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The Print
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Kargil martyr Capt Kalia remembered, father's quest for justice continues 26 years on
Kalia, a retired senior scientist from the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), says he has full faith in the country's political leadership and judicial system and hopes those responsible for the heinous crime will be held accountable. On what would have been his 49th birthday today, the enduring legacy of Captain Kalia was brought to the fore again by his 78-year-old father Dr N N Kalia, as he fights for justice over his son's brutal treatment in the custody of Pakistan. New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Twenty-six years after Kargil War hero Captain Saurabh Kalia was brutally tortured and killed by the Pakistani forces, his father remains committed in his quest to drag Pakistan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for violations of the Geneva Convention. 'His unmatchable martyrdom in this unique way awoke the whole sleepy nation, lit the patriotic fire in the country and had a catalytic effect on the entire armed forces,' recalls the father. Lt Saurabh Kalia, belonging to the 4-Jat regiment, had gone with five soldiers for a reconnaissance mission in Kaksar in Kargil in the third week of May 1999. The team went missing and the first news of their disappearance was broadcast on Askardu radio in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The bodies of Lt Saurabh, who was made captain posthumously, and his team — sepoys Arjun Ram, Banwar Lal, Bhikaram, Moola Ram and Naresh Singh — were handed over to India on June 9. The next day, on June 10, PTI broke the story about Pakistan's tale of barbarism. The bodies were without their vital parts, eyeballs gouged out and noses, ears and genitals chopped off. This kind of ruthlessness had never been witnessed in the history of armed conflicts between the two countries and India had expressed its outrage over the mutilation and disfigurement of its army personnel and termed it a 'violation of international conventions'. Despite the passage of time, the family feels anything but alone. 'People have given us so much love and respect,' the senior Kalia said while acknowledging the overwhelming support from across India and even abroad. He said the family receives letters and calls from visitors expressing their eagerness to learn more about the Kargil martyr. The museum in his memory has been established at their Palampur residence and it draws approximately 600-800 visitors annually, including many tourists who have heard of Captain Kalia's story. 'Unknown people say that they have heard so much about Captain Kalia. Now that we have come here, it is good,' he said to highlight the lasting impact of his son's sacrifice. Captain Kalia's younger brother, Vaibhav Kalia, a faculty member in Computer Sciences at Agriculture University, Palampur, also spoke of the unwavering public memory. 'People have not forgotten their martyrs,' he says, noting the enthusiasm among children at the event. Vaibhav Kalia's own family is upholding Captain Kalia's legacy. His elder son is pursuing a BSc in Agriculture and is involved in NCC, while his younger son, Vyomesh, harbours a keen interest in joining the armed forces and plans to appear for the NDA exam. 'I will be very happy if my two kids at least give an honest try to join the armed forces,' he said. Captain Kalia's mother, though deeply private in her grief, remains 'very brave' and immensely proud of her son, according to Vaibhav. Before leaving for his duty, Capt Kalia uttered his prophetic last words to his mother over phone 'Maa tum dekhna ek din aisa kaam kar jaunga, ki saari duniya mein mera naam hoga (Mother, you will see one day I will do such a deed that the whole world will acknowledge that)'. This promise, tragically fulfilled through his ultimate sacrifice, is sustained not only by his grieving family and the consistent tributes from the Indian Army but also by a continuous stream of visitors to the family's dedicated museum. Although the pursuit of justice for his handling in Pakistani custody is still a complicated diplomatic issue, the Kalia family derives huge solace from the unflinching public love and admiration, guaranteeing Captain Kalia's tale of bravery and nationalism continues to motivate fresh generations, including his nephews who dream of becoming members of the armed forces. Kalia had filed a petition in 2012 under Article 32 of the Constitution (the right to constitutional remedies, specifically the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights). He had requested a directive to the government to seek proper legal redress, including approaching the International Court of Justice, against Pakistan for the heinous violations of the Geneva Convention. The Geneva Convention talks about the treatment of Prisoners of War under the rights and protections POWs which includes humane treatment, specifies conditions of detention, and providing food, clothing and medical care. The convention also prohibits torture, violence, and other forms of mistreatment. The petition also pointed out that Captain Kalia and his men suffered more than two weeks of unparalleled brutal torture before their bodies were transferred on June 9, 1999, a barbarism attested by the postmortem report of June 11, 1999. In spite of the unimaginable suffering, they did not crack, displaying patriotism, strength, courage and perseverance that still makes the whole nation proud. PTI SKL RT RT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Opinion: The Power of Routine: How simple traditions build stronger relationships
