Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year!

Sukhis

Power of Ideas & Implementation

How do we translate our ideas into success? How can we actually shape public policy with a mere notion – that freedom and free markets are the best way to organize society?

We start by realizing that ideas are the most powerful force in the world. Power can be found in politicians, armies, activists and institutions. But the reason for their power is ideas, because ideas explain why people do the things they do.

What people believe determines how they behave, for whom they vote, the laws and rules they accept or reject and what kind of society they will work to adopt. Ideas determine whether a culture embraces free markets or socialism, democracy or dictatorship. Change ideas, and you change the world.

Political leaders may enact public policy, but they seldom generate the ideas that drive policy. Politicians usually act within a fairly narrow range of politically acceptable Ideas. They cannot operate outside that range without jeopardizing their political standing.

The range of credible ideas circulating in the intellectual marketplace determines the range of politically acceptable options. So if you have a Think Tank that changes the intellectual landscape, that Think Tank actually shifts the range of politically acceptable ideas.

Milton Friedman has said Think Tanks are at their best when they change what is politically & socially possible.

We must remember we are engaged in a battle of ideas. In spite of political obstacles, we are not battling against personalities or people. We should promote ideas that shift the very ground of battle, and that is 'Intellectual Entrepreneurship'.

Brigadier(Retired) Sukhwindar Singh
http://www.svipja.com/
(A Global Solution for Offsets)
Credit: Atlas Economic Research Foundation.

A Very Happy Diwali !

Wishing You all Cheer and Happiness on this Diwali!

Sukhis

OTA Alumni Meet 2009 in Jan or Feb 2010

A mail received from DP Ramachandaran today is Posted below which is self-explanatory:

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Dear Sukhi, You might remember that I'd communicated to you earlier this year when we had an OTA Alumni meet here at Chennai. Propelled by the massive attendance we had, we're planning a second meet & dinner sometime late Jan or mid Feb 2010.

Could we tell all our SSNT-2 lot about this through the website? Col. K V Chandrasekharan Nair (Retd) of The Gorkhas is the driving force behind the move and we've formed a Steering Committee as well. Would be nice if interested officers could get in touch with Col. Chandra. His e-mail id is: col_kvcnair@yahoo.com

Trust we'll have a lot of us here.

Love & Cheers

Ramu

Col. Chandra: Sukhwindar, who is settled in Noida after his retirement , has been part of the SSNT-2 Dinners since 80s. Can I request you to update him on the latest? Thanks.

Course Dinner: 23 Apr 2009

For You All to Remember !

Sukhi

http://www.svipja.com/

Platoon 4, Kohima Company, SSNT-2 Course

During our times, they said 'Corporal was always a genuine Appointment at the OTS'.

To refresh Your memory !

Sukhi

Shrdhanjali: Lt Col. Subash Berry

Vinod Berry Writes:

Dear Sukhi,

Lt Col. Subash Berry --- our course mate who (my first cousin as well) was in Naushera Coy , was commissioned in EME. I remember he was close to Chander Malik being from the same Company.

After premature retirement he settled in BHOPAL. He established an educational institute there.He was a very lively person, his fellow company mates would know it more.

Subash left for heavenly abode on 17 Sep 2008, survived by his wife Mrs Sharmishtha and a son and a daughter, both married.

Family Contact: 09425022545
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Viri & Sukhwindar
I remember Subash vividly. He used to come to Vinod Berry often. Vinod, RPS Sirohi, AK Dhawan and Self were in the Same Room at the OTS. A pleasant personality, always smiling. We met more often when he was doing Degree Engg in Pune.

May God bless his soul. Our Condolences to the Family.

Sukhis
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Joy and Channi Narula
Dear Sukhi,

Just read about Berry's passing away.

I have not met any members of his family but we were together during YO's Course at EME School, Baroda. He was V K Rishi's room mate. Very fond memories of those days April - December 1967!

