Daily Excelsior... Editorial

A mantra of Baba Amte,
and what it has
meant to my friend
By: Arun Shourie

So, what happened in the accident?" I asked my friend, Vivek Phadnis. It was late in the evening. I was in Nagpur. I had needed.. ......more

Arsenic - Jekyll and
hyde of material
By: G. V. Joshi

Historians are still debating over the part played by arsenic in the death of Napolean, when he was kept under arrest on ....more

Strengthening border
security
By: Dr. Surindur Singh

India has live borders touching Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Mynamar. . ......more

EDITORIAL

POWER TARIFF

Some indications are available from Minister of Industry Mr Bodh Raj Bali that everything possible would be done to modify the enhanced power tariff so that industry does not suffer anymore. This clearly shows that problem is appreciated but some sort of egoism and overzealous officialdom continues to play havoc with the people and industry alike. All types of hypothetic and flimsy statistics are prepared as footnotes for okay from the cabinet. In the process it is the political ruling leadership that draws massive flak and earns the ignominy of being unresponsive and irresponsible Government. They have least concern for the common man or the industry. Their one point pursuit is to outscore their contemporaries somehow. In doing so the concept of adding zero after zero becomes the major theme and thrust. Little they realise that zero plus zero is zero and more than that anything multiplied by zero also becomes zero-politically, financially and ethically.

Some examples of responsive Government and authority in identical fields are available to bring home the point more convincingly so that rational policies which have got to be people-friendly outplay egoistic and overzealous pursuits. Like J&K State, the largest State of Uttar Pradesh also went in for massive hike in power tariff which brought great distress to consumers of all hues-domestic, industry and farm sector. There was enough of criticism of the ill-advised hike at a time when astronomical rise in prices coupled with economic slideback in general would have aggravated the problems to cause immense harm to the people as also to the economy. UP Government it must be appreciated was very quick to respond and did not sit on prestige. It has thus abandoned the announced hikes in power tariff and instead agreed to the advice of the consumers to streamline power distribution, regulation, revenue collections and improve general efficiency of the power department. The gains from such pursuits would be no less than what would have accrued from the massive power hike announced by Kalyan Singh Government. That is being a good boy and responsive Government which responded positively and appreciated the difficulties to which every section of society would have been exposed had the enhanced tariff come into force.

Another example is available from the equally ill-advised move of Telecom Regulatory Authority which suggested anything from 100 to 350% hike in various charges on telephone services. But Parliamentary Committee of the Ministry of Telecommunication rejects it outrightly with the remarks that such massive hikes are counter productive in an expanding regime when telecom is slated to make large strides. Instead the Committee suggests moderate annual hike not exceeding 10% of existing charges so that ongoing expansion reaches every nook and corner of rural India as acceptable proposition and consumers of all hues are not put to excessive financial load. Instead the stress ought to be on streamlining, better management and judicious utilisation of money earned from the services at existing rates.

All the above instances, namely Industry Minister's appreciation, UP Government's cancellation of proposed hike and snub for TRI from Parliamentary Committee point to just one and one thing and that is none is in mood to go for enhancement of any tariff. If that does not convince our State bosses both political and bureaucratic, then they better understand the massive debacle suffered by BJP and its alliance partners on price-hike and bureaucratic, then they better understand the massive debacle suffered by BJP and its alliance partners on price-hike issue in the recently concluded State assembly elections. The special debate on abnormal rise should serve reminder to the rulers of this State that people are in mood to allow the Government, be it in the States or the Centre, to go for any further hike in any sector. Sagging economy, loss of purchasing power, stagflation and under production in all vital sectors like agriculture, industry and exports make it obligatory on all States and Central Governments not to play with the hapless people anymore.

The massive power hikes announced by the State Government to be effective from this month, further hike from April 1, 1999 and yet another poisonous doze from April 1, 2000 suggests that someone is out for the April Fool game. Let there be an end to all such injudicious moves that defy logic, that add to the woes of the people, that chokes the industry beyond redemption and that in any case might not improve anything. Instead, Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah should follow the prescription of Uttar Pradesh Government for streamlining, improving efficiency, regulation and above all stress on recoveries and recurring revenue. Such course would indeed augment the revenues. As things improve and scenario becomes conducive to absorb hikes, not more than 10% annual hike be allowed. That is being positive, responsive and indeed people-friendly from whom popular Government derives its sustenance.

