Kartik Lokhande's blog

* November 2015 marks the culmination of birth centenary celebrations of Eknath Ranade, a son of Vidarbha who made it the cause of his life to realise the dream of Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari By Kartik Lokhande  It was 1962, a year that had stirred the atmosphere in the country owing to several factors including a war with China. In January 1963, India was to celebrate the birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda. In down south, in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, tension was in the air over Swami Vivekananda’s memorial. There were attempts by some to claim the Rock off the shores of Tamil Nadu where Vivekananda meditated. A firm leadership is required to navigate through little storms in the journey towards realisation of a goal. Eknath Ranade, a man born in village Timtala in Amravati district of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, was destined to be that firm leader as far as Swami Vivekananda’s memorial at Kanyakumari. Born on November 19, 1914, Eknath Ranade was the ...

The release of ‘top secret’ Brooks-Bhagat Committee report on Indian debacle in 1962 war with China, by Australian journalist Neville Maxwell, has brought to fore what was widely believed. In fact, the content of the report, which is closely-guarded by Government of India for well over 50 years, was found in bits and pieces in one or the other document or books or various other analytical reports. The Government itself effected various changes taking cognisance of the observations in the report. Still, the report itself is ‘officially’ out of public domain. The report, as released by Maxwell has certain pages and annexures missing. But, it presents an analysis of operations in 1962 war and reverses suffered. ‘The Hitavada’ Chief Reporter Kartik Lokhande examines what the Brooks-Bhagat report -- as released by Maxwell -- has brought to fore and what it leaves to be desired. A view from Bum La along India-China border. THE GUILTY MEN OF 1962: A copy of an old photog...