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It is an unusual view of the mountain, seen this time from a never before angle, and it needs getting used to. And ahead of us the climb to the Auli Bugyal stretches, its gentle slopes inviting us. I pick it up, and carry it safely nestled in my dupatta. The blue water reflects the sky. And the Gods descend to Joshimath to ensure their safety and that of those who offer daily worship to them. Well, I tell myself, there will be a next time.A short drive later, even as the wind whisks around us briskly, we climb a series of steps and a slope to visit the Kalpavruksh. Rush out to climb the slope and look into the distance. But Nanda Devi and the unknown have a magnetism that will not be ignored. And then there is Nanda Devi. We sleep fitfully, knowing that we are to depart the next morning. It is an awesome sight, and we watch transfixed. Three years in a row we have managed to see the mountain, either in all her majesty, or at least catch sight of her sister peaks, and Auli promises us the closest glimpse. A gift from a tree to a tree lover, worth preserving indeed. The road to the Badrinath shrine closes in early winter. Time is running out. For there are steps yet to be climbed and luggage to be carried up, to a room that is comfortable and snug, thank God, for in late December, Auli is preparing for snow. Tonight, we tell ourselves, it will snow. Night is waiting to take over from a fleeting dusk as we reach Joshimath. And ask of each other whether the cloud will move to dust us with white too.The last chair lift returns to the hotel at 4 pm, and resisting the tempation to explore further, we join the other tourists and turn back. The receptionist promises us snow, if it should rain. As we turn back, the wind rises into a sharp song and seems armed with knives that threaten to cut through our jackets. Bare till yesterday, they wear a dusting of white. It comes like a curtain, moving over the mountains opposite.

Basic skiing lessons are available for tourists, before the real season begins and the professional skiers take over. The exact age of the tree that now inspires endless selfies is unknown, but if this is the tree under which Adi Shankaracharya meditated, as the board near it proclaims, it is at least a few centuries old. “You have to climb up to the meadow, and then she is right there,” a fellow tourist helpfully tells us. Bare in winter it grows lush as spring comes byIt takes two hours to walk to the edge of the climb, and the meadow stretches out as a flat land with outcroppings of rocks, all the way ahead as far as eye can see.The meadow that stretches for many kilometres into the wild, is dotted with rock outcrops that invite you to climb them. And snowfall happens every year! And who knows, we may yet meet a snowstorm en route!The writer is the Consulting Editor, Harper Collins Publishers India and Executive Director, EncyclomediaPhoto credit: Sathya Saran.Auli is more than just a ski paradise. As morning comes, we can see the snow. Contrary to a publicity pamphlet that claims the tree is eternally in bloom, bare branches stare back at me as I walk around the 21. And this is the last chance of experiencing snow fall. We take a quick look at the monastery said to be started by one of Adi Shankaracharya&Custom Special sculpt Signs factory39;s disciples in the 8 th century, but the visit leaves us strangely unmoved. We climb the rocky hills, and look down on the landscape we have left behind that seems a mix of desert and forest. Evidence of the recent snowfall lingers, in the shady patches under the oak trees, and in strips of gleaming white in the hollows formed by the undulating slopes. We climb up towards the meadow; the slope is deceptively easy on the eye, but not so on thighs and knees that are protesting at the sudden strain they are being put to. Well, almost. Oak, rhodrendron and the snow make for a colourful picture. Auli has little else to offer. Immediately below, the land is barren, treeless — ready for snow. There is just enough light left to discern the narrow road that starts on a sharp curve and climbs steeply up towards Auli.The Kalpavruksh tree. As I watch the last few leaves twirling in the breeze, one detaches itself to land at my feet. But the majesty of the country’s highest peak cannot be ignored. The stars twinkle mischeviously back at us.

