June19th, 2017, was a memorable day, in the world history of space science as our Mars-Orbitary Mission MANGALYAAN,-successfully completed 1000 Earth Days.It is a pride of the nation. ISRO has gained reputation in the International space field after the success of Iconic Mangalyaan Mission, and successful launch of GSLV Mark3. This success has taken Indian pride to greater heights. With this we will be able to attract foreign investments, .

It is indeed a matter of deep satisfaction that the launch of GSLV-Mark3, which was nicknamed as "fat boy" by the space scientists, and "Bahubali " by Telugu media. India has shown to the world that its space program is cost-effective, and that it can plan future programs Chandrayaan 2 or Mangalyaan 2, to Moon and Mars. It is now time to seriously think of a manned mission, to space, the only segment in space science where China has an added advantage over us.

I congratulate ISRO for the success of GSLV which has enabled India to occupy a pride of place and recognition among scientifically advanced nations. In fact, an year ago, I remember to have read a comment that it was necessary to indulge in the luxury of this costly mission ignoring the deplorable conditions of millions rural population as the money spent on this mission could have been used for the development works in rural areas. But let us understand that the investment in space research has to be continued because it is like a goldmine where mining has just begun. It needs patience and foresight. Those who look for immediate returns on investments may fail to see the long term benefits which include opening new vistas, for a better living. Kudos to ISRO scientists.

Who will be our next President of India? This question is on everyone’s mind these days as the Election Commission kick-started the process by which India will get its 13th President and BJP's President Amit Shah constituted one committee with Rajnath Singh, Jaitly,and Venkaiah Naidu, to discuss with all stakeholders to arrive at a consensus. Congress leadership has already reached out to parties such as, TMC, DMK, BSP, SP, RJD!NCP, CPM, CPI,JD(U) and JD (s) etc. However their coming together looks difficult because of internal contradictions, as many of them had fought against the Congress in the past. I feel it is not the arithmetic, but the political chemistry that matters. I have heard names of Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Mahatma 's grandson, Maharashtra's strongman Sharad Pawar, but as usual it seems there is no agreement on any candidate as of now. But the opposition camp, has thrown the ball in ruling party's court, to build a consensus. On the BJP's front, the Presidential ambition of Advani, now lays shattered in the wake of Supreme Court reviving charges, against him in Babri Masjid case. Draupadi Murmu's name (Jharkhand Governor) also being suggested as first ever tribal President, while elevation to either, Sushma Swaraj or Sumitra Mahajan, also seen as possibility. We cannot rule out a surprise too.

Our Prime Minister has been invited by the President of America, and immediately even dates were also announced for the US visit by our PM.  US has always been an unpredictable in its foreign policy towards India and Donald Trump takes this unpredictability to the next level. Of late, there is feeling that India is drifting towards US which is placing strains in our relationship with Russia which has been a reliable ally throughout. Our PM has visited Russia few days ago to maintain balance. With my little understanding what I feel, we should follow a simple rule that in foreign policy we do not have permanent friends or permanent foes. Peace in Afghanistan is still elusive so there is possibility that that US policy towards Pakistan is going to be more or less same,and therefore India should tread cautiously.
The Trump's ban on immigrants from seven Muslim countries is a symbolic gesture on his tough stand on terrorism. As such US will not be safer from Islamic terror, than before because he has left out countries like Pakistan, Saudi, and Afghanistan which breeding grounds for terrorism. US needs to address gun violence which is also a form of terror, which we notice many incidents in the recent past. The stalwart President from same Republican Party Abraham Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation to free the slaves, risking his own life, in 1863 but now Trump who occupies same chair has signed an Executive Order to stop immigration of seven Muslim countries basing on unfounded religious prejudices. It is going to be a great disservice to his own country and to the civil world as well.
While Trump's patriotism is understandable he shouldn't forget the truth that US IT industry owes so much to the millions of Indians but for whose penchant for innovation, creativity and tireless undaunted efforts it might not be what it is today. After all Indian brain power cannot be ignored.