SWADESHI AGENDA

If the country has to enter the next millenium with confidence to become an economic and military giant by the year 2020, all protagonists of Swadeshi agenda within the BJP and its alliance partners besides those crying hoarse in other parties must be sidetracked. Isolation when the password is global interaction has never paid any dividend to any country. Liberal approach makes the money move either way and in the process everyone reaps its dividend. That explains why non-performing assets of our banks continue to lead to higher interest on credits to make everything costly. Rajiv's concept of taking the country into next century with massive modernisation of technologies and infrastructurals definitely holds as much good today as when he mooted these and gave it head on start. Rapid strides in computeronics, notably in software technologies, space and other fields in fact are largely attributed to his initiatives. The fact remains Narasimha even though dumped by Rajiv as a man of no consequence in the ruling hierarchy carried forward the liberalisation. It earned the forex starved country that pawned its gold to Bank of England during Chander Shekhar's short spell large reserves of over 20 billion dollars as also got the pawned gold released. To be precise even UF Government with P Chidambaram as Finance Minister continued with liberal regime despite strong reservations and objections from its UF constituents notably 51 MPs strong leftist group. Vajpayee is likewise on course to make India global giant of IT notably software with which are also related our nuclear, space and other sophisticated developments. Only two aspects are to be taken care of. First, to provide level playing field to Indian industry. Second, not to allow India become dumping ground for all obsolete technologies and equipments. Otherwise, liberalisation has to be the password and zealots of swadeshi prescriptions are to be isolated and made to go through economic history of past and contemporary economics.

A mantra of Baba Amte, and what it has meant to my friend
By: Arun Shourie

So, what happened in the accident?" I asked my friend, Vivek Phadnis. It was late in the evening. I was in Nagpur. I had needed to consult some professionals. I had not known anyone. As usual, I had telephoned Vivek for guidance and help.

"As usual," I just wrote. That is literally true. I first met Vivek about ten years ago. It is through him that I got to meet Baba Amte. I soon discovered that Vivek was an exceptional person -- the very soul of helpfulness. Though beset with all the constraints and difficulties that dog us in middle -life, he and his wife, Neela, were always helping others.

This time round, the entire day had been spent in a meeting with the professionals whom Vivek had enabled me to consult. Not only had he enabled me to contact them, not only had he driven me to their place, he had sat through six hours of discussions on matters which could not be of any concern to him. At last, we were back at the guest house.

Vivek had put on a little weight since we had last met. In place of his right arm was an empty sleeve tucked into the pocket of his kurta. It was only because I asked that he began to recount what had happened. It was my turn to sit riveted, wonder-struck.

Here is what he told me.

I had spent three days with Baba [Amte] at Kasravad [on the banks of the Narmada where Baba Amte has been camping for years in protest against the Sardar Sarovar Project]. They had been marvelous days. Baba in full force, and me at my receptive best.

I left Baba at about 6.30 AM on 8 February, 1994. I boarded the bus for the journey back. I thought I would catch the train from Jalgaon to Nagpur. But an uncle of mine at our native place, Edalabad, had been feeling a little upset that we had been able to go for a family wedding. Should I go and meet him before returning? I was in two minds. Edalabad was not far from Jalgaon. On the other hand, I was very tired.

But when our bus stopped at Jalgaon, I noticed that the bus for Edalabad was standing right next to it, ready to leave. I changed buses. It was around 4 in the afternoon.

About 15 kilometers from Edalabad, about a kilometer or two from Varangaon, a truck tried to overtake the bus. It hit the bus towards the rear. The bus lurched. It strucks a large tree. Right at the spot where I was sitting. The windows pane crashed into me, as did the metal of the windows sill.

There was commotion. Everyone trying to get out. What is this?, I thought as I looked at my chest -- a sort of lump of flesh was lying across it. Someone has got seriously hurt, I thought.

