OFF GMAT and OFF MBA!!!

I generally avoid turning this blog into a 'News Paper' and i refrain from reporting the non GMAT and non MBA incidents that take place around. However, this time i am just not able to restrict myself.

Last three days - three major mishaps. First, AGNI-3 fails, then the GSLV plunges into the Bay of Bengal and yesterday, the Mumbai misfortune. Worst way for a country to start a week!!!

Agni III missile test on Sunday morning was a failure after the missile developed a snag. It a missile with the longest of ranges (approx 3500 kms). And over and above that, its nuclear capacity would have made it a prime weapon in Indian Military Armory. However, it was not to be so... During school days, i always used to oppose the excessive investments the government of India made behind researches related to military equipments. I was not able to explain myself the necessity for spending such hefty amounts, when you know that a huge percentage of your population is thriving below poverty line. My father tried to explain me at times, but i never got convinced. It was only after the Kargil War that i realized how important it is to have such biggies with you, although you might never use them. No doubt our neighbours might be way ahead in their missile race with India, a successful test of Agni III would have helped India match its nuclear capacity with its neighbours. And talking specifically about India's north-western neighbour , :):):), it does only one thing indigenously for the missiles it possesses. Naming them!!Most of Pakistan's missiles are imports from China, and what Pakistan does after it imports these missiles?Just names them with those of muslim leaders who invaded India... (Shaheen, Ghouri and the likes) Whatever the background is, the fact is that Pakistan possesses missiles which have a range of 800 kms, using which she can target most of the northern cities in India. A successful test fire of an indigenous Agni III would have not only added to the zeal of those scientists and engineers who were working for this day since years, but also placed India comfortably ahead in this 'Missile Race'.

Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle which carried INSAT 4C... Sriharikota has rarely launched such heavy satellites in the past. It was a satellite which was supposed to be used for commercial purposes and thus, this mishap was a great setback for Indian Space Research Organisation, and will cost Rs. 256 crores to the insurance companies. Moments after blast off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, the rocket veered away from its normal trajectory. Scientists at the launch centre watched in horror and then immediately got the rocket to self-destruct and disintegrate. The debris fell into the Bay of Bengal. The disappointment on the part of all the scientists whose efforts went in vain is very much understandable. Having been trained at ISRO, Ahmedabad, I could imagine the plight of all such scientists and engineers, after the 'Destroy' command was issued by Madhvan Nair, ISRO chairman. I was told a minute to minute account of the entire incident by Neha, my friend who works for ISRO. It was so disheartening to learn about the pin-drop silence which prevailed once the rocket started shifting from its trajectory. If it had succeeded, the satellite would have increased capacity for direct-to-home satellite television services, meteorological imaging and digital pictures for improved mapping of the sub-continent. However, this was not the case. For the time being, India will still need the help of the French to launch her heavy satellites.

These two incidents were undoubtedly very lamentable. However, they were not as unfortunate as the 5 blasts in Kashmir and 7 in Mumbai. Tourists losing their lives in Kashmir and 200 odd commutors losing theirs in Mumbai. This incident reminds of the 1993-94 serial bomb-blasts in Mumbai. But there are some remarkable differences which one can sight. The explosives used for yesterday's blasts were a lot more dangerous than those used in 93. Also, the target has shifted from the city to the suburbs. What remains same is the motive. Railway station in London, railways lines in Mumbai... clerly show that the intention is not merely to kill people, but to ingest a threat, a fear in the minds of the common men. No group has so far claimed the responsibility for the event, and I dont think anyone would even do that. And who is to be blamed in this situation? Is it the hyprocrite government of the neighbouring country? Or those nomads who call themselves 'jihadis'? Is this what 'jihad' means? Many questions, not even a single answer. That leaves with only one option. Introspection. India cannot succumb to the demands of these terrorist outfits. Neither she can descent from its peace-keeping initiatives with Pakistan. Few of my friends suggest that such events could be stopped by developing the infrastructure. My question to them will be - if better infrastructure was the solution, London wouldnt have witnessed that horrifying day. The solution here, in my opinion, lies in the mind. The solution is 'intelligence'. It is not possible to have bomb-detecters placed at each and every place in a city. But given the likes of RAW and other intelligence agencies in India, it is certainly possible to trace out if any such activities are being planned. This forces me to conclude that the mishap which took place yesterday, was not a security failure. It was Intelligence Failure.

Since the time i saw this news on television and heard about the same from few friends in Mumbai, i seriously have started pondering over my roll for limiting such crisis in which India finds herself now and then. Is there some way i can contribute towards the making of India in which a comman man can breathe at peace? This is question i am asking myself.