Others from EME will remember when Berry fiddled with a 75 mm pack howitzer! He accidentally moved the barrel lock catch, and the barrel came on to him. The poor fellow could not take the weight, kept shouting for help and the others were all laughing! I can clearly see his hands cupped between his legs holding the barrel! Many other stories like Ramesh Pandey pulling Berry's Lanyard.

I suppose we are all nearing the stage, I only hope that he went without pain and suffering and that he is at peace wherever he is. We pray for the peace and happiness of the Family.

Joy and Channi Narula

Windhoek, Namibia

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Mrs and Mr Gajinder S. Sahni

Dear Sukhi,

I got the information of Subash Berry's passing away from the Course Blog, and Channi Narula's mail to you on Berry.

It is the second shock in a week- first Raji and now our Berry. Those of us from EME cannot forget Berry. He was a very lively person- always had a joke to tell. Later, when he took premature retirement and moved to Bhopal, we came in close touch with him and his family as I was in the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The private nursery school that he and his wife started did very well and soon there was a clamour among service class to put their children in Mr. Berry's school. We would often get requests from our friends in Bhopal to put in a word to Mr. Berry for their kids and Berry always obliged. Soon they had a number of schools all over Bhopal. He would very often invite me to be the chief guest for the school functions, which were always very well organised. We are going to miss him badly once we move back to Bhopal.

May God give his family members strength to bear with the loss.

Gajinder S. Sahni, IAS (Retd) SS 19608; ex EME

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Maj General & Mrs BB Murthy

Dear Sukhi,

I am deeply shocked to hear about the sad demise about our dear course mates Subash Berry and Rajinder Singh. While Subash was from my Company- Naushera and I knew him, I also happened to meet Raji on a few occasions.

It's indeed distressing to hear such news. We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.May the Almighty give them the courage to bear the Irreparable loss.

B.B.Murthy

(Presently on Visit to the US)

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Shrdhanjali: Rajinder Singh, IAS

Rajinder Singh
(20 Oct 1943-29 Dec 2008)

It is with a very heavy heart that I inform You about the sad demise of ‘Raji’. I was tracing him for the Course Dinner this year. His tele was not responding. It was not known that he was no more.

We visited his wife Mrs Manjit Kaur (Dolly) in Greater Noida today, picked his snap to write this Shrdhanjali.

Raji was a man of many facets. A friend, bold individual, a great helping hand to any one, and a person with very enviable course spirit. He was part of the organisation that gave ‘life’ to first few Course Dinners. Being from UT Cadre, he was mostly in Delhi. This helped in his being at the ‘centre’ of activities. Raji as You all know was commissioned in the ASC, and later joined the UT Cadre. He retired as a Secretary to the Delhi Govt.

He was sick for about 14 months. Had ‘deadly’ tumor in his stomach. Despite all care, he breathed his last on 29 Dec 2008.

May God give him peace, and courage to Manjit and his ‘lovely’ two daughters, married, to bear the loss. Manjit can be contacted on 98104 79040, and 0120 3241377.

In sorrow,

Sukhis

PS: We all are in the 'evening' of our lives. Once we know sickness / demise of any one of our course mates, we should inform everyone / all in the NW. Phone call, a brief visit, help whatever is possible from 'old' friends, is always a great source of strength to the ailing, and the family -- Course Spirit at its best.

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Joy & Channi Narula'a Condolences: 21 May 2009

Dear Sukhi,

News of Raji comes as a shock. I am one of the few that attended his wedding. We even had a dinner for Raji and Dolly in Chandigarh after their wedding. When I was with Delhi Administration 1977-79, we visited their house in Jangpura. I did not have any occasion to meet him in the last twenty years. He was very helpful to friends. Please convey out heartfelt condolences to the family.

Joy and Channi Narula

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Indira & Ram Bagai's Condolences: 21 May 2009.

Dear Sukhi,

Me and my wife Indira are extremely sad to learn about the untimely demise of friend Raji . Although there was not much interaction with Raji and family because we were mostly in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh but as and when we met, the love and regards for each other were never less. We feel a personal loss in his departure.