I reached out to lift my brief case. It was then that I realised. My right arm had been completely cut off. Just the top was dangling, limp.

"Now, Vivek, you are completely all right," I told myself as I moved my left hand and arm. "You have lost only one arm. The left hand is perfectly all right."

I felt my head. It was completely all right. "You have no injury to your head," I heard myself telling me. I got down.

I tell you, Arun, I was completely in control. I was completely focused. I had regained complete control in just two or three seconds. Not at that moment, not once since then have I ever felt the slightest remorse. Nor have I ever felt the slightest guilt or self-pity. Or anger.

I got down. After the commotion subsided, people crowded round me. I must have presented a very gory sight. I didn't realise. But I felt something warm trickling down the side of my face. I tried to wipe it with my left hand. It was blood, a lot of it.

"What is this?", I asked. Someone said, "Sir, your ear." The outer lobe was dangling, blood was oozing out of it.

Everyone was just standing round, gaping -- as if transfixed.

My name is Vivek Phadnis. I told them. I have lost my arm. I may faint -- so please write down what I am telling you. My name is Vivek Phadnis. I am from Nagpur. The name of my wife is Neela. Our telephone number is...... My blood group is..... I am originally from Edalabad. Please take me to [Bhusaval is a major junction of the Central Railway]......

But they were just standing around. No one had made a move to write down what I was telling them. I reproached them. Don't you see, I have lost my arm. I may pass out any moment. Please write down What I am telling you. The doctor will need to know all this.

I began dictating again..... Only to see that they were still standing around. I lost my shirt. Here, I said, get me that brief case. Now take this paper and ball-point, and, for heaven's sake, WRITE.

My name is ..... take me to Bhusaval...... I have a friend there, Dr. Kelkar. He has retired as a surgeon from the Railways. His son is a practicising surgeon. He runs a nursing home. Take me to it. I also have a relative ---- Dr. Ekbote. He is the anesthetist at the Railway Hospital there. Get me to them somehow.

A car stopped. The doctor of the Primary Health Centre at Varangaon, a Doctor Patil, was returning from Jalgaon. Seeing the crowd and the accident, he stopped. Then he saw me. He administered first-aid. He rang up the local MLA.

"What, Phadnis? Vivek Phadnis from Nagpur? The family from Edalabad? I know them. Take the jeep. Do whatever has to be done. Get him to Bhusaval."

Throughout, I was completely focused. In fact, I was the one who was giving heart to Doctor Patil --- "Don't worry, I am not going to die..... You can see my BP is normal, I can feel it...." -- and suggesting what needed to be done.

We reached Bhusaval around 8.30 PM. Learning what had happened, Doctor Kelkar rushed to the vehicle. He asked the staff to fetch a stretcher.

But why?, I asked. I am perfectly all right, I said. I got out of the vehicle and walked into the nursing-home.

Soon, Doctor Kelkar decided that I should be shifted to the Railway Hospital. As Ekbote's relative you can be admitted there, he said.

We arrived at the Railway Hospital. Again there was the same commotion. But I don't need to be carried, I told them. I walked into the hospital.

Are Baba, get it over with soon, I told the doctors. Amputate the arm. There is no point is dragging this out.

But there was the usual delay. The operation theatre has to be disinfected, they said.....

What should we do in the meanwhile?, I asked . Gossip about old days, I said myself. And so, while the place was being prepared, Doctor Kelkar and I talked of our childhood and the years we have spent together. For long.

Having been informed about what had happened, Neela rang up. Well, he seems to be all right, the younger Kelkar told her. My father and he have been talking, they are still talking -- of their childhood together.

Eventually, what was left of my arm was amputated around 11.45 that night.

The next morning, my uncle and the rest of the family arrived in an entire bus from Edalabad. And they began weeping. No crying, please, I told them.

On the 12th, I was headed back to Nagpur. To a hero's welcome! Two-three hundred persons had come to meet us at the Railway Station.

Arun, I can tell you my life would not have been complete without that experience. Because during those hours, I touched something.

