oc

gEnEric MEds high ExclusivE: Modi intErviEw pErMaculturE

cost of chEap drugs india’s g20 brEakthrough back to naturE
www.indiatoday.in september 11, 2023 `100

Volume 48-Number 37; Published on every Friday of Advance Week; Posted at LPc Delhi – RMS – Delhi – 110006 on Every Friday & Saturday; Total number of Pages 76 (including cover pages)
DL (DS)-03/MP/2022-23-24; RNI No. 28587/75 REGISTERED No. DL(ND)-11/6068/2021-22-2023; LIcENSED To PoST WPP No. U(c )-88/2021-23; FARIDABAD/05/2023-25

the space heroes L-R, V. Narayanan,

M. Sankaran, K. Kalpana, S. Somanath,
P. Veeramuthuvel, Nilesh Desai; background,
Chandrayaan-3’s lander on the lunar surface

the moon
warriors The InsIde sTory of how Team Isro
scrIpTed Lunar hIsTory agaInsT aLL odds
pLus IndIa’s new space ambITIons
FROM THE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

T
he moon belongs to everyone, but the brilliance of too at an extremely significant cusp period in the story of the
Indian space scientists has given us a special sense global space race, when the moon is being seen not just as a
of ownership. My mind too goes back to a personal destination but as a departure lounge for more distant forays.
memory. The moon was the subject of a high school
project I had laboured over with much love. Neil
Armstrong’s celebrated touchdown was still years away, but I n a more involved fashion than my school project, Group
Editorial Director Raj Chengappa returns to his first love
too. His first space cover story for india today came in 1984,
the Soviet Union’s pioneering Luna-2 mission was about to
make history, and space exploration had fired everyone’s imag- about the stupendous feat achieved by the first Indian astro-
ination. Back in my school, I had memorised the names of the naut, Rakesh Sharma. Since then, he has written seven cover
lunar maria—the ‘seas’ of the moon. Most of them turn out to stories on space for us. This time, he travelled to Bengaluru,
be located on its visible side. And funnily, it is on the dark side, and had the privilege of visiting ISTRAC, the mission opera-
permanently turned away from us, that Chandrayaan-1’s Moon tion complex from where the scientists guided Chandrayaan-3
Impact Probe discovered water for the first time in 2008. It to its touchdown, and to the UR Rao Satellite Centre where
is also there, in the vicinity of the lunar South Pole, that India Chandrayaan-3 was assembled. More importantly, he met key
finally set down its footprints with Chandrayaan-3 on August people who helmed the moon project, including its 46-year-old
23. As fascinating new data flows back project director P. Veeramuthuvel and his
to Earth, we honour our scientists with 49-year-old deputy Kalpana Kalahasti.
an in-depth journalistic exploration of The most striking thing about them?
our own. Our cover story this week tells They and their team are mostly small-
the inside story of how the Indian Space town folks. Muthuvel is from Villupuram,
Research Organisation (ISRO) overcame Tamil Nadu, and did his M.Tech. from
the disaster of Chandrayaan-2 in 2019 Trichy before a mid-career Ph.D. from
to pull off a feat that will be entered into ISRO took him to IIT Madras. Kalpana,
humanity’s space logbook as historic. whose ancestral roots are in Andhra
Despite literally dozens of moon mis- Pradesh, studied engineering in a Chen-
sions since Luna-2 reached the moon’s nai college before joining ISRO as a radar
surface in 1959, becoming the first engineer at its launchpad in Sriharikota
human-made object to make contact on the East Coast. “One thing that comes
with another celestial body, ISRO’s feat through with all of them is the sheer
is remarkable. It accomplished a soft passion and dedication,” says Chengappa.
landing, a delicate task at which even LUNAR GLOW Chengappa with
“They are all simple people handling the
Japan and Israel failed recently. And even Veeramuthuvel and Kalpana
most complex science. There is no fluff in
if China’s Chang’e 4 was the first to land them, no tone of exaggeration or grand-
on the far side, Chandrayaan-3 was the first conqueror of the standing, no sense of hierarchy either.” What distinguished
actual South Pole region. It’s a mysterious zone. The craters their approach is exemplary teamwork and coordination. About
littered around this area, whose depths have not seen sunlight 20-30 departments were hands-on in ensuring utmost quality
for over two billion years, make it difficult terrain. Also, it’s control in the three key systems—propulsion, navigation and
subject to high temperature fluctuations unlike the moon’s guidance control. Each mind was also involved in taking the
Equator, which receives constant sunshine. ISRO has recorded previous failure and stripping it bare in minute analysis. Each
surprising temperature highs of 70° Celsius, much more than voice was heard. Thus, they turned failure itself into the founda-
the 30°-40° it was expecting, and lows going down to -10°. We tion of success. Building in high degrees of redundancy, allow-
await many more fresh insights and nuances on aspects that ing more space for any tiny aspect that could go wrong.
will prove crucial for the future of space exploration. I confess when the first moon mission was declared 20 years
The other uniqueness of this mission is that it was done on ago, I was cynical about its utility for a poor country so starved
a comparatively meagre budget, less than the cost of a Holly- of resources and dogged by so many primary issues like child
wood space fantasy movie. Those who know how government malnutrition and woeful lack of basic amenities. India is in a
organisations work, strangled by red tape, would appreci- much better place today, and I have now changed my mind.
ate ISRO’s management systems that have packed in so Considering the scale of losses in government-run enterprises
much ingenuity, precision and cutting-edge knowhow. Also, that the taxpayer has to bear otherwise and looking at the
the resilience to come back so triumphantly after bruising future, ISRO is definitely a worthwhile endeavour for us. It is a
despair just four years ago. It is a tribute to the world-beating cost worth bearing. Also, it’s a source of inspiration for scientists
calibre of our scientists. Especially the mission approach the across the country and fosters high-tech industry, especially
great scientist Satish Dhawan inculcated in the 1970s, upon since space has now been declared open to private enterprise.
taking over as ISRO chairman after Vikram Sarabhai died in More strength to their elbow for their future missions and I
1971. This approach is what took Sarabhai’s vision for Indian salute the multi-disciplinary talent of our scientists who make
space and had it expanded and fulfilled—by setting defined our space exploration possible. They do us proud.
objectives, building new centres to execute them, introducing
timelines for delivery and instituting a rigorous, transpar-
ent review system that brought in even institutions outside
ISRO. It is by thus cutting out the musty silo-based protocol
that binds other sarkari departments that ISRO has now
tasted success on the very frontiers of space exploration. That (Aroon Purie)

SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 3
 INSIDE
UPFRONT LEISURE
TAMING THE AP DHILLON: THE
IIMs PG 11 OFFBEAT ROUTE PG 65

www.indiatoday.in UTTAR PRADESH: Q&A

CHAIRMAN AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Aroon Purie
THE KURMI WITH JANHVI
VICE CHAIRPERSON: Kalli Purie FACTOR PG 15 KAPOOR PG 74
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Dinesh Bhatia
GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Raj Chengappa

28
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Manoj Sharma
GROUP CREATIVE EDITOR: Nilanjan Das; GROUP PHOTO EDITOR: Bandeep Singh
EDITOR (FEATURES): Kai Jabir Friese
MANAGING EDITORS: Sunil Menon, S. Sahaya Ranjit, Mumbai: M.G. Arun
C OV E R S T O RY
EXECUTIVE EDITORS: Manisha Saroop, Kaushik Deka
SENIOR DEPUTY EDITORS: Sangram K. Parhi; Hyderabad: Amarnath K. Menon
DEPUTY EDITORS: Sasi Nair, Anilesh S. Mahajan;
Jaipur: Rohit Parihar; Mumbai: Suhani Singh
SENIOR EDITORS: Pradip R. Sagar, Ashish Mukherjee;
patna: Amitabh Srivastava
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Sonali Acharjee, Sonal Khetarpal, Saikat Niyogi,
Mumbai: Dhaval. S . Kulkarni, Ahmedabad: Jumana Shah, Bhopal: Rahul Noronha
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Bengaluru: Ajay Sukumaran
SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR: Vipul Grover; ASSISTANT EDITOR: Harshita Mishra
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: Lucknow: Prashant Srivastava
PHOTO DEPARTMENT: Chandra Deep Kumar (Deputy Chief Photographer),
Rajwant Singh Rawat (Principal Photographer), Manish Rajput (Staff
Photographer); Mumbai: Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer)
PHOTO RESEARCHERS: Prabhakar Tiwari (Deputy Visual Research Editor),
Saloni Vaid, Jodha Singh Adhikari (Principal Photo Researchers)
CHIEF OF GRAPHICS: Tanmoy Chakraborty
ART DEPARTMENT: Sanjay Piplani (Creative Editor);
Angshuman De (Senior Art Director); Rajesh Kumar Angira (Associate Art Director)
Bhoomesh Dutt Sharma, Santosh Kumar Sharma (Assistant Art Directors),
Praveen Kumar Gummadi (Chief Designer); Siddhant Jumde (Chief Illustrator)
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Harish Agarwal (Chief of Production),
Naveen Gupta (Chief Coordinator)

SENIOR ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER (IMPACT)

Suparna Kumar
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER (IMPACT)
Vidya Menon

IMPACT TEAM
Senior General Managers: Mayur Rastogi (North and East), Jitendra Lad (West)
General Managers: Syed Naveed (Chennai), Arup Chaudhuri (Bangalore)
GROUP CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Vivek Malhotra

THE MOON WARRIORS

SALES AND OPERATIONS
Deepak Bhatt, Senior General Manager (National Sales)
Vipin Bagga, General Manager (Operations)
Rajeev Gandhi, Deputy General Manager (North)
Yogesh Godhanlal Gautam, Deputy Regional Sales Manager (West)
S Paramasivam, Deputy Regional Sales Manager (South) The inside story of how Team ISRO scripted lunar history against
all odds—and a look at India’s new space ambitions

P E R M AC U LT U R E GENER IC MEDS
Volume 48-Number 37; For the week
INTERVIEW: NARENDRA MODI

22 ‘VOICE OF THE
48 BACK TO
54 HIGH COST OF
September 5-11, 2023, published on every Friday
l Editorial/Corporate Office Living Media India Ltd., India Today Group Mediaplex,
GLOBAL SOUTH’ NATURE CHEAP DRUGS
FC-8, Sector-16A, Film City, Noida - 201301; Phone: 0120-4807100
l Subscriptions: For assistance contact, Customer Care, India Today Group, PM Modi on the opportunity Why many professionals Centre withdraws a
C-9, Sector-10, Noida (UP) – 201301. email: [email protected];
Phone / Whatsapp: +91 8597 778 778 (Monday to Friday, 10 am – 6pm).
India has to help address are taking up this form of controversial directive,
l Sales: Direct all trade enquiries to General Manager (Sales), Living Media India Limited, areas of global concern farming in India’s hinterlands but worries remain
C-9, Sector-10, Noida-201301 (UP)
l Regd. Office: F-26, First Floor, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001.
l Impact Offices: 1201, 12th Floor, Tower 2 A, One Indiabulls Centre, (Jupiter Mills),
S.B. Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai-400013; Phone: 66063355; Fax: 66063226
l E-1, Ground Floor, Videocon Towers, Jhandewalan Extn, New Delhi. S TAT E O F T H E S TAT E Note to the reader
l Door No: 610, 610A, 612, 5th Floor, Block A, Imperial Chaitanya Building,
From time to time, you will see pages titled ‘An

58 HILLSIDE
Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamilnadu-600018.
l 201-204 Richmond Towers, 2nd Floor, 12, Richmond Road, Bangalore-560025;
Impact Feature’ or ‘Focus’ in india today. These
Phones: 22212448, 22213037, 22218343; Fax: 22218335; l 52, Jawaharlal Nehru Road,
VIEWS are no different from advertisements, and
4th Floor, Kolkata-700071; Phones: 22825398; Fax: 22827254; l 6-3-885/7/B, Somajiguda,
Experts discuss how to expedite the magazine’s editorial staff is not involved in
Hyderabad-500082; Phone: 23401657, 23400479, 23410100, 23402481, 23410982,
23411498; Fax: 23403484 l 39/1045, Karakkatt Road, Kochi 682016; Phones: 2377057, Uttarakhand’s progress while also their creation in any way.
2377058 ; Fax: 2377059 l 2/C, “Suryarath Bldg”, 2nd Floor, Behind White House,
conserving its fragile ecology
Panchwati, Office C.G. Road, Ahmedabad-380006; Phone: 26560393, 26560929;
Fax: 26565293 l Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the
world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited.
Cover by NILANJAN DAS
Printed and published by Manoj Sharma on behalf of Living Media
India Limited. Printed at Thomson Press India Limited,
18-35 Milestone, Delhi Mathura Road, Faridabad-121007, (Haryana) Readers are recommended to make appropriate enquiries before sending money,
and at Rajhans Enterprises, 134, Industrial Town, 4th Main Road, Rajajinagar, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement
Bengaluru-560044, (Karnataka). appearing in this publication. The India Today Group does not vouch for any claims
Published at F-26, First Floor, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001. made by the advertisers of products and services. The printer, publisher, editor-in-
Editor: Raj Chengappa.
chief and the editor of the India Today Group publications shall not be held liable for
any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers.
l india today does not take the responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material.

All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of SCAN HERE TO

competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only FOR SUBSCRIPTION ASSISTANCE, CONTACT: Customer Care, E-MAIL to: SUBSCRIBE
India Today Group, C-9, Sector-10, Noida (UP) – 201301.
email: [email protected] | Phone / Whatsapp: +91 8597 778 778 [email protected] or
(Monday to Friday, 10 am – 6pm) log on to www.indiatoday.in
 UPFRONT
ASSAM: SLEAZE, UTTAR PRADESH:
SUICIDE AND A THE KURMI
JOB SCAM PG 13 FACTOR PG 15
KNOW YOUR
UNIVERSITY MADHYA PRADESH:
THE BLESSED GO
RAJASTHAN:
GEHLOT’S OBC
The details TO BHOPAL PG 16 GOOGLY PG 18
available on each
university..
INDIA’ S BE ST CONCERNS OF CONTROL
Students at the Indian Institute
of Management, Ahmedabad

UNIVERSITIES
î Brief profile

For details, log on to: https://bestcolleges.indiatoday.in/ î Rankings in

past 6 years

î Courses, seats
RANKING OF UNIVERSITIES and fee

1600 universities in 4 major streams î Admission:

Selection criteria
and cut-offs

î Placements:
Domestic and
international
WELFARE
ACCOUNTING
GENERAL TECHNICAL MEDICAL LAW î Faculty: Basavaraj Bommai
Strength, research before presenting the
record and patents state budget, Feb. 17
granted

KEY PARAMETERS UNIVERSITY VS î Infra:

Campus size/labs/
SHAILESH RAVAL

NEW AMENDMENT BILL

University performance
UNIVERSITY

TAMING THE IIMs

libraries/hostels
rated according to...
Find a suitable university
on the basis of... î Industry connect:
Seminars,
consultancy
projects,
competitions By Jumana Shah

î Global exposure:

T
Foreign exchange he autonomy debate has freedom in their functioning while the President will assume the role of Visitor
Reputation & Governance returned to the Indian government continued to fund 16 of the on the board of governors of each IIM,
programmes,
tie-ups Institutes of Management 20 IIMs. This was hailed as a positive with powers to nominate and remove
Academic & Research Excellence Six year results (IIMs) after almost six years. move by the IIM community. However, the chairperson, oversee the appoint-
(2018-2023) î Funds and grants In the past decade, the premier business the proposed changes to the autonomy ment as well as removal of the direc-
Infrastructure & Living Experience schools frequently made headlines due granted in 2017, through the Indian tor, and audit the functioning of the
National rankings: î Contact details to their struggle for autonomy, often Institutes of Management (Amend- institution if necessary. While critics
Personality & Leadership By state and city overshadowing their international ment) Bill, 2023 passed by Parliament argue these amendments formalise
Development rankings and academic excellence. In recently, have sparked controversy, with political interference, another section
December 2017, the IIM Autonomy differing perspectives on the matter. claims that similar government powers
Government vs SCAN HERE Bill granted these institutions complete According to the new bill, the existed before 2017, and the institutes
Career Progression & Placement Private TO GO TO THE
WEBSITE

SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 11
UPFRONT THERE ARE CONCERNS
ABOUT THE BIASES OF THE
VISITOR, BUT WHAT ABOUT
THE BIAS OF THE BOARD
still flourished. Besides, they also flag OR CHAIRMAN? AT LEAST from even the Prime Minister’s Office At least the Visitor’s office is publicly
misuse of autonomy and an absence of
accountability and commitment to per-
THE VISITOR’S OFFICE IS to re-examine or stop the awarding of
Ph.D. Similarly, concerns were raised in
accountable,” adds the veteran who
was IIM-A director between 2002 and
PUBLICLY ACCOUNTABLE
formance—the slide on global rankings is 2017 when IIM-A appointed suspended EVEN IF THE GOVT 2007. He emphasises that the absence
cited as a case in point. IPS officer Rajnish Rai as an assistant of checks and balances in the current
Key positions such as the chairperson —PROF. BAKUL DHOL AKIA Former director, IIM Ahmedabad professor. The institute had refused to NOMINEES ARE IN THE autonomous system led to the contro-
and particularly the director hold im- toe the government line. Later in 2022, MINORITY, NO IIM versy over the modification of the IIM-A
mense power in an IIM. The chairperson the institute board did not comply with BOARD WOULD LIKE logo and the renovation of the institute’s
leads the institute’s board, which makes the government’s desire to let Kumar old heritage campus. “The alumni and
crucial decisions at the macro level. Two NOTHING IS NEW ABOUT THE Mangalam Birla continue as chairman
TO PASS ANY MAJOR faculty had serious concerns about the
representatives from the state as well as GOVERNMENT CONTROLLING for another year till the amendments to DECISION WITHOUT logo and heritage centre. The board did
the central governments, often IAS of- THE APPOINTMENTS. ONE the autonomy bill were brought in. The THEIR CONSENT not heed these concerns,” he explains.
ficers, occupy seats on these boards. dismissal of IIM Calcutta director Anju Dholakia also allays fears about in-
Previously, the director was ap- WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT Seth by its board and the chairman —NAYAN PARIKH terference. “Nothing in the amendments
pointed through a five-member com- THE DELAYS THOUGH after she alleged financial irregularities IIM-A alumnus and former talks about clamping down on the IIMs’
mittee, constituted and headed by the and violation of government guidelines member, IIM-A board academic autonomy. In fact, the IIMs are
chairperson. The committee would —PROF. G . R AG HUR AM Former director, IIM Bangalore opened another pandora’s box on how in serious breach of statutory compliance.
shortlist three names and send them the IIMs use their autonomy. The 2017 Act says ‘an independent review
to the Union education ministry in an Sources claim the government resonance with the larger IIM alumni by an external agency must be conducted
order of preference for approval. Now, regretted the 2017 Act within months of communities. Reflecting on their senti- every three years’,” he says. “Except for
the Visitor’s nominee will be part of the its clearance. Proponents of the new bill ments, Parikh says there is indeed fear IIM Bangalore, none of the 19 IIMs have
selection process, raising concerns about cation.” But the government’s assurance suggest that the autonomy did not yield of government intervention impacting done it. Earlier, IIM reports were placed
increased government control. “There’s
THE VISITOR CAN may put some of these concerns to rest. the desired outcomes. Former IIM- IIMs’ functioning, but the need to im- before Parliament. Some of the rich IIMs
nothing new about the government APPOINT AND “I would like to assure Parliament that A director Dr Bakul Dholakia views the prove their rankings is imperative now. have endowment funds in the region of
controlling appointments,” says Prof. G. REMOVE THE we don’t have any intention of interfering amendments as a potential damage- Dholakia says the IIMs are public Rs 1,000 crore. But, where is the account-
Raghuram, director of IIM Bangalore with the academic autonomy of IIMs,” control measure rather than damag- institutions and need to be account- ability?” The director’s office at IIM-A
between 2017 and 2020. “One would
CHAIRPERSON education minister Dharmendra Pradhan ing. “IIM-A’s rank was 11 on FT global able. “There are concerns about the refused to comment.
be concerned about delays though…. I AND DIRECTOR, said in defence of the new bill. rankings for one-year PGPX in 2011. In biases of the Visitor, but what about How can one resolve this? The IIMs’
waited 10 months for a confirmation of AND AUDIT IIM Raghuram agrees with the minister’s 2023, the rank is 51! Not a single IIM the bias of the board or chairman? The path forward lies in finding a delicate
my appointment.” Raghuram was earlier
FUNCTIONING view partially. “I don’t fear significant figures in the top 50 global B-schools. director had become the chairman’s
nominee. Board members and the
equilibrium between maintaining their
the dean at IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A). interference in faculty recruitment or The Indian School of Business, Hyder- hard-earned autonomy and ensuring
student admission, curriculum and abad, ranks 31/32,” he says. chairman are essentially representa- accountability as they strive to improve

T
he issue that particularly bothers academic rigour. The culture is strong on The worry over rankings finds tives of the industry and corporates. their rankings. n
the critics of the new bill is that the and a former member of its board, that and any attempt at interference will
Visitor has the power to remove the thinks the government’s step was un- result in severe faculty pushback. The
director and chairperson. The Visitor is necessary. “There are two government positive of this is a check mechanism for a
being construed as the education minis- representatives (among around 16 rogue institution,” he says, referring to an
try itself, as the President works on the members) on the board of all IIMs. Any incident in IIM Rohtak, where the board

T
advice of the council of ministers. “If the major decision taken by the board is controversially extended director Dheeraj ASSA M he suicide of a woman BJP leader in Assam has
director and chairman are fearful of their invariably with total consensus. Even if Sharma’s term despite a lack of academic snowballed into a major “cash-for-jobs scam”, which

Sleaze,
job, it would make them toothless. Would the government nominees are in the mi- credentials. Raghuram explains that the resulted in the arrest of five individuals, all linked to
they refuse to comply with a government nority, no board would like to pass any processes at IIMs are transparent and the saffron party. The controversy has sent shock-
directive that other stakeholders like the major decision without their consent on the director’s office is a powerful back- waves across the state as the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP
faculty members or the board disagree record,” he explains. stop. But that is what appears to be the government, for the past two years, has been receiving public

Suicide and
with?” asks a retired IIM-A faculty The provision allowing the Visitor to problem, highlighting a complex balance applause for introducing transparency in the recruitment
member. Earlier, the board appointed conduct inquiries into IIM operations between autonomy and accountability. process of government jobs. Job aspirants, particularly from
chairpersons, but now they will be ap- has emerged as contentious among fac- For instance, in 2021, IIM-A refused the rural areas and economically backward sections, have often

a Job Scam
pointed by the Visitor. “This effectively ulty members who value the institutions to comply with BJP Rajya Sabha mem- publicly acknowledged that they got government jobs through a
takes away all semblance of independence as bastions of free thought and debate. ber Subramanian Swamy’s demand to merit-based recruitment test and did not have to pay any bribe.
in the appointment process. Only the They are concerned that “the hanging re-examine a thesis that referred to the On August 11, Indrani Tahbildar, general secretary of
government’s point of view will prevail in sword of an inquiry does not augur well BJP and BSP as ‘ethnically formed par- the Kisan Morcha of the Assam BJP, died by suicide at her
the appointment of both the key offices,” for bold and out-of-the-box decisions re- ties’, and termed the BJP as a ‘pro-Hindu Guwahati home after her alleged intimate photos with Anurag
says the retired professor. quired to stay ahead in a fast-changing upper caste party’. Then director Errol Chaliha, a Kisan Morcha member from her home district
By Kaushik Deka
Nayan Parikh, an IIM-A alumnus competitive world of management edu- D’Souza ignored the queries and requests Golaghat, had gone viral on social media. Based on a complaint

