Cricket (IPL) United RCB Fans, Misgovernance Shamed the Nation.

 

                                            

                                        

Cricket in India is more than a sport—it is a cultural phenomenon, a unifying force, and a mirror of the nation’s collective consciousness. As scholar Ashis Nandy famously remarked, “Cricket is an Indian game accidentally discovered by the English.” Its deep ties to Indian nationalism, catalysed by cinema, political, and corporate interests, have made it a powerful tool for unity and identity.  However, what should have been a jubilant and unifying celebration of RCB’s maiden IPL victory in Bengaluru, has instead turned into a national tragedy. This tragic incident reminds us of a deeper, more troubling pattern: the erosion of institutional integrity.

 The loss of 11 innocent lives, crushed in a stampede born out of administrative apathy, is not merely an accident but an indictment of systemic failure. This must serve as a stark reminder of the need for responsibility, foresight, and robust planning to learn from such failures. This tragedy also underscores the need for stakeholders—politicians, administration, government, BCCI, IPL and other organizers, corporations, and even cine stars and celebrities —to learn from lapses and ensure cricket and such other celebrations that unite citizens remains a source of joy, not a sorrow and a national tragedy.

 Every day since the tragedy on 4 June, new layers of disappointment are surfacing — pointing to a clear absence of planning, coordination, and accountability. But instead of honest introspection and corrective action, we are witnessing a disgraceful passing of the buck and politicking. While the ruling political establishment washes its hands of any responsibility, it has found scapegoat in the Police Commissioner, suspending him and few other Police officers even before a full and transparent inquiry.

The Rs. 25 lakh compensation announced by the Government for the victims’ families is an absolute necessity and must be welcomed, but this should not become a shield to avoid real accountability. The opposition must stop political blame game in circumstances such as this, where precious human lives have been lost. This moment warrants and demands bipartisan resolve to identify failure points and fix the issues — not just for justice today, but to prevent such disasters in the future. 

My tryst with the history of the game of Cricket and its innate connect with the people of India began when curating three Cricket Connects exhibitions - India South Africa (2014), India Australia (2016) and India England (2017). The tragic incidence of the loss of lives in Bengaluru has tempted me to pen this article on Cricket and its popularity in India and how we must ensure that the game of cricket does not come in the cross fire of the tragic incident that happened in Bengaluru and how the cash rich cricket body and its shenanigans invest the money they earn from the game in ensuring an absolute safety of the people and ensure that they do all that it takes to see that such incident happens never again.    

Cricket and Indian cinema stand as two dominant mass mediums in India, transcending class, religion, and regional boundaries to unite a diverse nation of 1.4 billion. From children in rural hamlets to urban professionals, every Indian is touched by cricket, rallying with fervour to support their team, especially during high-stakes events like the World Cup or India-Pakistan clashes. Bollywood has capitalized on this link, with films like Lagaan—Ashutosh Gowariker’s Academy Award-nominated film—portraying cricket as a unifying force in pre-independent India. It is therefore no wonder that Amir Khan the lead in Lagan film, chose IPL finals between RCB and PBKS to promote his upcoming film “Sitaare Zameen Par”, joining the commentary team. The ruling political class in Bengaluru too wished to have their share of public and media space by joining the victory parade –The CM and Deputy CM were seen with RCB players celebrating their IPL victory at the Vidhana Soudha. This is not the first time that political leaders have been a part of such celebrations, Cricket victory celebrations has always attracted this class alongside other celebrities from cinema and business all of who depend on each other.

The 1983 Prudential World Cup victory, led by the legendary Kapil Dev, marked a turning point, catapulting cricket as India’s most beloved sport. The advent of colour television via Doordarshan during the 1982 Asian Games, followed by economic liberalization in 1991, transformed the game’s reach. Deregulation of the television industry in 1993 brought private channels like Star Sports and ESPN, delivering cricket to living rooms nationwide. Nation ide spread of TV transmitting station and the 50-over format of the game, with frequent breaks for advertisements, became a goldmine for broadcasters and corporations. Multinational companies (MNCs) flooded India with their consumer products, leveraging cricket stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood icons like Amitabh Bachchan and others to endorse their products—Pepsi and Coca-Cola -  larger than life billboards became a common sight, deepening the game’s cultural footprint. The rise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 amplified this, turning cricket into an intoxicating blend of sport, entertainment, and commerce, an “opium” for a cricket-crazy nation.

The relationship between cricket and politics in India is symbiotic and longstanding. Even before independence, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was formed by maharajas of princely states, with power brokers backing local boards. The popularity of the Quadrangular and Pentangular Cricket matches in Mumbai were as popular in the 1930s and early 40s as the IPL now. Even during the freedom struggle the popularity of the tournament remained untouched with scores of spectators thronging the matches. The games popularity and its possible adverse effects on the freedom struggle motivated Mahatma Gandhi to publicly appeal for a boycott of the Bombay Pentangular cricket tournament. He viewed the tournament, which pitted teams representing different religious communities, as communally divisive and harmful to the broader national movement. 

The popularity of the game remained so even after Independence. Post-independence, leaders harnessed cricket’s appeal to bolster their image. Jawaharlal Nehru played the game, and during the 1975 Emergency, Indira Gandhi used images of her father in cricket whites on political pamphlets to connect with the masses. Politicians across the spectrum have since supported cricket, hosting players and funding events, while cricket boards - mostly made of political class - including the influential BCCI, navigate red tape and secure resources from the government for the game through political ties.

This mutual benefit has persisted, with cricket serving as a platform for political visibility. The 1983 win, combined with economic reforms, fuelled a growing middle class—standard-bearers of nationalism—who embraced cricket as a symbol of pride. Media hype, especially during India-Pakistan matches, and world cup finals stokes hyper-nationalism, framing games as virtual battles. However, this fervour, while unifying, can spiral out of control, as seen in Bengaluru, where poor planning and underestimation of crowd size turned celebration into a catastrophe and a national tragedy.

