, electric lathe chopped them efficiently into logs of requisite length, loaded them neatly on board and drive off, all within a matter of 45 minutes. There was no sign of any left overs; they'd done a neat job.

Sent the connected documents, for filing my IT returns, to the chartered accountant and my friend, Denny. Meanwhile, our Chevy was taken to the Geeyem Motors for routine servicing by Sreejith, who'd fetched up a trifle after lunch. 

Adieu Tipsy!

Captain(IN) Tejinder Pal Singh Gill, also known as TPS Gill, had passed into the mist of time in the wee hours of the morning, consequent to a cardiac arrest. He was in the hospital, earlier, on contracting Covid-19. The medical complications that he had, made his survival a bit difficult.

He had joined the NDA at the same time that I had, during Jan 1973. While I was slotted into the Hunter Squadron, he was in the neighbouring Echo Squadron. A genial sardar, our paths criss-crossed quite often on the PT fields, the Drill Square, the Equitation Lines and wherever a cadet wandered within the Academy. We, both, joined the IN and it was while in service that we got closer to each other. I used to call him 'Tipsy' because his initials could be best amalgamated into that word and he was as good as the famous dessert - the 'Tipsy' pudding - that's been and continues to be a favourite, for every NDA cadet! His juniors vouch him to be a thorough gentleman!!

My last one-on-one contact with him was on the FB, sometime last year, when he was curious to know all about me and it was then we'd really caught up with each other, with a promise to remain in touch - and our course mates' group facilitated this quite abundantly. He was a loving son, a caring brother, a loving husband and a role-model-father! His mother and a sister - a paraplegic - stay with him, under his loving care.

RIP Tipsy! My salute, tears and prayers. May God give your near and dear ones the strength to tied over these stressful times. You will be missed! 

     *          *           *

What the hell is happening?

(a) The Hathras Conspiracy.

I like Arnab Goswami of the Republic Television channel as he's a spirited Bengali who is meticulous in the presentation of the news ( I must hasten to add that I don't indulge in the debates, simply because I ain't keen and the loud war of words is not my cup of tea). I was waiting to hear his coverage of the Hathras incident while listening to all the other channels - to filter the truth! 

This evening, he'd conceded that he had got delayed as he and his team were in the process of a sting operation on Priyanka Vadra's assistant who was ready with a plan to initiate riots - where many people would be killed on either side - to protest about the incident. 

That the level of politics, in this country, has hit such abysmal levels is a sad situation. I can't understand as to why politicians have shed whatever modicum of decency that existed between them in the past. Politics must be played but never at the expense of national unity.

It will be interesting to know everyone's view on the fall out of 'Operation Danga' - the sting operation!

(b) The Sushant Singh Rajput's case flip flops.

The unethical professional continues to take the system for a ride. Dr Sudhir Gupta, the head of the Forensic Department of the AIIMS, New Delhi had first hit the headlines in Jun '15 in connection with the Sunanda Pushkar case with his controversial findings and utterances. That case is yet to reach its logical conclusion. He still adorns the chair - how and why is he continuing to be there when his credentials are suspect?

He's continuing with his shenanigans and nobody seems to bother. Is this case also going nowhere? Who's the powerful Maharashtra politician who's being shielded in this case? It's disgusting, to say the least. Hope the media is able to get at the truth so that the investigating agencies have no reasons to go slack in their rightful duties!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Have initiated two things that I want to finish within this week itself. The clearing of the thick growth of weeds and wild grass, around Raj Nivas, is being taken up next week - the caretaker has already been told about it.  

         

The Air Defence command.

In view of the growing tensions between India and China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the government is expected to announce the formation of a new Air Defence Command. A study is being done on the structure of the Command which will be under the IAF and the final decision is expected before the end of the year. 

At the annual press conference ahead of the Air Force Day later this week, responding to a question to the formation of the new Command, the Air Chief had said, "The study for setting up the Command is in the advanced stage".