No snow. Should it snow, we could possibly extend our trip and take up a short four day course in skiing. The news of impending snowfall has spread, and we can hear cars driving in, till late into the night. And no other snowcapped peak either. Not snow settled prettily on top of mountain peaks, not glistening in the sunlight so far away that we need to argue about whether it is clouds we are seeing or a line of snow peaks; what we want is snow falling gently from the sky. And the sky is filled with clouds.5 metres of its circumference, bowing my head as acknowledgment to Nature’s divine strength. We are a group in search of snow. But the Gods inside are housed with much ceremony, and in regal splendour. And yes, the sky holds a few black clouds. As evening falls and we repair to the warmth of our room, the weather turns. The sound of rain on the roof is music; it portends snow. So, come December, we take the long road from Rishikesh, and drive through crowded villages, and deserted hillsides, and look down steep slopes at the river that rushes downslope, away from where we are going, eager to reach Auli. Emboldened by our expedition of the previous day, we repeat the route, and going faster with practice, have enough time on hand to venture far into the unknown. But local wisdom says it may take yet another day or so for the snow to move across to Auli. All through the long drive, I turn this way and that, unable to look away, as the jagged slopes soften and turn Christmas card perfect in the snowfall.The Shankaracharya Mutt Joshimath is also sacred in its own right, for it was here that the interpid traveller and spiritual leader, Adi Shankaracharya is said to have launched his mission of reviving Hinduism in 632 AD. Unlike in many temples, he does not expect or demand money in return. And that comes with the possibility of being locked in, as driving down the winding road to Joshimath without snow chains on the tyres might be risky. Down below a lake shivers in the cold breeze. In recent years, the tree has had to be protected from worshippers who touch, pluck leaves of pieces of bark off it, and a wire fencing surrounds it safely away from human contact. Nor is Nanda Devi anywhere in sight.

The temple they are housed in is unpretentious, almost plain. in a few days, the leaf crumbles, but it nestles in a plastic box, a memento from a century old living entity. But the sky holds its secret, and we drive down to Joshimath to take in the sights the town has to offer. Already, the clerk at reception tells us with the air of who has hosted a royal visitor, that there has been heavy snowfall just a week ago. Nanda Devi stands majestic in the background.And most delightfully surprising is the fact that Nanda Devi stands upclose and larger than life, just beyond reach. Nothing. So, after a hearty breakfast of puri and potatoes in the crowded common room of the GMVN Ski Resort, we take the chair lift that deposits us in ten quick minutes up a slope that the more intrepid take a few hours to climb. Through the night, our trips to the window show nothing but a murky, starless sky.We do not stop till we get there. Come morning, we look eagerly out of the window. And more is sure to follow despite the sunny spell. Strangely, I discover, this venerable tree is neither a banyan not peepul, but a mulberry tree. It offers great views and a base for explorations. 1200 years to be exact. The Shiv temple at the spot where Adi Shankaracharya is said to have established a Shiv Ling.Reluctantly, we pack the car, hauling our bags in, our eyes still transfixed by the drama being played out on the mountains opposite.We drag on extra sweaters and smile at the sky in anticipation. Legend has it that visiting the temple in winter is as good as visiting the actual shrine in summer, and we walk out energised by the darshans within. Children scream and jump about, throwing fistfuls at each other. After much changing of gears and a couple of false turns, we have, as Aunty Google would put it, ‘arrived at our destination’. A pundit chants mantras for our welfare and hands out prasad.Barren and rough, the # meadow has a wild beautyThe sun, not snow, wakes us the third morning. Adi Shankaracharya also established a Shivaling here, and a temple to Shiva now stands under the shade of the tree. Gnarled and knotted, bent and yet spreading its branches skywards, this tree has seen the centuries roll

In August 2017, a leading TV channel reported that electricity had been cut to the Jama Masjid in New Delhi for non-payment of bills.The second kind of fake news involves manipulation or editing of primary content so as to misrepresent it as something else.Leading up to the Second World War, the radio emerged as a strong medium for dissemination of disinformation, used by the Nazis and other Axis powers.While the widespread dissemination of fake news contributes greatly to its effectiveness, it also has a lot to do with the manner in which it is designed to pander to our cognitive biases. The historical examples of fake news go back centuries where, prior to his coronation as Roman Emperor, Octavian ran a disinformation campaign against Marcus Antonius to turn the Roman populace against him. This form of fake news is often seen with respect to multimedia content such as images, pictures, audios and videos. This was based on a false report carried by a news portal.A quick survey by us at the Centre of Internet and Society, for a forthcoming report, of the different kinds of misinformation being circulated in India, suggested four different kinds of fake news. This includes instances where the entire premise on which an argument is based is patently false.”Researchers have suggested that rumours penetrate deeper within a social network than outside, indicating the susceptibility of this medium. In 2008, rumours about the popular snack, Kurkure, being made out of plastic became so widespread that Pepsi, its holding company, had to publicly rebut them. Andrew Pettigrew wri-tes in his.