12 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 13

UPFRONT

by Indrani’s husband Ritesh Tahbil- party… this is being done by a section

dar, the police arrested Chaliha on of rootless so-called BJP workers
the charges of forcing the woman BJP who are not aligned to the party’s
leader to take her own life. The probe ideology and policies... the recent
into how the private photographs of incident in which my name is being
Indrani were leaked led the police dragged is part of that same conspir-
team to an unexpected discovery: the acy to destroy senior and old party
cash-for-jobs scam. workers,” read the letter.
During a raid at Chaliha’s home, the

M
police recovered scores of admit cards eanwhile, the suicide-
of candidates appearing for various turned-job scam has
government recruitment tests. Besides, expectedly triggered a NEW ROLE?
audio clips of conversations between political slugfest between the Op- Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

ANI
Indrani, Chaliha and others exposed position parties and the ruling BJP
cah transactions of cash in exchange in the state. On August 24, Congress
for jobs. According to police sources, women leaders met Governor Gulab U T TA R P R A D E S H

Indrani and Chaliha had collected a Chand Kataria and demanded strict
LS seats
where Kurmis

THE
large sum of money from gullible job- punishment against the guilty. The
14 15 influence
seekers with the promise of providing party has alleged that the circum- 18 results
them with government jobs. Some stances leading to Indrani’s suicide
IN THE NET 16
junior BJP leaders helped the duo in exposed a “ring of corruption” in the 17 20

KURMI
Accused Diban 2
this racket. However, when they could Deka being taken to
present BJP-led Assam government. 19 5 4
3
not ensure the recruitment of these a Guwahati court CM Sarma rubbishes such criti-
1
candidates as promised, the aspirants cism, saying that the incident, in fact,

ANI
started demanding a refund of the bribe indirectly affirms the robustness 9 6

FACTOR
7 11
money. They put pressure on the junior and transparency of the recruitment 13
BJP leaders who had collected money INDRANI AND CHALIHA HAD processes in the state. “Nobody who
8
10
on behalf of Indrani and Chaliha. COLLECTED LARGE SUMS OF MONEY allegedly paid money to the accused 12

FROM GULLIBLE JOB-SEEKERS WITH THE could get a job. This itself proves that

I
n late July, two of these junior lead- the recruitment process was free from
ers from the Nalbari district met
PROMISE OF GOVERNMENT JOBS any malpractice. This incident has
By Prashant Srivastava 1. Ambedkar Nagar 2. Maharajganj 3. Kushi Nagar
4. Gonda 5. Barabanki 6. Jaunpur 7. Kaushambi
Chaliha. An altercation followed in confirmed our repeated assertions 8. Prayagraj 9. Pratapgarh 10. Mirzapur 11. Phulpur

I
which they not only physically assaulted that the youth in the state are getting t all started last September 12. Robertsganj 13. Varanasi 14. Bareilly 15. Pilibhit
Chaliha but also took away his mobile the BJP Kisan Morcha’s national ex- BJP leaders, including Sanjiv Sharma, government jobs based on merit and after Janata Dal (United) 16. Dhaurara 17. Sitapur 18. Kheri 19. Fatehpur
20. Shrawasti
phone. Soon, they began blackmailing ecutive member, allegedly circulated Kapil Talukdar, Mriganka Barman without paying a single penny to any- president Lalan Singh said
Chaliha over those alleged intimate the photographs. He was earlier ar- and Pranab Jyoti Lahkar. one,” Sarma told india today. Police in an interview that the
photographs and when he did not yield rested in October 2020 for his alleged During the interrogation, the five sources also claim that none of the people of Uttar Pradesh wanted THERE ARE 41 KURMI MLAs IN
to their demands, the photos were role in the Assam Police recruitment arrested have reportedly taken the candidates whose admit cards were Bihar chief minister Nitish THE 403-SEAT UP ASSEMBLY
posted on social media with the help of exam paper leak scam, following names of some senior BJP leaders, recovered from Chaliha’s home could Kumar to champion their cause
another BJP leader. which he was expelled by the party. though police sources did not confirm secure any government job. in the Lok Sabha. About two
During his interrogation, Chaliha Deka, who was released from jail such reports. One such name do- Despite a tough stand in front months ago, that spark caught Apna Dal (K), also endorsed the idea.
reportedly confessed that he and recently, had contested the assembly ing the rounds is of a veteran BJP of the media, the BJP state unit has fire among members of his Phulpur, in eastern UP, is con-
Indrani had taken Rs 3 lakh from polls as a BJP candidate in 2011. organisational leader who has recently taken these developments very seri- community, the Kurmis—the sidered a Kurmi-dominated seat. It
each job aspirant, of which Rs 2.5 lakh Das, who was relieved of all been transferred out of Assam to a ously. In fact, Indrani’s suicide was second-largest grouping after was said that if Nitish was to decide
was paid to senior BJP leaders. They party responsibilities after his name northern state. There was speculation on top of the agenda at the party’s the Yadavs among the OBC to contest from here, it would set the
bought cars with the bribe money, cropped up in the cash-for-jobs in the media that former Assam BJP core committee meeting held at Gu- community in the state. Soon, tone for the Opposition in UP, which
Chaliha told the police. scam, was Nalbari district president president and minister Siddhartha wahati’s Vajpayee Bhawan on August almost every media outlet was sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The
As the probe moved from the of the Morcha. Chakraborty is a Bhattacharya was involved in this 28. The meeting, chaired by Kalita, speculating about how the Bihar Kurmis, who reportedly make up
suicide towards the cash-for-jobs BJP member from Nalbari district. job-selling racket, following which the was attended by Sarma and Union CM would contest the Phulpur around 8 per cent of the state’s popu-
network, four others—Diban Deka, Sharma, who was BJP Kisan Morcha veteran leader sent a strongly-worded minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Lok Sabha seat as a candidate of lation, could influence the result in at
Rekhanta Das, Ashim Chakraborty joint office secretary, has also been letter to current president Bhabesh among others. Certainly, the scar of the opposition ‘INDIA’ alliance least two dozen LS seats.
and Trishna Sharma—were arrested expelled from the party. Apart from Kalita. “It’s sad that many conspira- corruption has been the first major in 2024. The state’s main Oppo- But then, just when the rumour
at different stages of the investigation. those arrested, the police have also cies against senior BJP workers like embarrassment that Sarma has faced sition, the Samajwadi Party (SP) was getting wings, Prime Minister
Police sources say that Deka, who was interrogated several other mid-level me are being undertaken within the in his tenure of two years. n and a Kurmi consolidation, the Narendra Modi visited the home of

14 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 15

UPFRONT

Kurmi leader and Union MoS for “In UP, the Yadavs have dominated
finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, a six- in the past, but there have been sev-
time party MP from Maharajganj, eral tall Kurmi leaders like Sonelal IN THE NAME
on July 7 during a visit to Gora- Patel, Beni Prasad Verma and Ram OF RELIGION
khpur. It is rare for the PM to take Pujan Patel. But the Kurmis never Clockwise from
left, Shastri with
such a detour, and the story goes aligned with a single party. What
Kamal Nath;
that it was the ruling BJP’s nod to the parties are doing now is trying to
and with CM
show how important the commu- consolidate the community vote. The Shivraj Chouhan;
nity was for them. war between the Patel sisters (Anu- ‘Rudrakshwale
It seems like everyone is out to priya and Pallavi) and the specula- Baba’ Pradeep
corner the Kurmi vote. On July 18, tion over Nitish have only added to Mishra with
at the meeting of the Opposition’s the spice in Kurmi politics. Every Vishwas Sarang
INDIA alliance in Bengaluru, party is wooing them.’’ and Narottam
everyone noted the presence of From Rohilkhand in northwest- Mishra
Krishna Patel, president of the ern UP to Sonbhadra in the east,
the Kurmis cut a wide swathe. The
community makes up almost 20 per By Rahul Noronha M A D H YA P R A D E S H Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

THE BLESSED
cent of the population in some seats Even politicians from neighbouring
Apna Dal (S) chief

I
(see map) and, according to data n poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, which has simultaneous
Anupriya Patel is at from the past few elections, tend to godmen and politicians are polls, are flocking to Bageshwar Dham
odds with the family vote en bloc to further their interests. natural allies. Several prominent to enlist Shastri’s support. “I have invited

GO TO BHOPAL
As for the big Kurmi leaders in UP, leaders from both the BJP and Shastriji for a discourse because his
over the legacy of Kurmi in the Bareilly-Pilibhit belt, they Congress are deploying babas of vari- political and religious views conform to
titan Sonelal Patel don’t come any bigger than the BJP’s ous hues to rally the faithful to their mine,” says BJP leader Prabal Pratap
Santosh Gangwar, an eight-term MP electoral cause. Singh Judeo, the son of late Dilip Singh
from Bareilly. In the Kheri-Sitapur Never before has the intertwining Judeo who had started the ghar wapsi
belt, Ravi Verma, Rakesh Verma and of religion and politics been so pro- programme in the state. Prabal is natu-
Rekha Verma are the big guns. The nounced in the run-up to an election rally eyeing a party ticket this time.
SP’s Ravi is a former four-term in MP. Hindu religious preachers— Given Bageshwar Baba’s popular-
MP; his daughter Purvi Verma ranging from the well-known to the ity, it is not surprising that the dates in
now lays claim to his legacy. Rekha emerging—are crisscrossing the state, his calendar are almost always booked.
is a two-term BJP MP from the delivering professionally organised Shastri was also in Bhopal in April dur-
Dhaurahra seat and a member of sermons at the behest of their politi- ing Parasuram Jayanti celebrations, at
the party’s national executive. As for cal hosts. The magnetic pull of their the invitation of former mayor and BJP
Rajesh Verma, he is a four- term BJP sermons endears crowds numbering in leader Alok Sharma, who has got the
MP from Sitapur. In the Barabanki- the hundreds of thousands and makes party ticket from the Bhopal North seat.
Gonda region, the family of the late them a coveted asset for politicians The landscape also features other
SP leader Beni Prasad Verma still seeking an edge in the assembly elec- prominent spiritual leaders such as
ANI

has influence. In Ambedkar Nagar, tion scheduled for November. Pradeep Mishra, a.k.a. ‘Rudrakshwale
the SP relies on its heavyweight Lalji Interestingly, the utilisation of Baba’, from Sehore. Conservatively
Apna Dal (K) faction. She and her Verma and in Awadh and Pur- these preachers isn’t exclusive to lead- Lahar MLA and leader of the Opposi- sources say, maintain a connection aligned, Mishra’s mass appeal was
daughter Pallavi, the MLA from vanchal, the Apna Dal factions are ers of the BJP, often accused of practis- tion Dr Govind Singh, who advocates with Shastri via Alok Chaturvedi ‘Paj- harnessed in June by medical education
Sitharu, are in a tussle with her fighting for dominance. ing Hindu nationalism. These godmen distancing politics from godmen. jan’, their party MLA from Chhattar- minister Vishwas Sarang at a large-scale
other daughter Anupriya Patel— Even the state organisations of are being used as much by members of Early last month, Shastri made a pur, who is said to be behind Shastri’s katha in Narela, his constituency. Nath
Union minister and head of the parties now have heavy Kurmi pres- the Congress, who adopt ‘soft Hindu- significant appearance in Chhindwara, rise as a godman. has also planned a big programme in
Apna Dal(S)—over the legacy of ence. The BJP state president till late, tva’ to counter their opponents. upon an invitation from Kamal Nath, The power dynamics between these September of Mishra, who gives out
her husband, the late Sonelal Patel, Swatantra Dev Singh, was a Kurmi. Foremost among these babas is the the state Congress president. Nath, who godmen and politicians can be intricate. rudrakshas for free.
among the first to champion the The SP has seven Kurmis in its state enigmatic Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of represents Chhindwara in the assembly Since the discourses have a political Youthful Jaya Kishori, another
idea of Kurmis as a voting bloc. committee, including state president Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur. Shas- and has his son Nakul representing motive, it is not uncommon for Shastri sought-after preacher, has engaged with
In the 2022 assembly election, Naresh Uttam Patel. So how will the tri hit the headlines when a rationalist the constituency in the Lok Sabha, to be pressured into turning down some both BJP and Congress leaders. Recently,
41 Kurmi candidates won—27 from moves for Kurmi consolidation pan organisation in Nagpur challenged his welcomed the baba with aarti. invites. For instance, he was reportedly she participated in events organised by
the BJP alliance, 13 from the SP out? It’s too early to say, though if claimed miracles. Practically every poli- Shastri was also hosted in Ragho- made to say no to Narayan Tripathi, the the BJP’s Vikas Virani in Bhopal and
and one from the Congress. Politi- Nitish does throw his hat in the ring, tician aspiring to contest the election garh, represented by former minister BJP MLA from Maihar whose politi- Congress’s Jitu Thakur at Mhow near
cal analyst Shilp Shikha Singh says, it could set off a wave. n is vying for his favour, except perhaps Jai Vardhan Singh. Congress leaders, cal group is opposed to Chief Minister Indore. Earlier, she was in Gwalior for

16 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 17

UPFRONT
R AJASTH A N
THE RESERVATION PIE corner most of the quota benefits. But
nudged by the Congress high com-

GEHLOT’S
CROWD PULLER The 6% additional quota will take the total slots reserved for mand, a reluctant Gehlot fell in line
Jaya Kishori in Mhow OBCs in jobs and educational institutes in Rajasthan to 70% within a week. Since then, the non-Jat
backward castes have been calling
themselves original OBCs and want a

OBC GOOGLY 12% 21% 5% 10%** 6%

Chhindwara. “Religious symbolism *Clubbed special quota for themselves.
has been part of politics for a long with four That said, the OBC status for Jats
ST OBC Gujjar+* EWS ‘Most other nomadic
time. Be it Mahatma Gandhi, Tilak Backward’ had another fallout. The Gujjars, who
communities
or even Muslim League leaders in OBCs# as Most Back-
until then were the most dominant
the past, they were identified with By Rohit Parihar ward Class; among OBCs, launched a violent agita-
religion besides politics,” says veteran under judicial tion in 2008 for Scheduled Tribe (ST)
journalist N.K. Singh, “The modern- review status. In Rajasthan, the Meena com-

C
day kathavachaks command a huge aste and politics make **Upheld munity has a near-monopoly over the
following but the extent to which they for inseparable bedfel- by Supreme 12 per cent ST quota and was naturally
can influence voting is not known.” lows, and it never gets 30% Court in 2022 opposed to the idea. Trying to find a
PREACHERS ARE The engagement of preachers like
Shastri in political contexts sparks
more conspicuous than
when elections are around the
16% General
Category
#Announced middle ground, the then Vasundhara
Raje-led BJP regime granted five per
SC in Aug. 2023;
DELIVERING debates. Shastri’s comment that the corner. In Rajasthan, where not one caste census cent reservation to Gujjars along with
SERMONS AT THE Gyanvapi Mosque is a temple has but two electoral battles await the
50%: Reservation
to determine four other nomadic OBC communi-
beneficiary
INVITATION OF drawn criticism from some Congress ruling Congress—the assembly polls
cap set by SC in 1992 communities
ties—the Banjaras, Gadia Lohars,
leaders who have questioned the later this year and the general elec- Raikas and Gadarias—by clubbing
THEIR POLITICAL propriety of aligning with such a tions in mid-2024—Chief Minister them together as Most Backward Class
HOSTS ACROSS MP figure. Nath has defended his deci- Ashok Gehlot set the ball rolling by (MBC). This took the total reserved
sion to invite Shastri to Chhindwara, announcing a caste census and a six his side, the three-time Rajasthan CM GEHLOT’S CANNY PRE-POLL seats beyond the SC-stipulated cap of
where, in a deft move, an all-religion per cent additional reservation for made these announcements at a rally 50 per cent. The courts have repeatedly
prayer meet was also organised along the state’s “original” Other Back- in Banswara district. In India, the last MOVE TO ALLOT A SPECIAL struck it down, with both Gehlot and
Congress leader Mitendra Darshan with Shastri’s religious discourse. ward Class (OBC) communities. caste data was published in the 1931 6% QUOTA FOR ‘ORIGINAL’ Raje having tried to reinstate the quota
Singh. While Jaya avoids controver- “Dhirendra Shastri did not talk of On August 9, with former Con- census. In recent years, political par- (see The Reservation Pie). The latest
sial or overtly political statements, her a Hindu rashtra in Chhindwara, he gress president Rahul Gandhi by ties that draw support from backward OBCs IS LIKELY TO RUN UP attempt was made in February 2019,
ability to draw crowds makes her one spoke of all religions. Eighty-two castes have been increasingly calling AGAINST LEGAL SCRUTINY, when the state assembly also okayed
of the most sought-after. per cent of the population in India for a fresh caste census. They reason a 10 per cent reservation for the EWS
There are others who are in great is Hindu. The numbers speak for that the exercise is needed to obtain BUT THE BJP WILL BE (economically weaker section) within
demand. Avdheshanand Giri, who themselves. There is no need for a up-to-date data on the demographics WARY OF ITS FALLOUT general quota, soon after Parliament
was known earlier for his proximity controversy around Hindu rashtra,” and socio-economic status of various passed such a bill. This took the total
to Congress leader Ajay Singh and said Nath, downplaying the issue. castes, which could potentially impact reserved seats to 64 per cent.
is now close to Chouhan, is being Kathas are expensive affairs. reservation policies. Lately, led by Ra- Now, with the new six per cent
regularly signed up, as is Devkinan- Organisers have to foot the bills for hul, even the Congress has backed this the August 9 rally. The additional six reservation, which he later clarified
dan Thakur. BJP ticket hopeful from tents, bhandara (food), and trans- demand, though the Bharatiya Janata per cent quota will take the total quota was meant for the “most backward”
Bhopal South West, Rahul Kothari, port and accommodation for the Party (BJP)-led Union government re- in the state to 70 per cent, well above OBCs, Gehlot is trying to ingratiate
organised a discourse by Thakur in godmen and their whole entourage. mains non-committal. Bihar’s Grand the 50 per cent ceiling imposed by the himself with the non-Jats—the Malis,
April. Rawatpur Sarkar, a Bhind- Some preachers charge fees for their Alliance government, of which the Supreme Court in 1992. So, first, it will Kushwahas and such. But in line with
based preacher, who has a sprawling sermons, while others don’t mind Congress is a constituent, has already most likely have to pass legal scrutiny. the Congress’s stand and so as to not
empire of educational institutions, is donations. Shastri asserts that he conducted such a survey, though it is What exactly does Gehlot mean by offend the Jats, the CM claims a caste
also politically aligned. He does not doesn’t charge for his sermons, but now mired in legal tangles. original OBCs? There’s a vexed history census will be held first to assess the
see eye to eye with Govind Singh who organisers cover event expenses. “The “WE WANT TO BEGIN At present, Rajasthan has 21 here. On October 27, 1999, the Atal backwardness of each caste. Rajendra
has been winning despite his op- total cost of holding a programme is A CASTE CENSUS IN per cent slots reserved for OBCs in Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP government Singh Rathore, leader of the Opposition
position. Another godman from the between Rs 1 crore and Rs 2 crore, RAJASTHAN.... government jobs and educational at the Centre had granted OBC status in the Rajasthan assembly, reasons that
region is Pandokhar Maharaj who depending on the duration it is held institutes. But the communities have to the Jats. Gehlot, who had become the Congress doesn’t have much time to
is considered close to home minister for,” a politician who recently organ-
PEOPLE SHOULD GET for long been asking for the quota to the Rajasthan CM for the first time conduct the caste census or implement
Narottam Mishra. ised a katha told india today. THEIR SHARE BASED be enhanced to 27 per cent, reason- just the year before, was opposed the new quota before the elections. But
Do these preachers customise Though the impact of these ON THEIR CASTE ing that OBCs actually account for a to any such move within the state, known to be a shrewd tactician, Gehlot
their sermons as per their hosts’ collaborations on election outcomes STRENGTH” much larger share of the state’s popu- as other backward castes that had has certainly bowled a googly to the
needs? While Shastri and Mishra are remains a subject of speculation, the ASHOK GEHLOT lation. “We will fulfil this demand for voted for him feared the prosperous BJP, which will now have to reassess its
known to invoke the ‘Hindu rashtra’ role of godmen as conduits between Chief Minister, Rajasthan original OBCs,” the CM said during and politically influential Jats would caste outreach in the state. n
demand quite often, Shastri refrained faith and politics continues to evolve
from making such comments at in MP. n

18 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 19

 UPFRONT
FOCUS
GL ASSHOUSE EDUCATION

STAKING
LOST GROUND
T SATHYABAMA INSTITUTE OF
he BJP may soon announce candidates for
the 160 Lok Sabha seats where the party lost/
won marginally in 2019. A Lok Sabha Pravas
Yojana, under which Union ministers and veteran

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

leaders will be deputed to these constituencies,
is being organised to bolster the party’s chances.
Party general secretaries Sunil Bansal, Vinod Tawde
and Tarun Chugh will be in charge of the mission.
While the 160 seats are mostly concentrated in the

CONDUCTS
32 CONVOCATION CEREMONY
east and south of the country, the party is also said
to be worried about 50-odd seats in UP, Bihar and
nd
Maharashtra. Some of the key constituencies in
the BJP’s ‘hit list’ are held by top Opposition leaders
Illustration by such as Congress’s Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli),
SIDDHANT JUMDE SP’s Dimple Yadav (Mainpuri) and Supriya Sule
(Baramati) of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

STRONG HAND Playing Old Favourites

T he Congress party
is looking to regain
G ujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil is alleging
that the state government paid an excess Rs 3,802 crore
to Adani Power Mundra Ltd—in lieu of the company importing
lost ground in the Lok
coal from Indonesia at higher prices—without requisite
Sabha seats where
documentation by the latter. Gohil is citing a letter from the
it takes on the BJP
electricity board Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd as proof, but
one-on-one in 2024,
the state refutes this, claiming it was an ‘interim’ payout
instead of negotiating A total of 3,504 graduands received their
and that the issue is under a power purchase review.
Undergraduate Degrees, 551 received

T
a seat-sharing formula
with its INDIA bloc allies. Most of he Sathyabama Institute of Postgraduate Degrees, 9 earned Diplomas
these seats are in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Science and Technology held its in Pharmacy, and 104 accomplished
MP, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka,
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh TITLE TATTLE 32nd Convocation Ceremony in
Chennai on August 14, 2023.
their Ph.D. journey. Among them, 47
exceptional students were awarded gold
The Institute has a distinguished history Universities in India, as recognised by the medals for their outstanding academic
W
(128 LS seats altogether, of which hen the AIADMK cadre decided to call party supremo and
Congress won just four in 2019). former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) spanning over three decades and offers NIRF under the Government of India. achievements.
With reports suggesting a spike in multi-disciplinary academic programmes
‘Puratchi Thamizhan (Revolutionary Tamil)’ at the party’s golden
Rahul Gandhi’s popularity after in various fields of Engineering, Science, The 32nd Convocation was graced by Sathyabama Institute of Science and
jubilee celebrations on August 20, it seemed like he was being
the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the party Technology, Law, Dental Science, the honourable presence of Prof. Dr Technology takes pride in its consistent
raised to the same pedestal as the late J. Jayalalithaa (‘Puratchi
believes it can win back at least Pharmacy, Nursing, Management, Arts T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, who placement records. In the academic year
Thalaivi’ or Revolutionary Leader). But then we already have
and Science and Allied Health Sciences. delivered an inspiring convocation address. 2022-23, 384 esteemed companies
50 seats. No wonder, Rajasthan a ‘Puratchi Thamizhan’ in badass actor Sathyaraj, a raucous
The institution holds a prestigious position, Dr Mariazeena Johnson, the Chancellor of visited the campus to hire students,
CM Ashok Gehlot has declared villain of the ’80s who turned hero and then character actor being established under Sec. 3 of the UGC the institution, presided over this significant extending 3,094 offers. Impressively,
Rahul the party’s PM candidate. as he aged. WIll EPS’s fortunes follow a similar trajectory? Act, 1956, and proudly carrying an ‘A++’ ceremony. Dr Marie Johnson, the President 91.62 percent of the students secured
Grade accreditation from the National of the institution, felicitated the chief placements through the campus
Accreditation and Assessment Council. guest. The Chancellor also had the honour recruitment programme, with the highest
It consistently strives for innovation and of presenting gold medals to meritorious CTC reaching Rs 53 LPA and an average
Token Thaw mosque and church (built
there at a public expense of
improvement in higher education, adapting
to global changes in the educational
students in the presence of the chief guest. CTC of Rs 5.40 LPA.

