ARVIND SAXENA BOARD Background : B.E(ECE) + Public Administration optional + have stayed in Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh + hobbies : Yoga, Spirituality, Writing letters to the Editor in the newspapers, Dance, Watching cricket. Forenoon session (First one to go) ; 10.00 - 10,30 am CP : So Miss PS, you write letters to the editor in newspapers. Which newspaper do you write in? PS : Sir, | write letters in The Hindu. CP : Oh good, so how often do you write? PS : Sir, | write one every week but it gets published once a month on an average. CP: I see. So what issues do you write on? No leave this, Tell me which were the last 3 letters you wrote which got published? PS : Sir, | have written letters on 1. Triple talaq, 2. Deradicalization strategy, and 3. Demonetisation. CP :Okay. See Triple talaq has been debated upon quite a lot. Tell me about deradicalization. No, first tell me what is radicalization? PS : Sir, it is a process of infiltrating minds of people with extreme ideas and ideology. CP: Yes, that is on the basis of religion, right? PS : Sir, people can be radicalized using religious as well as non-religious matters, both. CP: What non-religious? PS : Sir, radicalizing on caste lines, or through social issues like the left wing extremism, Sir. CP : Good. Se what did you write on deradicalization? PS : Sir, | wrote about a multi-pronged strategy to curb the menace of radicalization, Like 1. Disrupting communication channels used to radicalize or recruit peaple , eg ; through social media ; 2. Bridging the development deficit by creating more jobs so that youth isn’t allured to it, 3. Involving ulemas, imams to spread the right interpretation of quran sharif. CP : Alright. So PS you must be hearing of cases of racist attacks on Africans. Do you think India is a racist country? PS ; Sir, to be able to salve this problem we need to acknowledge that yes racism exists in India. CP ; Really? So you say we are a racist country. How is it manifested in the Indian society? PS : Sir, it is manifested in fairness cream advertisements, prejudices against people hailing from North East India and now against Africans.Mi (Lady member) :PS, | see that you are a yoga enthusiast. Tell me it is yog of what all elements? And where can we find it in ancient times? PS; Maam, Yog is the union of spirit, bady and mind. And its origin can be traced back to Patanjali’s Yoga-sutras, which was the first codified version of yog. 1 : Good. Are you aware of the fact that yoga finds mention in the Mahabharata? Can you elaborate on this? PS : Sorry ma’am, I’m not very well versed with this. M1: Okay, no problem, So PS did you read today's newspaper? PS : Yes ma'am (very confidently) ‘M1; Supreme court verdict is awaited in a case. Do you know which one? PS : Yes ma'am, the Nirbhaya gang rape case. M1: So what do you think the verdict should be, ar tell me what is the public sentiment or your opinion regarding this? PS: Matam, since the state policy supports capital punishment in such a heinous crime as it constitutes of a rarest of rare case, On the same lines, I support death penalty for the guilty. ‘M1; Good, yes death penalty for deterrence, But PS what is the point of all this Punishment, the crime rate is rising anyway. Do you think there is a solution to this? If yes, please elaborate onto how will you solve this issue if you were the DM. PS : Firstly ma'am, reporting of crime has increased which is a positive step showcasing growing awareness. And crime rates are plummeting in the southern states because of reforms. Secondly, we can deploy a multi-pronged strategy here. First, community policing and sensitisation of police forces has to be the norm. Second, setf-defence exercises. Third, technological solutions like mobile app: Himmat app and installing CCTV cameras at dark spots. Fourth and the most important ma’am, mindset change. Ma'am, the patriarchal mindset has to be changed where women are considered equal to men and are not morally policed. M1 = Yes, and this shoutd start from home. Parents should educate their sons to behave well and consider women equal. PS : Absolutely ma'am. Thank you. M1 : Okay, so PS, what if we put you out of your comfort zone and send yau to a far -off cadre to serve. Haw will you manage this? PS : Ma'am, from the past 2 years, | have been on an intense spiritual learning. And spirituality has taught me to how to ‘Rise above oneself” where you get rid of all these constraints. Learning a new language, getting acclimatised to new weather conditions ordietary intake would not be a tough task especially when the bigger picture is to ‘Empower people’ and that is something | truly aspire for, (said this with full conviction) ‘M2 (Perhaps, a psychologist, as he kept noticing my hair, attire very minutely) M2 : PS, we are hearing cases of tomato crop being destroyed by the farmers all together. Why do you think the farmers are taking such a drastic step? PS : Sir, I'm not well versed with the specific details of the case. but I can certainly try, if you allow me. M2; Yes, please. PS : Sir, inadequate price discovery could be the main reason that farmers are taking such a drastic step. 1. Lack of cold-storage facilities and warehousing ; 2. Marketing reforms even though introduced, are yet to reach the farmers completely ; 3. Insurance deficit could be another reason. M2: So, in capacity of a DM, how will you address this problem? PS : Sir, first, ensuring scientific and adequate cold-storage facilities for these perishable goods ; second, leveraging the mega-food parks scheme of the Govt. for better price discovery ; third, marketing reforms like E-NAM can ensure remunerative prices for the farmers; and fourth, using radiation to increase shelf life of the crop. M2 : Okay, so PS you are staying in Dethi currently. Why has Delhi been the capital city for 2000 years. PS : Sir, 1. Easy access through the north-west frontiers evident from repeated invasions. 2. Delhi was the seat of power since ancient times, so the coming chieftains and kingdoms built over this already developed area. 3. Agriculturally rich land made it further more lucrative. M2: And also PS, geographically inaccessible terrains of north east because of the mighty Himalayas were a constraining factor for the other places to develop as a seat of power. PS : Absolutely, thank you sir. M3 (Have seen him on TV/in newspapers) M3 : So PS, Delhi is grappling with a lot of problems. Can you elaborate on some? PS : Sir, I'll like to cite the problems socially, economically, politically and environmentally. 3 : Its okay. Just tell me about the water crisis in Dethi and where all manifested? PS : Sir, certainly water deficit is a concern for Delhi, this was manifested last year during agitations in Haryana when munak canal was disrupted showcasing Delhi's dependence on other states for water. Secondly, Delhi houses a sizeable slum population- almost 50% which ts devoid of piped drinking water. Sir, that is all 1 can think of right now.