The Invention of News, that news reporting in the 16th and 17th centuries was full of portents about “comets, celestial apparitions, freaks of nature and natural disasters. How we respond to this issue will be vital for democratic societies in our immediate future. The phenomenon of fake news has rece-ived significant sc-holarly and media attention over the last few years.Fake news is also linked to the idea of “naïve realism,” the belief people have that their perception of reality is the only accurate view, and those in disagreement are necessarily uninformed, irrational, or biased.The first is a case of manufactured primary content. He works on issues surrounding privacy, big data, and cyber security).Third, more complicated cases of misinformation involve the primary content itself not being false or manipulated, but the facts when they are reported may be quoted out of context.”In India, the immediate cause for the 1857 War of Indepen-dence was rumours that the bones of cows and pigs were mixed with flour and used to grease the cartridges used by the sepoys. The use of the digital medium for fast, unhindered and unchecked spread of information presents a fertile ground for those seeking to spread misinformation.A well-informed citizenry and institutions that provide good information are fundamental to a functional democracy. Information received via friends tends to be trusted, and online networks allow in-dividuals to transmit information to many friends at once. Earlier this year, several dailies pointed out that an image shared by the ministry of home affairs, purportedly of the floodlit India-Pakistan border, was actually an image of the Spain-Morocco border. More recently, the milk miracle in the mid-1990s consisting of stories of the idol of Ganesha drinking milk was a popular fake news phenomenon. These two forms of fake news tend to originate outside traditional media such as newspapers and television channels, and can be often sourced back to social media and WhatsApp forwards.The advent of the printing press in the 15th century led to widespread publication; however, there were no standards of verification and journalistic ethics.

This further results in greater susceptibility to confirmation bias, disconfirmation bias and prior attitude effect. A complex regulatory mechanism involving various stake holders is need to end the menace. This also explains why so much fake news simply does not engage with alternative points of view. Social media, created to connect people, has turned into an effective tool for propagandists to manipulate public opinion.(The author works at The Centre for Internet and Society. In March, Sir Tim Berners Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, has called for a crackdown on fake news, stating in an open letter that “misinformation, or fake news, which is surprising, shocking, or designed to appeal to our biases, can spread like wildfire.A well-informed citizenry and institutions that provide good information are fundamental to a functional democracy. Social networks such as Facebook and communities on messaging services such as Whats-App groups provide the perfect environment for spreading rumours. Most examples of misinformation spread by Wholesale Custom Color letter Signs mainstream media, which has more evolved systems of fact checking and verification, and editorial controls, would tend to fall under this. Directionally motivated reasoning prompts people confronted with political information to process it with an intention to reach a certain pre-decided conclusion, and not with the intention to assess it in a dispassionate manner. Due to its wide popularity and reach, social media has come to play a central role in the fake news debate.Finally, there are instances of lack of diligence in fully understanding the issues before reporting. They feed off the fact that people trust messages sent by their friends and families.”Gartner, which annually predicts what the next year in technology will look like, highlighted ‘increased fake news’ as one of its predictions.In order to understand the recent phenomenon of fake news, it is important to recognise that the problem of misinformation and propaganda has existed for a long time.The report states that by 2022, “majority of individuals in mature economies will consume more false information than true information. Such misrepresentations are often encountered while reporting in fields that require specialised knowledge, such as science and technology, law, finance etc. In this case, the image was not doctored but the accompanying information was false. Further, there are instances where genuine content such as text and pictures are shared with fallacious contexts and descriptions. Fake news presents a complex regulatory challenge that requires the participation of different stakeholders such as the content disseminators, platforms, norm guardians which include institutional fact checkers, trade organisations, and “name-and-shaming” watchdogs, regulators and consumers.However, we see such unverified stories being picked up by traditional media. Such forms of misinformation, while not suggestive of malafide intent can still prove to be quite dangerous in shaping erroneous opinions