 The Bengaluru Tragedy: A Wake-Up Call

RCB’s historic IPL victory over Punjab Kings by six runs in Ahmedabad sparked jubilation in Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India. Wanting to capitalise on this fan frenzy, the RCB planned to have a victory celebration parade. There were two celebrations planned one at the Vidhana Soudha and other at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Celebration and felicitation for the RCB players, arranged at the Vidhana Soudha, was attended by the CM and the Dy CM, who greeted and felicitated the players and the team. From here the players were to assemble at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

Estimates suggest 2-3 lakh people converged, trying to enter the stadium, far exceeding expectations and a capacity of 35000 at the stadium. Initial plans for a victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium were announced on social media post at 3:14 PM, on RCB's official account on X, on 4 June. It confirmed a "Victory Parade" scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM from the Vidhana Soudha to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by a felicitation event inside the stadium. Confusion ensued when the parade was cancelled, but fans, uninformed and desperate to see the team, surged toward the stadium, leading to a deadly stampede. Eleven lives were lost—youth, a woman, and a boy among them—while over 40 were injured.

News reports claiming eyewitness accounts described chaos, with people climbing trees and buses, and others falling in the crush. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitted the crowd surge was unanticipated. The Karnataka High Court registered a Suo Moto case, and Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against RCB, event organizers DNA Entertainment Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for criminal negligence. As expected criticism mounted from the opposition, with the BJP decrying the state government’s “hasty” planning and failure to heed traffic police warnings about crowd control at Vidhana Soudha.

Exploitation and Accountability

The Bengaluru tragedy exposes how cricket’s popularity is exploited by multiple stakeholders. Political parties leverage the game’s mass appeal for clout, with most political leaders joining the bandwagon in rushing to felicitate victorious teams. The BCCI and IPL organizers reap billions from sponsorships, ticket sales, and broadcasts, with MNCs and Bollywood stars amplifying the frenzy through endorsements with support from political class. Yet, this synergy often overlooks fan safety. The Mumbai celebration of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win drew 5 lakh people; a precedent Bengaluru’s planners could have studied. In an era where AI and data analytics—tools at home in India’s IT hub—can predict crowd sizes based on social media buzz, ticket demand, and historical data, the failure to anticipate 3 lakh fans was a glaring lapse.

The Way Forward: Balancing Passion and Safety

Cricket unites India rallying a diverse 1.4 billion-strong audience specially during World Cups and India Pakistan matches. It fosters national pride, bridges divide, and fuels dreams. Yet, the Bengaluru tragedy demands introspection. To avoid such incidents while promoting the game, stakeholders must ensure;

1. Robust Planning with Technology: Use AI, data analytics, and real-time monitoring to predict and manage crowd sizes. Bengaluru, an IT hub, should lead in deploying tech for event safety—drones, CCTV, and crowd-flow models can prevent bottlenecks, funds should not be a problem with cash rick BCCI.
2. Clear Communication: Avoid last-minute changes like parade cancellations without widespread, timely alerts via social media, radio, and SMS to prevent confusion and surges.
3. Enhanced Infrastructure: Stadiums and public spaces need wider entry/exit points, barricades, and trained security. The Bangalore Metro’s suspension of stations like Cubbon Park and Vidhana Soudha on June 4 highlights the need for coordinated transport plans.
4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Karnataka’s move to formulate SOPs for mega events is a start. The BCCI, state governments, and event organizers must enforce strict guidelines, learning from global examples.
5. Shared Responsibility: Politicians, the BCCI, IPL teams, and corporate sponsors must fund and prioritize safety, not just profits or popularity. Bollywood stars can use their influence to promote crowd discipline.
6. Fan Education: Encourage fans to follow guidelines, respect limits, and prioritize safety, ensuring celebrations remain joyous.

Cricket embodies India’s spirit—diverse, passionate, and united. The 2025 tragedy must not dim this light but galvanize action. As Virat Kohli, “absolutely gutted” by the loss, and fans mourn, let us honour the fallen by ensuring cricket connects, uplifts, and protects. Only then can it remain the heartbeat of a cricket-crazy nation.

Centenary of the Planetarium and the Deutsches Museum (1925-2025), An Inspiration for Indian Science Museums.

Introduction 

This year, 2025, marks the centenary of the Planetarium. It was on 7 May 1925 that the world's first planetarium projection to the public was opened at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. Incidentally, the occasion also marked the opening of the Deutsches Museum, one of the preeminent science museums, which incidentally served as an inspiration for the establishment of the first science museum – Birla Industrial and Technological Museum - under the National Council of Science Museums NCSM), an autonomous scientific institution under Ministry of Culture, Government of India, that spearheads a chain of science museums and science centres in India. Incidentally, I was associated with NCSM for 35 years. This article will, therefore, trace the history of the centenary of the planetariums and the Deutsches Museum and the lasting legacy of these events on science museums and planetariums in India.

In the annals of human history, observing the night sky has been a cornerstone of intellectual evolution. Early humans, gazing at the cyclical dance of stars, sun, moon, and planets, discerned patterns that unveiled the rhythms of seasons and rains. This understanding transformed the early hunter-gatherers into a settled community, laying the foundation for the early river civilizations to flourish. Observing celestial movement in the sky has therefore been central to human intellect, which places us at the top of the evolutionary pyramid. Yet, in our modern era, light pollution obscures this celestial spectacle that plays out in the night sky, denying us, especially children, the awe-inspiring view that once sparked curiosity and discovery.

Idea for mimicking the night sky in a dome

Oskar von Miller, the visionary founder of the Deutsches Museum – an inspiration to the founders of Indian science museums – had an idea to mimic the night sky using projection on a dome. His idea and the engineering brilliance of Walther Bauersfeld, Zeiss, converged to create a revolutionary planetarium tool, which could mimic the night sky in a dome that would benefit astronomy/science education. Thus began the journey of planetariums, beginning with the Zeiss planetarium, which was one of the important features of the Deutsches Museum, which opened in May 1925 and spread across the globe over the centuries with many more players in this field.