When my kids were young, Friday night meant one thing: pizza night. We looked forward to it all week. There was something about that atmosphere—laughing together, sharing a meal, knowing it was 'our thing'—that made it special. It wasn't just a habit—I was being intentional about creating time we could count on, because I believed those patterns would build connection and lasting memories. Routine often gets overlooked in our fast-paced culture. It might sound ordinary, but in my experience — both as a dad and a therapist — it's one of the most powerful tools we have to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create emotional safety. What begins as a schedule often becomes a memory. And what's repeated with care often becomes something a person carries with them for life. More: Letters to the Editor: Can fascism happen here? As my kids grew into teenagers, I had to become even more intentional. I carved out regular one-on-one time with each of them — sometimes to do something fun, sometimes just to catch up. We didn't always spend money. Some of our best moments came from going to the park, being creative, or just grabbing a snack together. But because it was consistent and intentional, they looked forward to it — and so did I. Now, working in IHBT (Intensive Home-Based Therapy), I've seen firsthand how patterns of connection can rebuild trust in families that feel fractured. Many of the families I work with are navigating complex dynamics — adoption, trauma, behavioral challenges, blended households. And one of the first things I encourage them to do is this: create a tradition. Build a routine. Put something on the calendar that everyone can count on. I'm currently working with three siblings who are adopted. Every week, I take them out for a picnic as part of our therapy. We play games, talk, and just spend time together. Over time, this simple tradition has become something they eagerly anticipate. That's not just therapy — it's a pattern of connection. And it works. Even my dog, Coco, reminds me how much patterns matter. Every morning and evening, we go to the dog park together. He knows the routine. He looks forward to it. It's our bonding time. And yes, even animals thrive on predictable, shared moments. Here's what I've learned: you don't have to be perfect to build connection. You just have to be present — on purpose, and consistently. We often chase big moments or try to fix everything at once. But meaningful relationships—whether with kids, partners, or friends—are built through the small things we do consistently. A shared meal, a regular walk, a planned time to talk. These aren't just routines—they're investments. Over time, they become patterns that shape how people feel loved and valued. If you're looking for ways to strengthen your relationships, don't wait for the perfect timing or a major breakthrough. Start by doing one simple thing together—regularly. Let it be fun. Let it be predictable. Let it be yours. Because in the end, the strongest bonds aren't built in grand gestures. They're built in quiet moments that happen again and again. Mark Stratton is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who works with youth and families in the Lancaster area. He is also the author of the upcoming book, "People Really Can Change." If you would like to book an appointment, click here. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Opinion: How simple traditions build stronger relationships
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
The story of how heeng came to be successfully cultivated in India
Heeng or asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) is an essential ingredient in many Indian cuisines. A pinch of heeng is typically added to hot oil before other constituents when cooking. Despite the great diversity of India's cuisines, most of them have recipes with heeng. There are mentions of heeng in ancient Indian texts including the Mahabharata and texts of Ayurveda. The latter recommends using heeng to refresh one's senses, including consciousness. The Charaka Sanhita Sutrasthana 27/299 says heeng can help relieve abdominal pain, digest undigested food, and enhance taste. The Pippalada Samhita and the works of Panini also include heeng. Today, heeng plants thrive in cold, arid environments suited to the native regions in Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. The plant prefers sandy, well-drained soil with low moisture, ideally receiving annual rainfall of 200 mm or less, though it can tolerate up to 300 mm in cultivated regions like the Indian Himalaya. It flourishes in temperatures of 10-20° C, tolerates highs of up to 40° C, and withstands winter lows down to –4° C. In extremely dry and cold weather, heeng plants typically become dormant to survive. These requirements make high-altitude, semi-arid regions like Lahaul-Spiti and Uttarkashi in India suitable for its cultivation. Excessive rainfall or high soil moisture can hinder growth. The final product obtained from the plant, asafoetida, is derived from an oleo-gum resin extracted from the plant's thick, fleshy taproot and rhizome, which makes up 40-64% of the dried gum. Heeng is a perennial