Expected to be located near the IAF's Central Command, which controls some of the most important bases in the country, this is part of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA)'s process of restructuring of the Indian Armed Forces. Earlier this year, the DMA under the Chief of Defence Staff was given the directive to create joint military commands along with theatre commands.

Its aim is to protect the air space of the country and the plan is to get the air assets of the three services under one command, including the S-400 'SA-21 Growler' air defence systems which will start arriving from 2021 for the IAF. And, the structure is based on the study which was carried as per the guidelines set by the DMA.

The AD Threat Perception

The evaluation of its 'susceptibility and vulnerability' against the enemy's offensive capabilities. India is surrounded by two nuclear-armed countries - Pakistan and China and they perpetually maintain a 'minimum credible deterrence' against India. They have also strategically deployed various ballistic and cruise missiles (Both conventional and nuclear capable) against India.

The three services - the Indian Army, the Navy and the AF - maintain their own AD resources which are meant to counter specific threats perceived by each service. The AD assets will now get integrated. Accordingly, the IAF is all set to get the surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW) and AD Radars. This will also help in integrating all sensors, command control structures and weapon systems for an Integrated Air Defence command for carrying out its operations.

Source. Adapted.

     *              *               *

Knowledge decides what to Say, Skill decides how to Say, Attitude decides how much to Say and Wisdom decides whether to Say or not.

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a comparatively quiet day.

Dedicated to all my friends!

I never sat on a sofa with my father and after my marriage, I had already left him.......

Many years ago, after I got married I was sitting on a couch on a hot, humid day, sipping frozen juice during a visit to my father. As I talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities and obligations, my father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look at me.

"Never forget your friends", he advised, "they will become more important as you get older". 

"Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally, do activities with them, call them....."

"What strange advice!" I thought. I had just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life. 

Yet I obeyed him; kept in touch with my friends and annually increased their number. Over the years, I became aware that my father knew what he was talking about! 

In as much as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a man, friends are the bulwarks of his life.

After 64 years years of life, here is  what I learned :

 * Time passes * Life goes on * The distances increase * Children grow up and become independent and although it breaks the parents' heart, they are often separated from them.

Jobs come and go.

Illusions, desires, attractions, sex.......weaken.

People do what they should not do.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget the favours.

But true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles away they are.

A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, reaching out to you intervening in your favour, waiting for you with open arms or with blessings for your life.

When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead.

We did not know how much we would need from one another. Love your parents, take care of your children but keep a group of good friends.

Source. Adapted.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. A power cut spoiled the day - it had begun by about a quarter past 9, without prior intimation and ended only by a half past 6, in the evening. Must admit that we did face some difficulties despite the inverter that's buttoned up to the system! 

The after effects of self medication against Covid-19.

With the scare of Covid-19 spreading at an alarming rate, people have been administering themselves antidotes - on suggestions from well meaning friends - like HCQS, Vit B Complex, Vit C, multi-vitamins, zinc, homeo medicines, drinking kwatha, haldi milk etc to enhance their immunity. Everyone seems to have become a doctor!

Just listen to a well known doctor in Madras........

              A Toxic Medical Experience

I have been attending to patients non-stop and everyday during this pandemic; but with good self-protection for myself.

May. President Trump proclaimed HCQS and the public kept swallowing it even without medical supervision, till we saw sudden Cardiac Deaths.

June. Then started Haldi, Kashayams and Kudineer. We saw ulcer and gastritis with burnt out stomachs in those who overdid it.

July. New Viral Meds were announced. The media and public jumped like it was a miracle for all cases. But now its use is narrowly defined for specific cases.

August.  Consumption of Zinc tablets went up without knowing about Zinc toxicity. We saw unexplained stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. Most of the B-complex just came out as highly yellow coloured urine.

September. Consumption of Vitamin D peaked and we saw Vit-D toxicity like prolonged weakness, nausea and frequent urination. We quietly told the patients to stop it.