It was in the year 1912 that Oskar Von Miller, an electrical engineer and founder of the Deutsches Museum, conceived an idea: “Could you project an artificial starry night sky onto a dome, as a way of demonstrating astronomical principles to the public?” The idea was unique yet challenging, and therefore, when Von Miller approached the Carl Zeiss company in Jena, Germany, leaders in the field of engineering and optics, to design and manufacture such a projector for his proposed science museum, they initially “rebuffed” him.  Eventually, Zeiss came on board to venture into this unique idea and deep-dived into this project, which was led by Walther Bauersfeld, their lead engineer, and the result was that Zeiss created something amazing, whose centenary we are now celebrating this year. The planetariums became so successful that within a few years of their opening on 7 May 1925 at the Deutsches Museum, the planetariums spread worldwide over including in India, which boasted of its first mini planetarium in Pune in 1954 and another one at the National Physical Laboratory in 1956-57.

Engineering Brilliance of Walther Bauersfeld, Zeiss

Although there existed engineering tabletop models to show movements of the planets and stars, which goes back centuries, beginning with mechanical orreries that used clockwork mechanisms to depict our solar system, nothing like what was being envisaged by Von Miller was ever attempted, a task which Zeiss had accepted. The task of providing an engineering solution to this novel idea fell on Walther Bauersfeld, a mechanical engineer by training who was then the Managing Director at Zeiss. He used all his mechanical engineering skills to plan and design different components of electromechanical systems, which were worked out with their mechanism in detail. Bauersfeld designed and redesigned interdependent mechanisms that were required for creating a projection in a planetarium. The accompanying image with the article, from the archives of Carl Zeiss, shows his design setup in his notebook. The sketch shows the two-axis system for showing the daily and annual motions of the stars. From this humble beginning of his design arose a projection system, which became fully functional to serve as a projector for the planetarium.

It was on May 7, 1925, a hundred years ago, that the world's first projection planetarium opened to the public at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany, a marvel that meticulously mimicked the night sky and simulated the celestial cycles of all seasons. This monumental achievement democratized access to astronomical wonders and ignited a global movement to inspire scientific curiosity, particularly among students, a legacy that continues to resonate in India's vibrant science museum and planetarium ecosystem, a century later.

Deutsches Museum and its impact on Indian Science Museums and Planetariums

As the world commemorated the centenary of the Zeiss planetarium, inaugurated on May 7, 1925, at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, it is an opportune moment to highlight the profound influence that the Deutsches Museum, founded by had on India's science museum movement.

NCSM - which governs a chain of science museums and science centres, small and medium-sized planetariums, including a large number of inflatable mobile planetariums (taramandals) that have reached far and wide across the country - owes its genesis to the Deutsches Museum. A visit to the Deutsches Museum by Dr Bidhan Chandra Ray, a distinguished physician, freedom fighter, statesman, and the Chief Minister of West Bengal, inspired him in the founding of the first museum under NCSM, the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata, which was opened on 2 May 1959.

Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy’s contributions to the nation extended far beyond politics and medicine. He was instrumental in sowing the seeds of India’s science museum movement. Deeply inspired by his visit to the Deutsches Museum in Munich, a pioneering science and technology museum, Germany, Dr. Roy envisioned establishing a similar institution in India to spark scientific curiosity and learning among the masses. Collaborating with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a staunch advocate of scientific temper, and industrialist G.D. Birla, he championed the establishment of the BITM in Calcutta in 1959 under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), of which Nehru was the President.

BITM became the first government-sponsored science museum in independent India, which laid the foundation for a nationwide movement. Its success and popularity led to the creation of more such institutions, beginning with the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technology Museum (VITM), Bengaluru in 1965, followed by the Nehru Science Centre in 1978-79 and 85 in two phases. Dr. B.C. Roy’s foresight not only laid the foundation for BITM but also ignited a movement that democratized science education in India, eventually resulting in the establishment of the NCSM in 1978. Today, NCSM stands as a premier institution in India, inspiring millions through its network of science centres and museums across the country—an enduring legacy of Dr. Roy’s visionary leadership.

Oskar von Miller and the founding of the Deutsches Museum

Oskar von Miller, a visionary engineer, Deutsches Museum in 1903, which later opened to the public in a grand new building on 07 May 1925. The museum also included the first ever planetarium in the world. This year, along with the centenary of the planetarium, the Deutsches Museum also celebrates its centenary. The Deutsches Museum has grown to become not just a landmark of the city of Munich but globally.  It is now considered one of the world's largest museums of science and technology. Every year, around a million-plus visitors flock to the Museum Island, located between 2 branches of the Isar River. Locals and tourists alike, both adults and children, are fascinated by the many thousands of science and technology exhibits and artefacts in the exhibition rooms covering an immense range of science and technology topics.

Genesis for founding the Deutsches Museum, by Oskar von Miller, traces its history to the visit of Miller to the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers (National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts) in Paris and the South Kensington Museum, which is now the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London. He also visited the London Science Museum and the Natural History Museum in London, which were earlier part of the Kensington Museum. Inspired by his visit to these museums, Miller developed an idea for a museum of technology and science in his home city, Munich. He envisaged an institution for all social classes based on a completely new concept that had scarcely been heard of before that point. Miller wanted a museum where you could touch things, and a place where children could have fun. A museum which could both educate and entertain, two buzzwords which have become central to NCSM.

Miller wanted the museum to be housed in an architecturally unique building. Therefore, he conducted an architectural competition to select the best building design. Gabriel von Seidl was chosen from amongst many participants to be the designer for the building. Unfortunately, he died in 1913 and did not live to see the opening of the museum. Moreover, the First World War and the inflation that followed caused delays, and during this time, the project as a whole was at risk of failure. However, thanks to Miller's good contacts in the construction industry, he managed to continue the construction of Seidl's design with some minor modifications. Instead of the 2 towers originally planned by Seidl, only one tower was built: the rear one on the west side, which was also of a slightly different shape. The museum finally opened its doors on 7 May 1925.

