The creation of Bangladesh on humanitarian grounds by India is a recorded fact globally especially after the “Blood Telegram” sent to President Nixon by the US diplomats in Dhaka in March 1971. We were lauded for excellent leadership globally and gave a new dawn to millions of Bengali people being butchered by Pakistan politicians and its Army. Full marks to the Indian Armed Forces for decisive victory in 13 days in the war against Pakistan/ China / USA in East Pakistan, smashing all efforts to halt India. We made a full Army surrender in Dhaka and laid their arms, and made 93000 fully armed soldiers, sailors, airmen, officers our Prisoners of War. A feat repeated by India after World War Two. The victory electorally by Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman in 1971 elections were honoured and he was installed as PM of Bangladesh. Democracy was restored to the new country in the teeth of Opposition by the USA , China , UK , Pakistan and some countries opposed to our humanitarian intervention. The withdrawal of our Armed Forces in 1971 from Bangladesh was exemplary. However, we should have ensured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s security in the aftermath. A crucial mistake by the government of India then. Not to be repeated now in 2024. Today’s events in Bangladesh, especially after recent elections there, were won by Ms Hasina, was a surprise as she had opposed the reservation quotas policy in 2018 and abolished them. So how did a lower court in Dhaka reinstate this policy? That policy was again abolished by SC of Bangladesh last month. There is more going on in Bangladesh to totally subvert democracy and the election results of this year. Reports are coming from Bangladesh that militant Islamic clerics are trying desperately to overthrow the country’s constitution , Army . Secularism and democracy as enshrined by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , is / has been given short shrift. The Hindu population, Catholics, Buddhists and other minorities face an uncertain future. Currently the situation is very fluid and a military government has been installed. The Indian Armed Forces and Bangladesh Armed Forces have very cordial relations. We must prepare for the future calmly, and ensure secular democracy is restored in Bangladesh, and advise the Army through our Indian military sources. We are a large strong strategic neighbour of Bangladesh with enormous resources economically speaking. We have excellent ties through QUAD and G-20 with the Western powers and must ramp up our efforts in all fields. There is nothing to fear . When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Devindra Sethi
Appointment of Rajeeva as ED, Punjab & Sind Bank
This is great news!!! Congratulations on your admirable success. Hats off to you on your astounding achievements! Wishing you all the best in your well deserved new role. Sending my warmest congratulations
Ashoke Srivastava

Ms Sheikh Hasina has been permitted temporary stay in India. Giving political asylum ,is bound to aggravate the on-going anti-India movement in Bangladesh (BD)besides escalating atrocities against the Hindus. Massive infiltration of the Hindus is feared which would adversely impact India’s economy. There is another issue for India. For instance, could the BSF be permitted to use coercive means against the infiltrators? Do they have any chance of getting Indian citizenship? Backlash cannot be ruled out in India. Mohammad Yunus , the famous left-leaning economist and a Nobel Laureate, has been appointed as interim chief advisor and later as PM after elections within three months. Favorably inclined towards China, Yunus enjoys the army's support too. Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in south Asia. Their trade relations will be badly affected; mutually detrimental to both countries. No wonder, several Bangladesh projects could be hijacked by China causing incalculable harm to India’s economy. The military aspects cannot be ignored. India cannot afford to annoy the US, who would be interested in having air and naval bases in Bangladesh. In case of war with China and Pakistan ,India will be facing war on several fronts, the latest being indo- Bangladesh 4000 km long border. This would require recruitment/deployment of additional armed forces by India. Is India ready for this? Coming back to the asylum issue, there is a suggestion. PM Modi shares personal bonhomie with Sheikh Hasina. But, national interest is above personal friendship. India will have to rise above all this. The question of granting political asylum to Hasina, does not arise. Will it not be appropriate, if PM Modi uses his influence in locating a neutral country like UAE, Finland, Poland, Switzerland etc, any one of which could grant political asylum to Hasina. The US and the UK have both regretted their inability to oblige the former PM of Bangladesh. Let us wait and watch !
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

India and Bangladesh have maintained bilateral relations for 53 years, and last year, India extended an invitation to Bangladesh to attend as special guest the G-20 summit held in New Delhi. Bangladesh is India's largest trading partner in South Asia. Both countries are collaborating on significant projects in the field of electricity and energy. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is crucial for transporting high-speed diesel. Over the past decade, India has invested thousands of crores of rupees in Bangladesh for the construction of roads, railways, and ports. The current situation in Bangladesh will also affect trade with India, and China may push forward its demand to use the Chittagong port. India shares a border of about 4000 kilometers with Bangladesh. Therefore, in view of challenges from countries like China and Pakistan, India needs a friendly government in this region.
Aditya Kumar

Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt and dramatic resignation/ exit from Bangladesh(BD),is a matter of concern for India. China and Pakistan are jointly responsible for the mess. The Maldives, Srilanka, Nepal, Myanmar and now Bangladesh, are falling like ninepins. The increasing proximity of the Maldives and Nepal towards China, is a blow to India’s sphere of influence in south Asia. Worse, India cannot be comfortable with the care-taker government in BD. Pakistan as hostile neighbour is continuously launching terror attacks by infiltrating commandos into J&K. The reported jubilation by the ISI at Rawalpindi, Hq over Bangladesh, is on expected lines. For them, it is a revenge taken for 1971 war defeat. All things considered, China has succeeded in implementing its infamous “string of pearls” policy against India. Tough days are ahead for India.
A K Saxena (A former civil servant)

It is reported that two Irani agents installed an explosive device in the room of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief, at the behest of Mossad, Israel. The complex where Haniyeh was staying is said to be heavily guarded. It is really a catastrophic failure of intelligence and security for Iran and a tremendous embarrassment for the Guards, which uses the compound for retreats, secret meetings and housing prominent guests like Haniyeh. World is looking forward to witnessing the further course of action by Iran in response to this booby-trap.
Sunil Kumar

This is indeed a rare instance, in fact the only one known to me, when a top Civil Servant chooses to take on himself the task of showcasing the journey of a critical sector like coal through the lens of the successive Captains of the Management Teams that led the development of the sector from the ashes to a vibrant transformed national jewel through tireless efforts over half a century. Sincerely expected the book to be a treasure of knowledge for generations associated with the Coal Sector, past, present and future.
Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya, former Chairman Coal India Ltd

Aspirants must try to study without joining coaching. I agree with Mr Reddy that aspirants for various examinations must try to study without joining coaching institutes. But as I understand, there are very different approaches to school/ college education, competitive exams and entrance tests for MBA etc. While school education gives thorough book knowledge, which is very essential, competitive exams like Civils, etc. tests the knowledge of the candidate as to how he/ she applies the knowledge gained in schools. The next category of MBA entrance tests also tests the same knowledge as is tested in Civil etc exams - but with speed and accuracy. I hope this assessment is correct. At this point, I will disagree with Mr Reddy because applicability of knowledge to tests will need some kind of coaching and guidance, which may come from oneself or parents or coaching institutes. The coaching institutes sharpen the candidates knowledge to apply properly to the subject.
Pradeep
New generation should draw inspiration from 1957 batch IFS officer
Recently, Muchkund Dubey, IFS 57 died at the ripe old age of 90. He was first among all the candidates selected that year (1956 exam). Had he come first today, he would have been hailed all over social media for his feat of topping the exam from conditions of extreme poverty and films might have been made on him. He came from a dirt poor family. As a student, he never had more than one pencil. He bathed at a municipal tap and laid out his only dhoti to dry, wearing just his "gamcha". His Professors at Patna University would provide him with fees and often, a meal. Such was his brilliance that he topped the IAS exam despite the terrible poverty he was mired in. Once in the Indian Foreign Service, he addressed the UN. B K Nehru, ICS is supposed to have remarked that the speech was brilliant but he wished it had been delivered in an Oxbridge accent. Muchkund, the dirt poor Bihari that he had been born as, stuck to his Bihari accent. When he was posted to Bangladesh, he quickly attracted attention. But for that posting, he would never have made it to Foreign Secretary. To all the poor Biharis of that era, he was the example they all would try to emulate. The Civil Services Examination has always attracted talented young men and women from humblest of backgrounds and Muchkund was a very early example of merit defeating extreme poverty.
Vijay Kumar

After the UPSC serial scams, the focus has now shifted to coaching centres in Delhi. The MCD commissioner, his subordinates and owners of coaching centres, are liable to arrests for criminal negligence. All coaching institutes must be inspected for misusing the basements and culprits punished for violating the safety norms. The next of kin of the victims must be compensated by the government and the coaching institute for the loss of lives. The politicians must avoid the blame game and allow the law of the land to take its course.
A K Saxena ( A former civil servant)