October. Dr Hegde's patient who underwent surgery kept on bleeding in an unexplained manner. Patient had been taking Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric and Asafoetida for Covid protection. The surgeon could have been sued in lakhs for his negligence. How do we explain to the people that every single life-style action, hidden background detail and altered diets, too, affects medical treatment? How does one explain that things can suddenly go wrong? 

Finally for 90% of Covid infections, just self quarantine at home was enough. The immune system and normal healthy food did the rest. Slowly people are realising that all they need is a healthy body with sunlight, exercises, a varied natural healthy diet, a de-stressed life style and basic common sense hygiene. Meds and doctors come in last. Is this not what doctors have been telling every single flu season for decades and decades - but without the hysteria?

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Wished my brother-in-law, Sanil and nephew, Achu many happy returns. My course mate and friend, Parrat called me up, after years and it was nice catching up with him (He'd sent a photograph of mine from the Academy days, the day before and I tried ringing him up, but to no avail). The sad news was that his mom had passed away on 03 Dec '19 due to a cardiac arrest. She was 90. she was very fond of me. 

Had the usual video interaction with my sisters and their families too.

Took part in a webinar from 1200-1300 hrs which had the cardiologist, Dr Pankaj Srivastava talking about, "Challenges in the Health Sector during Covid-19". It was interesting.

   

Hathras.

Hathras town in western UP is in the news for all the wrong seasons. 

It's unfortunate that a young, 19-year old lady was brutally gang raped by four beasts and she'd succumbed to her injuries, subsequently. Police had hastily carried out her cremation in the middle of the night and there was outrage among the people, regarding the incident and a cry to bring the culprits to book was on. The UP government had ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case but the opposition, mainly the Congress, tried to make political capital out of the issue with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi descending on the victim's house and making a tamasha out there. The details of their shenanigans are coming out in bits and pieces. Meanwhile, at long last, Yogi Adityanath seems to have corrected the situation by handing over the investigations from his SIT to the CBI. 

It is also a town that has four railway stations, with the word Hathras in it - City, Jn, Kila, Road!

But Hathras is remembered for another reason. And it is linked to the Railways of which we are still ardent fans. More than 130 years back, a wandering penniless monk was sitting on a bench of Hathras Jn station. He was travelling partly on foot, partly by train, partly by bullock cart, as Providence would provide. Suddenly, the ASM of the station spotted the sanyasi with striking features, a sharp nose and wide eyes sitting on the bench. He went up to him and struck up a conversation.

Impressed by his knowledge and disposition, the ASM requested the monk to be his guest that night and took him to his quarters behind the station. After spending a day or two the monk wished to bid goodbye but the ASM told him to wait; he would rush to the station, submit his resignation and leave with the monk as his disciple which he did and became the monk's first disciple. The monk was none other than Narendranath Dutta who later became Swami Vivekananda and the ASM of Hathras Jn was Sharat Chandra Gupta, a Bengali gentleman, who, after getting his sanyas vows, was called Swami Sadananda of the Ramakrishna Mission.

Yes, it's a fascinating story of a monk and his disciple. You can read more about them in the book, "The Life of Swami Vivekananda, by his Eastern and Western disciples, Advaita Ashrama (1989 edition), pages 220-224. Before accepting him as his disciple, Vivekananda gave his begging bowl to Sharat and asked him to beg for food from the porters and khalasis of the station. This was his way of testing his disciple's earnestness. Without waiting for a moment, Sharat went to the station and begged for food from those very people who were his subordinates till just the previous day. He came back to Swamiji with the alms collected and partook of them, along with his Guru. That proved the culmination of his ego after his renunciation.

Incidentally, he was a good friend of Dr Boshi Sen who later became a world renowned plant/agricultural scientist and lived in Almora. Sharat Chandra Gupta or Swami Sadananda, the erstwhile Assistant Station Master of Hathras Jn, though a Bengali, belonged to Jaunpur. He passed away in 1911. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Took part in the 485th edition of the 'Aazhchakkoottam' organised by the Foundation and the topic was, "Covid and the heart", by Dr Jeyapal. It was an interesting interaction!