Miller initially studied civil engineering, but later became famous as an electrical engineer and hydropower pioneer. He was the first to succeed in transmitting electricity over long distances. He built the world's largest hydroelectric power station at Walchensee and promoted the development of electricity supply for the whole of Bavaria. Miller, who was well-connected in politics and society, used his contacts and relationships with scientists all over the world in soliciting donations and rewarding his supporters. This helped him in developing his dream museum, the Deutsches Museum, which is now globally well-known.

 

Deutsches Museum and Carl Zeiss Collaboration for the Planetarium.

 

Being an engineer, Miller wanted to introduce a special attraction in his museum, which would distinguish itself from the London Science Museum or the V&A Hall that he had seen in England. He wanted the Deutsches Museum to be one of its kind in the world. And for this, he dreamed of a plan to translate his vision for simulating the night sky in the museum on a dome. In 1912, Oskar von Miller conceived this idea for an apparatus that would depict the apparent motions of the sun, moon, and planets along with those of the stars. He firmly believed that if an engineer with a passion for experimentation got involved in this project, he could succeed in translating his vision into reality. He thought that the best-known technology company specialised in optics, required for simulating the night sky, in Germany that could attempt this project, would be Carl Zeiss. 

 

Oskar von Miller in the year 1913, approached Carl Zeiss in Jena, Germany, leaders in the field of engineering and optics, for the manufacturing of a "rotating star sphere". He envisaged that Zeiss would design and manufacture such a projector, which could imitate the night sky in a dome. Zeiss initially cold-shouldered his ideas and did not find any merit or a market in attempting his idea. Eventually, they came on board and chose Walther Bauersfeld as their lead engineer to lead this project. Unfortunately, there was a setback in the project owing to the onset of World War I.

Walther Bauersfeld, who was also a member of the Carl Zeiss Jena Board of Management, after many trials and errors, came out with a design for a projection planetarium in March 1919. He began working with the employees under him to translate his design into a working mechanical reality of a machine.

 

Planetarium Projector for Public Shows.

 

The planetarium projector, designed and scheduled to be commissioned by 1923, was, in fact, a chain of many smaller projectors and a host of gears. According to the Zeiss Archive, a large sphere held all of the projectors for the fixed stars as well as a “planet cage” that held projectors for the sun, the moon, and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The fixed-star sphere was positioned so that it projected outward from the exact centre of the dome. The planetarium also had projectors for the Milky Way and the names of major constellations. The projectors within the planet cage were organized in tiers with complex gearing that allowed a motorized drive to move them around one axis to simulate the annual rotations of these celestial objects against the backdrop of the stars. The entire projector could also rotate around a second axis, simulating the Earth’s polar axis, to show the rising and setting of the sun, moon, and planets over the horizon.

 

The final defining moment both for Oskar von Miller and Walther Bauersfeld, Zeiss, arrived. It was on 21 October 1923, the Zeiss Model I, which was developed painstakingly by Bauersfeld and his team at Zeiss, was first demonstrated to the Museum committee at the Deutsches Museum, Munich, during their tour of the Museum construction site. It is to be noted here that although the Deutsches Museum was founded in 1903, the museum had to wait for another two plus decades for the befitting museum building to be constructed for the museum to be thrown open to the public. It was during one of those inspections of the new museum building by the museum committee that they were shown the Zeiss I model of the planetarium.

 

Immediately thereafter, the museum authorities, seeing the potential that this projector has to be a huge public attraction, decided that the projector would be run in public operation in the still unfinished dome on the museum island for six weeks. Accordingly, this projector ran at the Deutsches Museum.  At the end of December, the device went back to Jena, the factory site of Zeiss. Incidentally, because of the huge success of the projection during the public demonstration in Munich, the Zeiss company offered a public demonstration of this projection on the roof of the Zeiss Factory in Jena from August to October 1924. Thereafter, the projection went for the opening at the Deutch Museum in their newly constructed dome. It was on the historic occasion, on 7 May 1925, 100 years ago, that the planetarium was officially opened to the public at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

 

Today, as we celebrate the centenary of this historic Museum and the planetarium, it is pertinent to recall that from that moment, there was no looking back for the rapid spread of planetariums across the globe, including in India. 

 

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National Technology Day: Operation Sindoor, Technological Triumph

 

Twenty-seven years ago on this day, 11 May 1998, India woke in to Nuclear Freedom and emancipated from the nuclear apartheid that the world, led by US of A, wanted us to follow. The operation Shakti, carried out on this day in 1998, in one of the most secretive manners, caught big powers like the US with their pants down attracting their ire and sanctions, both on the economic and technology front, for some time. 

 Operation Shakti was a historic moment for India - more particularly for our scientific community (atomic energy researchers) - that was achieved after a great deal of deliberation and preparation under the able political leadership of Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This extraordinary achievement was supported and led by scientific and technical leadership of Dr. R Chidambaram, Chairman DAE, Dr Abdul Kalam, Head of DRDO and Dr Anil Kakodkar, Director BARC. The announcement of India going nuclear was made by the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee during an impromptu press briefing which was organised by the PIB on 11 May, 1998. Later, Prime Minister, Vajpayee said, the benefits the Pokhran II will benefit India and in appreciation of this feat, he declared that 11 May, would be commemorated as National Technology Day every year. On the 25^th anniversary of this day in 2023, I had penned a blog to commemorate this event whose link is given below

https://khened.blogspot.com/2023/05/25-years-of-operation-shakti-pokhran-ii.html

Today as we celebrate the National Technology Day 2025, let us hail our scientists and engineers whose contributions to the technological developments in India have not only ushered us economic benefits but also have given us an edge in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict – operation Sindoor - even as the cease fire has been agreed, between the two countries, yesterday. The conflict, fought by Indians with a sense of morality amidst utter immorality in conduct by the enemy who has taken a heavy bleeding nose, has highlighted India’s technological superiority through Operation Sindoor. 

