The Critical Indian

Nanda Devi Peak - The Site for Phase-I of Operation Hat Quick Read This story dates back to the 60s era, when the cold war threat perceptions were at their peak. The Communist China had conducted its first nuclear test on 16th October 1964 creating a panic in the western bloc. India had yet to get over the drubbing of 1962 Sino-India war, and this further sent shockwaves in the establishment. The American CIA then partnered with the Indian Intelligence Agency (IB) to undertake a top secret espionage mission code name 'Operation Hat' . The mission saw its first leg kick off in the backdrop of the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The mission in all likelihood was carried out with the prior knowledge of the Indian Government. Its objective being—installing a plutonium powered spy device on the Nanda Devi hills to gather details of the Chinese missile and nuclear program. The best of the best mountaineers from US and India were hired for the task. The mission however ended up in CIA loosing t...

The much-hyped demonetization happened. Not that this was the first time as it had happened in the past when high-value currencies in 5000 and 10000 denominations were pulled off. Undoubtedly though this was a first of its kind exercise, as one it came without a warning and two it targeted the majority of currency in circulation (86%) in 500 and 1000 denominations. But the real question though. Did it really have an impact on areas like black money, fake currency, and even terrorism? These were the key pointers on which the country stood up and supported this exhaustive exercise at their own cost. Or was the goal primarily to target the 97% cash-based economy, the informal sector? I guess that's probably self-explanatory! Provided as time passes the results become more and more evident.   What did we really achieve out of this painstaking exercise that lined up the entire nation of 1.3 billion outside the banks for two months? The pro and cons and counter-argument...