At no point did I feel the slightest pain. I did not feel the slightest fear. I did not feel the slightest remorse. Not the slightest guilt. Not the slightest pity for myself. Not the slightest anger.

Now, that wasn't Vivek. I know myself. I know that on several occasions I have been gripped by fear at much less. But this time there was no fear at all.

I was saved by Baba [Amte], by Jedu Krishnamurti. I felt Baba was walking at my right. Krishnamurti was walking at my left. I was saved by those disabled persons I have been seeing for fifteen years at Anandvan [the wondrous settlement that Baba Amte has set up for the cure and rehabilitation of leprosy patients]. "You have just lost one arm.", I was telling myself. "Your left arm is perfectly all right. There is absolutely no injury to your head....." throughout, I was completely focussed. I completely in control.

I told them, ring up Baba [Amte] and tell him of the accident.

As you know, Baba never writes anything in his own hand. But he made an exception. He wrote me a letter. Not on these we use. Just on a scrap of paper.

"Think not of what HAS left, "Baba wrote. "Think of what IS left." And he wrote a stanza from one of his famous poems:

Shrunkhala payi asudhe

Meen gati che geet gayi

Dukh udhdaayas aataa

Aasvaanaa ved naahin......

Chains shackle my ankles, true. Let them be. I continue to sing the song of the future, of progress. True, sorrows envelope me. But my tears have not the time to wallow in them.....

"I want that to be your garjan ---- your roar -- to the world," Baba wrote.

It wasn't me. It was an energy. No one else was injured in the least. The bus had hit the tree at just the point where I had been sitting. I had tried to move the windows pane earlier in the journey. But had found it to be jammed. The glass and metal had impacted just on my arm, they had cut it clean. That and the ear, apart from them nothing had been hurt at all. That is why I joke, "I am not handicapped," I say. "I am hand-picked! It as if someone said, "Go, get me his hand!"

Vivek had narrated all this simply. He is incapable of affection. I had sat mesmerised.

There are many physiological explanations. Sudden and intense shock acts as an anesthetic. It switches off the areas in the brain that would register pain, the synapses that would transmit it. Persons who suddenly lose a limb, those who have a limb amputated, often feel that the limb is still there, and will often move to perform a task with it. The body and brain take quite some time to register the loss, and not move automatically to get work out of the limb. All this is well documented in medical literature. The intense lucidity in such a trauma too has been documented.

For our survival through the vicissitudes of life, the twin psychological truths of Vivek's feeling: 'Baba saved me, Krishnamurti saved me. All those disabled persons I had been seeing for fifteen years in Baba's company -- they saved me. I said to myself, "Vivek, you are perfectly all right. You have lost just your right arm. The left arm is perfectly all right. There is no injury to your head...."

Because Vivek had seen so much suffering at first hand, because he had identified with the afflicted, when the accident happened his reaction was not about the terrible loss he had suffered -- it was that, compared to what he had seen others suffer, this was a fraction. That this was his automatic reflex, that the reflex consumed and ruled his mind all those hours is a tribute to him --- it shows how deeply he has identified with those he has observed and helped.

The other side is just as important. When we are afflicted -- by leprosy in the case of the residents of Baba Amte's Anandvan -- we are endowed with the capacity to help. That those inmates bear their leprosy with such dignity, that they eke out joy even from that conditon, that in spite of such an affliction they lead lives of purpose, leaves an imprint on those who come in contact with them. It sustains them -- even through trauma.

Hence, the twin lessons. To serve those who suffer is to weave oneself a protective coat -- when the blow falls, that association will help us by placing the hardship that has befallen us in perspective. On the other side, when we bear misfortune with fortitude, we transform the affliction into a power --- the power to heal and sustain others.

Arsenic - Jekyll and hyde of material
By: G. V. Joshi

Historians are still debating over the part played by arsenic in the death of Napolean, when he was kept under arrest on an island in Atlantic ocean after his defeat at Waterloo. One sample of his hair, examined after his death contained 10.5 ppm (parts per million) of arsenic while another had 3.5 ppm, both high by present standards.