Operation Sindoor, aptly named mission, began with the exacting standards of technological precision that was executed by our reverential armed forces to precisely chose and neutralize nine terrorist camps with exacting precision. The operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, showcased India’s technological prowess. Nine terrorist camps linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were obliterated using AI-powered loitering munitions, autonomous drones, smart missiles, and real-time satellite intelligence. This operation, executed without Indian boots crossing the border, marked a paradigm shift, leveraging AI-driven targeting and encrypted communications to ensure pinpoint accuracy and zero risk to soldiers. Pakistan’s response, deploying waves of drones, was countered by India’s S-400 systems, which neutralized these threats with precision, further evidencing the supremacy of technology in the conflict. 

Today as we celebrate the National Technology Day let us be proud that this conflict has demonstrated Indias superior position in not just the valour of our armed forces, which is a given, but also of our technological superiority. Among those technologies used successfully this conflict was the Akash missile system, a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Bangalore. In a way Akash and its success will serve as a tribute to the missile man of India, our loved President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, under whose leadership in DRDO this project began. The Akash, with a range of 25–30 km, is designed to intercept drones, missiles, and aircraft, showcasing remarkable speed (Mach 2.5), agility, and intelligence through its indigenous Rajendra radar and command guidance system. 

On the night of May 7–8, 2025, Akash systems, integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), intercepted all incoming Pakistani drones - made by Turkey- and missiles targeting 15 Indian cities, including Jammu, demonstrating its efficiency in multi-target engagement. India’s historic test in 2023, where Akash engaged four aerial targets simultaneously at 25 km, underscores its role as a cornerstone of India’s air defense. It is a pride moment for us that Bangalore, often called India’s Silicon Valley, is at the heart of this technological revolution. Beyond BEL’s production of Akash, Bangalore-based start-ups like Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace Technologies have revolutionized unmanned warfare. Their FWD-200B, India’s first indigenous medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) bomber UAV, unveiled in 2024, carries 100 kg of precision payloads, inflicting heavy casualties on terrorist camps across the Line of Control (LoC). These drones, equipped with AI-driven targeting and high-resolution sensors, operate in swarms, coordinating strikes with real-time data from Indian satellites.  Another Bangalore start up, Tonbo Imaging, raised Rs 175 crore in 2025 to supply advanced vision equipment, enhancing night-time operations for Indian forces. These innovations, born in Bangalore’s thriving tech ecosystem, reflect the city’s role as a hub of defense innovation. 

India’s space capabilities, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), provide the backbone for these operations. The NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system, comprising seven IRNSS satellites, delivers precise positioning and timing data, reducing reliance on the U.S.-controlled GPS. In the conflict, NavIC-enabled receiver chips, developed by Bangalore’s Accord Software and Systems Pvt Ltd under DRDO’s guidance, ensure secure navigation for drones, missiles, and ground forces. Satellites like GSAT-7A and EMISAT, launched in 2018 and 2019, enhance military communications and electronic intelligence (ELINT), linking radar stations, airbases, and AEW&C platforms like the DRDO’s Netra Mk1A, which played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor. The RISAT-2B, with its synthetic aperture radar, provides all-weather surveillance, guiding precise strikes. ISRO’s contributions, rooted in the vision of Vikram Sarabhai and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, have made India a space power, with 52 military satellites planned by 2028 to bolster space-centric warfare. 

With heavy casualties of military assets Pakistanis came calling pleading for ceasefire. The US too played their part to ensure the conflict does not get out of control and called Indian leadership appealing for ceasefire. On receiving a second call from the DGMO, Pakistan at 15.35 PM, the DGMO India communicated this to the Indian political leadership who agreed to the request of Pakistan to cease fire yesterday from 5 PM onwards and an announcement to this effect was made in the press conference by the Secretary External Affairs Notwithstanding the violation of this agreement, which the Pakistanis resorted to, typical of their immoral conduct and nature, India has shown utmost restraint and has given a chance for the peace to prevail and let us hope that the ceasefire continues.

As we hail our armed forces for their befitting response to the misadventure of Pakistan showing exemplary restraints not to attack any civilian infrastructure, let us also be mindful of the fact that the looser Pakistan will never shy away from peddling a false narrative, which even their leaders peddle, unlike the maturity of our leadership, of their so called victory. This remind me of the saying in Hindi Russi Jal Gai, Bal Nahi Gaya.

So be it, we – including the global community - are aware of the falsehood which they peddle – remember where was Osama Bin Hiding when the US came calling deep inside Pak territory to apprehend and kill him – and let us not be swayed by what these peddlers of falsehood say and amplify it on social media. Let us believe our leadership and respect the valour and determination and strength of our armed forces, who evidenced their power when they vivisected the enemy into two in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Any further misadventure by the enemy will be met with the same fate not withstanding their cry and blackmailing methods of their nukes. What they forget is that India too is armed to the teeth with our own nuclear arsenal but it is the beauty of our democracy and the ethos of ahimsa and morals rooted in our age old traditions our civilisation that we don't exhibit nor blackmail the enemy with our nuclear armaments which can vanquish the enemy, Pakistan, if it tries any nuclear misadventure. 

Coming back to the National Technology Day, after the PM briefed the nation, through the PIB, on the Pokhran II success on 11 May 1998 he spoke in detail about Operation Shakti in the Parliament. Speaking a couple of weeks later in Parliament, Prime Minister Vajpayee said, “India is now a Nuclear Weapon State. This is a reality that cannot be denied. It is not a conferment that we seek; nor is it a status for others to grant.” As expected, these tests resulted in a great degree of consternation from the international community led by USA including a multi-layered sanctions imposed on India. Notwithstanding these initial difficulties, Prime Minister, Vajpayee was sure of the benefits the Pokhran II will yield for India and in appreciation of this feat, he declared that every year this day, 11 May, would be commemorated as National Technology Day.