T he frosty ties between

Telangana governor
Tamilisai Soundararajan
Rs 10 crore). But a day after
the event, the governor was
at it again, asserting that per
landscape.

At the heart of this institution is a dynamic

During this memorable event, the Col. Dr.
Jeppiaar Best Thesis Award was presented
by the chief guest, and research scholars
Furthermore, Sathyabama Institute of
Science and Technology has established
collaborations with leading universities
and CM K. Chandrashekar Article 167, the CM should and exceptional faculty, employing were awarded their Ph.D. degrees. The and research institutions both nationally
Rao appeared to be thawing meet her to sort out any innovative teaching methods and equipped Vice Presidents of the Institute, Mr J. Arul and internationally. As a research-intensive
when he invited her to visit issues and that criticising with state-of-the-art infrastructure and Selvan, Mrs Maria Bernadette Tamilarasi, university with world-class laboratories and
the new state secretariat her post was unacceptable. world-class research facilities. The and Ms Maria Catherine Jayapriya also research facilities, it actively engages in
on August 25 for the A case of the pot calling the collective efforts of students, parents, graced the occasion. Parents, faculty pioneering research in emerging areas of
inauguration of a temple, kettle black? industry partners, and alumni continue members, and distinguished academicians Science and Technology. The Institute truly
to drive Sathyabama to greater heights, were present at the convocation to extend serves as a “Global Destination for Global
earning it a place among the Top 100 their warm wishes to the new graduands. Aspirations of the Students”.
ANI
Kaushik Deka with Jumana Shah and Amarnath K. Menon
 INTERVIEW
NARENDRA MODI

‘‘THIS G20
image-building undermines the India growth story. The
G20 summit should be seen in a global context. The G20
countries feel that just talking about billions and tril-

REFLECTS
lions doesn’t create impact and there should be focus on
human-centric development. My experience is that dis-
cussions have been going on on these lines during our G20
presidency. In so many meetings and discussions, we have

THE VOICE OF
seen old positions giving way to new perspectives.
Developed and developing countries will come togeth-
er for the first time and find solutions to global problems.
We have laid the foundation for inclusivity by inviting the

THE GLOBAL
African Union. The participation during our G20 preside-
ncy has been unprecedented and the openness of partici-
pants unparalleled. I am confident this will lead to success,
with the contributions of all countries. India and India’s
G20 will act as a catalytic agent for the new global order.

SOUTH”
Q. Your government has invested a lot of energy in
shaping India’s G20 presidency. What are the key
outcomes you hope to achieve at the end of it?
Today, in the absence of reforms, multilateral institutions
are losing credibility and trust all around the world. On
India’s G20 presidency is a watershed moment, with the other hand, many smaller groups are emerging. The
the country helping shape a number of global issues. world is looking at how G20 is shaping up to fill the vacu-
um in terms of multilateral institutions. The G20 group is
As the central figure taking it forward this year, Prime
seen as a ray of hope and the ground for this was laid dur-
Minister NARENDRA MODI has successfully ensured ing India’s presidency. The work done and the outcomes
that India plays a pivotal role in addressing the expected are all futuristic in nature. This G20 is reflecting
concerns of the Global South. Just days before the G20 the voice and concerns of the Global South. It is giving
Leaders’ Summit, the prime minister, in an exclusive momentum to women-led development. With technology
going to play a big role in the future, this G20 is taking
interaction with our sister publication business today, huge leaps in the fields of AI (artificial intelligence) and
spoke about the opportunity India has to help address DPI (digital public infrastructure). India’s G20 presiden-
areas of global concern. Excerpts: cy will contribute towards ‘One Earth’ in the form of path-
breaking green initiatives, ‘One Family’ in efforts aimed at
inclusive and holistic growth, and ‘One Future’ by reflect-
By RAHUL KANWAL, SOURAV MAJUMDAR and SIDDHARTH ZARABI ing the voices and concerns of the Global South.

Q. Extreme weather events have turned climate

Q.
change into an urgent global issue. What is the prog-
India’s presi- its branding can be bolstered through a ress you are hoping to achieve on this in the G20?
dency of the G20 summit. The financial world works on Human beings have to accept that we are at the root of this
comes at a time hard facts. It works on performance, and problem. We need to accept the reality of the human impact
when internation- not perception. Whether it is the way on the planet. Once we accept it fully, the issue will not
al agencies are India fought the Covid-19 pandemic and appear as a challenge or a problem. We will automatically
bullish about the helped other countries to do so, or the way look at solutions, be it through technology, lifestyle changes
growth potential of the Indian econ- we managed our economy to make it the or in other ways. Today, there is talk of limitations and there
omy. How will the G20 summit help fastest-growing, or the way our financial is an environment of criticism on climate actions, leading to
bolster India’s image as an emerging and banking systems have been going from friction among countries. All our energy is spent focusing
economic power and as a credible strength to strength, today, the world is on what not to do rather than on what needs to be done.
voice at global economic platforms? aware of India’s trajectory. Such an approach cannot lead to action. Which is why our
I don’t think the image of a country and To see a summit through the prism of G20 presidency’s focus has been on unifying the world on

22 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 23

 INTERVIEW
NARENDRA MODI

what can be done. The poor and the planet, both need help.
India is moving ahead on this with not just a positive attitude
but also a mindset to drive solutions. Our initiative of ‘One
World, One Sun, One Grid’ was one such positive initiative.
There is a need to be action-oriented in thinking. If
there is no transfer of technology and no adequate funds,
how can poor countries work on climate change mitiga-
tion? Our presidency prioritises resource-mobilisation
for climate finance, and tailoring support for transitions
to individual country needs. Acknowledging the need for
innovative green technologies, we emphasise financial solu- GLOBAL CONNECT (From left) PM Modi with the Bidens in Washington, Jun. 22; with Russia’s Vladimir
tions, policies and incentives to spur private investment in Putin and China’s Xi Jinping at a G20 summit in Osaka, 2019; with UK’s Rishi Sunak at a G20 event in Bali, 2022
the development and deployment of low-carbon solutions.
India advocates for a diverse global policy palette on
transition, allowing countries to select from various pric-
ing and non-pricing strategies, from carbon taxes to green
technology standards, based on their unique situations. “THE G20 GROUP IS SEEN AS A RAY OF Q. India’s digital public infrastructure of the India
Stack and services such as Aadhaar, UPI, CoWIN and
through a common approach to digital public infrastructure.
And this has been deeply appreciated by the G20 member-
Our experience has been that true transformation comes
only from mass movements, from people’s participation.
HOPE GLOBALLY, AND THE GROUND Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana have been very suc-
cessful in providing services directly to beneficiaries.
ship at large. We are confident that the growing popularity
of India’s digital public infrastructure will go a long way in
Our Mission LiFE seeks to make the fight against climate FOR THIS WAS LAID DURING INDIA’S Has India been able to showcase these as a viable accelerating global financial inclusion and ease of living.
change a mass movement by focusing on lifestyle transfor- development model at the G20?
mation. When every individual feels they can directly make PRESIDENCY. THE WORK DONE AND Inclusive growth is the first requirement for social justice, Q. There have been discussions around using the G20
a difference to the planet’s welfare, the results will be much
more broad-based.
THE OUTCOMES EXPECTED ARE ALL and that needs last-mile delivery. India has shown that tech-
nology can be a great enabler to ensure last-mile delivery. The
platform to help build a global start-up ecosystem.
How does your government hope to move forward in

Q. There are important financial issues that are part

FUTURISTIC IN NATURE” fact that 46 per cent of global digital payments transactions
are now in India is a shining example of the success of our
this regard?
If we look at history, there has been an era of incremental
of India’s G20 agenda, including debt restructuring policies. The world today sees India as the incubator of inno- growth for quite some time. But today, things have changed.
for countries facing high levels of sovereign debt. vation. Not only have global experts appreciated India’s use of From an era of incremental change, we have come to the era of
How hopeful are you of a consensus on these issues? digital public infrastructure, but I also sense a lot of interest disruptive innovations. The magnitude of change seen in 100
Financial discipline is very important for all countries. It Q. India has taken up the important agenda of reform- on it during my meetings with world leaders. India’s digi- years earlier happens in just 10 years now! Governments and
is the duty of each country to guard itself against finan- ing the multilateral development bank (MDB) struc- tal public infrastructure has a diverse stack of products that society have to stay abreast of the rapid changes. If we look
cial indiscipline, but at the same time there are forces that ture. But previous efforts haven’t had much impact.... find utility in both the Global South and the developed world. at India’s experience, we not only understood the potential of
have sought to take undue advantage by catalysing a debt The G20’s efforts on MDB, till recently, have focused on Many countries are interested in learning from our experi- start-ups, but also provided them with a launch pad. We start-
crisis. These forces have capitalised on the helplessness of how balance-sheets can be optimised so that they can use ence, and we have successfully initiated cooperation with at ed the Atal Innovation Mission and the Atal Tinkering Labs.
other countries and led them into debt traps. The G20 has their existing resources most effectively. However, since the least a dozen countries. We are working with G20 countries Today, there are 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs where 7.5 million
prioritised addressing the debt vulnerabilities in low- and pandemic, there has been a realisation that MDBs need to to accelerate global development by leveraging technology, students have worked on lakhs of innovation projects. We have
middle-income countries since 2021. Achieving the 2030 integrate global challenges within the core development particularly promoting the concept of digital public goods set up incubation centres and held numerous hackathons. This
SDG (sustainable development goals) agenda depends on mandate. This would need reform in the existing frameworks has led to the development of a mindset of ‘problem-solving’.
progress in these countries, yet debt servicing hinders their of functions of MDBs and expansion of their existing financial All these interventions have led to the exponential emer-
efforts, limiting fiscal space for SDG investments. resources. During our presidency, we have been able to effec- gence of start-ups and they are bringing about disruptive
In 2023, under India’s presidency, the G20 gave a sig- tively steer this issue. Unlike earlier, the call for reforms of the “UNDER INDIA’S LEADERSHIP, WE change. Today, India has around 100,000 start-ups and 100
nificant boost to debt restructuring through the Common MDBs is now coming from the shareholders themselves and unicorns. A lot of experts see India as the hub of start-ups.
Framework. Before India’s lead, only Chad had undergone this has ensured a lot more traction for the issue. The presi- ESTABLISHED THE STARTUP20 When this is our basic governance philosophy, it is natural
debt restructuring under this framework. With India’s focus,
Zambia, Ethiopia and Ghana have made notable advance-
dency also established the ‘G20 Independent Expert Group
on Strengthening MDBs’. This group comprises some of the
ENGAGEMENT GROUP, A FIRST-OF-ITS- that we want to take this momentum globally.
During India’s leadership, we established the Startup20
ments. India, being a key creditor, played a pivotal role here. best global minds on international financial architecture. It KIND INITIATIVE UNDER THE G20. Engagement Group, a first-of-its-kind initiative under the
Outside the Common Framework, G20 forums also facili- has already submitted Volume 1 of its report, and will pres- G20. This grouping is acting as the voice of the global start-
tated the debt restructuring coordination for Sri Lanka, with ent the second one in October. The recommendations largely THEY WILL ACT AS THE VOICE OF THE up ecosystem, bringing together varied stakeholders on
a committee co-chaired by India, Japan and France. We also
saw the inception of the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable,
echo India’s thoughts on enhancing the financial strength of
MDBs, increasing the lending levels to meet the core man- GLOBAL START-UP ECOSYSTEM” a common platform. It aspires to create a global narrative
for start-ups and enabling synergies with corporates, inves-
co-chaired by the IMF, World Bank and the G20 presidency. dates of eliminating poverty and fostering shared prosperity. tors, innovation agencies and other key stakeholders. We

24 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 Photographs by ANI SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 25

 FOCUS
INTERVIEW HEALTH
NARENDRA MODI

are positive that they will be able to take concrete steps in

areas like capacity-building, identification of funding gaps,
MGM HEALTHCARE:
enhancement of employment opportunities, achievement of TRANSFORMING LIVES WITH ADVANCED
SDG targets and the growth of an inclusive ecosystem. REHABILITATION AND MULTI-VISCERAL
Q. Geopolitical headwinds, particularly the Russia-
TRANSPLANT PROGRAMME
Ukraine war, make the task of forging global consen-
sus complicated. We are seeing different countries PROFESSOR DR. ANIL VAIDYA,
try to find a way of forging peace between Russia and
Ukraine. As G20 president, do you have a plan which
CHAIRMAN, AND DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF
you think may help in finding a way out of the Russia- MULTI-VISCERAL TRANSPLANT AND ABDOMINAL
Ukraine war? TRANSPLANT, MGM HEALTHCARE
You should assess whether it is desirable to link G20 or our A NEW DAWN PM Modi with Cyril Ramaphosa, the
G20 presidency with this issue. Why did it occur to you to president of South Africa, in Johannesburg, Aug. 23
ask about just this issue as if there is only one problem in the After carrying out several successful heart, lung and simultaneous heart- lung transplants, liver
world? Why did it not occur to you that there are problems and kidney transplants, MGM Healthcare has recently started the Multi- Visceral Transplantation
in other parts of the world like in Syria, in some countries program. A robust clinical programme for pancreatic, intestinal, and multi-visceral transplant under
the leadership of surgeon Professor Dr. Anil Vaidya, Chairman, and Director of the Institute of Multi-
in Africa, in East Asia, in Latin America? There are interna-
tional organisations like the United Nations that are focus- “THE DEVELOPED AND THE DEVELOPING Visceral Transplant and Abdominal Transplant, MGM Healthcare, Chennai.
COUNTRIES WILL COME TOGETHER FOR
M
ing on these issues. My focus is that we will steer our G20
ulti-visceral organ transplant ducted several combined transplants in diabetic patients who are on dialysis.
presidency to build common positions on developmental
issues that are of importance to the Global South. THE FIRST TIME AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO (Multi-Visceral Transplant )
is the new frontier in global
patients with multiple organ failure. Ideal candidates for this simultaneous
transplant are patients suffering from
Q. You advocated vigorously for the African Union to GLOBAL PROBLEMS. WE HAVE LAID THE transplant programs, and MGM
Healthcare, Chennai is performing life
Total Parenteral Nutrition and Small
Bowel Transplant:
type I diabetes mellitus with end stage
renal disease and undergoing dialy-
be granted membership of the G20. What role do you
see the African Union playing in the G20 and in shap-
FOUNDATION FOR INCLUSIVITY BY transforming transplants that can cure The Institute of Multi-Visceral sis, selected type 2 diabetes mellitus,
certain chronic lifestyle diseases and Transplant and Abdominal
ing the new emerging world order?
In October 2015, we had held a big India-Africa Summit
INVITING THE AFRICAN UNION” improve the quality of life of a patient. Transplant at MGM Healthcare offers
patients facing failure of insulin therapy
for diabetes management and those
This new program extends hope to comprehensive intestinal rehabilitation suffering diabetes related metabolic
in New Delhi. It was a massive effort where leaders from
thousands of patients whose lives can and transplantation in India, catering complications like ketoacidosis, and
54 countries of the African continent had come to India.
now be saved with these procedures. to patients with short bowel syndrome hypoglycemic unawareness. Dr Vaidya
I feel deeply for the countries of the Global South. It is my
a condition that prevents the intestine has successfully conducted small bowel
firm belief that we need to give importance to the developing initiative to make the African Union a permanent member
What is Multi-Visceral Transplant ? from properly absorbing orally transplant and other GI surgeries with
world if we have to make progress on the global development of G20 during our presidency. I am confident that we will
Multi-Visceral Transplant involves ingested nutrients and electrolytes. Success in patients suffering from
agenda. If we give them their rightful place, listen to them, receive support to realise the same. This will make G20 more
replacing diseased or failing organs The centre offers a unique program for gastrointestinal tract cancers such as
understand their priorities, they have the capacity and capa- representative and give greater voice to the Global South.
of the gastrointestinal tract such as these patients called Total Parenteral neuroendocrine tumors, gastrointesti-
bility to contribute to the global good. A big threat to the world order emerges when countries
liver, kidneys, Small bowels, pancreas, Nutrition (TPN) a method in which nal tumors metastasizing in the
When I was the chief minister of Gujarat, I had, for the feel that their views, concerns and issues are not taken into
stomach and so on, with healthy organs complete nutrition is delivered liver, some cases of familial adenoma-
first time, hosted the Summit of the Africa Development consideration in the decision-making process. It has been
from a deceased donor. This has intravenously to people who can’t tous polyposis and a rare kind of
Bank in Ahmedabad. It was also the first time they had held our conviction that without the voice and participation of
been found to be very effective in pa- use their digestive systems at all. The appendix cancer Called pseudomyxo-
their meeting outside Africa. It was a great success. This the developing world, sustainable solutions to global chal-
tients with chronic diseases and those Multi-Visceral Transplant team at MGM ma peritonei.
time, we decided to keep ‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakam (The lenges cannot be found. Africa, in particular, has not been
suffering from multi-organ failure and healthcare is specialized in stabilizing The Institute of Multi-Visceral Trans-
world is our family)’ as the motto of our G20 presidency. It given its due recognition and place when it comes to insti-
cancers of the GI tract. patients with short bowel syndrome. plant Center at MGM Healthcare, with
is based on our fundamental belief and ethos. If we do not tutions of global governance. India and Africa enjoy a very
The Multi-Visceral Transplant Team Once the patient is fit the small bowel its dedicated and experienced team,
include developing countries, how can we realise vasudhai- special relationship, and India has been a steadfast advocate
under the leadership of Professor Dr. transplant will be done using a donor provides comprehensive and patient-
va kutumbakam? How can there be One Earth, One Family, of a greater role for Africa in global affairs.
Anil Vaidya, has successfully conducted organ. centered care throughout the entire
One Future? That is why, after taking over the presidency of During our presidency of the G20, we have taken the ini-
pediatric kidney transplant from live transplantation journey. The center’s
G20, the first event that I held was the Voice of Global South tiative to seek a permanent seat for the African Union in the
donors, combined pancreas and kidney Combined Kidney and Pancreas expertise, combined with a multidis-
Summit in January this year. After having listened to them, G20, and we believe that our proposal will enjoy the support
transplants in diabetes patients with transplant for Kidney failure and ciplinary approach, ensures the best
understanding their priorities and concerns, we set the of other G20 members. We believe that this step will empower
end stage renal diseases, small bowel type 1 diabetes possible outcomes for patients with
agenda for our G20 presidency. We have brought the priori- the African continent and enable it to better articulate their
transplant in cancer patients, liver Combined pancreas and kidney trans- Type 3 Intestinal Failure requiring a
ties of the Global South onto the agenda of the G20, and we concerns and perspectives on the global stage, and play an
transplant from live donors and con- plants is a gold standard technique for multi-visceral transplant.
have made progress. It is in this spirit that I have taken the important role in shaping the world order. n

MGM HEALTHCARE
26 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 No: 72, Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai, Chennai-600029. Tel: 044 4524 2424
 Photographs Courtesy: ISRO

COVER C H A N D R AYA A N - 3
STORY

MOONSTRUCK
1. A video grab
showing the
Pragyan rover
descending the
ramp to the lunar
surface
2. A picture of
the Vikram lander
clicked by the
navigation cam-
era on Pragyan
rover
3. Pragyan rover
roaming around
the Shiv Shakti
point
4. PM Modi with
ISRO scientists
1 2 3

THE MOON WARRIORS

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MADE INDIA’S LUNAR ACCOMPLISHMENT
AND NEVER-SAY-DIE ATTITUDE. THEY ARE A BRILLIANT EXAMPLE OF HOW
POSSIBLE BY THE SHEER DINT OF THEIR DEDICATION, HARD WORK
TO SCRIPT SUCCESS OUT OF FAILURE BY R AJ CHENGAPPA

28 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
 1 2
COVER C H A N D R AYA A N - 3
STORY