The second is about keeping to your left and giving way to the big, bold and cantankerous fellows while pacing yourself for the 23 km one way..8 Choosing the right cycle — This topic deserves another article, lookout for it coming soon. Here are the 10 commandments I have learned from fellow riders and experts that have helped me stay safe, get to places faster and remain fit for more than a decade — touchwood!1 Learn traffic rules, signs and practice them — there is no excuse for not knowing traffic rules.— The writer loves life in the slow lane.. they are a bane to any cyclist. And it’s not due to any august fitness goals, more to overcome the endless traffic snarls in the city and do away with sitting in car for hours on end! Cycling to and fro (about 46 km) has been a lesson in getting in touch with one’s inner survival instincts, which sadly, we have all lost in our race to tech-savviness.6 Use lights — The front lights must be white lights and back lights strapped to the seat post must be red lights. I don’t wear face masks, though it’s optional. There are misconceptions galore around cycling."Little did we know that not only was it a safety tip but also one that is used in racing to reduce the drag effect, and induce drafting or slipstream by the first rider for the one behind. 3 Sight plus anticipation — Your eyes are capable of more than you can imagine! For example, when you see a parked vehicle in front, look for brake lights, look for a silhouette to see if there is a driver inside and anticipate that they will open the door or cut you without warning — be prepared, either slow down, ring your bell or change lanes by signaling with your hand. Do not surprise others! 2 Never wear headphones or use mobile devices while riding — a cyclist must use all his senses to stay safe and enjoy the ride — sight, sound, smell are the three most important aspects of riding. There is also little of use raving and ranting at others who are not following traffic signs or lane discipline or using mobile phones on the road, let the law enforcers do their job, let’s do ours..Bicycle diaries of a novice I have been riding to work every Sunday for the past year.

 There are some basic do’s and don’ts which one should follow to avoid unpleasant experiences and enhance the joys of pedalling. But in all this, the one aspect that truly amazes me is the universal friendliness of the more evolved and wonderful humans I have encountered on my pedal tours, who give you a high-five, thumbs up, even shout out all the best, and give you way, so that you aren’t cruising down a slope to break suddenly at a large motor vehicle looming ahead. This cycling etiquette makes space for faster motorists in other vehicles, and also saves as much as 40 per cent energy for the riders who are drafting behind the leader. On the flip and not-so-nice side, are taxi drivers, auto drivers and bikers who love going in the opposite direction of a one way.4 Smell — This one is my personal favourite — you must use smell as a guiding factor to avoid polluted vehicles, garbage trucks and animal transportation vehicles just to ensure you aren’t holding your breath while riding or drafting behind an obnoxiously smelling vehicle. I feel safer on a cycle because I am naturally more alert and extra cautious about my surroundings than when I am in a four-wheeler. Though, it would be apt for the city without roads, to first have decent roads to ply on, and if at all there is a glimmer of hope, some cycling paths for those resolute and tireless cyclists that have already done a Brushed stainless steel letter Signs great job by reducing pollution and congestion, just a wee bit. The first and most important lesson in cycling is to be vigilant, to the innumerable potholes and bumps across the city, that have only gotten worse after every rain. Some riders have a whistle to ward off stray dogs or unwelcome strangers on a lonely road too. Basic cycle maintenance can be done by anyone — one can clean the chain with a tooth brush, one can change tyre tubes easily, lubricate moving parts.

There are also many people who chat with you, incase you have stopped for a drink break, curious about your cycling sojourns.My first cycling tip was given by my school principal when he saw four of us riding in parallel on the 12th Main Road in Indiranagar. While cycling, it is a definite No, because one needs to use surrounding sounds as a guiding factor — an over enthusiastic motorcyclist tailgating, cars and buses trailing from behind to overtake, and with headphones one is in danger of not hearing these vital sounds. Cycling in Bengaluru is a sure shot way of getting to your destination faster, and it’s healthy and reduces the carbon footprint. For example, in India cyclists must always ride on the left extreme of the road/lane to allow other bigger and faster vehicles passage. My thinking is that our bodies are capable of dealing with germs floating around and that helps build immunity..Cycling is not unsafe.. Practice ‘glancing’, using ‘the corner of your eyes without a head turn — we can learn from animals here — their peripheral vision is better than ours — that’s why horses wear blinkers to ensure they look only straight and stay on course but in our case, we must use peripheral vision to enhance safety.5 Wear a helmet and strap it firmly. As a general rule, one needs to answer the question — what do you ride for — short commute (5-20km) or long distance (50 km plus) or off-road hard terrain riding. And of course, one takes turns, and the lead cyclist moves to the back of the single file and the next one takes over for another stretch of a few km. Given the state of our roads, I ride a mountain bike for commute and use a roadbike for inter city or long distance rides.9 Do keep your cycle serviced, do basic checks before every ride, check brakes, chain tension, tyre air pressure and cycle axle nuts.