It is totally horrifying to see and hear these food adulteration stories day in and day out.  All the basic items like milk, ghee, pulses and cereals, fruits etc consumed by common man are being adulterated. Even the daily used bread and food are seemingly harmful for the health. Normally the doctors advise their patients to take milk, bread and fruits, while recovering from illness. But now it is certain that the heathy may become sick, if we take these food items. The fruits are being ripened with carbides, the milk is found with harmful chemicals like Urea, while it is reported that the breads and buns, in the market are found with carcinogenic chemicals like potassium bromate and iodate. The food adulteration is nothing but an act of giving slow poison at massive scale. It turns out to be hazardous at individual level, while it is a financial burden also, which is avoidable.

 It is alarming that poisonous ingredients are found in cheese, jam, and jelly, which form the toppings in the bread taken daily as breakfast by many people, not only abroad but even in India now. I even came to know that the latest one where the toppings for bread are laced with dangerous substances in the name of preservatives, have sent jitters, that no foodstuff is safe, despite proud proclamation by the manufacturer. Even reputed food product manufacturers have come under close scrutiny of the food authorities due to various unscrupulous methods used to get flavour, and increase in shelf life of a product. We all know that the doctors have already been warning against consumption of junk food due to health reasons.
Even the leader elect are so corrupt that they keep their voters busy by raising other issues which have nothing to do with what they eat. Every other day we come across reports highlighted by media. I really do not know whether our rulers ever take up such issues seriously until few people die so that the issue could be politicised. Here again let us not forget that our leaders also adulterated as they mix up issues to keep people confused and to keep them away from core issues.
We have heard the words blood cancer, lung cancer, throats cancer etc. But now even our bread is cancer.  It started with Pepsi cola, fruits, vegetables, then noodles, and now bread. Now with all this people are left in lurch unknown whether to consume such food items at all or not. It is ironic that at a time when people leaning towards eating healthy, the most basic healthy foods we are getting are contaminated. I feel its time for local governments and central government to step up to make sure that public gets only pure and healthy food. Maybe establishing a authoritative body to disseminate correct information to people cautioning them and guiding them of current problems with food available in the market. 

Today I wanted to share an insight into a book titled "1991 How P V Narasimha Rao Made History" by Sanjay Baru. Sanjay Baru was a Media Advisor to Manmohan Singh, an Editor of many economic daily newspapers, taught in University of Hyderabad and author of many books, including "The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh.

 Sanjay Baru mentions that his acquaintance PV Narasimha Rao began when his father B P R Vithal was a collector Karimnagar and PV represented Manthani, a part of Karimnagar district at that time. 

June 21st 1991, was a momentous day for India's political history. It was on this day that Narasimha Rao was sworn in as first non-Nehru Gandhi family, Prime Minister. In 2017 India is the fastest growing Economy but let us remember that half of India's current population, however was not even born in 1991 and would scarcely know of an India where the consumer choice was dictated by the state. It was a time when parents booked scooters at the birth of a girl, for dowry, cars, was limited to black Ambassador, or White Padmini, or Red Maruthi800. A time when people waited for years to get telephone connection, where travellers were left stranded between delayed flight and cancelled flight.  All this was dismantled with the stroke of a pen dismantling the licence-permit Raj, opening up the Indian economy from 21 June 1991.
Before PV four senior political leaders tried leading non-congress governments, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, V P Singh, and Chandrasekhar and all of them failed. Most of them were in office for less than a year, but PV however demonstrated his political acumen within a year.
Sanjay mentions in this book that in that one year 1991, he offered quiet, sober and competent leadership to the nation. From Vanaprastha he was on the verge of taking up sanyasa and to Head the  Courtallam Peetham as pontiff. He was called upon to be a Karmayogi. The author observes that for the leaderships PV provided during that fateful year PV deserved BHARAT RATNA.
   Coming back to this subject, if I have understood it properly, I feel, this is more about the stupidity of Rajiv, than the greatness of PV, and I have also read that this book coupled with ""Half-Lion""of Vinay Sitapathy, end up forming two halves of PV story .But all said and done, it is an excellent book which describes 1991 political and economic situation in India, and how PV handled it. A good introduction to1991 crisis that changed India for ever. We find good internal information of politics and economics, but somewhere in the middle I found some repitations ,and then it ends abruptly too. Overall it is worth a read to gain understanding of what actually transpired in1991. How an almost a retired politician changed the economic direction of this country.
Before concluding I would Iike to make a personal  note with regards to Bharat Ratna for PV. After Congress leaderships  abandoned him, most party members kept a safe distance from him. Now that a fair amount of time has elapsed since Rao passed away, many party leaders are talking admiringly about him, and the bold steps he took to usher in economic reforms. It was also reported that a close confidant of Gandhi family, a former Minister, suggested to Manmohan Singh then PM to award Bharat Ratna to PV but obviously his proposal didn't draw any response. Today we are reaping benefits of his acts so I think its  high time his contributions are recognized by Indian Government too. Jai Hind!