M
MOX or Mission Operations Complex-2 in the
heart of Peenya, a teeming hub of small-scale
industries in Bengaluru, has an unimpressive
PWD-type façade. The road leading up to it MOON-WALKERS
does have a fresh coat of tar. It was in prepara- WITH CHANDRAYAAN- 1. The launch of
tion for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit 3, ISRO CHOSE A Chandrayaan-3
on July 14
on August 26 to congratulate Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists for
FAILURE-BASED 2. ISRO control
the superlative success of the Chandrayaan-3 APPROACH AND room during Chan-
drayaan-3 landing
mission to the moon. But it had to be put off
till after his visit due to security reasons.
CLEARANCE FROM on Aug. 23
3. ISRO chairman
ALL TEAM HEADS S. Somanath with
On the MOX porch are displayed real-size models of the women scien-
Vikram, India’s now-famous moon lander, and its com- BEFORE LAUNCH tists involved in the
panion, the Pragyan rover. They were transported from 3 Chandrayaan-3
mission at ISTRAC
the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) at the other end of
the city for the PM’s benefit. Sheathed in a shiny gold-
coloured thermal blanket, Vikram, with its four landing
legs, is surprisingly tall—around 10 feet—but has a squat
box-like appearance. Weighing 1,742 kilograms, landing it dashboards of Vikram’s health and Pragyan’s movements. ing degree from a Chennai college and an M.Tech. from an Chandrayaan-2 lander spin out of control 800 metres above
on the moon is like dropping a mini-SUV on the satellite’s The rover literally crawls over the grey-black scarred lunar institute in Tiruchirappalli. A brief stint in HAL preceded the lunar surface and then lose all telemetry contact with
surface. Pragyan, the rover whose glistening aluminium surface at a ‘top speed’ of one centimetre per second, with his shift to ISRO in 2004, which he joined because it had a mission control as it crashed on the moon. It would fall on
wheels bear the imprint of India’s national emblem, re- two front-loaded cameras acting as its eyes. The terrain is “huge brand name”. Now, as project director for Chandray- then ISRO chairman P. Sivan to break the gloomy news to
sembles an oversized skateboard. ISRO scientists and their hazardous, full of deep craters; on that day, the rover had aan-3 for the past four years, on his slender shoulders lay the PM Modi, who was in the visitors’ gallery to watch the land-
families were busy taking selfies with the spacecraft rep- to reverse from one just eight metres away from the lander. enormous weight of meeting the nation’s space expectations ing and who had to console Sivan in turn, as pent-up emo-
lica before it was dismantled and returned to the URSC. But not before swivelling around and taking the very first and ensuring that the ISRO brand remained untarnished. tion got the better of him. Among those present at mission
Inside MOX-2, the three mission control halls were a photograph of Vikram on the lunar surface, an image des- As also the prestige of hundreds of Indian space scientists control that day was S. Somanath, who was then the director
hive of activity when india today visited their premises tined to become a permanent symbol of India’s prowess. and engineers who have worked tirelessly to make the moon of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space
on August 29. The Chandrayaan project team had to Back on Earth, hunched on one of the consoles is the mission a success. Speaking softly but firmly, Veeramuthuvel Centre (VSSC). As he recalls, “We were all sad because we
move to another set of computer consoles to make way unassuming 46-year-old Palanivel Veeramuthuvel, in a describes himself as a “simple person” who believes that “self- had seen its wonderful performance before that and towards
for the Aditya L1 mission team that was preparing for the dark cotton long-sleeved shirt and fawn-coloured check discipline, 100 per cent involvement without any expectation the end we really had no confirmation of whether it had
spacecraft’s launch on September 2 to study the sun. That’s pants, his salt-and-pepper hair combed neatly back. A and hard work never go unrewarded”. landed safely or crashed because there was no data coming
just how busy ISRO is these days. On the high walls of native of Tamil Nadu, Veeramuthuvel studied in the Vil- Not always, though. Four years ago, on September 6, to confirm either way due to the communication failure.”
the complex were giant computer screens that displayed lupuram railway school before completing an engineer- 2019, he and hundreds of other scientists had to watch the Four years later, the tall, fit and unflappable Somanath

30 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 31

 30 km
CHANDRAYAAN-3:
MISSION OBJECTIVES
FROM FAILURE
TO SUCCESS
To demonstrate safe
VH = 358 m/sec and soft landing on lunar
VH = 1.68 km/ sec VV = -61 m/sec surface—Done
To demonstrate rover
VV = 0 m/ sec traversing the moon—Done
VH = 336 m/sec
VH = Horizontal velocity VV = -59 m/sec To conduct in-situ How the lessons learnt from the 2019
scientific experiments Chandrayaan-2 disaster contributed to the
VV = Vertical velocity —In progress
success of India’s third lunar exploration mission
7.4 km
VH = 0 m/sec Graphic by NILANJAN DAS and TANMOY CHAKRABORTY

6.8 km TAKE-NO-CHANCES APPROACH VV = 0 m/sec

Big changes between Chandrayaan-2 and 3

30 km
CHANDRAYAAN-2
Planned
NAVIGATION PROPULSION GUIDANCE LANDING (12 sec) Achieved profile
SYSTEM CONTROL RELIABILITY
Multiple sensors and SYSTEMS 7.4 km Rough
instruments to check altitude, Four instead Integrated hot test
800/ Braking
velocity and descent to log of five 800N for close-up system
1,300 m Improved software 400 m
accurate, real-time data on the

coasting
throttleable liquid

braking
Camera
designed for powered assessment of engines,

Fine
descent path. These included: engines sensors, navigation,
descent trajectory
Altimeters: To measure Slosh mitigating guidance and control
(131 sec)
ALTITUDE

altitude variations, upgraded Multiple mission 100 m

by anti-slosh baffle Integrated cold test
laser and radio frequency- in the propellant paths built for
to thoroughly assess all
based altimeters used tanks soft-landing for
sensors and navigation
contingencies 0m
Velocimeters: To gauge Rigorous systems 574 km 8.3 km 4 km
velocity, there was an all-new integrated testing Thrust and angle Lander-led drop tests
laser Doppler velocimeter of engines, valves, continuity throughout (22 sec)
to assist the touchdown
apart from an improved lander and electronics for the descent by capabilities
150 m horizontal velocity camera better performance appropriate selection of THE PRAGYAN
Landing leg
Inertial system: For flight 182 kg more guidance algorithm (Sanskrit for ‘wisdom’)
mechanism strengthened
path, there was improved laser fuel carried to Instantaneous thrust for higher impact
gyro-based inertial referencing give greater Size Movement
corrections: Done for Landing site expanded
and accelerometer package manoeuvrability Chassis: Length Six-wheel rocker-
60 m deviations unlike in by five times, from 500m (76 sec)
91.7 (3.05 ft); bogie wheel drive
Improved lander hazard Chandrayaan-2 x 500m to 4km x 2.4km breadth 75.0 assembly
detection and avoidance (2.5 ft); x height
camera to ensure landing at Complete
redundancies of all (1.32 ft) Weight 26 kg
suitable spot TERMINAL
systems built into lander DESCENT Power Maximum
PHASE Solar panel distance
that can 500 metres from
ROUGH BRAKING PHASE ATTITUDE HOLD PHASE FINE BRAKING PHASE generate 50W lander
(690 sec) (10 sec) (175 sec)
0 km Communications
With Vikram lander
713.5 km 3.48 km 28.52 km
745.5 km DOWNRANGE TRAVELLED 32 km 28.52 km 0 km

Velocimeter
LUNAR EXPERIMENTS Solar panel

BY LANDER Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical BY ROVER Alpha Particle

Experiment: To measure the thermal X-ray Spectrometer:
Radio Anatomy of Laser-induced Altimeter
properties of the lunar surface To determine the
Moon Bound Hyper- Breakdown
elemental composition,
sensitive Ionosphere Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity: Spectroscope: To
including magnesium, Navigation
and Atmosphere: To To measure seismicity around the landing derive the chemical cameras
aluminium, silicon,
measure the near sur- site and delineating the structure of the composition and
ferrous and other
face plasma (ions and lunar crust and mantle infer mineralogical
minerals of lunar soil
electrons) density and Laser Retroreflector Array: To under- composition of
and rocks, around the
its changes with time stand the dynamics of the moon system lunar surface
landing site
32 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 800N throttleable SE P T EHazard
M BE R 1detection
1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 33
liquid engine avoidance camera
 SPACE’S
B.N. RAMAKRISHNA,
COVER
STORY
C H A N D R AYA A N - 3 58

ELEVEN
Director, Telemetry,
Tracking and Command
Network Centre (ISTRAC),
Bengaluru
S. UNNIKRISHNAN NILESH M. DESAI, 59 ISRO’s control centre for deep space missions,
The key individuals behind one of the NAIR, 59 ISTRAC, headed by Ramakrishna, is the key
Director, Space
would once again find himself sitting in front of a console most spectacular space missions communication link to all of ISRO’s orbit-
at MOX-2—though this time as ISRO chairman—as the Director, Vikram Applications Centre,
undertaken by India Sarabhai Space Centre, Ahmedabad ing spacecraft, including the Chandrayaan.
countdown began for the final descent of the Chan- Ramakrishna has an M.Sc. and is an expert in
drayaan-3 lander. Next to him, Nilesh Desai, director Thiruvananthapuram Desai took charge of the SAC orbit determination of spacecraft.
of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, An expert in launch in 2021. ISRO’s lead centre
was conscious of the recent failure of Russia’s Luna 25, vehicle designs, Nair led for the “design and devel-
which too was to land near the South Pole and worried the team that ensured opment of space-borne
about the “unknown unknowns”, as Sivan called them.
S. SOMANATH, 60 ISRO’s heavy lift launcher instruments”, SAC provided
Somanath himself was unusually calm. Having seen Chairman, ISRO LVM3 put Chandrayaan-3 the Chandrayaan-3 lander K. KALPANA, 49
50 rocket launches since he joined ISRO in 1985, the into the desired orbit. As imager cameras, Ka-band
ISRO’s ‘Captain Cool’, So- altimeter, hazard avoidance
Associate Project
sexagenarian says, “I do not have the habit of getting founding director of the
manath joined the Vikram sensors and rover imag- Director, Chandrayaan-3
excited. We had done all that we could to ensure success. Human Space Flight Cen-
Sarabhai Space Centre in 1985 ers along with their data Kalpana had dreamt of
There was nothing more we could do and I remained tre, he is playing a key role
and later contributed to the development of the processors. Desai is an engi- working with ISRO since
confident.” That supreme confidence—his own as well as in the Gaganyaan project
PSLV and the giant GSLV Mark III. Before becom- neering gold medallist from childhood. After obtaining an engineering
now. An alumnus of IISc
the team’s—came from the hard work they had put in to ing ISRO chairman in 2022, he had overseen degree from a college in Chennai, she joined
and IIT Madras, Nair joined an Ahmedabad engineering
correct the flaws of the previous launch and prepare for the propulsion systems for the Chandrayaan-2 university. He joined SAC the space agency in 1999 as a radar engineer.
VSSC in 1985 and took
any exigency, including the unknown unknowns. lander. Somanath studied mechanical engi- straight out of college and She assisted Veeramuthuvel in the Chan-
over as director in 2022. He
This, then, is the inspirational story of how Team neering at Kollam’s TKM College and has a Mas- became a specialist in mi- drayaan-3 project and was closely associ-
has also published short
ISRO pulled itself from the depths of despair, against ter’s degree in aerospace engineering from IISc. crowave and radar systems. ated with the Mangalyaan missions too.
Malayalam stories.
all odds, to script lunar history. Together, they would
make India only the fourth country to land a spacecraft
on the moon and the first to do so near the unchartered
P. VEERAMUTHUVEL,
and treacherous South Pole.
46
THE DEPTH OF DESPAIR M. SRIKANTH, 45
Project Director,
Four years ago, when ISRO lost contact with Chandray- Chandrayaan-3 Mission Operations
aan-2 during its descent to the lunar surface, it would Director, Chandrayaan-3
Born in Tamil Nadu’s Villu-
take days to locate the fallen lander. Only after a photo- puram district, Veeramuthuvel has been part M. Srikanth has been with
graph taken by its lunar orbiter, which, unlike the lander, of some of India’s toughest space missions, in- ISRO for two decades. Hail-
happened to be doing its job perfectly, did scientists get cluding the Mars Orbiter. He did an engineering ing from Thiruvananthapuram, the B.Tech.
to know that it had crash-landed and lay sprawled on the V. NARAYANAN, 59 ANIL BHARDWAJ,
degree from Chennai, then an M.Tech., and after 56 graduate contributed to the Chandrayaan-1
lunar surface. As per protocol, Sivan, as ISRO chairman, a brief stint with HAL, joined ISRO in 2004 as a Director, Liquid Propulsion and 2 missions. For Chandrayaan-3, he
formed a national failure analysis committee (FAC), project engineer. Simultaneously, he completed Director, Physical spearheaded the navigation aspect and was
Systems Centre,
headed by the experienced and accomplished V. Naray- his Ph.D. from IIT Madras. As project director Research Laboratory, part of the planning and safety protocols.
Thiruvananthapuram
anan, director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre for Chandrayaan-3, he oversaw coordination Ahmedabad
(LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. Narayanan’s team had between key ISRO centres. The LPSC, led by Narayanan,
delivered the propulsion sys- A Ph.D.-holder in applied
put together the propulsion system for Chandrayaan-2,
tems for the Vikram lander, physics from IIT BHU,
and its failure had left him stunned and disappointed. Bhardwaj headed the
including the thrusters for S. MOHANA KUMAR, 59
He was given a month to look into the entire perfor- Space Physics Labora-
M. SANKARAN, 59 soft landing. A cryogenic
mance of Chandrayaan-2 and its systems, pinpoint the tory at VSSC before tak- Mission Director, LVM-3
engineering expert, he had
reasons for the setback and make recommendations Director, UR Rao Satellite chaired the panel that studied ing up his current post It was S. Mohana Kumar,
for a successful landing the next time. At the end of the Centre, Bengaluru the crash of Chandrayaan-2’s at PRL. He is a recipient Chandrayaan-3’s mis-
month, the team came out with a 900-page report on As director of the lead centre lander and recommended of numerous awards, sion director, who first
what went wrong and how to overcome those problems. for the design and develop- changes. Narayanan was including the Bhatnagar announced its successful
Unforgiving as space is, a deviation of even one per ment of ISRO satellites, Sankaran played a born in Tamil Nadu, in Kan- Prize for scientists (2007) launch on July 14 from the
cent or a faulty system can end in catastrophic failure. key role in developing the communication yakumari’s Melakattuvilai and the Infosys Prize Satish Dhawan Space Cen-
That is what the committee discovered when it exam- and power systems for the Chandrayaan and village, to a farmer father. He (2016). The Chandray- tre in Sriharikota, saying,
ined the reasons for Chandrayaan-2’s failure. Sivan, Mars Orbiter missions. He joined the URSC has an engineering degree aan-3 lander Vikram “This is the result of the penance of many
who was still chairman, recalls, “There were issues after obtaining a Master’s degree in Physics from the Govt. Polytechnic and its rover Pragyan, across ISRO centres.” Kumar, who has been
with all the three major systems critical to the space- in 1986 from the Bharathidasan University, College, Nagercoil, and an M. used to study the moon’s with ISRO for 30 years now, played a major
craft—propulsion, navigation and guidance control.” Tiruchirappalli. He is now spearheading the Tech. and a Ph.D. in aero- surface, were developed role in the launch vehicles for Chandrayaan
avionics design, electronics and power sys- space engineering from IIT by the PRL under his spacecraft and also led the launch of One-
tems of the Gaganyaan programme. Kharagpur. guidance. web India 2 satellites in March this year.
34 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
 COVER C H A N D R AYA A N - 3
STORY
TRIAL RUN
The Vikram
lander during
an electromag- all that could go wrong to then work out how to eliminate
netic interfer- glitches or introduce backup systems.
All these took place in what Sivan had famously described ence/compat- The second was, as he told his team, “We will not go for
as “15 minutes of terror”, the time taken for the lunar craft ibility test at the launch of Chandrayaan-3 unless there is 100 per cent
the UR Rao
to break out of its orbit around the moon and land on the satisfaction of all the teams involved.” That mandate saw
Satellite Cen-
surface, a phase that is completely autonomous. Every- tre, Bengaluru every aspect of the lander and rover being stripped thread-
thing seemed to have been going fine with Chandrayaan-2 bare all over again and tested. From descent to touchdown,
in what is known as the rough braking phase of the craft’s there are 170 such critical parameters, each of which was
descent. At the start of this descent, 30 km above the lunar tested and retested till each team involved built enormous
surface, the spacecraft was going at 6,000 kmph, 3x the confidence levels. Veeramuthuvel recounts with a smile that
maximum speed of IAF’s top-of-the-line jet fighter the when he reported to Somanath he was confident that the
Sukhoi Su30MKI. That speed had to be brought down to problem had been sorted, he told him, “It is not for you to
around 1,200 kmph (400 kmph more than a passenger say that you are confident. The team handling it should be
jet’s average speed of 800 kmph) and its height to around 8 saying it.” Somanath also tapped into the vast pool of retired
km above the lunar surface. To do so, the spacecraft had to ISRO scientists to review the process and guide the teams.
retrofire four of its engines to act as a braking mechanism Prominent among them was former ISRO chairman A.S.
and simultaneously command its cluster of eight thrusters Kiran Kumar, who provided invaluable insights into the
to tilt the spacecraft at the angle needed for descent mode. modifications needed for success.

n the consoles, the spacecraft TAKE-NO-CHANCES APPROACH

O
seemed to be doing exactly as it was Each of the key systems teams then got down to identifying
meant to in this phase. In the next and correcting the errors and in the process introduced more
phase, known as the camera coasting or
attitude hold phase, the spacecraft
WHILE INVESTIGATING Covid played spoiler for almost a year, seriously disrupt-
ing the work on correcting Chandrayaan-2’s errors. Top-level
than 20 major changes across the board after the Chandray-
aan-2 experience. In the propulsion systems, for instance, it
evaluates its position and decides if it CHANDRAYAAN-2’S changes also began happening. For one, Muthusamy San- examined in depth what could have caused the four engines to
needs course correction for the fine
braking phase. Unknown to the mission team, things had FAILURE, PROBLEMS karan took over as director of URSC—the nodal centre that is
responsible for the integration of the spacecraft, including for
overperform in the rough braking phase. To do so, LPSC’s Na-
rayanan had his team strap the four engines on a platform at
started going wrong because the four thrusters over-deliv-
ered, reducing the spacecraft’s speed by an additional 100
WERE FOUND WITH Chandrayaan-3—in June 2021. The clear-thinking Sankaran,
59, who had worked both on the Chandrayaan and the Man-
his centre at the Valiamala complex in Thiruvananthapuram
and fire them for the entire duration of Vikram’s planned de-
kmph. The navigation and guidance systems meant to ITS PROPULSION, galyaan (Mars) projects, concluded that the chief learning scent. It was here that the team detected a missing electronic
compensate for the reduction in speed started an aggressive
manoeuvre to steer it back on course. However, serious
NAVIGATION AND from the failed effort was that the lander was more than just a
spacecraft. It was also a satellite with a reusable rocket and an
pulse that controls the valves regulating the flow of propel-
lants. It had resulted in a small excess that caused the engines
software errors began to occur at this point, confusing the GUIDANCE CONTROL aircraft with a sense of awareness of how and where to land. to overperform. This was corrected by ensuring that the fuel
spacecraft and even making it do an unplanned somersault. “It’s really a three-in-one craft,” explains Sankaran, “and once flow was a little more sluggish to compensate for any errors.
Meanwhile, instead of the engine thrust getting lowered, it we treated it in this holistic way, we began to have a better Then, the four engines were strapped on to a Vikram platform
was boosted to the maximum as the spacecraft’s autono- understanding of how to make it work successfully.” He also that had all the vital systems such as sensors and control
mous guidance and control systems desperately tried to realised that the telemetry data from the crashed lander was systems and hung on a 60-metre-tall tower at the Sriharikota
correct the anomalies. By then, it was already too late, and limited and would not provide any major clue to what went launchpad. These were fired to see if the vibrations caused by
the lander rammed into the moon’s surface at a speed of 180 about the moon’s surface and contributing immensely to wrong. He, therefore, pushed for recreating what happened in the rocket engines were disturbing the sensors and to prevent
kmph, overshooting the designated spot by 500 metres. As a Chandrayaan-3’s success. the final minutes of the craft’s descent and then came up with the sloshing of fuel impacting the spacecraft’s centre of gravity
senior ISRO scientist puts it, “Instead of a normal 3-Sigma Knowing what caused Chandrayaan-2’s failure was robust solutions to correct it. while in flight. Those issues were sorted by bolstering them
dispersion that the craft could have taken care of, we were only half the battle won. The tougher part was overcoming Somanath succeeded Sivan as ISRO chairman in Janu- with dampeners.
dropping to sigma levels way beyond the capacity of the the mistakes. Veeramuthuvel, who was associate project ary 2022. In addition to a cool-headed approach, Somanath When it came to the guidance and control systems, which
control systems to handle major deviations.” director of Chandrayaan-2 and had gained immense combined his dynamism with a derring-do attitude that constituted the brains of Vikram, since the entire process was
understanding of the systemic issues involved, was made enthused the members of his team. He also brought to the autonomous, all the 116,000 software lines, as these were
THE FIGHTBACK project director for Chandrayaan-3 in December that year. table the vast experience of designing and handling complex called, were reviewed and improvements made in addition to
It is to the credit of the ISRO failure review system that it Kalahasti Kalpana, 49, who too had worked on Chandray- missions, including the previous Chandrayaan ones. Som- widening the dispersion and deviations that it could handle.
successfully pinpointed the root cause of the problems with- aan-2, was made his associate project director. Kalpana, anath introduced two major changes in the management Somanath even had a separate team from VSSC that was not
out allowing any acrimony to develop between the various who graduated from a Chennai engineering college, had style of the project. The first, he termed a failure-oriented involved with the software systems to independently check
teams. Clearly, every major system at the landing stage was joined ISRO as a radar engineer in 1999. Her experience approach, a variation of the old Murphy’s Law according all parameters and ensure that all the bugs were fixed. Then
accountable for the errors reaching unmanageable propor- reflects the ISRO culture of fostering gender equality, and to which everything that can go wrong will go wrong. He to see if the guidance control systems worked, Veeramuthuvel
tions, necessitating a complete overhaul of the spacecraft. In Kalpana says, “I have never felt we are not equal, or dis- clarified that such an approach did not come from a place of had the team hire a helicopter and fly a model of the Vikram.
what was a saving grace for Team ISRO, Chandrayaan-2’s criminated against, because of my gender at ISRO. In all pessimism, it was rather a departure from the assumption It hovered over the ground at a height of 150 metres, the same
orbiter was performing optimally, sending continuous data discussions and tasks, we are treated on par with men.” of success and hope of all going well, and instead mapping at which it would on the moon. To avoid the control issues of

36 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 37

 COVER C H A N D R AYA A N - 3
STORY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

“ FAILURES GIVE YOU MUCH

MORE UNDERSTANDING
Chandrayaan-2, errors were programmed to get sorted as Another issue was related to the area that had been
and when they arose and not wait for the coasting phase. identified for Chandrayaan-2’s landing. It was a narrow
Meanwhile, at the SAC in Ahmedabad, Desai had all the band of 500 metres by 500 metres, which made manoeu-

THAN SUCCESS ”
11 sensors that monitor the major parameters of Vikram and vring even more complex. To circumvent this problem, the
the eight cameras that act as its eyes tested rigorously and Chandrayaan team used its existing orbiter to map the
ruggedised. This included vast improvements in the Lander landing region thoroughly and expanded the landing zone
Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC) that to 4 km by 2.4 km. As a team member put it, “The com-
kicks into action in the final minutes of Vikram’s descent. parative difference is like landing on a football field instead The man of the moment, ISRO chairman DR S. SOMANATH, spoke at length
The craft hovers over the landing spot at a height of 150 of a tennis court.” to Group Editorial Director RAJ CHENGAPPA on the outcome of India’s
metres and waits till the pictures from the LHDAC con- moon missions and beyond. Edited excerpts from the interview
firm that there are no boulders, craters or other obstacles ll the niggles thus sorted and