A cycling bell is good to have to warn others, especially pedestrians that you are approaching. 10 Know your cycle, love your cycle, take care of your cycle and it will take care of you. Using peripheral vision — this becomes extremely important and will come naturally after a couple of rides — it’s not always possible to look sideways while cycling. Fitness guaranteed. Our safety is our responsibly..7 Be extra careful at turns and crossings — please do not expect other motorists to see you, especially when a vehicle is turning left, the driver has certain blind spots and may not see you. or traffic etiquette. I am not a big fan of earphones for multiple reasons — while running not only does it take away the sound of your rhythm, breathing, footsteps but also surrounding natural sounds. One wishes they would have some more sense... But that is a personal choice. He stopped his car a few meters ahead, and said, "Boys ride in a single file and not in parallel.. Wear bright-coloured close fitted clothing — yellow, orange, fluorescent jackets are good and shoes — some people ride wearing sandals — the feet have the maximum contact with the ground on a cycle and given that our roads have all sorts of objects poking out — cables, wires, steel, glass etc, it’s a good idea to have shoes on. For city riders, I find any good branded mountain bike of the right size is most suitable, although many people prefer to ride ‘Hybrid’ cycles which are a combination of road cycles (thinner tyres) and mountain bikes (straight handle bars) which allow an upright riding posture. It’s foolish to think that by keeping the earphones at a low volume one can get by. This will also help to add front and back lights on the helmet. Lose-flowing clothes are not recommended to prevent them from entangling with the cycle. While changing lanes or slowing down or stopping, always use your right hand to indicate to others what you are planning to do

"We now have a choice of daily or on-demand, and to offer more choice is great" for gay men, Molina said. The reason: preliminary results, along with the findings from other research, made it clear that it would be unethical to deny the medicine to people at risk for infection. are infected with HIV, 20% more than a decade ago. More than two thirds of Custom Mini Signs Manufacturers the new cases involve men who have sex with men. Food and Drug Administration in 2012 to prevent HIV infections and intended to be given daily. Over 2 million people acquire the infection worldwide each year.S. While 14 of the 201 people taking placebo pills became infected with HIV, there were only two infections among the 199 in the Truvada group. Van Sickels, who was not connected with the research. Molina said. Past research had suggested that once-a-day therapy worked no more than 42% of the time because people weren't taking their pills, said Molina. The study, known as IPERGAY, did not find that the drug affected volunteers’ risk of acquiring other types of sexually transmitted infections: 81 of the 400 picked up chlamydia, 88 developed gonorrhea, 39 acquired syphilis and five got hepatitis C. "They are less concerned that they will get HIV.

"It's the first big published study to offer an alternative" to daily therapy, said Dr. Volunteers taking the drug reported nearly three times as many gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain as placebo recipients.S. The short duration of the study may have elevated the estimated protection rate "due in part to high initial adherence," the researchers cautioned. If you’re taking less, that may be less of a problem. Nicholas Van Sickels, an infectious disease specialist at Tulane University in New Orleans, told Reuters Health in a telephone interview. The number is small, in part, because the rules were altered in mid-study to allow all volunteers to take the drug. The study suggests that may not be necessary, and the pills can be taken as needed.. As-needed treatment "was nearly close to full protection," chief author Jean-Michel Molina of Hopital Saint-Louis in Paris told Reuters Health by phone.

If the sexual encounters continued, they were told to take their pills once a day until two days after the sex ended. About 1. It can have effects on the kidneys and the bones. "People are telling us they are more relaxed when they have sex," said Molina." However, the study, which used placebo pills for comparison, did not directly compare protection rates to people who took Truvada daily. Aaron Tobian of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who was also not involved in the study, cautioned that the results might be different in real-world settings, telling Reuters Health in an email that it will be important to see if such therapy "is effective for preventing HIV infection among individuals not participating in a clinical trial. Since the study began in 2012, the researchers reported, Truvada reduced the infection rate by 86%. The volunteers were typically followed for just over 9 months. "Our assumption was that using on-demand treatment would be a way to improve adherence.

"It would also potentially reduce the toxicity." Dr. The medication is Gilead's Truvada, a combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine, approved by the U.However the results may not apply to heterosexual men or womenThe odds of getting HIV can be dramatically reduced by taking two pills prior to sex and two more after, according to a new study of 400 high-risk gay men and transgendered women published online by the New England Journal of Medicine in conjunction with World AIDS Day. But that reflects the prevention of just 12 cases. Because the study was unable to assess the long-term toxicity of the drug, "ultimately safety concerns will have to be balanced against potential benefits from HIV-1 prevention," they said." "If you were to take the drug on demand it would potentially reduce the cost," which in the U. Gilead helped finance the test. "This is a great study that shows a high level of protection, higher than we've seen before," Dr.S. All were given condoms and counseling to further reduce their infection risk. "We could say it offers similar protection to a condom, although a condom protects against other sexually-transmitted diseases as well. They were also more likely to develop signs of kidney problems. And those two men in the Truvada group never took the drug, so the success rate could be considered even higher, Dr. is about $1,000 to $1,200 a month, said Van Sickels." In the new study, the volunteers from France and Canada were instructed to take two pills with food two to 24 hours before sex, followed by a third pill 24 hours later and a fourth 24 hours after that. They would take the drugs when they needed it, before and after sexual exposure.2 million people in the U. The study will continue to June, he said." But he cautioned that the results may not apply to heterosexual men or women