The opening celebration of National Technology Day was organised on May 11, 1999, by the Council for Technology. This event was not only a tribute to the nation's technological achievements but also aimed to acknowledge the dedication of professionals in the field and highlight their significant contributions. Ever since India has been commemorating this day as National Technology Day, reflecting on its journey of technological advancement and innovation, which is evidenced in Operation Sindoor.

As we commemorate this occasion, let us honour the tireless efforts of those who push the boundaries of knowledge and inspire future generations.

 Images: Courtesy Wikipedia and Govt of India

 #NationalTechnologyDay

 

The Cosmos in a Speck: Remembering Basavanna’s Ishta linga on Basava Jayanti

 

As we continue to celebrate Basava Jayanti on 29 April 2025, marking the 894th birth anniversary of Jagat Jyoti Basaveshvara, let me articulate my understanding of his revolutionary philosophy—the Ishta linga. This small, sacred black stone-like sacred article, worn close to the heart by every Lingayat, is far more than a symbol; it is a profound reminder that the entire cosmos resides within us, and we, in turn, are a speck of dust in the vast Brahmand. On this sacred occasion, it reminds me of how Basavanna’s vision of the Ishta linga connects the individual soul to the infinite, echoing truths that resonate with modern science and universal spirituality.

Basavanna, the 12th-century poet-philosopher and founder of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat tradition, redefined worship by giving his followers the Ishta linga—a personal Linga that embodies Shiva, the divine essence of existence. Unlike temple-bound sacred idols, the Ishta linga is portable, carried by devotees as a constant companion. Basavanna taught that this tiny sacred stone, which is always worn by the followers, holds the entire universe within it: “The Linga is the cosmos, the cosmos is the Linga; in it resides all creation.” By worshipping the Ishta linga, Lingayats, the followers of Basavanna, honour the infinite divine while recognizing their own speck of dust space which they occupy, within the cosmic tapestry—a humbling yet empowering realization.

This idea finds a striking parallel in modern science in the writing of the great Isaac Asimov. Isaac Asimov's book, "The Stars, Like Dust", explores the unending vastness of the expanse of space and the insignificance of humanity within this Brahmand, using the metaphor of humans being a "speck of dust" which was profoundly visualized in the philosophy of Basavanna. Basavanna’s Ishta linga philosophy captures this truth, reminding us that we are both insignificant specks and integral parts of the cosmic whole. When a Lingayat holds their Ishta linga, they are not just worshipping a symbol but connecting with the very forces that created galaxies, stars, and life itself. As Basavanna said, “My Linga is my companion; where I go, it follows,” making spirituality a living, breathing practice, unbound by temples or priests.

The Ishta linga is also a radical symbol of equality. In a society divided by caste and gender, Basavanna ensured that every Lingayat—man, woman, or child—received their own Ishta linga, declaring that the divine is accessible to all. This democratization of worship was revolutionary in the 12th century, as he wrote: “The Linga knows no caste, no creed; it is the breath of all.” By placing the cosmos in the hands of every devotee, Basavanna empowered them to see themselves as both divine and human, infinite yet finite.

The Ishta linga is central to Basavanna’s broader philosophy, including the Shat sthala (six stages of spiritual evolution), Ashta varna (eight protective disciplines), and Pancha chara (five ethical codes). Through daily rituals of cleansing and meditating on the Ishta linga, devotees progress toward Aikya—union with Shiva—while living ethically and serving others. This practice transforms worship into a way of life, aligning with Basavanna’s principles of Kayaka (work as worship) and Dasoha (selfless service).

As we reflect on Basavanna’s legacy this Basava Jayanti, the Ishta linga, which the followers of Lingayat worship daily in their hands, invites us to look within and beyond—to see the universe in a stone like Linga and ourselves in the stars. In a world often divided by differences, Basavanna’s vision reminds us of our shared cosmic origins and our potential for unity and compassion.

For those eager to explore more about Basavanna, I share my blog post from 2020, diving deeper into Basavanna’s life: https://khened.blogspot.com/2020/04/basava-jayanti-birth-anniversary-of.html.

Let us carry the Ishta linga in our hearts, not just as Lingayats but as seekers of truth, honoring the cosmos within and around us. Once again a  very Happy Basava Jayanti!

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Eulogy for K Kasturirangan: Visionary Leader in Space, Education and Conservation (1940-2025)

 

Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, one of the few living scientists who worked in ISRO with the founder of Indian space program - Dr Vikram Sarabhai – a visionary and a versatile leader who headed ISRO for a decade and went beyond his space specialisation in contributing to the nation in the field of education and conservation, and the man who befittingly was conferred with all the three Padma awards ( Padma Shri-1982, Padma Bhushan-1992 and Padma Vibhushan-2000) passed away peacefully in his home in Bangalore on 25 April, 2025 at 10.43AM. He was 84. It is reported that arrangements are being made to provide an opportunity to the visitors to pay their last respect to the space scientist at the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, where his body will be kept on Sunday, 27 April between 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

The nation led by our Honourable President and many other distinguished citizens – Mr Kharge Congress President, senior scientists from ISRO and other institutions -  paid rich tributes to Kasturirangan on their tweeter handle X, hailing his profound contributions in the nation building not only in the field of space but also in many other fields - NEP 2020.  The PM wrote on his X “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Dr K Kasturirangan, a towering figure in India’s scientific and educational journey…….” Dr Kasturirangan leaves behind an indelible mark on our nation, which deservingly honoured him with all the three Padma Awards – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan navigated the Indian Space programme for 9 plus years’ (1994-2003) as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Space Commission and Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space, before laying down his office on August 27, 2003. It is to his credit that ISRO achieved near 100% success in the 29 space missions that were launched during his leadership of ISRO.

