Without the funds to convert INS Viraat into a museum, the Indian Navy’s only option is to sell it as scrap. Preserving military history is important. But every year, ships are decommissioned. A Navy aiming to be a 200-ship force can’t be burdened with financial stress of maintaining old assets.
Modi pulling up BJP colleagues over Vijayvargiya episode is a much-needed makeover
It’s refreshing to hear PM Modi admonish BJP colleagues for celebrating Akash Vijayvargiya’s bail after he assaulted a civic officer. Modi’s silences were deafening when his minister garlanded a lynching accused earlier, and supporters defended hate crimes with whataboutery. But if this is Modi 2.0, it is a much-needed makeover.
We are unable to protect and conserve our archaeological heritage. We can not remember our old champions who have distinguished themselves in the past. We are unable to pay past heroes who have distinguished themselves in wars of the past. How will we be able to preserve INS VIRAAT as a floating museum? In the defense sector – all components combined – the hour of truth is approaching. We must hope that it does not take long and that the necessary changes will be made in close association with the military of the 3 Armies and that we will not hide behind decisions made by bureaucrats.
How many such museums does India have? Zero. Why cannot the government envision a museum like ‘The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum’ in New York or ‘HMS Belfast’? Just talking tourism is not enough. After all, it was in this country that someone dared to build the Taj Mahal. And with INS Viraat turning into a museum, we don’t even have to be original. We just need to imitate and earn from domestic tourism.
Modi 2.0 is raising the bar for itself. It knows that neither the Opposition nor the media is holding it fully to account, as normally happens in a democracy. However, that state of somnolence is not permanent. The image of a ruling party MLA striking a public servant on duty with a cricket bat gets seared on the national consciousness. In full public view, in an opposition ruled state underlines the sense of immunity. 2. The other concerning issue is the seeming end of the diffidence of the Muslim community in the face of truly despicable acts of violence directed against its members. There was a huge procession in Malegaon. There has been an unfortunate communal incident in Old Delhi. Communal harmony is coming under strain. Great wisdom in taking cognisance of it, sending out an unambiguous message that it is unacceptable.