To expect that peace is simply contingent on US withdrawal is to deny the Afghan history of conflict following the Soviet withdrawal three decades ago.The US-Taliban dialogue is taking place when Afghan political factions are bracing themselves for the forthcoming presidential elections.Subversive Indian activities and the spectre of a two-front security threat have underpinned Pakistan’s concerns about India’s role. In fact, we should positively look at measures, such as overland transit, that could create India’s stake in Afghanistan’s stability.The Afghan conflict is complex and Afghanistan is riven with deep schisms of a political, ethnic, sectarian and ideological character. And, that any hasty withdrawal risks escalation of the civil war. Then the issue was a broad-based government, now it is a sustainable political settlement. For argument’s sake, a stable Afghanistan will diminish that possibility. The hope that this 40-year-old conflict has run its course depends on two trajectories: reduction in violence and some form of intra-Afghan dialogue for a political settlement. The Soviet commitment to withdrawal was unequivocal; the American indications are reversible. Today, the world, including erstwhile adversaries, has grudgingly recognised the Taliban as a powerful political entity.

What can propel the nascent peace process initiated by the Qatar dialogue is that the status quo is becoming increasingly untenable and that war fatigue has set in, at least among the Americans. At best, the existing stalemate has given way to a situation in flux, with hopeful signs. They will resist its return.

A Taliban spokesman in Qatar averred that the Taliban are not seeking a "monopoly" of power and have a vision of an "inclusive Afghan world", something quite new in Taliban parlance. We cannot object to Afghanistan and India having cooperation that is not at the cost of Pakistan especially in trade and the economic arena. Afghanistan is more than the Taliban or the Pakhtuns.Meanwhile, the Taliban reject negotiations with the Kabul government. Perhaps, Pakistan and India can also turn a new page in their relations.However, for any settlement to find traction, it must emerge from the Afghans themselves. If the Taliban reject talks with Kabul, they must agree to an intra-Afghan dialogue of Afghan parties that includes them and the government, for working out a political settlement or retooling etched vintage office desk signage the Bonn arrangement.There are other signs of hope.?The US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has spoken of forward movement on a two-point framework, namely, the issue of withdrawal and the Taliban commitment not to allow extremists to find safe haven in territory under their control. On the other hand, well-respected voices in the United States have dismissed any framework that excludes ceasefire and direct dialogue between the Taliban and the Kabul government as akin to "surrender".Much has been said about the enormous opportunities that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan can open for itself and for the region in areas of connectivity, communications and energy corridors, and commerce and economic cooperation.

Kabul is fuming over its exclusion from the Qatar dialogue. Khalilzad has conceded that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed", and chided critics for having "rushed to judgement". Concomitantly, there is talk of an interim government to accommodate the Taliban and to push forward the peace process.By arrangement with Dawn. The Soviet withdrawal did not prevent continuation of the conflict; the same is feared if the Americans were to leave precipitously. Thanks to post-9/11 opportunities, the non-Pakhtun population is stronger than ever before. In short, the peace process now perilously rests on the patience of the Trump administration with its new approach, and possible flexibility on the part of the Afghan leaders to measure up to the responsibility that this historical juncture imposes on them. The format can take any acceptable shape combining traditional procedures, such as the Loya Jirga. All this may turn out to be a false dawn.The decision by the US to engage in direct dialogue with the Afghan Taliban and its willingness to pull out of Afghanistan has set off a new dynamic that has both promise and a déja vu quality. Reduction of violence will depend on a formal or informal ceasefire which is inextricably linked to the question of a timeline for withdrawal and a de facto acceptance of Taliban control over territories under their influence.Regionally, regardless of their reported support, Russia, China and Iran will be uneasy with Taliban control in Kabul. But it is pointless to count the chicks before they are hatched. Similarly, there has been socioeconomic advancement for the educated class and women who had all been marginalised under Taliban rule