Under his leadership, Indian space program attained several major milestones including the successful launching and operationalisation of the India’s prestigious launch vehicles, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). It was during his time that ISRO witnessed the development and launching of some of the world’s best civilian remote sensing satellites, IRS-1C and 1D, and successful launch and benefits from new generation INSAT communication satellites and ocean observation satellites IRS-P3/P4 which benefitted the nation in ocean observations - warnings from cyclones etc. His efforts and those of his predecessors and successors have put India as a pre-eminent space-faring nation among the handful of six countries that have major space programmes. Today ISRO is a pride of the nation.

Born on October 24, 1940, in Ernakulum, Kerala, Dr. Kasturirangan hailed from a family that valued education deeply. His paternal grandfather ensured a strong educational foundation for his family, and his father, a chemistry graduate, worked as a senior accountant with the then Tata Airlines - later it became Indian Airlines. Unfortunately, Kasturirangan lost his mother when he was very young and therefore his father left him in the care of his maternal grandparents in Kerala. Kasturirangan, studied at the Sree Rama Varma High School in Ernakulum. At the age of 10, Kasturirangan lost his grandfather compelling his father to take him to Bombay (now Mumbai).

In Bombay Kasturirangan studied at the South Indian Education Society High School in Matunga. It was here that he fell in love with science. He later pursued a BSc Honours in Physics (1961) and an MSc in Physics with specialisation in electronics (1963), which he completed from Mumbai University. He then moved to PRL Ahmedabad as a research scholar to take up his research under Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of space program in India, who had also founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad. It was during this period that Kasturirangan dreamed of being a part of the team of Dr Sarabhai to achieve his vision for India to adopt space technology for nation development. Kasturirangan obtained his PhD in Experimental High Energy Astronomy under the guidance of Dr Sarabhai from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in 1971. This was the beginning of his stellar career in space research, which was to last for nearly four decades. From his initial days in ISRO, Dr Kasturirangan was involved in the satellite division and was part of the team led by Dr UR Rao that went into building the Aryabhata, the first Indian satellite. He later worked for many years at the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore, as the Deputy Director and Director of the Centre before becoming the Chairman of ISRO in 1994.  

One interesting anecdote stands out when we describe the tenure of Dr. Kasturirangan as the Chairman of ISRO. ISRO had a near-100% success in all its programs by way of 29 successful missions (of satellites and launch vehicles), including four commercial/foreign satellites launched under his leadership. It is to be noted that Kasturirangan took on the mantle of the Chairman ISRO in 1994 from the legendary UR Rao, who along with his predecessors, Prof Dhawan and Dr Sarabhai, had laid an extraordinarily strong foundation for ISRO, including creating a culture that was destined to stand out for excellence and that too at frugal cost.

Unfortunately, when Kasturirangan took charge of the Chairman ISRO in 1994, ISRO was passing through testing times. The maiden launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV D1), which was attempted in September 1993 – PSLV is now a giant workhorse for ISRO – during Prof. Rao’s tenure, had failed. There were also other challenges of making advanced remote sensing satellites (IRS) and more importantly an unprecedented espionage charge on ISRO scientists, which he had to address. One of the first success that he faced was the successful launch of the PSLV D2 on 15 October 1994, within few months of his becoming the Chairman. However, there were serious challenges to be faced.

Just a month after the success of PSLV D2, Sankaralingam Nambi Narayanan, one of the top scientists of ISRO, and four others, including two Maldivian women, were arrested by the Kerala Police in November 1994. They were arrested under the Official Secrets Act on the serious charges of espionage and spying for Pakistan. Nambi Narayanan was taken in to custody and remained there for nearly 50 days. This news with plenty of masala – Bollywood style – had made national headline resulting in demoralising ISRO scientists and others who worked so passionately for ISRO.  

In the early 1990s Nambi Narayanan was one of ISROs top scientists who was working on the critical cryogenics technology. India was negotiating with the Soviet Union and the United States for access to cryogenics technology, which uses low temperatures to store fuel in a liquid state. After many negotiations India had agreed to buy this technology from the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, due to the disintegration of the USSR, politics played spoilsport and the Russians backed out from the agreement to provide cryogenic technology to India.  Therefore, Nambirajan and his team, working on this technology, were very important for ISRO. Allegation of espionage and arrest of Nambirajan came as a major blow, not just on the morale of the scientists but also on Kasturirangan who had just taken over the mantle of ISRO.

Addressing this issue was of paramount importance to Dr Kasturirangan not only to boost the sagging morale of ISRO but also to re-establish the impeccable integrity image of ISRO. This matter, of utmost sensitivity, was handled by Dr. Kasturirangan in his “characteristic quiet way” of handling of such stressful issues. My engineering class mate - a friend cum relative - Dr Amaresh Khened, former Director ISRO, who had joined ISRO in 1991 in the satellite centre of ISRO, which Dr Kasturirangan was heading, used to speak about his style of handling matters.

Dr Kasturirangan, it is said, worked quietly on this sensitive issue and obtained all the details which he could muster and went about conducting his own reviews and inquiry on the case. Once he was convinced that there was no - so called - spying or espionage that had taken place, and the charges made against ISRO scientists were false and frivolous, he approached the office of the Prime Minister and spoke to late Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao, the then PM, and convinced him to involve CBI in the matter to probe the case. Based on the findings of CBI, the case filed by the Kerala Police of espionage against ISRO scientists, with their own so called evidences, was dismissed by a local court in Kerala in 1996 and Nambi Narayanan and others accused in the episode were declared innocent.

However, it is a different matter that the case took a political turn and the Kerala Government went in appeal and the case went on for many more years – decades - until the Supreme Court gave its conclusive judgment of innocence of Nambi Narayan and all others from ISRO from the allegations. The Supreme Court went a step further in ordering for compensation to Narayanan and instructing the Government to initiate probe against the Kerala Police officers who had made these false allegations and had ruined the careers of Narayan and others. The sensitivity with which this case was handled in the initial stages by Kasturirangan who sought for the investigation by CBI helped ISRO redeem its pride with the exemplary judgment of the Supreme Court.

