Killing with kindness,is an apt description of what is being done to URDU,the worst victim of the partition,on the TV.After a couple of decades of  blatant discrimination, thanks to the HINDI films the language survived under the caption HINDI. Hindi itself became absurdly Sanskritised.Now it is a little easier to comprehend,though Urdu words are frequently used in news and reporting,nothing wrong with it at all,infact a very happy development.The only hitch is that the half a dozen words used frequently do not mean what they are intended to mean.Just two eg.s would suffice to make the point. "Quawaed" can only mean,regulatory stringent format based on fundamentals.It is never used in that sense.In fact it appears to the joker in the pack of cards.Use it where you dont know what to say.Everybody ,not knowing Urdu is impressed.It sounds so heavy and solid.The other one is "banam"----Dhoni banam Gambhir. Banam means in the name of.What the user means is Dhoni Vs Gambhir,and not Dhoni in the name of Gambhir.I am not wanting to be pedantic,other wise "tallaffuz" ie pronunciation would be a big issue.Some great attempts at "moderanisation" such as Hindising   the pronunciation and changing the script ,could certainly take Urdu a long long way ,far far away from its origins and character into  a designer product totally non -descript and sterile.  

PC to women officers in defence

Views based on 37yrs as an officer of the Administrative Branch ,even short commission to women in armed forces is an indiscreet and populist measure.(except in Med.branch).Briefly,the facts revealed during a review board held at Air HQs.Just one typical case is mentioned of a women officer of ATC (Air Traffic Control).

Got married within year or so of joining I A F,became pregnant ,said she could not climb ,three or four flights of stairs ,to her place of duty ie the ATC tower,a very comfortable airconditioned place,had to be accommodated willy nilly as asst.adjutant or asst. admin .officer ,went on maternity leave and yet got a better assessment at the end of the year than her male counterparts,who performed their primary and secondary duties ,except for their absence during annual leave.Most of them also are spared night shift duties.This is not an isolated case.Armed forces ,since the induction of women,are a great  marriage mart..Widest selection ,great environment,a posting in about two and half year to another  station with a new set of eligible bachelors.

PMS would take its toll ,lots of adjustment required in duty rosters.Besides, other problems, it is widely accepted by researchers that split second decisions in ,especially fighter flying needs a more tranquil mental state.

There is no dispute on their competence, aptitude in many other areas of human activity,infact  a whole range .

In defense,they are no more than show pieces,that the austere forces can do without.The decision to grant them any commission,short or permanent is on flawed premise.