India's First Female Fighter Pilots - Dream Come True

Last year, I posted about my surprise discovery of the fact that India though being one of the leading nations in 21st century, still did not have “Female” fighter pilot.

Today, my happiness touches no boundary as I post my straight from heart words dedicated to the three ladies who have created the history. Flying Cadet Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh have been formally  inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron on Saturday - 18-June-2016.

Know your limits,

I was told once.

Sky doesn't have one,

I wondered.

Know your limits,

I was told once.

Sky doesn't have one,

I marveled.

Eyes focused,

Mind alert,

Wings wide open,

I take the flight.

The path is impossible,

Explicated everyone.

Sun shines because it burns itself,

I remarked.

Flying high,

Higher than cloud,

Above the mountain,

Over the ocean,

I twist and twirl,

Showing my beam.

It's not your forte,

Orated the laws.

Gravity is already conquered,

I pondered.

Grounded to earth,

Wings spreading again,

And again,

I head upward.

Enemies beware,

Fearless soul,

Goddess of courage,

Empress of the skies,

Is here.

Women pilots have been flying helicopters and transport aircraft since 1991 in the IAF - Indian Air Force, but the fighter crafts were still a dream for us. After some initial reluctance, IAF finally opened the cockpit for females on an experimental basis for five year.


They will be now posted to either the Bidar or Kalaikunda airbase and would undergo "transitional" fighter training on the Hawks. The advanced jet training (AJT) is a one year training which includes learning intensive combat manoeuvres and armament firing. It ensures that the rookie pilots can handle old fighters like MiG-21s as well as new multi-role ones like Sukhoi-30MKIs and Mirage-2000s.

I have no doubts that the experiment is going to be a major success. Three cheers for the trio.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Man is the only creature that consumes without producing.

I read this book as a result of my Good-reads updates. The active readers in my list had rated this book Five out of five and thus, I had to read it. I am so glad I accepted their recommendation.

The blurb says:

Tired of their servitude to man, a group of farm animals revolt and establish their own society, only to be betrayed into worse servitude by their leaders, the pigs, whose slogan becomes: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This 1945 satire addresses the socialist/communist philosophy of Stalin in the Soviet Union.

Animal Farm is a little satire story which reflects the society so truly with a pinch of humour. It's a short story with a very strong, bitter but true message.

Power obviously lead to more power. Too much power often leads to decision making for oneself without taking  other into consideration. This eventually makes the position and the person sitting there fulfilling his/her own personal interests and increasing the conform level for oneself only.

Ethically, this is very wrong since the power was initially granted to him/her as a result of other's trust and faith that it would be used rationally.

Like all my friends, I absolutely loved this short and quick read. I cannot help but share the seven Commandments which evolved to greed with time. They were fun and deep in my heart I was forced to think, if animals really think of same towards we humans:

The Seven Commandments

Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.

Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.

No animal shall wear clothes.

No animal shall sleep in a bed.

No animal shall drink alcohol.

No animal shall kill any other animal.

All animals are equal.

Below are some of the other absolute winner one liners from the book:

• Four legs good, two legs bad.
• Man serves the interests of no creature except himself.
• Four legs good, two legs better! All Animals Are Equal. But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others.
• All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

This book is so much more than a fairy tale. It's one of those books, which can and must be read again and again.

Jaccha - Local Haryanvi Song For New Mothers - Part 3

In continuation to "Jaccha" series, I move forward to write another beautiful song sung on the occasion of the arrival of baby boy in family.

There is a custom that on the birth of a baby boy in family, the sister in law (sister of husband) receives lots of gifts from her bhabhi (new mother). Also, Swastik symbol is made outside the room of mother out of cow dung which is called the "Sathiya". This song talks about these customs. Read on and have fun. Read the summary at the end in case you do not understand the language...

Ibke brass tere hoja re bhatija,
Dungi nanand tane sone ka hasla.
Ibke brass tere hoja re bhatija,
Dungi nanand tane sone ka hasla.

Ae ri Sathiya pe, chadai silki sari,
Nanand tane razi kar du ri.
Meri Sathiya pe, chadai silki sari,
Nanand tane razi kar du ri.

Ibke baras mere hogya ri bhatija,
Dede ri bhavaj mane sone ka hasla.
Ibke baras mere hogya ri bhatija,
Dede ri bhavaj mane sone ka hasla.

Ae ri Sathiya pe, ghada de silki sari,
bhavaj mane razi kar de ri.
Meri Sathiya pe, ghada de silki sari,
bhavaj mane razi kar de ri.

Nanand tera Bhai, ae ri naate se,
Nanand tera Bhai, ae ri naate se,
Ae ri mere Konya, Maa jai Bahan,
Gori ri kyun ghar ne lutave se.
Ae ri mere Konya, Maa jai Bahan,
Gori ri kyun ghar ne lutave se.

Pehlan te tum maaro badai,
Pehlan te tum maaro badai,
Den ki bariyan karo safai,
Den ki bariyan karo safai.