Arsenic has gained notoreity as a poison for many centuries. It is a slow poison, a silent killer and tends to concentrate in the hair of its victims thus providing a method of detection not only for the forensic doctors but also for historians and environmentalists.

Arsenic, which occurs in nature chiefly in combination with other minerals is both a useful and equally harmful substance.

Arsenic is fairly abundant for a trace element. The earth's crust contains 2 to 5 ppm on an average. One milligram of Arsenic compound in 1 litre of water is 1 ppm.

The sea water contains about 0.0005 ppm or about a milligram in 2,000 litres of water. Among its common compounds are arsenopyrite, mispickel leucopyrite realger and orpiment, or king's yellow. Arsenic compounds usually appear in metal -bearing ores. Most of the world's supply of arsenic is usually recovered as a byproduct from the ores of gold, silver, lead, copper and nickel where it is present in small quantities.

Arsenic is used as a hardening agent in making alloys of metals. In combination with gallium, (gallium arsenide) it is widely used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices and Light emitting diode (LED) displays in pocket calculators and other electronic gadgets. It is also used in the manufacture of solar cells producing electricity from the sun.

Many arsenic compounds are highly poisonous, and have been used as insecticides, wood preservatives, weed killers and poisons. Arsenic toxicity damages kidneys and body cells.

It causes a disease called arsenic dermatosis. The brilliant colours used by some painters like Van Gogh, Renoir, Reubens and a few others carried arsenic. Many artists renowned for their use of bright colours in their work were also afflicted by rheumatic diseases caused by arsenic poisoning.

But when used in minute quantities, arsenic acts as a medicine. Hippocrates, the founder of modern system of medicine was known to have used arsenic for cure of sores. In small quantities, it is used in the treatment of many diseases like asthma, malaria, diabetes, anaemia and even tuberculosis.

In the early years of the 20th century, Paul Ehrlich, a German chemist became convinced that certain arsenic compounds would act as 'magic bullets' for specific diseases. With a team of chemists Ehrlich produced hundreds of compounds containing arsenic.

Each one was systematically tested on rabbits and mice infected with incurable diseases, such as sleeping sickness, common in Africa and syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease. By 1907, Ehrlich had tested over 600 compounds.

One of them proved of some value, another which was called salvarsan was found effective on syphilis. Ehrlich opened up the modern age of chemotherapy and was subsequently awarded the 1908 Nobel prize in medicine.

Several drugs based on Indian traditional system of medicine - --- ayurveda -- sold without any prescription contain metals like arsenic in dangerous levels. One such medicine, 'suvarnaraj vangeshwar used to treat asthma contains arsenic.

People believing in herbal medicine think that they are based on tulsi-turmeric-garlic, but they also contain metals like lead, mercury and arsenic, all established poisons. It is worrying trend that drugs based on 'Rasashastra' a section of ayurveda makes use of compounds of toxic metals and are sold as 'bhasma' or ash. These metals accumulated in the body over a period of time can cause immense damage to the brain, kidneys, lungs and bone marrow. Indian Drugs and Cosmetic act does not differentiate between them.

Contamination of drinking water with arsenic has been posing a serious health hazard in a few districts of West Bengal since 1978, when the first cases displaying symptoms of Arsenic poisoning were reports from some villages of 24-Parganas. Colourless, tasteless and naturally occuring in the subsoils, arsenic causes disorders in the nails, hair and skin of the affected persons.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has accepted arsenic's presence in drinking water from 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm, but it has been found that the ground water in affected areas of West Bengal contains arsenic much beyond this maximum permissible limit.

The highest concentration found so far is 3.7 ppm. In some villages, there is not a single well free from Arsenic contamination. Sixty six per cent of areas in Bangladesh are experiencing the same problem. Some wells in south Calcutta city are also contaminated with arsenic compounds.

The problem has been created by excessive drawing of underground water for cultivation purposes. Arsenic rich minerals such as arseno-pyrites present at deeper levels have contaminated the ground water. Arsenic from this mineral gets dissolved in ground water, drawn heavily for irrigation of rice fields.

Arsenic poisoning is a bad spinoff of the green revolution, which needed deep wells. While taking care of hunger of the poor farmers, the planners created another problem.