plant that typically takes five years to mature and start flowering. Incisions are then made in the taproot, allowing the milky latex to exude and harden into a gum-like substance. This resin is dried and processed into powder or crystal form for culinary and medicinal use. Cutting import dependence Until early last decade, despite being the world's largest consumer of heeng, India depended on imports from Afghanistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan, among others. The government subsequently launched a national effort to promote indigenous cultivation of heeng. This mission was led by the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Researchers here took up the challenge of introducing heeng to Indian soil for the first time, starting with a rigorous and multi-layered international search from 2018 and 2020 to procure viable seeds of heeng. As part of this programme, CSIR-IHBT scientists communicated with the relevant agencies in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and South Africa and contacted more than 20 suppliers. These efforts culminated in the procurement of heeng seeds, initially from Iran, and later from Afghanistan. To facilitate legal and phytosanitary compliance, the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in New Delhi, the designated nodal agency for plant germplasm import and quarantine, issued the necessary import permits and conducted all mandated quarantine inspections. Once the seeds were cleared, they were handed over to IHBT for research and field evaluation. The first import of six seed accessions from Iran took place in October 2018, and IHBT researchers were faced with the significant biological challenges posed by their dormancy and low germination rate. They worked to develop germination protocols, identify altitude-specific locations suitable for cultivation, and formulate agronomic practices for Indian conditions. Controlled trials were conducted at IHBT Palampur and its Centre for High Altitude Biology in Ribling in Lahaul & Spiti. Early adopters The team planted the first heeng seedling in India on October 15, 2020, in a farmer's field at Kwaring village in Lahaul Valley, officially marking the beginning of the country's journey into indigenous heeng cultivation. One key milestone in expanding heeng cultivation beyond Lahaul was achieved shortly thereafter when the team planted heeng at Janjheli in Mandi district on November 8, 2020. This was the first extension of heeng cultivation into the mid-hill regions of Himachal Pradesh, exploring the crop's potential beyond the high-altitude cold desert zone. This was soon followed by the establishment of demonstration plots and farmer training programmes across Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi, Kinnaur, Kullu, and Chamba, in collaboration with the State Agriculture Department. Villages that became early adopters of this initiative were: Lahaul & Spiti: Madgran, Salgran, Beeling, Keylong Mandi: Janjehli, Majhakhal, Kataru, Ghayan, Karsog Kinnaur: Kafnoo, Hango, Maling, Reckong Peo, Kalpa, Moorang, Graming, Katgaon Kullu: Bagsaid, Dhaugi–Sainj, Kotla–Banjar Chamba: Pangi, Deol, Bharmour, Mahala, Tooh To further institutionalise this progress, the Heeng Germplasm Resource Centre was established at IHBT Palampur and was formally inaugurated on March 5, 2022. It serves as the national hub for conservation, research, training, seed production, and plant propagation vis-à-vis heeng. May 28 milestone CSIR-IHBT researchers also developed a dedicated tissue culture unit to facilitate the large-scale propagation of heeng plants. This specialised facility was funded by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, reinforcing the collaborative framework between scientific institutions and the State in advancing the high-altitude cultivation of this important crop. Researchers used advanced methods such as ecological niche modelling to map favourable cultivation zones using GPS-tagged occurrence data and environmental parameters. The first flowering and seed set of heengat Palampur was finally reported on May 28, 2025, by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — a significant milestone demonstrating that heeng can indeed be successfully cultivated in India. This achievement, realised approximately five years after the initial sowing in 2020 in Himachal Pradesh, confirmed the plant's successful acclimatisation. It also signifies its ability to complete the reproductive cycle, a critical prerequisite for seed production, long-term domestication, and sustainable commercial cultivation. While the heeng plant thrives in cold deserts, its successful cultivation in Palampur at just 1,300 m (above sea level) is a breakthrough: proving that plant adaptability holds untapped potential and that new agro-ecological frontiers still await discovery. Ultimately, the milestone paves the way for India to reduce its import dependence, and for farmers to enhance their incomes and build a self-reliant supply chain for this culturally important spice. In all, the success of heeng cultivation in India owes itself to the efforts of CSIR-IHBT, ICAR-NBPGR, the Himachal Pradesh government, the State Agriculture Department, and the region's progressive farmers. Sanjay Kumar is former Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur. Shekhar C. Mande is Distinguished Professor at the Savitribai Phule Pune University and the former Director General, CSIR.