Ae ri mera sasra thodi so door,
Bhavaj mein ibe ghar jaaugi.
Ae ri mera sasra thodi so door,
Bhavaj mein ibe ghar jaaugi.

Those who can read Hindi and understand Haryanvi, below is the translation in Hindi.

इबकै बरस तैरै होजा जो भतीजा,
दुंगी ननद तनै सोने का हसला।
इबकै बरस तैरै होजा जो भतीजा,
दुंगी ननद तनै सोने का हसला।

एै री सथिया पै चड़ऊं सिलकी साड़ी,
ननद तनै राजी कर दूँ री।
एै री सथिया पै चड़ऊं सिलकी साड़ी,
ननद तनै राजी कर दूँ री।

इबकै बरस मेरै होगया री भतीजा,
देदै  भवज मनै सोने का हसला।
इबकै बरस मेरै होगया री भतीजा,
देदै भवज मनै सोने का हसला।

एै री सथिया पै चढ़ा सिलकी साड़ी,
भवज मनै राजी कर दे री।
एै री सथिया पै चढ़ा सिलकी साड़ी,
भवज मनै राजी कर दे री।

ननद तेरा भाई ऐ री नाटै सै,
ननद तेरा भाई ऐ री नाटै सै,
ऐ री मेरै कोना मॉं जाई भाण,
गोरी री क्यूँ धन नै लुटावै सै।
ऐ री मेरै कोना मॉं जाई भाण,
गोरी री क्यूँ धन नै लुटावै सै।


For the benefit of others, below is the summary in English.

The new mother to be has promised her sister in law a traditional necklace of gold in case she gives birth to a baby boy - which would be her sister in law's nephew. She also promised to gift her a silk sari if she gives birth to a baby boy.
Now when, she has been blessed with one, her sister in law is asking for her gifts.
The sister in law tries to make some excuses that her own brother is denying the same. He is saying that she is only a cousin, I do not have a sister from my mothers womb. Why are you wasting the money.
The sister is law is upset and says that you guys boast about first and when it's time to fulfil the promises, you are looking for lame excuses.
She says that my husband's home is near by and I am leaving do my home right now.


Little household fights between sister in law and her bhabhi have always been a matter of fun. Songs like these add spices of taste of them.

Read more of them here:
Mouth Watered New Mother
Plight of poor husband

Wings Of Fire an Autobiography - APJ Abdul Kalam with Arun Tiwari

About The Author:

A.P.J Abdul Kalam does not need any description. He was popularly knoen as the People'e President, serving India officially as the 11th President from 2002 to 2007. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, is a renowed scientist and has remarkable contiribution towards India's process towards aeronautics. He is also awarded with three of country's most honoured awards - Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997). The missile man of India passed away at the age of 83 on 27 July 2015.

The Blurb;

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, the son of a little-educated boat-owner in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, had an unparalleled career as a defence scientist, culminating in the highest civilian award of India, the Bharat Ratna. As chief of the country’s defence research and development programme, Kalam demonstrated the great potential for dynamism and innovation that existed in seemingly moribund research establishments. This is the story of Kalam’s rise from obscurity and his personal and professional struggles, as well as the story of Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul and Nag-missiles that have become household names in India and that have raised the nation to the level of a missile power of international reckoning. This is also the saga of independent India’s struggle for technological self-sufficiency and defensive autonomy-a story as much about politics, domestic and international, as it is about science.

What I Felt About The Book
I absolutely loved the book. Yes, despite the fact that the book is more about India's journey to Rocket science, despite the fact that I did not understood a major chunk of the sentences, I was not able to put it down till I finished reading it.

There were some places when I was nodding my head and had to stop reading reminding myself of my own very similar thoughts. For example, one line or quote says -

I used to wonder what made poor people smoke away their hard-earned money.
This is something I keep on repeating whenever I see the rush on any wine/alcohol shop. I seriously wonder the irony - 'I am sure that they would have a reply of no money or poverty whenever when their children ask for a new toy or their wife wished a new ornament/dress. And there they were quenching their addiction of smoking and drinking which in turns take them close to dead end thereby leaving their loved ones with more unfulfilled wishes!'

Success of SLV-3 cought media attention to Kalam. Like all of us, he had same feeling in his heart- "Glory of SLV-3 had not gone to everyone who deserved it". I am sure it is one feeling (either being recognised or being on the other side) each and every individual; must have experienced at least once in his/her lifetime. Great personalities are also humans. We all know this fact. But the mere acceptance of such simple facts gives immense mental peace that they too think like us.

Then, there were some close to heart instances. When Kalam got much needed air Force helicopter ride to Madurai to attend his niece Zameela's wedding - which he had got late for pertaining to his work commitments and was actually feeling guilty for in his subconsciousness, I had the same feeling as Dr Arunachalam - "You have earned this for your hard work..."

The chapter - "STEWARDS" - is quite interesting in terms of forming a team and choosing the leaders to lead them.
- "I had to get the right type of leader who could clearly visualize the goal, and channelise the energies of his team members who would be working at different work centres in oursuit of their own individual goals."