The contamination also comes through untreated effluents and uncontrolled use of arsenic as feed stock in arsenic based industries. When these arsenic rich effluents mix with water, it contaminates water, fish and vegetation.

Dr. Dipankar Chakraborti, director, School of Environmental studies, Jadavapur University has carried out indepth studies and developed a filter-pill method to treat Arsenic contaminated water. The process has been approved by several independent agencies in India and WHO, while Japan is buying the technology to sell the product to Bangladesh. It was offered to the West Bengal Government too, but it has yet to recognise it.

The State Government has initiated some other remedial measures. To start with, it will sink at least one tubewell the water of which is free from arsenic. A surface water supply scheme for supplying arsenic free water based on Bhagirathi river to affected areas is on the cards. A pilot plant for removal of Arsenic is also under construction.

Supplying arsenic free drinking water needs long term planning and execution as otherwise millions of people will continue to suffer and meet death. Arsenic poisoning has created some social problems in the affected areas of West Bengal. Many ill-informed husbands whose wives show skin lesions caused by arsenic poisoning are sent back to their parent's homes.

No one is willing to marry girls suffering from arsenic poisoning as ignorant villagers think that these skin lesions are first signs of much dreaded leprosy and the affected person is ostracised.

The problem of arsenic poisoning from water drawn from the deep tubewells in West Bengal ought to push the Indian Government into thoroughly re-examining the ground water policy.

Tube wells are being drilled indiscriminately in Maharashtra as well as other States, and the ground water level has been going down every year.

If serious thought is not given immediately, the problem could well spread to many other States in India.—PTI Feature

Strengthening border security
By: Dr. Surindur Singh

India has live borders touching Pa-kistan, China, Bangladesh and Mynamar. Borders with Nepal and Bhutan, sedate and quiet so far, are also showing convulsions. By reductionist logic, one can easily say that if India is today facing the danger of destabilisation on account of infiltration of spies, saboteurs, communal agents, illegal Bangladeshi nationals and terrorists, it is mainly due to our permeable borders. Smuggling on land borders is rampart though bulk of it is carried out by sea and air. Pakistan has been singularly successful in aiding and abetting terrorism earlier in Punjab and now in J&K by pushing in terrorists, arms, ammunition and other sophisticated materials of violence and destruction. As management of security of borders of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujrat was strengthened by resorting to improved manpower deployment and installation of technological devices including fencing of the border belt, Pakistan redoubled its efforts to exploit J&K area and other Indian borders touching Nepal Bangladesh and Mynamar for its sinister designs.

Pakistan under Nawaz Sharif, especially after its reply nuclear explosions of May'98, is now hoisted on its own petard. Hinged to the highest rung of its ambition ladder of seeking parity with India, Pakistan under its 'rabble-rousing' populist leader is jingoistic and xenophophic. 'Hostility consensus' has touched its zenith and Pakistan think that it has got Indian on the floor for the first time on account of the over reaching strategy of the present Indian leadership. Enemy concept seems to have become a part of Pakistan's socialisation process and has got concretised in Govt policies and security plans. No doubt Pakistan has made tremendous strides in gaining near equality in conventional military strength though it was 'cut to size' by India in 1971. Of late, Pakistan has been flexing its military muscles on LC and Siachen glacier. It has deterred India from undertaking fencing project' of Jammu border and is boosting that the self-same border has been converted into Line of Control through feverish exchange of fire. To Indian leaders strategic planners stress conditions on our borders and internal process are indicative of threatened national security.

Security development complementarity model as it emerged after India's armed conflicts of 1962 and 1965 showed its roots in nationalistic aspirations and feelings. This national commitment obliged it to secure its international borders with the help of a peace time non-military apparatus BSF, however, based on State-centric realistic perspective. Border Security force come into existence for guarding borders against the then Pakistan during peace time.