Today I wanted to pay homage to the two stalwarts who are not with us anymore. One is Vidyasagar Rao a great expert on Irrigation matters as far as Telangana is concerned, while the other one a great film  star Vinod Khanna. Coincidentally both of them were victims of dangerous disease Cancer. 
Vidyasagar Rao a renowned expert and Adviser to TS passed away last Saturday while undergoing treatment for metastatic bladder cancer. He was considered to be an authority on irrigation matters. During Telangana movement, he was of great help to KCR as he had tremendous knowledge and awareness on all the Irrigation projects. And made his best efforts and stood behind KCR who has been striving to irrigate One Crore acres. He could show as to how injustice has been done to Telangana in irrigation sector with "NEELLU-NIJALU" program. CM KCR was  in tears (which we have all seen on TV) when he went to call on the family of late Vidyasagar Rao.
 Coming to veteran Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna, died of Advanced bladder Carcinoma. He was an excellent actor who could perform all kinds of roles. Some of he memorable films include Parvarish, Amar Akbar Anthony, Mera Goan Mera Desh and Kurbani etc.  I personally us liked his role in Amar Akbar Anthony and Muquaddar Ka Sikandar. Vinod Khanna could carve his own niche even in films he starred alongside stalwart like Amitabh. I hope his films will be remembered by not just by the older generations but among the younger generations too. 

I just finished reading Mrs Margaret Alva's autobiography "Courage and Commitment" . As one of the youngest MPs at the age of 32, and a Minister of State in Rajiv's Cabinet at 42 years. Margaret Alva is among India's longest serving parliamentarians. After reading the book I realised that Alva has been associated with Indian parliament for more than half a century.  It is a well written  honest autobiography, while the author seems to be no-nonsense, straight forward politician who really wants to do good to the people. You would realise ,after reading it that she had come up hard way and has the distinction of working very closely with at least two Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. The ringside view of the experiences is the highlight of this book. In fact she has worked with four Prime Ministers, the other two are Late Narasimha Rao and also Manmohan Singh. You will see her honest accounting, wins and losses, humiliations being in and out of congress etc. But at many places you will find that she describes about various conferences she has attended and places she visited, which were little bit boring and drab but overall this book is very interesting.  I would recommend that one should read it to know many internal issues one would face at that level. One would see that over the years she was a witness to several events that have played an important part in politics - the Emergency, Mrs Gandhi's Chikmangalur election, Narasimha Rao's liberalisation, Sonia's entry into politics including Manmohan Singh 's tenure as PM of India for two terms. 

While reading the book you will notice few very interesting  things, Mrs Alva had highest regard for Indira and Rajiv . With regards to Narasimha Rao she says that despite heading minority's govt., that is rattled with scams, and scheming leaders, PV was the first non-Nehru-Gandhi PM who had lasted for a full term. But Congress sidelined him and humiliated him but she says she learnt many lessons from him and she had great respect and admiration for his leadership.  And further she says she is sure history will judge him. She is very honest in telling that though she had helped him through emergencies, and managed members in both houses during most tumultuous sessions, he didn't reward her for work reason as he felt that she was a Sonia loyalist. Therefore the Courage and Commitment is story of a simple life made remarkable .