What I Liked About the Book:
1. Former President DR. APJ Abdul Kalam
2. The beginning - The simplicity of life and ability to relate left me awestruck
3. Honest depiction of thoughts at various incidents.

What I Did Not Like About The Book:
Aeronautical Terms - Yes, the book is flooded with them and though, great effort has been done to make the reader understand them, 90% of them went over my head. Result - I skimmed through some pages.

At many places, I had to control my hands really hard to not write those paragraphs of great wisdom. The pages are filled with a number of thoughts to ponder and wow lines.

It's definitely a must read for any one in the field of Rocket science and aeronautics. It's a good read for workaholics.
I would have termed it highly recommended to anyone if the focus was less on turn on aeronautical events and their scientific explanations.

Reasons Backing Some Superstitious Beliefs

Call them Superstitions, old wives tales or anything else, there are some sayings or rituals which become such an integral part of our lives that we keep on following and passing them on generation to generation.

Being modern does not always mean that we simply refuse to abide by certain rituals. At the same time, following them blindly is also not the only option. Some time back I posted some of very common superstitious beliefs and the reason behind them - Following Traditions may also be Modern

Below are some more rituals which actually had a reason behind them and not all of them are valid now.

Bathe after attending a funeral ceremony
"Do not touch anything and go straight to bathroom cleaning yourself and the clothes", almost all of us would have heard this from our mother or someone else. It's just a mere superstition that coming back from a funeral is a bad omen or attracts spirits.
The real reason is more logical and scientific. Dead bodies, similar to people having communicable diseases might cause infection. Adding on to this, the dead bodies gradually starts to decompose thus creating bacteria. Thus is is always advisable to take a bath and wipe of the contagious diseases. Plus, unlike lucky us, our ancestors did not have vaccination against many deadly and contagious diseases. Therefore, they made this rule which is now followed blindly in the name of ritual and spirits.

Wait for a while if a cat crosses your path
People get chilled to their bones if they see a cat crossing their path. If the cat happens to be black, it is considered even worse.
Here is the story behind this: In the times, when there were few means of transport, people used to travel at night and by bullock carts. While passing by a forest (which were not a rare district unlike today), some ferocious animal like leopard, panther or a lion could cross the path. No one would like to risk their lives by going nearer to them. Hence, better wait for a while and let them go. They obviously looked black in no or moon light.  Thus came the concept of black.
Also, as the eyes of animals usually glows in dark, the oxes or cows got scared knowing that a dangerous animal is ahead. It is difficult to control an already scared animal.
For god's sake, please spare the poor cats and the black ones are clearly the victim of racisim.

Unlucky numbers - 3 and 13
"Teen Tigada Kaam Bigada" is very common phrase. I am yet to see a hotel with room number 13 or a lift with floor number 13. These numbers are considered unlucky all over the world. Well, as they say, 'Everything happens for a reason', there are stories behind these numbers also.
Number 3: "Three on a match" has the basis from wars. It is believed that when the first soldier lit his cigarette, enemy from other end can see the spark ()No smoke with out a spark). If the second soldier continues to lit his cigarette, the enemy can easily be sure and aim at the target. In case, the third ones flows in, the enemy side can now be dead- sure and shoot. Cigarette smoking is not only dangerous to health but to the nations also!
Unlucky 13: The actual reason behind this is that as the religion stories says, that there were 13 people present at the table when Jesus had his last supper. one among them was a betrayer ad led to the death of living god. Thus, the number is termed unlucky. But still, the followers of Jesus dreading this number is still understood to a level. What about other religions?


Make a wish while throwing coin in holly river
This is another common sight all over the world.  Well, it might not make the wish come true, but was definitely useful for people drinking water from those water bodies.
In ancient times, people used to drink water direct from rivers and other sources. The sources of water thus became precious and slowly turned holly.
Coming to the coins, have you ever heard that keeping water in a copper container overnight and drinking it in morning is good for health? Bingo! In ancient times, coins were made of copper. Rivers being the source of drinking water  specially ones which had copper coins for long in it were less infected with bacteria and became useful for those who drank it.
Now, when the coins are no loner made of copper and to top it, we have water purifiers, this practice does not make sense any more. More over, we have polluted our so called holly water, that the sight of them make our noses stink forget drinking.

Sneezing while leaving is unlucky
When we sneeze, we loose our control over ourselves for a fraction of seconds. Thus, it is not safe for the person to walk at that moment. He/she might bump in others too. Thus making it unsafe for others as well.

Sitting between the door is not good
This is another safety measure which has taken the form of baseless superstitions. It is not advisable to sit in between the doors or beams, because in case of any natural calamities, they tend to break and form an inverted triangle increasing the chances to hit and cause injuries.

Go on a fast and bribe the god
All of us have seen this in almost all religions. Well, fasting once in a while pleases the god or not, it would sure clean the digestive system and is good for health. Fasts in modern times can also be called fruit diet to detoxify the body.

The moment we are aware of real reasons behind common beliefs and practices, they start making some sense. some wise man very truly said - "Half knowledge is more dangerous than none".