Situation on the borders has undergone a radical change. Several of India's NE States are gripped with violence at the hands of socio-pathic leaders and secessionist elements. On account of the development and possible employments in border States of sophisticated instruments of low intensity warfare like insurgency, terrorism, infiltration and subversion, need to enlist public support of border population is paramount. In J&K, it has emerged as a start existential dilemma for the Republic. While preparation of ground work for public support is a political process, the locational imperatives of Border Security Force facilitate this task. BSF can and does take part in active propagation of national policy and helps in re-enforcing the loyalty and enthusiasm of the civilian population in the border areas. Now it is all the more necessary for all Security Force to function as instrumental of social discipline in the country.

While geopolitical compulsions of the country do not form an indivisible whole and different areas require standards of security, it is high time that Govt of India makes a realistic appraisal of threat perception of our border area touching Nepal Bhuttan and Mynamar. For long now, we have left them to God's care and National Security Council needs to have a hard look at it before events over-take the planners and ground-level security actors. Internal security aspects of neighbouring countries are acquiring devious dimensions and they substantially impact both India's borders and interior parts. For the supreme interest of domestic security, it serves no good purpose to separate border security from internal security. Erosion of social unity is a veritable threat for all security management agencies of the State. BSF is every going to experience the pressure of stressful conditions in the interior parts.

All arming policy and organisational aspects of BSF should be based on functional cum growth basis. At present, Headquarters of IsG and DIsG are having far too many units to direct and administer. This militates against operational effectiveness. Similarly making BSF units more viable and strong is more in tune with the unfolding security environment, developments and postures in the South Asian Region. In the operational field, BSF should be encouraged to employ updated deterrence strategies to achieve the desired results. Intellectual efforts and well-springs of professional thought should be directed towards those aspects of border security which are critical to national security. It would not serve BSF well if its members are allowed to hold a viewpoint which disdains contact with civilians and social institutions. This perspective should not be associated with the professional ethics of BSF. BSF must visualise and assess the critical aspects of the diverse social milieu in which BSF will be functioning in the foreseeable future. Borders cape and its crime pattern are changing very fast. Given sound projection of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the work-space, the future pattern of crime can be guess-estimated. BSF leaders have to develop their applicatory education necessary for effective execution of jobs in this changing work-space. Terrorism in border states is one such frightful development which has upset several of our conventional security assumptions.

Pakistan's renewed fixation with Kashmir issue after its nuclear tests in May 1998 has released new tremors in the region. Islamic resurgence triangle formed by Pakistan. Afghanistan and Iran, the green cresecent, casts an ugly shadow on India's sedulously raised secular edifice. Both at the contiguous and regional level, the shadow of military strategic threat of monolithic China will loom disquietingly large on India's security horizon. Pakistan's strident tirade against India for drawing the attention of major actors of the world is not only irritating but menacing. India has to forge cultivated responses at political, diplomatic and military levels to the conflictual stimuli present in the regional environments. Free flow of weapons in Pakistan has made its social order highly vulnerable and explosive. Sindh province has been undergoing violent tremors for the last one decade and Karachi is burning incessantly. Military crack-down in Karachi is going to unleash violent forces. Indo-Pakistan borders are going to experience new convulsions forcing India to strengthen its arrangements of border security. Security posture has to assume the 'defended' status in place of the 'secured' one. This is a quantum jump.

All eyes are on the newly formed National Security Council. What will go on its anvil first as it makes its strategic appraisal of nation's security needs? Security community leaders and strategic analysts want that there should be an integrated approach to the subject of border security of India's international borders. Border security arrangements should be rationalised. All border guarding forces like BSF, ITBP and Assam Rifles should come under one Indian Border services with bulk of leadership coming from integral resources. This merger should be planned over a multi-year span of 10 years to obviate any administrative or personnel aberrations and bottlenecks. Training ecology for units developed and training schools organised at suitable locations for emerging tasks. As internal stabilisation operations are going to be allotted to border guarding forces, reserve units should be made to undergo rigorous training for envisaged tasks. What I anticipate is, given the progressive employment of technology and resource unputs for strengthening border security especially of Indo-Pak borders, more is needed to be done in the domain of 'form and 'emphasis' than in the 'matter.' Nation's citizenry may meanwhile wait with bated breath the manner in which political and security leaders address the problem of danger looming on our live borders. Do they have the time, desire and vision?