A
before descending further. Redundancies were also built every head of systems involved in
into the cameras to ensure that if one fails, the other would Chandrayaan saying they were satisfied went into the making of the spacecraft
assume its place. They even simulated the lunar surface that they had made failsafe improve- were a great symbol of aatmanirbharta.
by transporting sand from Salem similar to lunar regolith ments, Somanath gave the clearance to It was all developed, designed and per-
and created a mini landing strip complete with craters and launch the spacecraft on July 14, 2023. fected in India, whether it was the elec-
boulders to test the cameras. After the LVM3 launched the Chandray- tronics, the propulsion, the controls, the
There were other innovative solutions. With the Chan- aan-3 propulsion module and lander perfectly into orbit, sensors or the other systems. The third
drayaan-2 lunar orbiter a success, the team dispensed with Mohana Kumar, the mission director, said, “This successful thing was that we learnt from the limi-
the need to have a long-duration orbiter for Chandrayaan-3. launch is the result of the penance of many ISRO centres tations of the earlier two Chandrayaan
So its orbiter was made lighter and the lander heavier by over across the country.” Indeed it was. missions because any failure gives you
250 kg. This allowed them to fix more back-up instruments Veeramuthuvel, who was at the launch pad, knew it was much more understanding than success
to build redundancy in the event that any failed. Much of this now over to him and his team to prove its success. He had does. We ensured that we learnt from
capacity was used to carry extra fuel to meet any exigen- worked hard for it and become so passionately involved that them and implemented the solutions.
cies and deviations on the planned descent path. On the URSC’s Sankaran would joke, “We were worried that he For that, the decision-making and man-

Photograph by BANDEEP SINGH

previous occasion, there was just a “touch-and-go” amount would strap himself to LVM3 and personally escort Vikram agement process was critical and our
of fuel, which cramped the autonomous decision-making to the moon.” It would take 40 days before the team would approach included inclusiveness, open-
process. Now, they could carry an extra 182 kg of fuel. With attempt to land Vikram after it successfully detached from its ness to review, taking suggestions from
the Vikram lander getting heavier, the fifth engine in the module. On D-Day, both Veeramuthuvel and Kalpana were everybody, including the larger scien-
Chandrayaan-2 lander for use in its final descent phase was huddled over their consoles. “The first thing we watched for,” tific community beyond ISRO. Also
also dispensed with. The current lander, therefore, has four says Kalpana, “was the rough brake phase, which went beau- insisting that there be no compromise
engines, two of which kept firing till touchdown. The removal tifully. Our hearts beat faster as we approached the phase while conducting all the tests, analysing
of the fifth engine from the lander’s belly made its centre of where it had failed the last time.” Once Vikram crossed that performance, studying all suggestions
gravity more stable while also raising the ground clearance, rubicon, Veeramuthuvel would look at Kalpana and smile. thoroughly, addressing shortcomings
which was essential if the craft encountered undulating “Once that went through,” he says, “we were confident that it and implementing corrections. I told the
terrain. Vikram’s leg pads, too, were strengthened to absorb would land perfectly. Thousands of people had worked on the team we won’t go for a launch until there
twice the force if needed. These leg pads are made of alu- mission and had done everything that was humanly possible was 100 per cent satisfaction at all levels.
minium in a unique honeycomb pattern that gets crushed on to ensure there was no failure.”
impact, absorbing most of the shock of the fall. Not far from them sat Somanath with other top ISRO Q. Interestingly, you term this

Q.
team members keeping a close watch on the console. When as a failure-based approach as
Somanath saw the five green squares flash on his console, What do you Our mission opposed to the success-orient-
WITH AN ORBITER which indicated that Vikram had accomplished a soft
landing on the moon and all systems were functioning fine,
see as the main
achievements of was to achieve ed one for the previous launch.
What does that mean?
ALREADY IN PLACE, IT he would shake hands with his colleagues, walk across to Chandrayaan-3? a soft landing Let me clarify that a failure-oriented

WAS DISPENSED WITH, Veeramuthuvel and hug him. After that, he went on the dais
to inform the prime minister, who was watching the event
There are many. With
a mission strategy to reach the moon at while ensuring approach is not of pessimism. What it
means is that we do not assume nor-
MAKING THE LANDER live on a television screen in Johannesburg, where he had a comparatively slow pace and accom- minimal cost. It mal performance of all systems but

LIGHTER. A FIFTH ENGINE

gone for a BRICS meeting. As Modi happily waved the In-
dian flag, Somanath told him, “Honourable Prime Minister,
plish a soft landing while ensuring
minimal cost is a very unique manage-
was a unique, instead plan for all things that can and
will go wrong to make our boundaries
TOO WAS REMOVED we have achieved soft landing on the moon. India is on the ment plan that is intelligent, innova- intelligent, for performance wider than we have
moon.” It was, if one were to rephrase what Neil Armstrong
said in 1969, another small step for humanity, but a giant
tive and frugal. This is true of all the
Chandrayaan launches. The second
innovative and ever thought about. Normally, we test
everything to what is called 3-sigma
leap for India. n unique thing is that the systems that frugal plan level or three times the distribution and

38 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 39

 COVER C H A N D R AYA A N - 3
STORY

deviations possible. But this time, we Currently, being part of the Artemis technologies of course. Currently, we
told the team to go for 6-sigma devia- Accord gives India certain privileges, depend on solid, liquid and cryogenic
tions, leaving potential for absolute including access to US technology, so motors, but if we have to really make it
failures of systems and engines, over- that we can build more complex sys- big in terms of launch capability, then
come them in flight and still land. tems. It could be a big game-changer we have to have high-pressure liquid
as far as technology transfer from the engines that can lift a 50-tonne pay-
Q. You looked very confident US to India is concerned, including for load instead of the current 6-10 ton-
in the final stages of the flight. our private sector. nage. We need to build one such engine
Where did that sense of calm- and then make a cluster of them to pro-
ness come from? Q. There is renewed interest in vide the necessary thrust to carry the
I am not in the habit of getting excited. the moon. Apart from America, higher tonnage. Ultimately, our goal
I have seen over 50 rocket launches in the Chinese and the Russians is to recover rockets, like SpaceX does,
my career, with several ups and downs. as well as a host of other coun- and also meet the future demand for
My approach is that we have already tries, are preparing to launch heavy-lift vehicles.
done whatever we could do and can’t missions. What explains it?
do anything more. So, we must be Q. The Modi government has
ready for any kind of result and be able opened up space for greater
private participation, including
to handle failure if it happens.
Ultimately, our to build launchers and satel-
aim is to recover
Q. After Chandrayaan, what?
A lot of discussion is going on inter-
nally on what we can do further. Any
rockets,
lites. What role will ISRO play?
When you look at NASA, it already
had a solid defence industrial sector
z kbc djs a vkSj ik,a 21% rd dh NwV
dkbc
mission to the moon should be based as SpaceX does, working to develop space systems in
on the scientific goals that we set.
Once all the Chandrayaan-3 data is in
and also meet the US. But, in India, ISRO is doing all
the space work, including design capa-
and analysed, there will be certain new the future demand bility and getting the manufacturing
questions that will need to be answered
for heavy-lift done in both public and private sec- gka! eSa bafM;k VqMs dks dz kbc djuk pkgrk@pkgrh gw¡
and we will have to derive new ways of tor industry. With the Union govern-
doing them. Bring back some lunar vehicles ment opening up space, we want to
dz I’ku dks fVd djas vkSj QkWeZ dks bl irs ij Hkst nsa& oh dsvj] fyfoax ehfM;k bafM;k fy- lh&9] lsDVj&10] uks,Mk 201301 ¼Hkkjr½

soil, for instance, to study it better. make space a commercially attractive

Another thing under discussion is venture. Unless it is profitable, private fVd djsa vof/k dqy vad doj izkbl ( `) vkWQj izkbl ( `) fMLdkmaV
launching a large number of small sat- Earlier, going to the moon was all about companies won’t take the risk. So, we
ellites to study the moon. We are also geopolitical competition and projec- have to look at the many ways to do so,  2 वष्र्ा 104 5200 4099 21%
involved in a joint programme with tion power and prowess. The cost of but ISRO must remain a technology
Japan’s space agency, where we provide going to the moon too was extremely developer of knowledge, supporter of  1 वष्र्ा 52 2600 2199 15%
the lander and the Japanese the rover. high. Today, it is not. The technology this knowledge and an enabler for the
now is much more advanced; we can private sector. Big players in India, who
Q. How will the US-backed do robotic experiments better than have enough resources and wealth, like
Artemis Accord, to which India what Apollo or the Soviets could. The L&T, the Tatas and Adanis, should get
d`i;k QkWeZ dks CykWd ysVj esa Hkjas
too is a signatory now, help? other aspect is that human beings into the space business. We must also
Whatever we have signed is part of the want to explore the universe, and the encourage young entrepreneurs to eSa psd@MhMh tek dj jgk@jgh gw¡ ftldh la[;k-----------------------gS vkSj bls fnukad-----------------
accord, not the Artemis Programme. moon is a good staging ground for it. build startups for space. Thirdly, apart dks fyfoax ehfM;k bafM;k fyfeVsM ds i{k esa ---------------- ¼cSad dk uke½-----------------------#i;s
The Artemis Programme is a project Interplanetary explorations, such as from rocket- and satellite-building, dh /kujkf’k ¼fnYyh ls ckgj ds psd ds fy, `50 #i;s vfrfjDr tksMsa] leku ewY; ds
started by the US government for the to Mars and Venus, need a reasonably there is a lot of money in space applica- psd ekU; ugha gksaxs½ d¢ fy, cuok;k x;k gS-
return of human space flight missions long-term base on the moon. tion and downstream work. If you look uke-------------------------------------------- irk-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
to the moon to create a lunar gateway. at the space economy, then commercial --------------------------------------------------- 'kgj---------------------- jkT;---------------------- fiu----------------------
As part of the accord, many nations, Q. The Russians have rockets rocket-launching is 15 per cent of the eksckby-------------------------------------------- bZesy-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
including India, have signed up with that can send a lander to the business, and satellite-building around dz kbc djus ds fy, ;gka LdSu djsa-
the US on a principle that is non-bind- Moon within days rather than 15-20 per cent. So, almost 60-70 per
ing on either party. Both have agreed weeks as we do. As do the cent of new business is being generated
to follow certain rules and regulations, Americans. What do we need to in space applications and downstream
vkWQj ds fo"k; esa fo’ks"k tkudkjh ds fy, fuEu ek/;eksa ls laidZ Hkh dj ldrs gSa
especially for sustainability, while do to upgrade our capabilities? activity. This is a slow transition, and
|
exploring the moon and other bodies. We need to have new propulsion ISRO has to support it. n dkWy और Whatsapp के िलए bZesy Hkstsa ykWx vkWu djsa
+91 8597778778 subscriptions.intoday.in/indiatoday-hindi

40 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 fyfoax ehfM;k bafM;k fyfeVsM bl vkWQj ;k blds va’k dks dHkh Hkh lekIr djus ;k vkxs c<+kus dk vf/kdkj lqjf{kr j[krk gS- vU; fu;e o 'krksZ dh tkudkjh ds fy, —i;k ns[ksa-www.indiatoday.in
 COVER BE YOND THE MOON L4
STORY

H
Having conquered the moon,
the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) is now try-
ing to find its place under the sun.
Even as the Chandrayaan-3 lander
and rover were busy carrying out
their scientific tasks on the lunar
L3 L1 surface, other ISRO scientists and
L2 engineers were focusing on pre-
paring the Aditya L1 spacecraft for
its long journey to study the Sun.
India’s first mission to explore our
nearest star works on the same
principles as the Chandrayaan
mission, where ISRO deployed
ADITYA L1 innovative methods and ensured
THE SOLAR MISSION frugality in financial resources.
It is the first space-based Indian
America’s National Aeronautics
mission to study the Sun and Space Administration (NASA)
and the European Space Agency
The spacecraft will be placed in (ESA) have already carried out
a halo orbit at the Lagrange Point 1 over 20 scientific space missions

INDIA’S
(L1)*, 1.5 million km from Earth
to the Sun, but ISRO, as it did with
After launch in Sept. 2023, it will Chandrayaan, wants to come up
take four months to reach the orbit with its own unique discoveries.
Its life will be about five years, Especially on the composition of
the Sun’s corona, photosphere and

NEW SPACE
during which it will continuously
view the Sun without any eclipses chromosphere. The space organ-
isation hopes to do so by using the
THE OBJECTIVES scientific instruments aboard Ad-
itya to measure the solar electro-
The spacecraft will carry seven payloads to
magnetic fields and particle ejec-

AMBITIONS
observe the Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere
and corona, using electromagnetic, particle
tions that could shed new light on
L5 its behaviour.
and magnetic field detectors
The other major interplanetary proj-
Will mainly study the problem of coronal ect on ISRO’s radar is sending an orbiter
heating, coronal mass ejection, pre-flare and
to Venus to study the planet’s composi-
flare activities and their characteristics
tion and atmosphere. Again, only a hand-
AF TER THE CHANDRAYA AN TRIUMPH, ISRO IS NOW E YEING THE SUN, ful of countries have sent space probes to
*Lagrange points (L1-L5) are positions in space where the
VENUS AND A MANNED SPACEFLIGHT. ME ANWHILE, INDIA’S FLEDGLING gravitational pull of the Sun and Earth equals the centripetal the planet nearest to us after Mercury.
force required for a spacecraft to move in tandem, allowing it to
PRIVATE SPACE INDUSTRY IS RARING FOR A PIECE OF THE PIE observe the Sun continuously without consuming too much fuel

B
42
Y INDIA
R A TODAY
J CHE NGAPPA
SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY
 COVER B E YO N D T H E M O O N
STORY INTERVIEW

“INDIA IS
These are not the only projects that are keeping many an
ISRO scientist awake at night. Work is going on feverishly in
its various laboratories across the country to realise ISRO’s
NO LONGER there is no dearth of talent in India. We
have talent, we have calibre and com-
petence.... For too long, we unnecessar-
most ambitious mission yet: putting three Indian astro-
nauts into orbit by indigenously building a ‘human-rated’
rocket launcher and crew module to fly them into space and
THE LESSER ily had a veil of secrecy and confined
ourselves to ISRO. This was no lon-
ger required. Now, in addition to the
bring them safely back to Earth. Called Gaganyaan, the
mission requires ISRO to achieve mastery in a dozen new
space disciplines, including mimicking Earth-like condi-
tions in its crew module for the astronauts to stay on for
COUSIN” private industry investment, we have
this whole ecosystem that includes the
National Research Foundation legisla-
tion, which allocates Rs 50,000 crore

CHANDRADEEP KUMAR
several days and conduct experiments in zero gravity. The DR JITENDRA SINGH, the Union to be spent with Rs 36,000 crore com-
space agency is also testing a crew escape module that can Minister of State for Science & ing from the non-governmental sector.
eject the astronauts to safety in the event of a catastrophic Technology and the Departments
failure of the launch vehicle that could endanger the lives of Q. What would be the impact?
the astronauts at the launchpad during lift-off.
of Space and Atomic Energy, was It is very progressive thinking because
Meanwhile, the three astronauts for the mission have present at Mission Control when from now onwards, if we have to go,
already been selected. All Indian Air Force pilots, they are the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft we have to go wholesomely. You can-
undergoing the rigorous training required for being rock- not depend on government resources
made a successful moon landing
eted into space at 10x the speed of sound and then living in
zero gravity conditions. Only three nations—the US, Russia on August 23. Group Editorial
entire descent is left to the wisdom of
Vikram [lander]; so that is the test
The process alone. If we have to visualise a global
role for ourselves, then we have to have
and China—have sent up their own crewed spacecraft so far. Director RAJ CHENGAPPA spoke of how well you have trained this boy of synergy is global parameters and a global strat-
Says ISRO chairman S. Somanath, “Many of the systems
are new and we face a lot of technical challenges in realising
to him on the importance of the to handle the situation on his own. It
is just like training a soldier and send-
happening, and egy. That is what Americans are doing;
NASA is no longer depending on gov-
them. We have to do multiple tests because the confidence-
lunar mission and the future ing him to the front and leaving it to in just three ernment resources. The process of
of India’s space programme.
building process is very important. We will first test out all
systems using unmanned flights, including sending a robot, Excerpts:
his decision. Also, we were account-
able to the entire nation. More so to the
years, we have synergy is happening, and in just three
years, we have more than 150 private
before we launch our own astronauts into space. It has to be Honourable Prime Minister because more than 150 start-ups in the space sector. So, we are
failure-proof because lives are involved.” after Chandrayaan-2, he said that private start- heading towards a scenario where with

Q.
sometimes not being successful is a step little demarcation between public and
n all these missions, ISRO What would you say towards being successful. That was a ups in the space private sectors, it will be a totally inte-

I
is focusing on doing what it does
best—technological innovation in a
is the importance of
Chandrayaan to India’s
wonderful message. We had to live up
to it. When [Vikram] landed success-
sector grated approach.

cost-effective manner. Aditya is a good space programme and fully, all of us jumped out of our chairs Q. Finally, why should we be
example of how ISRO achieves this. To to the world? and clapped. It was so spontaneous. spending on projects to the
research the Sun, the agency will launch Firstly, scientifically speaking, Chandrayaan-3 more than equal. For example, now moon instead of development?
the spacecraft to an orbit 1.5 million km is going to get us inferences, conclusions and Q. What are the next big things we are lending services to America and I am often asked this question, saying
from Earth, or three times the distance from the Moon. Yet, pictures, which would be possibly the first of for the space programme? Russia...we already earned more than that it is a costly affair. A moon project
with the Sun 150 million km away, Aditya will be only one their kind, for the entire scientific community Apart from Aditya-1, then Gaganyaan $170 million. We now do $8 billion (Rs is not. It is just Rs 600 crore; not even
per cent closer to it than Earth is. The plan is to place Aditya across the world. Secondly, it has very evident- and Venus [orbiter] simultaneously, 66,000 crore) of business. But at the a fraction of what other countries are
in the halo orbit around the Lagrange Point 1 or L1 where ly established India as a frontline nation as far we are going to have a huge number of pace we are rising, India could go up to spending and just about what it costs
the gravitational pull of the Sun and Earth equals the cen- as space technology is concerned. I must com- launches from the private sector. This $40 billion (Rs 3.3 lakh crore) by 2040 to construct a section of a big bridge
tripetal force required for a spacecraft to move in tandem. mend Team ISRO for having worked day and also happened after the prime minister in the space sector, a recent report by a across a river. Even our expressways
This allows the spacecraft to observe the Sun continuously night for this mission, doing rehearsals and tri- took the courageous decision to com- reputed agency has said. cost us more. So, one aspect is that
without consuming too much fuel. To get to the chosen als. They were working as if preparing to appear pletely open up the space sector to pri- we are very cost-effective. The second
Lagrange Point, ISRO is modifying its workhorse launcher for a competitive exam...and that is the reason vate parties in the country. As a result, Q. So you are saying the PM’s part is that if Chandrayaan-3 actually
PSLV to give it extra boost and put Aditya on track to get they were so confident at the end of the day. The there is a quantum jump in our space decision in 2020 to open the succeeds in discovering minerals and
there. Further, as M. Sankaran, director, UR Rao Satellite rest of the world was not, but they were. missions. We now have a collaboration space sector for private indus- petroleum, all those things would be
Centre (URSC), explains, the mission team is using what with virtually most of the countries. try to manufacture rockets and adding value to our lives even on Earth.
are known as gravitational superhighways in space to propel Q. You were with the scientists at The best part of the collaboration with satellites, instead of just ISRO, Thirdly, the kind of esteem it gives to
Aditya to its destination the same way as the Chandrayaan Mission Control during the moon Russia and America is that we are no has been a game-changer? the nation. Especially if we are look-
launchers used Earth’s gravity to slingshot it to the lunar landing. What were your thoughts? longer the lesser cousin. We are now Absolutely! I never hesitate to say this ing forward to playing a global role, we
orbit, thereby conserving fuel. This entails complex naviga- We were very conscious of the fact that the equal partners and, in many ways, time and again. One thing is proven, have to get global recognition. n
tion and guidance, but ISRO has the experience of having

44 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
 GAGANYAAN KEY SYSTEMS
COVER INDIA’S NEW SPACETECH
7th
B E YO N D T H E M O O N
OUR Orbital Crew
STORY ECOSYSTEM
module escape HUMAN-RATED LVM3

FIRST
system
ISRO’s heavy lift launch
vehicle will launch the SKY IS India’s rank
in terms of

HUMAN THE LIMIT

orbital module, including funding within
crew module (CM), to the international

SPACE
spacetech
sent the Mangalyaan spacecraft to Mars when it was at a low Earth orbit of 400
ecosystem in
Propelled by privatisation since
distance of close to 99 million km from Earth. However, to km. It will also have a 2023
do so, it had to traverse 660 million km because of the orbit- FLIGHT Crew
module
crew escape system
to ensure that the CM
2020, the Indian space technology
sector is on an upward trajectory 47
raising manoeuvres it needed to make.
along with the crew is
This expertise will allow ISRO to load a lot more instru- taken to a safe distance
ments onto Aditya L1 to comprehensively study critical
THE MISSION SPACE
in case of an emergency INVESTMENT TOP 3
solar parameters that impact us on Earth. And why is that during lift-off TRENDS COMPANIES* START-UPS
Demonstrate BOOM IN
important? Because, as we all know, the Sun wields great India’s human Cryogenic 120 Pixxel 97.1 INDIA
influence on Earth with radiation, heat and continuous flow spaceflight stage Skyroot 72.3
ORBITAL MODULE CREW MODULE No. of
of particles called solar winds, in addition to magnetic fields capability 100 space
Liquid Will orbit Earth and It is the habitable AgniKul 34.8
that affect the entire solar system. Occasionally, there are stage startups
Launch a crew comprises the CM space with Earth- 80 *Based on total funding
explosive and eruptive events like Coronal Mass Ejections registered 21
of three members and Service Module like environment in
(CME) or solar flares that, among other things, trigger a mag- Solid TOP 5 in a year
to an orbit of propulsion (SM). It is equipped space. It houses the 60
netic storm near Earth and interfere with the functioning of 400 km for a with a state-of-the-
FUNDING
crew interfaces,
three-day mission DEALS
space-based and terrestrial telecommunication systems. As art avionics system human-centric 40 11
Kiran Kumar, former ISRO chairman, says, “It is important Bring them
with adequate products, life support Skyroot 51 87
that nations study such disruptive phenomena of the Sun, redundancy, system, avionics and 20 Pixxel 35
back safely to
considering human deceleration systems.
make sense of them and thereby enable early warning signals Earth, by landing in
safety. SM will be It is also designed for
MTAR 24.4 11 21
to Earth to minimise any damage these may cause.” Kumar Indian sea waters 0
used for providing re-entry to ensure AgniKul 20

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
also points out how Aditya’s orbital path will give the space- 2014 2023*
Planned launch: necessary support safety of the crew SatSure 14.5
(In $mn; *till July)
craft an uninterrupted view of the Sun, enabling its instru- 2025-26 to CM while in orbit during descent
Source: Tracxn (Since 2020; in $mn) Source: Startupindia
ments to study CME and solar coronal dynamics.

Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY

o allow Indian scientists to

T
study such phenomena closely, Aditya is
bristling with seven scientific payloads
put together not just by ISRO but also PRIVATE INVESTMENT and use ISRO’s extensive facilities, including launch pads courageous decision to completely open up the space sector
by other major Indian scientific
institutions. The Bengaluru-based WILL BE IMPORTANT and laboratories, to do so. A coordinating government body
called the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisa-
to private entities in the country. For too long, we had un-
necessarily put a veil of secrecy over our space activities and
Indian Institute of Astrophysics, for IF INDIA’S SPACE tion Centre (IN-SPACe) chaired by Pawan Goenka, ex-CEO confined ourselves to ISRO. This was no longer required.
instance, has developed the Visible Emission Line Corona- of Mahindra & Mahindra, was formed for private players to As a result, there is a quantum jump in our space missions.”
graph (VELC) to study both the solar corona and CME SECTOR HAS TO interface with ISRO and use its facilities. In April this year, (See interview, “India is no longer the lesser cousin”.)
dynamics. The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and
Astrophysics in Pune has built the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging
EXPAND RAPIDLY. IT the Union government formalised the process by announc-
ing the Indian Space Policy 2023 to institutionalise private
Private investment and initiatives will be important if
the space sector in India has to expand rapidly, because it
Telescope (SUIT), which will capture images of the solar CANNOT DEPEND ON sector participation. cannot depend on government resources alone to fund proj-
photosphere and chromosphere and measure its irradiance
to throw new light on its composition. Ahmedabad’s GOVT FUNDING ALONE Already, the policy is yielding results with the new pri-
vate space tech ecosystem for commercial rocket launchers
ects. As Singh points out, “If we have to visualise a global
role for ourselves, we need global parameters and a global
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) has put together the and satellites expanding at a meteoric pace. Over 150 space strategy. That is what the US government did and NASA,
Aditya Solarwind Particle Experiment (ASPEX), which start-ups have been set up and many, like Skyroot, Pixxel its space agency, no longer depends on government sources
along with the Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) and AgniKul, have received substantial foreign funding. In for funds or expertise to execute missions.” Of course, it will
built by the Space Physics Laboratory in Thiruvanantha- November 2022, Skyroot became the first Indian private take Indian industry a while to reach where, say, Elon Musk
puram, will study the solar wind and energetic ions, as well is going through in its 54 years of existence is on account of sector company to indigenously build a rocket launcher and has with SpaceX and Jeff Bezos with Blue Origin in the US.
as their energy distribution. Two payloads—the Solar Low the radical policy changes the Modi government has intro- successfully launch it into sub-orbital space from Srihariko- According to Somanath, the satellite and launch market
Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS) and the High Energy duced in India’s space sector. Prior to 2020, ISRO planned, ta. The company has received an impressive $51 million constitutes only 30 per cent of the world’s $360 billion (Rs
L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS) to study the designed and built all of India’s spacecraft, be it rocket (Rs 421 crore) in investment since 2020 and a total of $72.3 29.7 lakh crore) space economy; it is space applications that
X-ray flares from the Sun—and another, the Magnetometer, launchers, satellites or planetary orbiters. To its credit, million (Rs 597 crore) since its inception five years ago. account for 70 per cent of the business. And this is where
to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, are built by two the space agency engaged the private sector, but mainly to Overall funding for space start-ups has grown exponential- Indian private companies can make a major foray. India’s
of ISRO’s Bengaluru-based centres, namely the URSC and manufacture its sub-systems and assist it in assembling ly, attracting $112 million (Rs 925 crore) in 2022. Funding current share of the space business is around $8 billion (Rs
the Laboratory for Electro Optics Systems (LEOS), the spacecraft. In May 2020, however, in the midst of the to private entities has already touched $62 million (Rs 512 66,000 crore) or just over two per cent of the total. By 2040,
respectively. Aditya, in fact, is a good example of the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi threw crore) this year, a 60 per cent rise over the same period last if all goes well, per global consultancy firm Arthur D. Little,
phenomenal collaborative effort of scientific institutions open the gates of the space sector to comprehensive private year. Says Jitendra Singh, the Union minister of state for sci- India could realise its potential of being a $40-100 billion
that gives ISRO the cutting edge in whatever it undertakes. participation. This included permitting private sector play- ence & technology and the departments of space and atomic space industry and become a major global player. That is a
Meanwhile, the most significant transformation ISRO ers to build and assemble their own rockets and satellites energy, “All this is because the prime minister took the mission India should pursue at rocket speed. n

46 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 47

 LIFESTYLE
P E R M A C U LT U R E

BACK TO
NATURE
Moved by the environmental degradation around
them, a growing tribe of professionals is leaving
behind the urban life and seeking purpose in this
form of farming in the hinterlands of India

By Sonal Khetarpal

O
N THE OUTSKIRTS OF PANCHKULA
DISTRICT in Haryana lies the sprawling 12-
acre Aanandaa Permaculture Farm, built as a
testament to the harmony between humans,
plants and animals. Unlike conventional
farms with their rows of monoculture crops,
Aanandaa resembles a lush forest where more
than 6,000 trees intermingle with a diverse
array of plants, creepers and shrubs in seem-
ingly chaotic fashion. Co-founded by Manisha
Lath Gupta, former marketing head of Uber India, and her husband,
Agam Gupta, the farm follows the principles of permaculture, a model
of agriculture that leverages the complementary qualities of plants, trees
and animals to create a self-sustaining and regenerative ‘food forest’.
OPEN SHELL FARM
For Manisha, the motivation to RISING INTEREST practices.” The realisation prompted India. “Earlier, only sustainability MALVIKAA SOLANKI, 54
establish Aanandaa stemmed from The word permaculture was coined him to start Aranya Agricultural Alter- enthusiasts wanted to learn about
a deep concern over the devastating by Australian environmentalists Bill natives in Hyderabad. permaculture. But after 2017, IN A FORMER LIFE:
effects of modern agriculture on the Mollison and David Holmgren in 1978. After a decade of conducting perm- urban professionals have begun Wilderness researcher, IISc
environment—a long list that includes However, it was in July 1987 that per- aculture design courses and establish- considering it as an alternative
deforestation and soil degradation, maculture first made its presence felt in ing his own farm, Koppula organised way of life,” Koppula explains.
tracing a line all the way up to climate India, after the founders taught a course a conference, ‘National Permaculture Among them is Supriya Where: Near Bandipur Tiger itself was unsustainable. I felt
change. “The idea is to go back to a in the country. Dr Narsanna Koppula, Convergence’, in Chennai in 2016. Gaddam from Chennai, who was Reserve, Karnataka that if I wanted to live a life
horticultural society where food is for- who was then working with an NGO to The event was attended by some 1,100 deeply invested in organic food, Motivation: “I was already honourably, I needed to live off
aged instead of grown,” she says. On her improve farmers’ lives, attended a lec- sustainability enthusiasts. Encouraged but realised it wasn’t enough. the land”
leading a sustainable life,
transition from the corporate board- ture, which changed him forever. “India by the response, he expanded the scope Her moment of clarity came after
meticulously managing my Revenue stream: Workshops
room, Gupta says, “We often think had a rich history of permaculture. Our of the event to include international their family of seven visited Kop-
consumption and compost- on sustainability, permaculture
about financial security, but in a world ancient text, Vrikshayurveda, focuses participants the following year; this at- pula’s farm in Sangareddy district
ing at home. However, over training, organic produce, per-
witnessing an alarming rise in freak on the science of plant life. It’s just that, tracted delegates from 72 countries. in Telangana. “We were amazed
weather incidents, it’s time to prioritise over time, with the advent of the Green Within two years, permaculture be- to see a farm that worked without
time I realised that city life maculture design consultation
green security for our children’s future.” Revolution, we forgot those traditional came a byword among nature-lovers in irrigated water or pesticide,” she

48 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 49

 LIFESTYLE
P E R M A C U LT U R E

TIEEDI FOREST GARDEN with some ‘insectary’ flowering plants

that serve as biological pest control
says. The experience led her to establish UTSOW PRADHAN, 42 by attracting insects that discourage
a 100-acre permaculture farm, Polam, pathogens. Additionally, nitrogen-
on the banks of the Manjeera reservoir IN A FORMER LIFE: Product fixing plants may be integrated into the
in the same district in 2015. A similar manager at an edtech firm scheme to maintain soil fertility.
train of thought led Malvikaa Solanki, However, permaculture extends
a wilderness researcher at the Indian Where: 1-acre food forest in beyond food cultivation, encompassing
Institute of Science, to permaculture. Darjeeling, West Bengal a set of three social principles: Earth
“Over time, I realised that city life was Motivation: “I grew up in the hills, care, people care and fair share. In this
unsustainable. I felt if I wanted to live a ethos, knowledge-sharing and com-
close to nature, but I studied and
life honourably, I needed to live off the munity engagement become integral
worked in several cities for the
land,” she says. In 2014, she bought a facets of the permaculture way of life.
next 18 years of my life. However,
six-acre property (now known as Open “Permaculture is all-inclusive, it is not
I couldn't help but notice the dry-
Shell Farm) near the Bandipur Tiger about creating an oasis amidst degen-
Reserve in Karnataka.
ing of the local river, Hussel Khola, erate surroundings. It’s about generat-
Even celebrities have been bitten by in Kurseong, the river I grew up ing multiple ripple effects, collectively
the permaculture bug. S.S. Rajamouli, with. Permaculture, I believe, is the fostering resilient communities,” says
the director of blockbusters such as perfect system with the tools to help Solanki whose initiative, swaYYam,
Baahubali and RRR, is transforming reverse the damage to our ecology. I works with neighbouring villages on
his 100-acre farm in Eduluru village moved back to correct the wrongs” issues such as deforestation, soil con-
in Telangana’s Nalgonda district into Revenue stream: Workshops, part- servation and water harvesting.
a food forest. Again, it was a chance nerships with schools, farmstays, Darjeeling-based Tieedi Forest
encounter with Dr Koppula that led zero-waste event management and Garden (where Tieedi stands for ‘Take
to the transformation. Rajamouli was consultation it easy, easy does it’) collaborates with
fascinated by his concepts of symbi- neighbouring villages to facilitate their
otic relationships and harmonious transition to zero-waste status. “We
coexistence with nature. The two are have established a framework—a zero-
collaborating to create the auteur’s per- waste village is one that refrains from
maculture farm, which will also now burning any waste, composts all bio-
have a house, a natural structure built degradables and gives non-biodegrad-
using mud bricks and lime plastering. WHAT IS ECONOMICS OF A PERMACULTURE FARM ables to NGOs like ours for processing,”
The construction should be complete by PERMACULTURE? says its founder, Utsow Pradhan. If a
1-2 acres of rates, so selling shops, sustainability
year-end, and Rajamouli says he plans land is enough the organic courses, farm stays, village is able to do this for six months,
It is a model of
to spend his free time at his sustainable agriculture that to meet the produce isn’t a yoga and spiritual it earns the distinction of a zero-waste
sanctuary once it’s done. leverages comple- yearly require- viable business retreats, volunteering village. Since it started work in 2022,
Meanwhile, Koppula is now busy mentary qualities of ment of fruits model unless activities, or even a three villages have achieved the zero-
conducting a 13-day residential perma- “ We invited him the land, plants, trees
and animals to create a food forest
and vegetables
for a family of 4-6
it’s a huge farm, or
you have access to
line of organic value-
added products such
waste designation.
culture design course every month at (Dr Koppula) to our farm that is self-sustaining and in members. If grains a market that sells as jams, preserves,
The scope of work extends to creat-
his farm for up to 20 students. On the ing habitats for wildlife as well. Tieedi
days when he isn’t teaching, he is off to
and were fascinated with harmony with nature are to be included, organic produce pickles, spices and
even has a resident bear that claims one
then 4-5 acres might chutney powders.
meet farmers from across Telangana the permaculture ethos he be required Alternative Cost of workshops of their composting pits as a seasonal
and Andhra Pradesh. On the day of shared with us...about INVESTMENTS revenue streams can go from Rs 2,000 abode. “He appears each September and
are created through
the interview, he had travelled 130 km living a meaningful life and REQUIRED TO START
Food prices
are benchmarked permaculture
for a day to Rs 25,000
for a 15-day permac-
stays till November before going into
to Wanaparthy in southern Telangana hibernation in the winter months,” says
being one with Nature ” A FOOD FOREST against the ‘market’ design work- ulture design course
to assist a farmer in setting up a water Pradhan. “He doesn’t harm anyone, not
harvesting structure. “We need to —S .S . RA JAMOULI, Film director Capital invest- even the chickens. In fact, it contributes
define how we want to live. Money is a ment for buying the its bit by turning the compost and spar-
part of the equation...health and happi- land, constructing BENEFITS OF LIVING OFF THE LAND ing us the labour-intensive work.”
fences, building water
ness are equally important, and those (through contour bunding, swales
sources (rainwater Live in sync Intangible Ecological
stem from sharing,” he says. and water harvesting structures), harvesting structure with nature benefits such as benefits to soil MAKING A LIVING
soil fertility (mulching and compost- or borewell), and constructing better health, through mulch, Permaculture farms emulate thriving
COMMUNITY SHARING ing) and native tree plantations—are residential structures Food security good quality air composting, forest ecosystems and, hence, are largely
Permaculture offers a set of design a given. But there are others, like groundwater self-sufficient. The model is heavily in-
Once up and running, operation Access to seasonal, Reduced recharge via water
principles to build sustainable ecosys- stacking plants that thrive together. nutrition-dense food
fluenced by Japanese farmer Masanobu
costs are limited to labour, upkeep carbon footprint bodies
tems modelled on natural ones. Some For instance, in the shade of a mango Fukuoka and his ‘one-straw revolution’,
of its elements—like water conservation tree, elephant yam can flourish, along championing the cause of “do-nothing

50 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 51

 LIFESTYLE
P E R M A C U LT U R E

farming” (natural farming with mini-

mal intervention). The model works
best for families seeking seasonal,
nutrition-dense food. Gaddam of
Polam Farms says, “During the Covid
pandemic, we had an abundance of
seasonal fruits and vegetables that we
shared with others.” Gaddam suggests
that 1-2 acres is adequate to meet the

SANDEEP SAHDEV
yearly fruit and vegetable requirement
of a five-member family. If crops such
as wheat and maize are of interest, 3-5
acres may be necessary. “While small
farms are more manageable, larger
ones tend to yield profits as there is
enough produce and also space for AANANDAA
various activities,” she explains. PERMACULTURE FARM meet and don’t have the mindspace to
think about alternative living,” says

W
hile permaculture farms MANISHA LATH Dr Koppula. Starting a permaculture
do generate enough pro- GUPTA, 51 farm also requires a gestation period
duce for sustenance, gen- of at least 3-4 years as the land needs
erating a regular income is IN A FORMER LIFE: to regenerate from the ills of mono-
not easy. Many families pivot towards Ex-CMO, Uber/Axis Bank cropping. “Unfortunately, not many
crafting experiential opportunities,
such as farmstays, permaculture Where: 12-acre food forest
can afford this,” says Col. (retd) Vinay
Nagyal, who is currently establishing
Subscribe and get upto 67% discount*
design courses, weekend workshops in Boonga, Haryana a permaculture farm in Morni Hills
and value-added products to generate near Chandigarh. In addition to the
revenue. Gupta has created byte-sized Motivation: “We used to huge initial investment required to
online learning modules, each last- live in Mumbai and read purchase land, funds are required
ing 1-2 hours, covering subjects like about the deteriorat- for fencing, building water sources YES! I WISH TO SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESS TODAY
permaculture introductions, rain- ing quality of food and (rainwater harvesting structures or Please tick your subscription choice and send the form to: We Care, Living Media India Limited, C-9, Sector 10, Noida-201301 (India)

water harvesting for landscapes, and the looming water crisis. borewell) and constructing resi-
sustainable habitat creation. Solanki Every summer, there dential structures. But once up and TERM -1 YEAR | NO. OF ISSUES -26*
conducts residential workshops on would be news about how running, permaculture farms are self-
similar topics at her Open Shell Farm. Virar Lake had water left sufficient, demanding little opera- PLAN COVER PRICE OFFER PRICE SAVINGS SELECT
Establishments like Polam Stays and for only 5-7 days. People tional expense other than during the
Tieedi also curate yoga and spiritual normally think of finan- sowing or harvesting seasons. PRINT ONLY `5200 `2999 43%
retreats, while showcasing a variety of cial security for their kids. Dr Koppula says permaculture’s
their organic products such as jams, design principles are universal and PRINT + DIGITAL `10400 `3499 67%
But money can't buy you
preserves and pickles for sale. clean water, food and air. can be applied to any place anywhere.
In 2006, Krishna McKenzie of We wanted to give our kids And he has proved it with his own
Please fill the form in CAPITAL LETTERS
Solitude Farm introduced a farm-to- ecological security” farm and by his pioneering efforts
plate cafe offering local cuisine from in turning many wastelands in the I am enclosing Cheque/DD No.:_______________________dated:_____________________

the 250 varieties of fruits, vegetables,

Revenue stream: Online arid Deccan plateau of Telangana drawn on (specify bank):____________________ favouring Living Media India Limited for
grains, rice and edible weeds culti- courses, farmstays/ tours, and Andhra Pradesh into produc- ` _____________(Add `50/- for non Delhi cheques, not valid in case of at par cheques)
vated in his six-acre food forest in organic produce market tive food forests. But that work is
Tamil Nadu’s Auroville. Addition- just one man’s crusade and India Name:______________________________ Address: ____________________________________
ally, his farm also offers volunteering will need thousands of Koppulas for ___________________ City:_______________ State:_________________ Pin:_______________
opportunities. “Learning isn’t only permaculture to attain some level of Mobile:____________________________ Email:________________________________________
limited to formal interventions, it THE MAINSTREAM HURDLE criticality as an alternative for our SCAN HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
also happens when people volunteer Permaculture, as a concept, remains farmers. For now, it is still a ‘healthy
on the farm or just visit the cafe to en- a niche trend limited to the urban lifestyle choice’ for those who feel the
joy local delicacies,” he says. He now elite for now. “Only those who have need and, more importantly, have the FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE OFFER, YOU MAY CONTACT THROUGH BELOW OPTIONS
invites artistes and bands to perform the capacity to take financial risks are means to turn their back on the urban
at the farm and is himself part of an adopting the permaculture life now. city’s promises. The true revolution is PHONE AND WHATSAPP
Indo-acoustic pop band, Emergence. Farmers are usually busy making ends still in gestation. n | +91 8597778778

Living Media India Ltd. reserves the right to terminate or extend this offer or any part thereof at any time. For other terms and conditions, please visit www.businesstoday.in
52 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
IRS 2019 Q4 (TR)
 G E N E R I C D R U G S

THE HIGH COST OF

CHEAP
DRUGS
By Sonali Acharjee / Illustration by NILANJAN DAS

F or now, a medical
row has been put to
rest. The National
Medical Commission
(NMC), the regula-
tory body guiding
medical professionals,
has put on hold its order requiring doc-
tors to exclusively prescribe non-branded
generic medicines to patients. The NMC’s
about-turn followed a meeting on August
According to NMC guidelines, a generic
drug is one that is the same as a branded
one in dosage form, strength, route of
administration, quality and performance
characteristics and intended use. There
are two types of generic drugs—branded
and non-branded. Branded generics are
cheaper than patented medicine but more
expensive than non-branded generic
medicine. For example, Crocin and Dolo
650 are branded generic medicines for pain
THE CENTRE HAS
WITHDRAWN ITS
DIRECTIVE
MAKING THE
21 at which representatives of the Indian and fever. Paracetamol is the non-branded PRESCRIPTION
Medical Association (IMA) spoke to the generic medicine for the same, and any
Union health minister Mansukh Man- company can make it. OF GENERIC
daviya and expressed their apprehension The August 2 fiat to determinedly push DRUGS
about the quality of unbranded generics. unbranded generic medicines wasn’t an MANDATORY—
This brought to an end a heated and nearly isolated move. In May 2023, there were
month-long debate between doctors and talks of passing a generic drug mandate
BUT ONLY AFTER
the government. However, the very pos- for private hospitals as well. The rationale RAISING THE
sibility of such a directive coming into force behind the NMC guideline was to reduce HACKLES OF THE
has left many doctors shaken.
Generic medicines are drugs that are
healthcare costs. Currently, the World
Health Organization estimates, nearly 55
MEDICAL
not under patent, which means manufac- million Indians are pushed into poverty COMMUNITY
turers other than the ones that came up annually due to out-of-pocket expenditure
with the medicine are able to produce it. on healthcare, especially for medicines. By

SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 55
 A DIVIDED FRATERNITY G E N E R I C D R U G S

WHEN THE LAW PROMOTES GENERICS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Though retracted, mandatory generic prescriptions would mean... FOR DOCTORS
nearly 4.5 per cent of all generic drugs nance, personnel, control and safety
They are wary of their poor quality,
 Doctors have to pre- patient should buy circulated in the domestic market were testing, storage and transport of mate-
ineffectiveness, and side-effects
scribe only unbranded substandard. Poor quality medicines rial, written procedures and traceability.
generic medicines  Reduction in costs, as from India have been making global Last month, drug regulators inspected
unbranded generics are  The world headlines. In 2022, 65 child deaths were 162 units and 14 public testing labs and
 A pharmacist, not a nearly 30-80 per cent leader in linked to contaminated cough syrup found lapses such as lack of process
doctor, decides which cheaper, but dubious generic drugs,
made in India by a company called and analytical validations, absence of
company’s medicine a quality India produces
over 60,000 such Marion Biotech. In August, the WHO is- quality failure investigation and internal
medicines across sued a global alert about an Indian-made quality review, as well as faulty design of
 Less than 0.1
60 categories per cent of Indian cold syrup called Cold Out, which is sold IN THE LAST manufacturing and testing areas. Based
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING in Iraq. “I would not prescribe unbranded on these, GMP recommendations in the
Several measures are being taken to improve medical manufacture  Around 10,500
generic drugs are
tested for quality medicine to my family. There are many NINE YEARS, WE current Schedule M have been revised
drug manufac- of highly dubious quality and others that HAVE SAVED Rs 20,000 to reflect globally-accepted standards.
 All producers ex- unbranded generic turing units in  Central Drug don’t even work. How can I be forced to Pharma companies with an annual
pected to comply with medicines sold at Jan India; around Standard Control do so for patients?” says a doctor from a CRORE FOR INDIAN, WITH turnover of over Rs 250 crore will have
revised good manufac-
turing practices within
Aushadhi outlets 8,500 units come
under the MSME
Organization
identified nearly
leading government hospital in Delhi, Rs 7,000 CRORE SAVED to adopt GMP recommendations in the
who does not wish to be named. next six months. Units with a turnover
the next 12 months  Medicines sold at Jan category, of
which only 2,000
4.5 per cent of all
generic drugs
LAST YEAR ALONE ” under that have been given an additional

