How Can We Matter

1. The Background It is surprising to note that the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on a Flydubai flight FZ1073, had previously been barred from flying by Oman Air in 2024 over concerns regarding extremist views and materials. He later left Oman Air and was subsequently hired by UAE-based FlyDubai, where routine background checks reportedly failed to flag his prior radicalization history. This situation brings into sharp focus a significant gap in the international sharing of pilot safety and security information and underscores the potential value of a centralized, globally accessible database maintained by an international aviation regulator.  Pilots and Cabin Crew, Attribution: Jetstar Airways Such a system could enable authorized airlines and regulators to access critical employment, disciplinary, and safety-related records, thereby strengthening aviation security and enhancing the effectiveness of pilot recruitment and oversight worldwide . 2. Existing Oversight Syst...

The 25th anniversary of 9/11 is more than a chronological milestone; it is a lens through which individual memories refract in unique ways. World Trade Center Attack The strikes struck at the heart of three major locations, leaving devastation in their wake and claiming the lives of nearly 3,000 people. It was not merely an attack on physical structures, but on the very sense of security and stability that millions had taken for granted. The images of collapsing towers, smoke rising against the skyline, and people fleeing in disbelief became etched into collective memory. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the tragedy reshaped global consciousness. Families were torn apart, communities mourned together, and nations grappled with the fragility of peace in an interconnected world. The event became a turning point—altering policies, redefining security, and reminding humanity of both its vulnerability and resilience. Twenty Five years later, the echoes of that day remain. For those who l...

The German phrase ‘ Auf Wiedersehen ’—literally meaning ‘ until we see each other again ’—was one of the first expressions I learned in a German class at IIT Madras back in 1970. Decades later, during the 1990s while working with MAPS Geosystems in Sharjah, that early exposure to the language proved immensely useful during my extended stays at our Munich office. Reflections on Goodbye Now, I find myself offering an ‘ Auf Wiedersehen ’ not just to close friends, but to the familiar nooks and beloved surroundings of our apartment complex. My wife and I are embarking on a prolonged stay at her mother’s home in Kozhikode to support her during her twilight years. Although she has a caregiver, my wife and her sisters take turns so she is never left on her own. Now in her nineties, she is wrapped in the gentle devotion of her daughters, who share the duty of staying by her side. I softly whisper ‘ until we meet again ’ to the fellow seniors I meet thrice weekly, to my ' tai chi ' cor...

When the LoP Turns Democracy on Its Head The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is meant to be the conscience keeper of Parliament—a voice that tempers government power with reasoned critique. Yet today, that role is being twisted into something far more destructive: a posture of relentless hostility that threatens the very foundations of India’s democratic order . LoP and Senior Party Leaders From Watchdog to Wrecking Ball Opposition to the Government is vital. It ensures accountability, exposes flaws, and offers alternatives. But when every government move is met with automatic rejection, the LoP ceases to be a watchdog and becomes a wrecking ball . Constructive dissent is replaced by reflexive obstruction, leaving governance paralyzed and citizens disillusioned. Silence of the Seniors The tragedy is not only in one man’s reckless stance, but in the collective abdication of responsibility by senior leaders like # AbhishekManuSinghvi and #ShashiTharoor . Instead of guiding, correcting, or...

A grandson once asked his 80‑year‑old grandfather:   “Grandpa… how did you manage to love Grandma, the same woman, for sixty long years?” Symbolic representation of 7 phases. The boy expected lessons in patience, compromise, or heartfelt honesty. But the old man simply smiled, looked tenderly at his wife, and with a mischievous wink, answered his grandson :   “What makes you think I loved the same woman for sixty long years?” These words left the grandson deeply confused. With a gentle smile, the grandfather went on to explain: In my twenties, my heart belonged to a vibrant girl, radiating joy and youthful charm. By my thirties, I was captivated by a devoted mother, staying up through the quiet hours to comfort our sleeping child. In my forties, I admired a resilient partner who carried our family’s challenges with quiet dignity. By my fifties, I fell for a compassionate woman who willingly set aside her own aspirations to secure our children’s tomorrow. In my s...

In November 2020, I shared how I was able to reconnect with my colleague from the Space Applications Center (ISRO) - Ahmedabad, Dr. K. S. Rao ( Kota Siva Sankar Rao ) , after a gap of thirty‑five years. DR K S Rao on the right See the section  Reconnecting With Dr K S Rao at the end. A Calling Beyond Retirement In that post, I recounted how, following his retirement, Dr. Rao and his wife, Mrs. Vasantha Rao, devoted themselves to establishing the Prabhupad Ashram at Vasavi Nagar Colony, Jandrapeta, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh. What began as a new chapter in their lives soon revealed itself as their true calling. Together, they immersed themselves in philanthropy, social service, charitable initiatives, and spiritual pursuits. Their journey stands as a testament to the power of purpose discovered later in life—a reminder that fulfillment often lies not in professional achievements alone, but in the quiet, selfless acts that uplift others. A Tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Rao This tribute is of...