Subramaniam is lucky that his creative endeavour has seen the light of day while still in uniform. It starts with the historical provenance of each of India’s three armed forces, including their gallant conduct in overseas theatres of the two World Wars and the significant contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose’s INA to India’s freedom struggle. Even fewer are blessed with the erudition and inclination to record or analyse what they witness.Most of us who serve the nation’s flag for three or four decades are witness to or even participate in events that make history.Apart from its historical worth, this narrative serves to expose India’s weak strategic culture, manifest in three egregious grand-strategic blunders by its leadership within the first 24 years: (a) India’s referral of the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council at a critical juncture of the 1947-48 war; (b) the mindless "Forward Policy" which pitted an ill-prepared Indian Army against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in 1962; and (c) Indira Gandhi’s political capitulation to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1972 Simla Conference, following India’s historic military victory in Bangladesh. Arjun Subramaniam deserves praise for diligence and resolve in delivering his maiden opus in the midst of a busy military career.

A serving Air vice-marshal of the Indian Air Force, he follows the worthy tradition of Thucydides, the 5th century BC Athenian general, who wrote a first-hand account while participating in the Peloponnesian Wars. He rightly laments the sad indifference shown by Independent India’s political leadership in not according due recognition to the courage and sacrifices made by our warriors in both instances. All this, the author points out, has denied India’s armed forces the credit they deserve for safeguarding our democracy, kept the public ignorant of the military’s battlefield exploits and deterred the cream of our youth from taking up a soldiering career.

I would recommend India’s Wars as a book worth reading to scholars, analysts and soldiers as well as to lay persons with an interest in history or the military.Given his stated interest in military history and the extensive reading he seems to have done, this book has obviously been in the author’s head for many years.The roots of our strategic debility can be traced to a toxic Nehruera legacy: Misplaced faith in non-violence, coupled with paranoid suspicion of the armed forces. However, Subramaniam faced a hazard that Thucydides did not have to: Running the gauntlet of military conservatism. The first segment relates to early military actions — essentially within our borders — encompassing the Kashmir War of 1947-48, integration of Hyderabad and Junagadh and Liberation of Goa in 1961. The author’s painstaking research is manifest in descriptions of major battles and vignettes that come to life; of free-India’s first military legends like Major Somnath Sharma, Air Commodore "Baba" Mehar Singh and Brigadier Mohammad Usman. Aspiring authors are required to have their manuscripts vetted by military intelligence staff, who see their role as bowdlerisation and censorship. He also grasps every opportunity to underscore the — regrettably infrequent — instances of "jointness" where one or more of the services demonstrated synergy in planning and/or operations. His reflections, during a career combining military-aviation with academic pursuits, have led him to agonise over many issues: the baffling neglect of military history by Indian academia as well as intelligentsia, the excessive national emphasis on "pacifism" and its impact on contemporary strategic culture and our Kafkaesque bureaucracy, which has prevented the de-classification of national security documents. But not many have the vision or perspicacity to place them correctly in the kaleidoscope of a nation’s historical narrative. Arjun Subramaniam, the author of India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947-71 is one such exception. One hopes that these signs of "glasnost" in South Block will inspire others of his ilk to put pen to paper.

As an airman, Subramaniam is, understandably, at pains to highlight the contribution of air-power, whether in combat roles or in logistic-support tasks and never fails to express angst at "lost opportunities" (in 1947, 1962 and 1965) where he feels an imaginative leadership (political as well as IAF), could have swung the balance by a bolder approach to deployment Illuminated sign Factory of air power. These are amongst the factors that have inspired this airman to compile this vivid portrayal of India’s wars in its early years.Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd) is a former Chief of Naval Staff. In each case, he undertakes a historical probe into the background and casus belli for the conflict and provides a summary of the major actions fought on land, sea and in the air. The tragic debacle of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the drawn 1965 Indo-Pak War and the triumph of the 1971 War of Bangladesh Liberation have all been depicted by Subramaniam in depth and detail. Subramaniam’s narrative is divided into five thematic parts, which take the reader through its contents in logical progression. We have learnt nothing from history. This panoramic presentation, provides not only a multi-track account of India’s early wars but also offers valuable insights into how a reluctant Indian state used force in national interest in its formative years. Above all, he fears, ignorance of military history has prevented Indians from learning from their own past and contributed to inept national strategies as well as military blunders. The narrative then goes on to provide accounts of the conflicts in which our armed forces participated during the quarter-century, post-Independence. One wonders how many young officers — leave alone civilian youth — have heard these names Moving on to trans-border conflicts, the segments that follow describe India’s full-blown military actions against hostile neighbours: China and Pakistan

"It's a brave father who asks for a paternity leave in South Korea, but things are changing in a positive way," Hong told AFP. and it was impossible to find enough time to play with or read to my kids," he said."When they smile at me and say 'dada' in my arms . "Our mindset is still stuck in the old days when men were sole breadwinners," President Park Geun-Hye said last month during a meeting with experts to discuss the low birthrate.

