Summaries by Shashi Shekhar

This article critically analyzes recurrent aviation safety failures, referencing the Germanwings crash caused by a depressed co-pilot and the recent Flight FZ1073 incident where an Omani pilot attacked his colleague. It highlights severe lapses in cockpit protocols, pilot background checks, and mental health screenings. Praising hero Smit Machchhar, the author strongly criticizes authorities' outdated thinking. The piece urges immediate implementation of new, effective norms for pilots and a global discourse on combating hate-mongering, stressing that cockpit threats require urgent attention beyond "wings and a prayer."

The author laments the collapse of the global order, attributing it to the decline of liberal ideals after the Cold War. The US, once a beacon of the

Across India, Gen Z and Alpha are protesting fiercely, driven by deep-seated issues in education and employment. Protests range from school students demanding teachers and infrastructure to aspirants alleging exam irregularities with JPSC-JSSC and NEET paper leaks. The author highlights soaring youth unemployment, especially among graduates, and the disparity between costly private and limited government educational opportunities. These widespread agitations signal a critical societal churn. The author criticizes leaders for failing to initiate serious debates or long-term action plans to address these fundamental challenges, instead focusing on superficial fixes. This widespread unrest demands urgent, comprehensive solutions for the youth's future.

The author critically reviews the film "Satluj," asserting it presents a biased, incomplete narrative of the Punjab insurgency. The article contends the film omits terrorist atrocities like rape and mass killings, while unfairly demonizing K.P.S. Gill and the Punjab police. Drawing on personal experience, the author highlights widespread terror, civilian deaths, and the assassination of IPS officer Govind Ram. The piece questions Jaswant Singh Khalra's portrayal, noting his past links to separatist ideology. The author concludes "Satluj" is a propaganda film, distorting history and fostering discord, urging a halt to such trends.

The author critically contrasts India's past national unity during crises (1962, 1965, 1973) with current political divisiveness, despite severe economic challenges like the ₹1,000 crore daily petrochemical loss. He recalls public sacrifices following Nehru and Shastri's calls. Today, he laments the lack of collective conscience, political opportunism, and declining patriotism. Questioning if this trend can be reversed, the author expresses dismay at politicians' shifting stances and the erosion of national solidarity from historical collective responses.