DK Kapila The Oracle

It was today morning. A crisp 13 degrees centigrade with the sun out around 925 am. I was out for my walk. Sunday walks are always around this time. I saw a girl in the park walking ever so gracefully backwards. Just a few steps. She was so light on her feet. From a distance I thought she was on her toes. To me It was as though she was a ballerina. As I walked on I noticed her step forward. Just a light step. Then another. A slight twist of her body and her arms stretched out . Next she was bending over and did a cartwheel. Smoothly and effortlessly. Then another and another with the Same grace and poise. I walked on and noticed she was again focused as she walked or rather pirouetted a bit forward, then backwards again. The poise and grace not leaving her even for a second. Then she went in for the routine again. The same three cartwheels. No break, gracefully and no extra momentum imparted to herself. I could have snapped it to retain the memory but it would have been an invasion of...

The Entrepreneurs Amongst the Poor - Geeta - The financially literate and enterprising among the poor are pulling themselves out of poverty by sheer grit and determination. And coupled with a fierce determination to succeed and even being smart about it in their own way. The Schemes of the GOI and State Governments also become a facilitator in this success, in that they build the necessary infrastructure or environment for success (This could be imparting of soft skills or en abling infrastructure). Geeta belongs to District Hoshiarpur in Punjab State by her roots, but her success has come after she moved to Chandigarh. A Scheduled Caste, she has shown how grit and enterprise can pull a person out of abject poverty. After trying varied entrepreneurial ventures she took to working as a masseuse for the ladies from the middle class and above, specially the age group above 50 years. This group is willing to spend on massages as the aches and pains have begun to set in. Charging around Rs...

The 1971 War - 45 Cavalry A Squadron Today is the Day when War was officially declared way back in 1971. But the 2/9 GR states in it's Momento presented to my father after the war, "In Memory of the Battles we fought together" 21st November 1971 - 16th December 1971. Between facts and declarations facts win, my Father commanding 62 Mountain Brigade was well within the erstwhile East Pakistan Boundary / Borders on 3rd December 1971. He had the 5 Maratha Light Infantry, the 4 Sikh Light Infantry, The 2/9 GR and an Armoured Unit under his command. The official declaration of war was welcomed by cheers as some forward elements could remove their lungis or rather dhotis wrapped over their uniforms. Here is one piece written by by father last year at the request of the 45 Cavalry and then Major Batra. I have edited it. Performance of the 45 Cavalry Regiment during the Bangladesh War – December 1971 - specially A Squadron. by Major General Rajendra Nath, PVSM (Retd) ...

1971 War - An Emotional Memory for my Father Down Madhumati Road Dinesh K. Kapila As you drive towards Shimla from Chandigarh, a road sign on the highway passing through Chandimandir cantonment states “Madhumati Road”. Few would know why this name is on the board except may be that it’s the name of a large river in Bangladesh. For me, passing by the road sign gives a feeling of familiarity and pride, for the road sign signifies a hard-fought victory of the 1971 war by the 62 Mountain Brigade. One battalion of the 7th Brigade also performed the important function of a road block in this battle. Someday I plan to stand my children by the roadside for a photograph, for I want them to remember what their grandpa achieved 30 years ago. The children are yet small but I am sure they understand what I explain to them. For it was Dad who commanded the 62 Mountain Brigade in this battle. The Army observes Victory Day and Infantry Day every year, but for my father such occasions are for re...