There are signs that the business world is beginning to accept the need for change, even at major conglomerates like Samsung or Hyundai which are notorious for their long office hours and conservative work cultures. a moment like that is just priceless..19 births per woman as of 2013 -- the lowest among OECD member nations and far below the China Custom Brass Letters Signs Manufacturers OECD average of 1. "When they learned how to speak, they even said 'dada' before saying 'mama,'" he said, bursting into laughter. This is forcing a worrying demographic shift in Asia's fourth-largest economy, as the pool of young, working-age South Koreans shrinks in contrast to a burgeoning elderly population.The number of South Korean fathers taking paternity leave in the first half of 2015 jumped 40 percent from the same 2014 period -- albeit off a very low base -- to 2,212.South Korea still has a "long, long way to go," said Hong Seung-Ah, researcher at Korea Women's Development Institute.Fears of demotionKim Jin-Sung is one of a growing number of South Korean fathers opting to take a break from their careers to help bring up their children - an unthinkable idea until recently."Gruelling work cultureSouth Korea's intense work culture was a major factor behind Kim's decision to take his year off to be with his five-year-old daughter and three-year-old son.

Sky-high property prices and narrowing job prospects are causing many young South Koreans of both sexes to delay marriage -- or shun it completely.Lee's supervisors let him go with little objection, the 40-year-old said -- although he was still the first male employee to take such a long parental break in the firm's 40 year history."We need to . But women are becoming particularly resistant, rebelling against the traditional norm of the stay-at-home mother, with sole responsibility for all household duties. But men still only represented five percent of requests for parental leave, compared to more than 40 percent in countries like Sweden. By law men and women are entitled to up to one year maternity or paternity leave.Seoul: When Kim Jin-Sung applied for paternity leave to care for his two young children, the response from senior management at the company he worked for ranged from shock and disbelief to outright anger."But Kim was determined and, after months of pleading with management, he was finally granted a year-long paternity leave -- the first in the 15-year history of his employer.. educate more fathers to create a culture where they can naturally take part in childcare," she said, urging local companies to cut "unnecessary long office hours and after-hour drinking sessions.".South Korea men spend an average of 45 minutes a day on household chores including childcare -- the lowest among OECD member nations.67.More and more South Korea fathers are opting to take a break from their careers to help bring up their children. (Photo: AFP)South Korea has a fertility rate of 1.The multi-billion campaign has included subsidies to encourage more men to take paternity leave -- despite resistance from the corporate world.Kim is one of a growing number of South Korea fathers opting to take a break from their careers to help bring up their children -- an unthinkable idea until recently in a male-dominated society where daily childcare has always been considered a woman's responsibility.But a rock-bottom birthrate, fuelled in part by a growing reluctance among women to accept traditional roles, has spurred the government to push for societal changes that will help couples to have larger families. The reaction from friends was equally incredulous, with most struggling to comprehend why Kim would disrupt his career to do "the wife's job. And he isn't alone.

The "brave" tag, which has been actively promoted by the government, references the concern fathers have of the career consequences..19 births per woman as of 2013 - the lowest among OECD member nations and far below the OECD average of 1. Fathers like Kim forsake their company salary but receive a government handout equivalent to 40 percent of their monthly income -- capped at 1. It was a very difficult process, but I was really lucky to get it at all," he said in the toy-strewn living room of his apartment in Seoul. "They asked me hundreds of times if I was being serious," the 40-year-old, Seoul-based IT salesman said. "I used to come home from work at eight or nine on a few lucky days .0 million won ($840). (Photo: AFP)A recent survey showed nearly 80 percent of South Korean fathers wanted to take paternity leave, but half were too worried about the risk of being laid off or demoted when they returned to work.And though many family members and friends doubted the wisdom of his move, Lee said the time he earned with is daughter and son was more than worth it..Lee Dong-Hoon, a manager at Hyundai Development Company, decided to become a stay-at-home dad for his baby twins for a year after his wife completed a year-long maternity leave.67.Rapidly ageing societySouth Korea has a fertility rate of 1