D
Aushadhis saved an
have WHO GMP in India as octors are also outraged at RAVI DADHICH six months to comply.
 Extensive quality estimated Rs 7,000 crore
control in place for 1,800 in expenses last year certification substandard what they perceive is a shift in CEO, Jan Aushadhi The government is also trying to
decision-making power from ensure quality control of around 1,800
physicians to pharmacists. By unbranded generics sold at its 9,600
simply writing the generic name on a pre- Jan Aushadhi stores. “We do third-
scription, they are allowing pharmacists party and anonymous testing for our
promoting generic medicines—which to decide which company’s unbranded and if the public starts to regard doctors batches and only source from WHO
are often 30 per cent to 80 per cent generic drug the patient should take. as money-makers alone, there will be GMP-certified firms after inspecting
cheaper than their branded equiva- THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF “Treatment is not as straightforward severe consequences. As doctors, we are their facilities,” says Jan Aushadhi CEO
lents—the NMC hopes to reduce the as that—we need to take into account under oath to save lives and that is our Ravi Dadhich. “The batches are tested
cost of treatment in the country.
SMALL COMPANIES WHO side-effects, medical history, allergies etc. only mandate,” says Dr Kumar. for permissible impurities, hardness,
The now-withdrawn NMC guide- MANUFACTURE THE SAME SALT AS before prescribing a drug. How can the dissolution levels and effectiveness.”
line also asked doctors to encourage NMC decide that the best person to de- WHAT SHOULD BE DONE The chain has only four warehouses
patients to purchase medicines from
A BRANDED MEDICINE BUT THESE termine which medicine a patient should In the August 21 meeting with Manda- that supply all its stores, thereby ensur-
government-run Jan Aushadhi Kendras COMPLETELY LACK INFRASTRUCTURE take is a chemist?” asks Dr Kumar. In the viya, one of the proposals was to reduce ing each store keeps approved medi-
and other generic pharmacy outlets.
India is the world’s largest producer and
DR SHARAD KUMAR AND TECHNICAL KNOWHOW FOR event that an unbranded medicine fails
to have an effect, or worse, has serious
the prices of branded generic medicines.
“Reduction of tax can help reduce prices
cine. “In the last nine years, we have
saved Rs 20,000 crore for Indians, with
exporter of generic drugs, with med-
President, Indian
Medical Association
QUALITY CONTROL AND TESTING ” side-effects, doctors are worried about of branded generics. There should be Rs 7,000 crore saved last year alone,”
icines worth over £17 billion (Rs 1.76 their reputation as well as violence from rules to ensure quality, distribution and says Dadhich. He insists Jan Aushadhi
lakh crore) exported last year. affected patients and their family. “Vio- chemist regulation. We feel that the ap- can supply quality medicine at the most
lence against doctors is a serious issue. I proach should be more flexible, allowing affordable price (at times, almost 90 per
NOT TRUSTED BY DOCTORS have had experience of patients, spouses the doctor’s judgement to prevail,” says cent less than branded generics) with
Non-branded generic drugs are yet to ones are, then that instils faith,” says significantly inflated the figure. “There or children being aggressive,” says Dr Dr Girish Mathur, president, Associa- virtually no risk of adulteration
win the confidence of doctors. Most say IMA president Dr Sharad Kumar. is tremendous potential for pharma- Ashutosh Sen, a general physician from tion of Physicians in India. or tampering.
that the effectiveness and reliability of According to data from the Union ceutical manufacturing in India. And Kolkata. “If I face the liability of my Finally, the government has begun Ultimately, say experts, the goal
such medicines are hard to ascertain ministry of chemicals and fertilisers, the demand for India-made generics prescription, then I must also be allowed to take steps to improve the quality should be to make healthcare more
due to a lack of batch testing and the India produces over 60,000 generic is high. But as supply increases it is to prescribe a drug of my choice. Suppose of medical manufacturing. Of India’s affordable without compromising on
prevalence of haphazard approval pro- drugs across 60 therapeutic categories, important to enforce regular quality the chemist prescribes a medicine from 10,500 medicine manufacturing units, quality of drugs. For this, reduction in
cedures. “There are thousands of small manufactured by 3,000 firms in over and compliance checks regardless of a brand that is not good quality and any- around 8,500 are in the MSME cat- taxation, more economical manufac-
firms who manufacture the same salt 10,500 units. However, there is no cur- company size,” he says. thing happens to a patient...my head will egory. Only 2,000 units in this category turing infrastructure and stringent
as a branded medicine but these com- rent data showing the number of small According to IMA estimates, less be on the chopping block,” he adds. have WHO GMP (good manufacturing monitoring of all processes will yield
pletely lack infrastructure and technical units producing generic medicine. than 0.1 per cent of generic drugs in Proponents of generic drugs point practice) certification. Quality control better results than to compel doctors
knowhow for quality control and test- But, according to T.V. Narayana, India are tested for quality. In 2018, to the alleged role of big pharma in for these come under Schedule M of to relinquish crucial decision-making
ing. If every single batch of an unbrand- president of Indian Pharmaceutical As- the Central Drug Standard Control pressuring doctors to prescribe branded the Drugs Rules, 1945, which govern power and prescribe only a certain
ed generic was tested, the way branded sociation, the rise of e-pharmacies has Organisation (CDSCO) estimated that medicines. “This has never been proven production units and their mainte- type of medicine. n

56 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 57

 We have to develop We are assessing the The number of tourists is Our law against copying
Uttarakhand as it was born carrying capacity of our rising, be it for Char Dham or has enabled youths to clear
on the slogan of develop- hills to stop any further the Kanwar Yatra. The road more than one recruitment
ment…but not at the cost construction where it has network is being expanded exam as merit is now the
STATE OF
THE STATE
of environment already reached its limit to reduce the travel time sole criterion to qualify
UTTARAKHAND
FIRST

HILLSIDE
PUSHKAR SINGH DHAMI, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand
VISION FOR
UTTARAKHAND

SETTING THE AGENDA CENTRE OF ATTENTION

Dhami (centre) with India Today

VIEWS
Group Editorial Director Raj
Chengappa (left) and India Today
Hindi editor Saurabh Dwivedi

As Uttarakhand strives towards becoming an To stop migra-

industrial, tourist and spiritual hub, experts tion from the
deliberate on how to expedite this transformation hills, we need to
while conserving the hill state’s fragile ecology create opportuni-
ties. The first [sec-
tor] is tourism.
ttarakhand aspires to become a Rs 3.3 lakh crore Then, there is
food processing.

U
economy this year with a 10 per cent growth rate.
And it wants to achieve this by striking a balance The subsidy for
between the development and conservation needs food processing
of the Himalayan state. The chief minister, Pushkar units has been
Singh Dhami, agrees. Speaking at the india today
increased by 10
State of the State Uttarakhand First conclave held in
Dehradun on August 25, Dhami shared his vision of times. [We want
transforming Uttarakhand into the Switzerland of to] tap the service
India by building infrastructure to promote tourism and accelerating manu- sector, like set-
facturing in the plains. After all, roughly half of the state’s GDP comes from the ting up IT hubs in
activities in its factories. Home to numerous temples and pristine mountains, good locations
the Devbhoomi, as it is called, also has an immense tourism potential. “But not
at the cost of environment,” cautioned Dhami.
The fragility of the state’s ecology, which was again laid bare by the spate of
“Uttarakhand today has a “During the UPA’s 10-year rule, “The devastation that we see We have to
flash floods and landslides this monsoon, remained the talking point during the
day-long event that saw three former chief ministers, bureaucrats, industrialists,
wide network of roads... the average rate of growth was today has been a way of nature preserve the
academicians and environmentalists, among others, set the agenda for the young
telecom connectivity is 8.5 per cent. Now, it is 6.5 per warning us every 10 to 15 ecology. At the
state. In about two months from now, Uttarakhand will be hosting a Global being enhanced by PM cent.... The BJP is in power [in years...but this year it is a call same time, peo-
Investors Summit, having set an ambitious target of inviting investments worth Narendra Modi. The process Uttarakhand] because of to take corrective action right ple staying in the
Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Chief secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu detailed the steps be- of reverse migration has polarisation…plus the help of away and prepare a disaster hills need basic
ing taken to strengthen the state’s infrastructure to support these investments. begun in the hill state ” the Aam Aadmi mitigation plan for amenities. We are
Earlier, Dhami also talked of creating new employment opportunities within BHAGAT SINGH Party ” the future ”
very clear about
the state to stop the migration of its local talent. The CM’s efforts to facilitate the KOSHYARI HARISH RAWAT TRIVENDRA SINGH
‘peace of doing business’ got a stamp of approval from the industrialists, while
taking a balanced
Former chief mini- Former CM, RAWAT
Patanjali CEO Acharya Balkrishna said how Uttarakhand has the potential to ster, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand, Former chief minister,
approach
become a global manufacturing hub for Ayurveda products. As for tourism, a and ex-governor, and former Union Uttarakhand SUKHBIR SINGH
key takeaway was that the state should aspire for quality instead of quantity to Maharashtra minister SANDHU
conserve its rich biodiversity and avert natural disasters. n Chief Secretary,
Uttarakhand

Photographs by RA JWANT RAWAT, KUSHAGRA WADHWA

 INDUSTRY: REVIVING BRAND UTTARAKHAND

STATE OF
THE STATE
UTTARAKHAND
FIRST

“Uttarakhand
was supposed to
become Urja Pradesh,
supplying power to the rest of TAKING AYURVEDA
India...there’s still 10,000 MW TO THE WORLD
power that remains to be tapped”
DR R. MEENAKSHI SUNDARAM India has about 15,000
Secretary, Energy medicinally essential trees
ENERGY: REINVENTING and plants. Of these, 40 per
UTTARAKHAND MODEL cent are present only in
Uttarakhand. The state will
become the manufacturing “When Uttarakhand “Industry moved “Attracting “We’ve assured
hub for Ayurveda was carved out to Uttarakhand investments needs the CM that
ACHARYA BALKRISHNA from UP in 2000, because of a lot a marketing strat- the target of
CEO, Patanjali the industrial sec- of financial ben- egy. There are two Rs 2.5 lakh crore
tor contributed just efits that were parts to it. One, investments in
“Good 12.5 per cent to its offered, but then sustaining what Uttarakhand
policing not just GDP. Today, it has we realised that has already been [in the next five
secures life, personal reached 46 per cent, it is the overall achieved. Two, years] can be met
liberty and justice for the which is a great atmosphere of the working towards by the industry
citizens but also contributes a achievement for state that is very, further expan- within the state,
lot to their prosperity ” the state ” very conducive to sion. Uttarakhand with no need to
ABHINAV KUMAR VINAY SHANKAR the industry” is already on the look for investors
ADG, Intelligence PANDEY VIPUL DAWAR right track” from outside”
& Security Secretary to Chief Managing Director, ARUN RAI BIPEN GUPTA
Minister and MSME & Indo-German Head, Uttarakhand Chairman,
SECURING FESTIVAL Investment Commissioner Brakes Pvt. Ltd Operations, Honeywell CII, Uttarakhand
HUBS

MY MUSICAL JOURNEY “ The folk music

“ We
of Kumaon and
cannot sustain MAKING UTTARAKHAND
Garhwal is very
10 crore tourists; so we INDIA’S YOGA CAPITAL In order
have to go for quality. As long rich. It’s impor-
to excel in tant for our chil-
as you play the quantity game, any field,
you are destined to lose ” If we want to make dren to know it.
Uttarakhand a nursery of determination I want to make
SHAURYA DOVAL
Yoga, we have to evolve is the key.... It them aware of
Founding Director, India
its youth...make its people was my junoon it through
Foundation
aware that this region has for singing classical music”
a unique energy that helped me
DR RAVI JOSHI
reach where I Vocalist and
BHARAT THAKUR
THE HILLS: NEW Chairman & Founder,
am today Professor at DSB
OPPORTUNITIES Artistic Yoga SONU KAKKAR Campus, Kumaun
Singer THE SOUND OF MUSIC University, Nainital
 “Access control will
be a big part of how
Uttarakhand manages
its tourism in the
coming years. In
today’s world, small
is big....it doesn’t
STATE OF
THE STATE
mean big buildings,
UTTARAKHAND
big resorts...but being
FIRST sensitive to the lay of
the land...keeping our
bugyal (alpine
meadows) in mind” DISCUSSION: INDUSTRY: REVIVING BRAND UTTARAKHAND
VAIBHAV KALA
Founder, Aquaterra
Adventures (India)
Pvt Ltd
HOLIDAY HUB: PUSHING FOR LUXURY AND ADVENTURE TOURISM

The luxury segment The challenges here are Our vision is to have
KNOWLEDGE HUB: EXTENDING THE LEARNING CURVE TO THE FUTURE that we are in high hills, in India ranked among
crossed $1.28 trillion world-
wide in 2022 and is likely to a very fragile zone. There the 10 best destinations
touch $2.32 trillion by 2030. is a lot of tourist influx, globally for adventure
Luxury is the main feature especially after the Covid-19 tourism in the next
people are looking at pandemic 10 years
SANJAY SHARMA COL. ASHVINI PUNDIR AJEET BAJAJ
Founder, Eco Glamp, Additional CEO, Adventure, Managing Director,
Kanatal Uttarakhand Tourism Snow Leopard Adventures

THE BIG ISSUE: COST OF DEVELOPMENT

“ The Himalayas are

a fragile ecosys-
tem. We had roads
earlier too, but we
are building much
more today. We
have to incorporate
the science of envi-
ronment into it ”
ANIL PRAKASH JOSHI
Founder, Himalayan
Environment Studies
and Conservation
My argument is that if When the students of Children need to be Organisation
you are planning for the today enter the industry taught how to think out of
future, the most impor- as job-seekers tomor- the box. Eventually, these
tant thing is research. And row, what will be the job are the skills that will equip “ We need to draw a lakshman rekha
as far as carrying out work in the “ We need development, but at what
we are not paying enough possibilities? We have to the students of today to
Himalayas is concerned. It is high cost? If the people staying at these
attention to that pre-think this take on the future
time we categorised activities as development sites are not safe, then for
DIPANKAR GUPTA MANI C.V., Principal, Indian VIBHA KAPOOR, Principal, prohibited, regulated and promoted ” whom is this development?”
Author & Sociologist Public School, Dehradun Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun
HEMANT DHYANI S.P. SATI
Convenor, Ganga Ahwan Movement; Prof. of Environmental Science,
Member, CharDham Project College of Forestry, Ranichauri
62 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
 INDIA AT TIFF: IRRFAN: PORTRAIT
CELEBRATING CINEMA OF A STAR
PG 68 PG 70

KATHIKA CULTURAL Q&A

CENTRE: LIVING WITH JANHVI
HERITAGE PG 72 KAPOOR PG 74

M USIC

The Road
Subscribe and get upto 67% discount Less
Travelled
Singer AP Dhillon’s
YES! I WISH TO SUBSCRIBE TO INDIA TODAY offbeat route to stardom is
Please tick your subscription choice and send the form to: We Care, Living Media India Limited, C-9, Sector 10, Noida-201301 (India)
documented in a new Amazon
Prime series, First of a Kind
TERM - 1 YEAR | NO. OF ISSUES - 52
PLAN COVER PRICE OFFER PRICE SAVINGS SELECT

PRINT ONLY `5200 `3099 41%

PRINT + DIGITAL `10,400 `3499 67%

Please fill the form in CAPITAL LETTERS

I am enclosing Cheque/DD No.:_______________________dated:_____________________

drawn on (specify bank):____________________ favouring Living Media India Limited for
` _____________(Add `50/- for non Delhi cheques, not valid in case of at par cheques)

Name:______________________________ Address: ____________________________________

___________________ City:_______________ State:_________________ Pin:_______________
Mobile:____________________________ Email:________________________________________
SCAN HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE OFFER, YOU MAY CONTACT THROUGH BELOW OPTIONS

| PHONE AND WHATSAPP

+91 8597778778

Living Media India Ltd. reserves the right to terminate or extend this offer or any part thereof at any time. For other terms and conditions, please visit www.indiatoday.in
SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 65
IRS 2019 Q4 (TR)
 M
M USIC
LEISURE
KEEPING IT
hottest new act in the Indian music scene. More importantly, found the right fit. “There’s
COOL
he heralded a brand new sound for Punjabi pop that traded no ego or anything.” Sitar maestro
bhangra-infused beats for the slick hip-hop-influenced Ego clashes are said to PURBAYAN
production style of the West while retaining the lyricism be absent in Dhillon’s en- CHATTERJEE set
and swag of the genre. semble, despite recurrent out to show that
classical music can
The decision to remove their music from local platforms rumours of a rift with Gill, be cool—and now
was strategic, reveals Kevin Buttar, the Canada-born Indian who was conspicuous by his has a transparent
“My whole career is like a movie,” says rapper and singer AP who co-manages Dhillon along with his childhood friend absence at both Lollapaloo- ‘see-tar’ to prove it
Dhillon when asked to pick the biggest highlight of his journey Herman Atwal. “We saw that Spotify had just come into za and the press promotions
so far. The Canada-based Indian musician, who’s currently India at that time,” says Buttar. “We wanted a big presence for First of A Kind though he
one of the world’s biggest Punjabi pop stars, told india today there and on Apple Music. We just drove all our fans towards appears in the documentary RAY MUDAFARE

during a visit to Mumbai to promote his recently released Ama- those platforms as much as we could.” Last year, Dhillon was prominently. Both artists
zon Prime documentary series First of a Kind, that he hasn’t the sixth most streamed artist on Spotify in India, and the have continued to express ometime in banner for live performanc- see-tar is that you can use
“had the time to sit back and take it all in”. The four-part series
chronicles his remarkable rise to fame over the last four years.
highest ranked act without a connection to the film industry.
On Apple Music, he had five hits in the year-end top ten in
support for each other on
social media, and series di-
S 2014, sitar mae-
stro Purbayan
es, where he and his collab-
orators—a list that has, over
an amp module or a proces-
sor to create a diverse range
Chatterjee set the years, included Rakesh of sounds. So while I’m still
Dhillon sums up his accomplishments, which include India for 2022. rector Javed Ahmed claims
out to remind us that Indian Chaurasia, Gino Banks using my traditional sitar in
over five billion streams on music streaming platforms and His management and he were quick to capitalise on the that he never witnessed any
classical music was actu- and Taufiq Qureshi—would Classicool, I’m also bringing
being the first Punjabi musician to perform at the Junos, the massive streaming numbers by staging tours of India and arguments during filming. ally pretty damn cool. After occasionally come together in things like overdrive and
Canadian equivalent of the Grammys, as “things that we did North America in 2021 and 2022, respectively, while Dhil- Kahlon, who has writ- all, it’s got all the necessary and perform. But earlier distortion, to convey differ-
to make our people proud”. lon’s growing popularity earned him a slot at the inaugural ten the lyrics of many of ingredients: there’s the this year, Chatterjee decid- ent and more contemporary
As with most documentaries in which the subject has an edition of Lollapalooza India in Mumbai this January. But their smashes, believes each improvisational virtuosity ed to take it to the next level shades in our music.”
element of creative control—Dhillon is credited as an executive his team remained resistant to offers from film producers, member of the AP machine that rivals the best of jazz and turn it into a permanent That amplified, spaced-
producer—First of a Kind shows us mostly what he wants us to and are rumoured to have turned down crores for ‘Brown is happy playing his respec- music, jugalbandi’s electric band. He enlisted a younger out sitar sound weaves
see, but nevertheless gives us a glimpse into the personality of Munde’. “This one guy told me, ‘I’ll give you my Lambo- tive part. “If you’re going on-stage interactivity, and generation of Indian clas- its way through tracks like
the man born Amritpal Singh Dhillon, who immigrated to Van- rghini’,” says Buttar. “AP was like, tell him to give one to towards a goal, you need all a recent history of globe- sical musicians and got to the live repertoire deep cut
trotting collaboration and work on an eponymous EP ‘Pace Of Mind’ (which alter-
couver from Gurdaspur to study accounting and forge a better everybody on the team.” Dhillon says that they just haven’t the components to come to-
innovation (including plenty featuring tracks that blend nates effortlessly between
life for his family back home. gether,” he says. “It doesn’t
of celebrated fusion proj- Hindustani classical ragas jazzy and ambient), the
It is, in fact, the first time the matter who’s doing which ects by Chatterjee himself). Carnatic-inflected ‘Kalyani’,
public at large gets to hear him job, who the face is, as long Maybe it’s just the context and Bach interpolation
speak, given that until the re- LAST YEAR, as you know what you’re within which so many of us ‘Minuet In D Major’. “This
lectric
lease of the documentary, he DHILLON WAS doing is bigger than what encounter this music—one rjee’s e kind of music can also be
Chatte las sitar is
had declined all requests for THE SIXTH MOST people say.” dominated by traditionalists plexig d by him scaled up,” says Chatterjee.
e
press interviews. STREAMED While Dhillon brief ly and hidebound purists—that design by Belgian “If I were to play Classicool
d b u il t ker
Dhillon and his crew, admits to grappling with prevents us from seeing its an e n t- m a s in the future with a philhar-
ARTIST ON inherent coolness. inst r u m
an s s e n monic orchestra, I could do
which includes fellow rapper-
SPOTIFY IN INDIA
the pressures of celebrity
To test out that hypothe- Klaas J it. The music is written in
singers Gurinder Gill and in the series, for the most
Shinda Kahlon and producer AND HAD FIVE part, as Buttar puts it,
sis, Chatterjee put together such a way. While it retains
Classicool to experiment with jazz, fusion and west- the improvisational flavour
Gminxr, are known to do the HITS IN THE YEAR- they’ve decided to “roll with
with more contemporary ern classical elements. To of Indian classical music,
opposite of what most fast- END TOP 10 ON the punches as they come”. sounds and arrangements give these compositions it also has that arranged
rising acts do: they’ve said no APPLE MUSIC Dhillon’s coping mechanism within the broader struc- an even more contempo- structure feel to it.”
to multiple Bollywood offers, is knowing his team has his tures of Indian classical rary edge, he busted out With the EP out in
and for a brief period, took back. “A lot of love and hate music. “The idea was not his see-tar: an electri- August, Chatterjee is gear-
down their songs from Indian [comes with fame],” he says. to mess with the content fied, plexiglas variation of ing up to take this new itera-
audio-streaming services. For Dhillon, the ulti- [of Indian classical music] the traditional instrument tion of Classicool out on the
Success was relatively quick though not overnight for Dhil- mate aim is to see the Indian or even to mess with the designed by Chatterjee road. He’s already in talks
lon, who says he was turned away by every label he approached. music industry grow as big form,” he says, talking over himself and built by Belgian with promoters in the US,
the phone from Singapore’s instrument-maker Klaas and has an extensive Indian
Undeterred, he started his own company, Run-Up Records, as that of the West and “to
Changi airport, on his way Janssens. tour in mind as well. “The
through which he put out over a dozen singles before the song take our music where Latin
back to Mumbai from a “I felt like this instru- other main thing we have
‘Brown Munde’ belatedly broke through in India in early 2021. music is; you don’t under- tour of Australia and New ment really stood for the planned is major collabo-
The track went viral, thanks to its infectious chorus that cel- stand what it is, but you still Zealand. “You are just trying spirit of Classicool,” says rations with international
ebrated South Asian identity. It was followed by ‘Insane’ and listen to it”. n to create a new form so that Chatterjee. “We’re play- musicians,” he adds. “So
‘Excuses’, dance-friendly tunes that certified his status as the Amit Gurbaxani we can highlight how cool it ing raga music on the sitar, that we can actually bring
already is.” which is a 1,000-year-old in those flavours and ele-
For almost a decade, traditional Indian instrument. ments.” n
66 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 Classicool existed as a But the thing with the SEelectric
P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 Bhanuj
INDIA Kappal
TODAY 67
 CINEMA
LEISURE

