149: Mental Potpourri: All in a day’s Thoughts

The fastest traveler is the human mind. In a fraction of a second it can reach moon, mars or much beyond and come back. In a day we  think about numerous thoughts. Some are interesting and worth sharing with others.

Starting this new series  and naming it “Mental Potpourri”. I hope the readers will enjoy reading these thoughts. These thoughts may trigger  a chain reaction triggering new thoughts.

 

All in a Day’s Thoughts

1.

Leadership: Phrases that keep your team together and involved  

  • “Sorry, that was my fault.”
  • “Please help me with this.”
  • “What is your advice on this?”
  • “I trust your judgment.”
  • “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
  • “I’m all ears.”
  • “What can I do to help?”
  • “What can we do differently?”

 

2.

China and Russia both competing and cooperating in Africa.

 

  • Few years back had picked up a new term from a talk by a management guru. The term is “Coompertion” – i.e. cooperating while competing.

 

  • Wonder how long China-Russia coomperation will last?

 

  • Depends on future power equation, clash of interests and who becomes the dominant partner.

 

  • Also wonder if the African countries will have any say in it.

 

3.

Indian Paradoxes: How True

 

4.

On Retirement

Retire to Something

not

Retire from something

 

5.

Don’t be pushed by your problems

Be propelled by your dreams.

 

6.

Corona Virus

Questions with no clear cut answers-

When will third wave come?

Will it be milder or deadlier?

Is vaccine effective against new mutant versions?

Is booster dose required?

Should children be vaccinated?

And many more…………

 

Best is to take precautions

Stay indoors, social distancing, masks and frequent sanitisation.

 

7.

U.S. is worried that, Afghanistan will dissolve into civil war after the U.S. leaves and fully withdraws its troops.

 

 

8.

Beijing has filed a diplomatic complaint with Tokyo after its deputy defense minister said Japan and the U.S. needed to “wake up” to the security threat posed by China and “protect Taiwan as a democratic country.”

 

At least they have stopped warning and threatening.

 

9.

Theaterisation

Ongoing difference of opinion between the services about the issue is a problem of viewing it form

Worm’s eye view and Bird’s eye view

 

10.

जिंदगी

अधूरी तो नहीं – पूरी भी नहीं

उलझी तो नहीं – सुलझी भी नहीं

मझधार तो नहीं – पार भी नहीं

 

Value additions are most welcome.

 

For regular updates please register here –

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/subscribe/

148: Interview on PLAAF and Defence Matters

Interview with Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM (Retired) was essentially on defence issues, mainly related to China. The interview was published on 01 Jul 21, coincidently,  on the day of 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Besides china other issues were discussed

(For selective viewing please click on the links below)

  1. 00:00 – 09:30: PLAAF, background, modernisation, capability building, restructuring, “no contact warfare” philosophy and grey zone warfare etc.
  2. 09:30 – 14:30: Chinese indigenous ac industry, claimed capability, SWOT analysis and drone industry etc.
  3. 14:30 – 20:30: IAF capability enhancement with induction of Rafale, chinook and apache aircraft, balance between quantity and quality, Atmanirbharta  etc.
  4. 20:30 – 24:25 : Aspects related to Quality of manpower, tactics and training.
  5. 24:25 – 29:50 : Pakistan Air Force and Pak-China collusivity.
  6. 29:50 – 35:30 : Doklam, balakot, Galwan, jointness, Role of IAF in Galwan etc.
  7. 35:30 – 40:15 : Defence forces – serving with passion and benefits.
  8. 40:15 – 46:45 : Views on jointness and theatrisation.
  9. 46:45 – 52:00 : Puzzle and Sudoku solving.

Comments and value additions are most welcome

For regular updates please register here –

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/subscribe/

142: Indo Russia Relations

 

My answers to the questionnaire on the above subject

 

Published in the latest journal (Jun 21) of FPRC (Foreign Policy Research Centre)

 

Q1. Does Russia continue to be a “time-tested partner of India”? If this is not so, what does it need to correct the ‘perceptions’, and re-strengthen the link?

 

Indo – Russian Relations. Geography and Geopolitics have been binding Russia and India together in the past. However, in the world politics there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests and these also change with time. The deep, traditional and even “time-tested relations” shared for decades cannot be taken for granted. The premise of indo-Russia relationship has undergone significant changes since the end of the Cold War. The strategic bond that existed between India and the Soviet Union is not the same as that with Russia and has been considerably diluted. Every country places its national interests above anything else, so does Russia. Russia may not be a partner at the earlier level and perhaps we should not expect it either. From the “special and privileged strategic partnership,” we appear to be moving towards a transactional relationship.

Continue reading “142: Indo Russia Relations”

English हिंदी