Please convey our heartfelt condolences to his family. May God bless his soul and grant enough strength to the family to bear the loss!

Regards and best wishes,

Ram Bagai

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Colonel & Mrs Ronnie Dargan's Condolences: 22 May 2009

Dear Sukhi,

It was indeed a shock to hear about the sad and untimely demise of 'Raji'.Our heartfelt condolences go to Dolly and we pray that Almighty gives her the strength to bear this loss. Warm regards,

Ronnie Dargan, SS 19409

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Capt & Mrs VK Berry's ( Later in Customs Wireless) Condolences: 22 May 2009.

It is pretty hard to believe such happenings to fellow brethren, but that is the hardest fact of life too.

The remembrance of Rajji takes me to the OTS days, how totally unknown people had become so close and concerned for each other. His lively talks I shall always carry with me. Probably no words can be sufficient to say and pray for such an occasion of grief.

I pray God for peace to his soul and courage to his bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss------Berry V K (Kohima)

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Mr & Mrs Gajinder Singh Sahni's Condolences: 22 May 2009

Dear Sukhi,

I am shocked to learn about the sad and untimely demise of our batch mate - Rajinder "Raji".

My memories about him are that of a very helpful, positive, energetic and straight forward person. Personally, he helped me many a times in OTS and later in Delhi Government. We are going to miss a true friend.

May god give his family strength to bear with the loss.

Gajinder S. Sahni,
Ex- Kohima Company
Mob; 9810078965

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Mr & Mrs D P Ramachandran's Condolences: 23 May 2009

Dear Sukhi,

I hadn't known Rajinder when he was alive, having been in a different coy (Meiktila) at the OTS. Kindly convey my condolence to his family. May his soul find eternal peace.

Ramu

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Mrs Kavita and JC Sharma's Condolences: 24 May 2009

Dear Sukhi,

I had heard unconfirmed reports about Raji's death. He was bold and helpful. I stayed with him twice in Gauhati where he was posted along with our other course mate Gangopadyaya of ASC. He was a warm host and puled all spots to look after you.

We met couple of times in Delhi.I attended his daughter's wedding at NSCI. Presence of many VIPs indicated his popularity.

My sincere condolences to the Family.

JC Sharma

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Maj General & Mrs BB Murthy
Dear Sukhi,
I am deeply shocked to hear about the sad demise about our dear course mates Subash Berry and Rajinder Singh. While Subash was from my Company- Naushera and I knew him, I also happened to meet Raji on a few occasions. It's indeed distressing to hear such news.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.May the Almighty give them the courage to bear the Irreparable loss.

B.B.Murthy

(Presently on Visit in the US)

OTA Alumni Get-Together at Chennai on 12 May 2009

An OTA Alumni get-together & dinner is being organised at the Area Offrs Mess at Chennai on 12 May. Offrs desirous of attending may please contact Lt. Col. K V Chandrasekharan Nair (Retd) who is coordinating the same at email: col_kvcnair@yahoo.com [Tel: 09841079154 / 044-4225 4960 (o)].

Would appreciate if it's given wide circulation by all. Some of the Delhi Group may like to join-in.

DP Ramachandran
B-18 Ashok Tapasvi
No. 9 Lock Street, Kotturpuram
Chennai 600 085
Tel: 044-24471704 / 09444071788
captdpr@gmail.com

Course Dinner on 23 Apr 2009 at JCs Residence

Course Dinner on 23 April 2009 at 13, University Road, Hindu College Principal's Bungalow (Kavita & JCs Residence ) went off very well. Nostalgic it always is reminiscing memories of the Adayar & St. Thomas Mount doings. Most of the spouses graced the occasion weathering 'fauzi' talk, and almost all of Us moving through the memory lane - our 'growing' days. Missed some of You - next time !!

It was nice to see all the participants in good health and great cheer. God Bless !

List of the Attendees with updated contact details is placed above.

Sukhi

93501 71232
http://www.svipja.com/