Perhaps it was this testing time that Dr Kasturirangan faced in the beginning of his career as the head of ISRO that made him cautious, which showed up in 100% successful results. Although the number of space missions were just 29 in his tenure, it is noteworthy that all of these missions were successful, notwithstanding the reality that space missions are rid with risks and complications.

Dr Kasturirangan, spent most of his time with ISRO with the Satellite Centre (ISAC) in Bangalore, before becoming the Chairman ISRO. This was befitting considering his educational background of being an astrophysicist, with specialization in high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, as well as optical astronomy. Moreover, he was always interested in the vision of his mentor that space applications should benefit grassroots development which he knew would be possible through satellites.  This helped ISRO to pioneering research on cosmic X-ray sources, celestial gamma-rays, and their atmospheric effects. Dr Rangan’s early work included “determining the spectrum of diffused cosmic X-rays and studying the spectral behaviour of celestial sources like ScoX-1 and CygX-1.”  

At ISRO, Dr Kasturirangan began his career as a physicist and rose to become the Director of the ISRO Satellite Centre (1990–1994), where he oversaw the development of advanced spacecraft such as the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A and 1B). He also served as the Project Director for India’s first experimental earth observation satellites, Bhaskara-I and II, and later directed the operational IRS-1A.

Dr. Kasturirangan steered ISRO to remarkable milestones with the successful launch of the PSLV and GSLV, which helped India to be among the elite spacefaring nations. During his time as the Chairman, with early learnings from design and launch of satellite and launch vehicles success and failures, he led ISRO in the development of world-class civilian satellites like IRS-1C and 1D, advanced INSAT communication satellites, and ocean observation satellites IRS-P3 and P4. His vision also laid the groundwork for India’s planetary exploration, defining the Chandrayaan-1 mission, which marked India’s entry into lunar exploration. Dr. Kasturirangan’s emphasis on remote sensing and spatial technologies revolutionized applications in agriculture, disaster management, and resource mapping, benefiting both India and the global community.

Even after he stepped down from ISRO in 2003, Dr Kasturirangan remained ever active in mantling diverse responsibilities in the nation building exercises and assignments that came his way. He served a full term – 2003-09 - as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and also as a member of the Planning Commission (Niti Ayog). Dr Kasturirangan served as the head of a committee tasked with creating the National Education Policy 2020 for India.  Later in September 2021, he was appointed as the head of a 12-member steering committee which was responsible for developing a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF), post the NEP 2020. Dr Kasturirangan is the recipient of several Honorary Doctorate from as many as 27 universities. He is fellow of all the Science and Engineering academies in India. He has also served as the Chairman of the Governing Body of several premier academic and research institutions in India. He also served as the Society Member of the National Council of Science Museums, my parent organisation. The list is too long to be quoted.  

The New Education Policy (NEP2020) is hailed as revolutionary. NEP 2020 was drafted by a committee which was chaired by Dr Kasturirangan. NEP introduced transformative reforms like the 5+3+3+4 structure and flexible examinations, cross disciplinary study, mother tongue and regional languages as medium of instructions, multidisciplinary and holistic education, National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, multiple entry and exit options in higher education, integration of vocational, education and skilling from early grades, shift away from rote learning towards experiential and critical thinking based learning which also included mandatory visit to real life experiences from visits to museums, science centres and historical places etc. As a museum professional I am certain that learning from visit to museums and historical sites helps in critical thinking and it also benefits the museums in increased visitors. The NEP draft was driven by his belief in the need for diverse, interdisciplinary education.

His environmental stewardship shone through his role as Chairman of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Report, a critical effort to preserve one of India’s ecological treasures, following the pioneering work of Professor Madhav Godbole committee. This report, though not fully adopted, highlighted his foresight in balancing development with conservation.

Dr. Kasturirangan’s contributions were recognized with numerous accolades. He was honoured with India’s highest civilian awards: the Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Padma Vibhushan (2000). Internationally, he received the Brock Medal (2004) from the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, the Allan D Emil Memorial Award (2004), and the Theodore von Karman Award (2007) from the International Academy of Astronautics. He was also conferred the title of Officer of the Légion d’Honneur by France. Nationally, his awards included the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering, the Aryabhata Award (2003), the Asutosh Mookerjee Memorial Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council, among many others. He published over 200 papers in astronomy, space science, and applications, and edited six books, leaving a rich intellectual legacy.

I have had a limited association with Dr Kasturirangan. I first wrote to him in early 2001, for seeking the guidance, support and mentorship of ISRO for the development of a gallery “Hall of Aerospace, which we were developing at the Nehru Science Centre. We received outstanding support from ISRO in the development of this gallery which was opened in December 2003. His support reflected his commitment to science communication and public engagement.

Nehru Science Centre with support and collaboration with ISRO and the National Centre for Science Communicators organised two major birth centenary conferences in memory of Dr Sarabhai and Prof Satish Dhawan. I had the privilege of sharing the stage as one of the invited speakers with Dr. Kasturirangan, Prof Jyotsna Dhawan, daughter of Prof Satish Dhawan and Dr Pramod Kale, former Director Space Application Centre, during the centenary tribute to Prof. Satish Dhawan at the Nehru Science Centre, an event that showcased his extraordinary humility and wisdom.

Dr. Kasturirangan’s life was a testament to selfless service, blending scientific innovation, educational reform, and environmental advocacy. As Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003–2009), and a member of the Planning Commission, he continued to shape India’s future with his visionary leadership. As we bid farewell to Dr. Kasturirangan, we celebrate a true architect of modern India—a scientist, educationist, and patriot whose legacy will inspire generations.

Rest in peace, sir, and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to nation-building.

Images Credit : Courtesy Wikipedia, Nehru Science Centre and Google search images 

PS: I wish to credit my senior in school Sangappa Kori Sir, who is one of the regular readers of my blogs who compelled – avoiding using the term ragged, most common with Ajeets, alumni of SSBJ - me to pen my tribute. Thanks Kori Sir and I hope I have come up to your expectation.