CELEBRATING
CINEMA
AN INTRIGUING NEW CROP OF INDIAN actor
s
of the
FILMS DEBUTS AT THE 48TH TORONTO None l has faced
a
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in Sth ra before.
e
a cam nverse in
co nal
They a regio hi
h ad i,
Var arat
t of M
(clockwise from top) dialec
stills from Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam, Lost
Ladies, and Dear Jassi

R
CINEMA

B.R. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi

that Patwardhan filmed across three
decades, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
rifying real-life tale of a young couple
who are desperate to be together but
remain separated by time, distance,
MADE IN HEAVEN
continues his preoccupation with ex- class, and familial expectations. Set Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s first
amining the origins of the divisive poli- largely in Punjab and scripted in Pun- Marathi feature film, Sthal, examines the fraught dynamics of arranged marriages
tics that have raised tensions between jabi and English, Dear Jassi underlines
Hindus and Muslims in an increasingly the filmmaker’s rigour, especially his
intolerant country. ability to effortlessly switch between

W
intimacy and brutality. hen Jayant Digam- they are married to, this is
Running from September 7 to 17, the 48th  KILL: The The only Indian film to bar Somalkar re- not an exception. Savita’s
edition of the Toronto International Film premiere in the Midnight Madness sec-  LOST LADIES: After premiering her ceived a confirma- father is a cotton farmer,
Festival features a wide-ranging array tion, Nikhil Nagesh Bhatt’s martial debut feature Dhobi Ghat (2010) at tion email from the Toronto centres on arranged mar- his limited resources ac- regional dialect of Marathi.
of seven Indian films—documentaries, arts thriller sees a passenger TIFF, Kiran Rao returns to the International Film Festival, riages in India, underlining centuating the need to get The house shown in the first
features in three different languages, bound train for New Delhi festival with her sophomore he thought it was a joke. the dispensable way wom- his daughter married and scene is where he was born.
n
mainstream Hindi productions, and becoming a bloody battle- entaria Hindi feature that fol- “I could not believe it. I re- en are treated. Somalkar relieve himself of the ‘load’. His mother, friends, sister-
Docum twardhan
even an animated short—in the lineup. ground when a pair of n an d Pa ba ck lows two brides who get member checking if it was uses the premise to make a Sthal unfolds with repeti- in-law and Somalkar himself
A
a come
Helmed by both emerging directors commandos square off makes asudhaiva accidentally swapped fake. I was very happy,” he pointed commentary on the tions—people coming to see make an appearance.
and filmmakers making a comeback against a 40-strong with V am, while before their big day. Set says. His Marathi feature stilted definition of beauty, Savita, huddling up to dis- The filmmaker has cre-
m b ak w ar
to filmmaking after a considerable gap, army of invading ban- Kutu gh Dhand in 2001 in rural India, Sthal (A Match) has been the lack of women’s agency, cuss her and commenting on ated a world he is familiar
S in g
Tarsem ns to directin and the wide gap that exists with. “I have two elder sis-
these productions signal the appetite dits. Inspired by real-life retur ight years the film sees Rao craft selected to premiere at the her skin-tone among them-
for homegrown storytellers to continue train robberies, KILL after e Dear an impossibly hilarious festival’s Discovery Pro- between education and an selves—foregrounding the ters and I have seen the
with
experimenting with their craft. Five juxtaposes the action Jassi feminist coming-of-age gramme, a section devoted educator. inhuman treatment women process.” But back then,
titles to look out for: with a doomed love story, its tale that satirises patriar- to showcasing the work of Sthal revolves around are subjected to in pursuit he was a child. The idea of
breathless pace complemented chal matrimony. emerging filmmakers from a young girl called Savita, of an arranged match. writing something like this
 VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM by set pieces of close-quarters com- across the globe. That it is a third-year BA student in Somalkar’s treatment was triggered when he ac-
(The World is Family): Five years after bat aboard a moving train. After all,  THIS IS TMI: The only Indian ani- the only Indian film to make Dongargaon, Maharashtra, is fuss-free. No point is companied a cousin to see
Reason (2018), Anand Patwardhan, there’s nothing quite like a lovesick mated short in the line-up this year, this cut elevates the pres- whose desire for higher over-stressed, no gesture a prospective bride a couple
India’s most influential documentar- commando. Starring newcomer Subarna Dash and Vidushi Gupta’s tige of the inclusion. education is in conflict is exaggerated. “I wanted of years back. “I was sitting
ian, returns to filmmaking with his Lakshya and Tanya Maniktala, KILL is This is TMI sees the filmmakers It’s not his first work, with her family’s persistent to make a realistic and au- there with the rest and that
most personal film. Structured as a co-produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma intercut eclectic stop-motion anima- of course. Last year, So- quest to get her married. thentic film,” admits Somal- is when it hit me.” The result
portrait of his parents, Patwardhan Productions and Guneet Monga’s tion with a spirited, taboo-busting dis- malkar co-wrote and co- Somalkar does not villain- kar, who has set the story was a first draft he wrote in
traces how their lives were intertwined Sikhya Entertainment. cussion among a group of women that directed the Amazon Prime ise them. In a country like in his native village. The 2015, and now, a full-length
with the tumultuous years of India’s takes place off-camera. Both playful show Guilty Minds with India where women are actors were chosen from feature film premiering at
Independence movement. Employing  DEAR JASSI: Tarsem Singh Dhand- and powerful, the film is an adept Shefali Bhushan. But Sthal, often treated as a liability the region; none of them one of the most prestigious
intimate interviews with his parents war (The Fall, 2006) marks his return to display of the storytelling versatility he maintains, is a passion and their achievements are had faced a camera before. film festivals in the world. n
and relatives regarding their memories directing after eight years with his first of its filmmakers. n project. The intimate feature measured in terms of who They converse in Varhadi, a Ishita Sengupta
of
6 8figures such
INDIA as Jawaharlal
TODAY Nehru,
SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 India-set feature that recounts a ter- Poulomi Das
LEISURE BOOKS
The Plots Thicken
Strap on your seatbelt, because Kunal Basu’s Filmi
film on his roster made him exert his fi- Stories is a racy and rollicking read

PORTRAIT OF A STAR
nancial and networking muscle to present
Ritesh Batra’s bittersweet The Lunchbox
ilmi Stories was writer Kunal Basu’s pandemic project.
(2013), an international sleeper hit. No
SHUBHRA GUPTA’S IRRFAN: A LIFE IN MOVIES IS A COLLECTION OF
CONVERSATIONS WITH IRRFAN KHAN’S CLOSE ASSOCIATES
character could be less romantically ap-
pealing than Saajan Fernandes, the film’s
F After all, what better way for a writer to allay the effects of
cabin fever than to take up the pen. “In the fleeting spring of
2021, as the world was reeling from the pandemic, I thought

N
curmudgeonly misanthrope; yet the aura to write a few stories to drive out the despair that was filling me up like
of pent-up longing is built up by Irrfan smoke in a chimney stack,” says Basu in the ‘Prologue’ to this short story
boy from a small town near the athlete-turned-soldier- inhabiting a character who is not old “but collection. He dipped into his Havana cigar box, where he kept hastily
Jaipur who worked the turned-outlaw in his college feels old”. Batra gives examples of Irrfan’s scribbled notes brimming with story ideas, but that didn’t do the trick. In-
mill, like many others, of a mate Tigmanshu Dhulia’s IRRFAN investment in script and costume—“Oh, spiration manifested in unexpected and dramatic ways–during a game
National School of Drama Paan Singh Tomar (2012). A Life in Movies this costume is not right and we should of Monopoly in one case–not unlike the stories themselves.
degree followed by mostly Film critic Shubhra by Shubhra Gupta not shoot till we get it right.” So, plans The eight stories in this collection have
indifferent TV serials, made Gupta’s book on Irrfan (who PAN MACMILLAN would be changed. At other times, he wild premises and plotlines. A corpse in a
an outstanding impact dropped his last name `899; 408 pages
would be reading specific books to help well-tailored suit is found on a beach in one.
on filmgoers at home and ‘Khan’ mid-career possibly him establish the film’s tone and pace—for In another, the protagonist finds himself to be
abroad, with performances to emphasise his distinct instance, Murakami’s Norwegian Wood. the sole passenger on an airplane flying from
ranging from the murder- identity from the Bollywood It was a measure of his confidence one deserted airport to another. Yup, very
Not long before Irrfan Khan’s ous gangster in Maqbool tribe of Khans) is neither a and universal acceptance that Irrfan’s filmi. In the hands of a skilled storyteller with
death from cancer in 2020, (2004), Vishal Bhardwaj’s comprehensive biography last years while battling endocrine a fecund imagination like Basu, seemingly
Naseeruddin Shah received take on Macbeth, to the nor a critical appraisal of the by his “hooded-eyed, quiet, cancer were devoted to two rumbustious incongruous matter aligns harmoniously on
a message from him saying heart-wrenching journey of actor. Rather it’s a series intense way…his preying- comedies on that most obsessive of all the page, albeit with a dark twist.
“Knock, knock, Naseer bhai”. an immigrant’s life packed of over 30 interviews with mantis looks”. Fifteen years Indian questions—how, and where, to find Take the first story–’OK TATA’–for
Shah promptly rang him to into Mira Nair’s The Name- Irrfan’s directors, co-actors, later, there was no one else— instance, where Jaggi the trucker sets out
an education. With Hindi Medium (2017),
ask how he was feeling. After sake (2006) or the piercing family and friends that—de- to kill his wife’s alleged lover. The lives of the
“no audition, nothing”—who he joined the ‘100-crore club’—the actor
a diversionary chat, Irrfan authenticity of the biopic of spite a few omissions, such truckers are drawn in striking detail, from
could play Ashoke Ganguly who could ‘open’ a Friday. It was followed
spoke words that moved FILMI STORIES the trucker-helper dynamic to the eateries
as his major co-star Tabu in The Namesake. Watching by Angrezi Medium (2020), not a sequel.
Shah deeply: “Ab kya karein, by Kunal Basu that cater exclusively to them, the clear
or the award-winning Asif him in a trial viewing, Vishal Gupta underscores Irrfan’s value as
how many people have the GUPTA UNDER- PENGUIN VINTAGE nights under the stars, the policemen
Kapadia, who cast him in The Bhardwaj exclaimed, “Yeh a disruptor in a controlled mainstream
opportunity to see death SCORES IRRFAN’S `499; 272 pages “always thirsty for bribes”, the dance bars
Warrior (2001) that brought hai Maqbool (this is Maq- industry where the box office creates they frequent (which is where Jaggi met his
approaching?...I wanted to VALUE AS A him early recognition—add up bool).” With guileless can- and discards stars. Perhaps his more wife Jhimli) and bhukki, “the opium pow-
do more with my life, but DISRUPTOR IN to a compelling portrait of the dour, Karan Johar confesses enduring legacy was to pass the torch der that was a staple among truckers”. Basu writes, ”You swallowed
never got the chance. I don’t A MAINSTREAM actor’s unwavering pursuit of he “never had a screenplay, to a roll call of actors such as Ayush- bhukki to stop feeling sad, stop feeling angry, stop missing home, stop
hold that against fate.” INDUSTRY a path uniquely his own. a film, a thought or an idea mann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, Vicky feeling anything.” The denouement is as unexpected as it gets, and only
Gone at 53 at the height WHERE THE His looks set him apart. that would warrant the Kaushal, Pankaj Tripathi and Jaideep Basu could have nailed it.
of his powers, Irrfan’s tra- BOX OFFICE Spotting him at a drama presence…that Irrfan Khan Ahlawat, who challenge the hegemony in Basu defines the premise of the collection thus: “I have always
jectory was relatively short, CREATES AND school rehearsal in the brought to the table.” films and streaming networks. n considered film and fiction to be ungainly cousins, each trying its best to
of about 20 years. But the DISCARDS STARS 1980s, Mira Nair was struck Johar’s wish for an Irrfan Sunil Sethi cover up the imperfection of the other. Might there be a third cousin? A
kinder one…” Filmi Stories is the answer to that question. n
Amit Dixit

ovie buffs of a certain vin- in the life of any serious cineaste when discussing many important film-industry strike, and This is Wikipedia-level
BOOKS

M tage, this reviewer included, one can look back on even disreputable WHEN ARDH films of the time, he also how it intersected with the information that can easily
have often decried the decades through a lens that combines SATYA MET describes the sideshows political careers of stars like be found elsewhere, not

THOSE WERE
HIMMATWALA:
1980s as the unquestioned nostalgia with serious analysis, allowing The Many that affected filmmaking, Sunil Dutt and Amitabh particularly analytical or
nadir for Hindi cinema. us to recognise the good things amidst Lives of 1980s’ distribution and the ways Bachchan. personal, often simply de-

THE DAYS
The only redeeming thing about that the dreck, and the many ways in which Bombay Cinema in which we consumed The more formu- volving into lists of films.
by Avijit Ghosh
decade, we have declared, were the ‘art’ our lives were transformed by both. SPEAKING TIGER
movies: for instance, the laic chapters—though But at its best, when it
or ‘parallel’ films made by directors With that in mind, Avijit Ghosh’s affec- `599; 392 arrival of the video-cassette also the ones that may takes a wider view to show
Avijit Ghosh’s like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani tionate revisiting of the 1980s is a good pages recorder (and its inevitable most appeal to a general us that the 1980s indeed
and Ketan Mehta—even if those were addition to our popular-film literature. adjunct, video piracy); or readership—contain short contained multitudes,
ode to 1980s Hindi
sometimes just as trite as the com- Ghosh begins, in a short prelude the direct-to-store ‘video write-ups about important and that the decade would
cinema reassesses mercial films (and even if the parallel or ‘trailer’, by making a few defining context, box-office statistics features’ produced by Nari personalities, from the have far-reaching effects
an unfairly maligned star-system headlined by Shabana Azmi statements (“The Eighties was a time of and personal reminiscence Hira that briefly provided ‘art’ stars mentioned above on Hindi cinema, When
decade that was and Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and disruption and change in Hindi cinema”, (the decade coincided an alternate viewing experi- to star sons like Sunny Ardh Satya Met Himmat-
more dynamic than Smita Patil, could be as much of a closed “The Eighties acted as a hyphen between with his teens and early ence. One chapter also Deol and Kumar Gaurav wala lives up to its amus-
we realise echo-chamber as the mainstream star the past and the future”) and then elabo- twenties, a crucial time discusses the impact of to filmmakers like Rahul ing title. n
system). However, there comes a point rates on these by offering sociological for any moviegoer). While the almost-forgotten 1986 Rawail and Subhash Ghai. SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 JaiINDIA
ArjunTODAY
Singh 71
LEISURE

H E R I TAG E

LIVING HERITAGE
Kathika, a new museum and cultural hub occupying two restored havelis
in Old Delhi, is a great example of adaptive reuse of heritage buildings

LOOKING WITHIN

N
provoking artefacts, books, has surely witnessed over a the premises. Both havelis (clockwise from top
photographs, statuettes, hundred summers) that lends are undergoing the final, left) Self-portraits by
V. Ramesh, Jyoti Bhatt,
knick-knacks from previous an agreeably old-school aura cosmetic stages of renovation
Sudhir Patwardhan and
decades, portions of ‘legacy to the surroundings. and soon, the Kathika Cultural Gulammohammed Sheikh
tech’ machines (old typewrit- So far, the indoor space Centre will be ready to mount
ers, vintage scooters) and has been used for cultural its own themed exhibits,
much else. There is an in- events—the poet-diplomat complete with screening
Nestled within Old Delhi’s door, air-conditioned seating Abhay K. recently launched rooms for audio-visual pre-
Sitaram Bazaar, a hop, skip space and a lovely, old-fash- his new book of poems, Mon- sentations.
and jump away from Gali ioned courtyard. One of the soon, here. In July, the artist One of the great things
Khatikan’s serene-looking havelis (fittingly, called Neem Amrai Dua organised an art about the artefacts here is A RT
Hanuman Mandir, lies the Ki Haveli), is constructed all workshop on the 116th birth that there is barely any dis-
around a majestic neem tree anniversary of the iconic tinction between convention-
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SELF
Kathika Cultural Centre, a
new non-profit ‘haveli-muse- (I’m no expert, but that tree painter Frida Kahlo. Since ally understood ‘high culture’
um’ that seeks to become the then, there have been other and more proletarian or
city’s latest cultural hub. As Soon, Kathika events as well; historian So- commercial expressions. For GALLERY THRESHOLD MARKS ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH REFLECTING THE SELF,
hail Hashmi recently spoke example, a small, cute figurine AN AMBITIOUS GROUP SHOW THAT TURNS THE GAZE INWARDS
the name suggests, ‘Kathika’ Cultural Centre about the cultural, historic of a ‘Murphy baby’ from the
(which began operations in will be ready to and, of course, gastronomic popular, eponymous 1970s

A
May) is inspired by storytell-
ing traditions like katha-
mount themed significance of the mango. advertisements, will greet you
exhibits with rtists interact with the Chauhan. “We wanted to include several major artists, including Amit Amba-
wachan and dastangoi. Recently, Kathika celebrated very close to an array of Raja
screening rooms World Photography Day Ravi Varmas and Madhubani
world around them artists whom we have worked with over lal, Chittrovanu Mazumdar, Krishen
Comprising two havelis that through their art. On oc- the years. Some like Rajendra Dhawan, Khanna, K.G. Subramanyan, Atul and
face each other, the space is for audio-visual (August 19) by organising an paintings. An iconic black-
casion, they themselves Surinder and Priya Ravish Mehra have Anju Dodiya, Rameshwar and Shobha
choc-a-bloc with all manner presentations Old Delhi walk followed by and-white photograph of
of fascinating, nostalgia- some live western music on Jawaharlal Nehru with the serve as subject and inspiration. Gallery passed on. Many living artists, includ- Broota, and so on.
Mountbattens shares space Threshold, in a landmark exhibition to ing T. Vaikuntam and Paramjit Singh, Founded by Chauhan in Vi-
with a splashy, flamboyant mark its 25th anniversary, puts the spot- felt they are identified by their work, so sakhapatnam in 1997, Gallery Thresh-
advertisement featuring ‘The light on ‘self-representation’ by bringing we broadened the curatorial premise to old moved to Delhi in 2001, operating
Great Gama’ (Ghulam Moham- together the works of 35 multi-genera- include self-representational works.” out of multiple spaces before settling
mad Baksh, a legendary, un- tional artists who have had an ongoing Although it’s difficult to pick down in the leafy environs of Sarvo-
defeated wrestler from early
association with the gallery. Reflecting favourites among artists one daya Enclave in New Delhi. The
20 th century British India).
the Self has been curated jointly by the has had a long association current exhibition showed
Kathika’s founder, Atul ng the
gallery’s curator and director Tunty with, some artworks do Reflecti ings at Bikaner House before
Khanna, whose family home Self br multi-
is in Chandni Chowk, has Chauhan and independent curator stand out for Chauhan. e r 3 5 it moved to the gallery.
togeth rational
been involved in restoration Deeksha Nath. The works comprise “My mother’s por- gene o have “The fact that this subject
wh
projects in the past as well. paintings, sculptures, installations, trait—done on a letter artists ongoing has never been handled
had an on with
Over a decade ago, Khanna photography and mixed media. that my father had as s oc iati ld on this scale goes to show
purchased and restored an Among sub-genres of art, the self- written to her during the lle r y T hresho that it’s not a comfortable or
Ga
old haveli in Mandawa, Rajas- portrait stands apart. “It’s always easier 1962 war—holds a special easy subject,” says Chauhan.
than; it now functions as the to look out and far more difficult to look place for me. She is an artist “It is probably for this reason
Vivaana Culture Hotel. With within,” says Chauhan. “It was not an who formally trained herself at the that some of my dearest friends from
Kathika, the immediate objec-
easy show to put together.” age of 75 and we did her solo at the age the art world are not part of the show.” n
tive may be different—creating
a cultural hub as opposed
Perhaps that’s why the exhibition of 80 at Threshold,” she says. “Gulam- Amit Dixit
to a hotel—but the passion does not restrict itself to the classical mohammed Sheikh’s self-portrait cap- Reflecting the Self showed at Bikaner
for history is the same. And definition of self-portraiture. “We have tures an entire life span. V. Ramesh’s House, New Delhi, from August 18-28. The
it’s palpable when you walk embraced a broader understanding of honest portrait in watercolour looks exhibition continues at Gallery Threshold,
around Kathika. n self-representation to include abstract at his existence critically.” Apart from C-221, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi,
Aditya Mani Jha and metaphorical references,” says these, the exhibition features several from September 2-15
Kathika Cultural Centre, 1237, Gali Khatikan,
Imli Mohalla, Kucha Pati Ram, Sitaram Bazar,
Delhi 110006; Open daily from 10 am to 6.30 pm
7 2 Photographs
INDIA TODAY SE P TBALI
by SUNDEEP E M BE R 4,
1 1tesy:
, cour , 2202
02KATHIKA
33 SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3 INDIA TODAY 73
 Q A

PRINCESS
DIARIES
Her first role in a Telugu
film is Janhvi Kapoor’s Q. Is this the right time to venture into
ode to her mother the film industry of the South?
Sridevi I think it was destined. I have always wanted to
work in the Telugu film industry. Bollywood films
and those made in the South have always had this
mutually nurturing relationship. With OTT plat-
forms, the popularity of films made in southern
languages has increased even more. I am lucky I
got the perfect opportunity in Devara. Telugu cin-
ema is where my mom started her career. I would
consider myself blessed if I can get even a fraction
of the love she received. I do hope this film and my
work in it will make Amma happy!

Q. Do you believe you are emerging from

the shadows of lineage?
I am so thankful for the opportunities I have
got—with or without help for being who I am.
Yes, sometimes, I find it difficult to look at things
objectively because there are just so many opin-
ions around me. The bottom line is I am happy
doing my work! If I keep listening to the voices
around me, I won’t be able to focus on acting. I
just pray I keep getting the kinds of films I have
got so far and grow as an actor.

Q. Would you also want to venture

beyond acting and get into production,
which is your father’s forte?
I have seen how Dad works—and he works
very hard! There is a hell of a lot of work that
goes into producing a film. I don’t think I am
experienced enough for that, yet. Acting is my
focus at this stage in my career. The way I see
it, acting could probably lead to it eventually.

Q. Besides Devara, what other projects are

you working on?
There’s lots of stuff from Dharma Productions—
Dostana 2 is something that fuels my vanity of dress-
ing up pretty! I’m still keeping fingers crossed for
Takht. Then there’s Mr. & Mrs. Mahi with Rajkummar
Rao. With cricket at its core, this one is really close
to my heart. Ulajh will also hopefully be interesting
and allow me to really push the envelope.

with Aarti Kapur Singh

Photograph by VAISHNAV PRAVEEN; Styling by PRANAY JAITLY and SHOUNAK AMONKAR
Hair: Mike Desir; Make-up: LEKHA GUPTA; Outfit: CORSET MIDI DRESS, VERSACE
74 INDIA TODAY SE P T E M BE R 1 1 , 2 02 3
74 Volume 48-Number 37; For the week September 5-11, 2023, published on every Friday Total number of pages 76 (including cover pages)