| Rita knocks at the door, seeks permission and walks in. She wishes
the Members, acknowledge her greetings. The chairman asks her to take a seat. The Board peruses her profile given in the Main Application Form (DAF) |
| CHAIRMAN: |
Rita your birthday falls on 21st of June. What is so special about this day? |
| RITA: |
Sir, the summer solstice happens on the 21st of June. On this day the sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Cancer and this is the longest day of the year. |
| CHAIRMAN: |
Could you tell us why does the summer solstice occur? |
| RITA: |
The basic reason for the solstice is the inclination of the axis of the rotation of the Earth vis – a – vis the plane in which the Earth is revolving around the Sun. Solstices are the points where the inclination of this axis is most towards the Sun or farthest away from it. On summer solstice day the Sun moves towards northern most position of its north – south journey. |
| CHAIRMAN: |
You said that the Earth’s axis of rotation is inclined. What would have happened if it were not inclined but were perpendicular to its plan of revolution? |
| RITA: |
Sir, most importantly there would be no seasonal variations at any place on the Earth. It is because of the inclination of the axis that a part of the Earth’s surface receives either direct or oblique rays of the Sun. The variation in obliquity of the solar rays causes the various seasons.
CHAIRMAN: How about the distance of the Earth from the Sun? |
| RITA: |
Yes Sir, it does. |
| CHAIRMAN: |
Does this variation have an effect on Earth’s seasons or does it cause the seasons?
RITA: It does have an effect on the seasons of Earth but this effect is not much pronounced when compared to the effect of the tilt of the axis of rotation of the Earth. (Question passes to the next Member) |
| 1st MEMBER: |
Rita, you have mentioned that you play badminton. Have you participated in any badminton competition? |
| RITA: |
Yes Sir, I have participated in inter – school and collage competitions |
| 1st MEMBER: |
Which countries are regarded as power houses of international badminton?
RITA: Sir, earlier it Malaysia and Indonesia and in recent years it is China that has emerged as the number one nation in this game. India particularly in women’s badminton has also done well in the past few years. |
| 1st MEMBER: |
What do you think are the reasons for China’s emergence as the superpower in badminton? |
| RITA: |
Sir, China was always a force to reckon with in this game. But in recent years it has followed a well planned and systematic approach towards this game as it has done in some other sports and games as well. The development of infrastructure and training of players is the area of focus. The players and their potential is identified at a very early stage and they are institutionally and professionally groomed. This also leads to the development of good bench strength in any sport or game. This helps to win international tournaments |
| 1st MEMBER: |
So what do you think India should do to improve its performance in Badminton as well as other sports? |
| RITA: |
Sir, India has improved its performance substantially with Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sandhu securing Olympic bronze and silver medals in 2012 and 2016 Olympics. This could happen due to sports infrastructure and coaching facility created by P. Gopichand. I feel that government and private sector both should encourage and emulate such models of excellence |
| 1st MEMBER: |
(Interjects). But how about other sports? How can India improve or win more medals in Olympics? |
| RITA: |
Sir, we have to follow the, ‘catch them young’ principal, that is, identify talent early in the school and colleges. Sports scholarship and sports universities could also be considered for this purpose. Private sector can play an important role in this regard. Besides, improving sports infrastructure is essential. This would include, training facilities, nutritional support, medical and physiotherapy support and coaching of international standards. Picking teams for international events early, so as to give adequate preparation time and professional management of sports associations, are other issues to be looked into. |
| 2nd MEMBER: |
You have indicated watching moves as your hobby. What kind of movies do you watch? |
| RITA: |
Sir, I like comedies and thrillers. But I also watch good movies in other categories. |
| 2nd MEMBER: |
Have you seen or heard about a movie called Avatar? |
| RITA: |
Yes Sir, I have seen this movie |
| 2nd MEMBER: |
What was so unique about it or what its USP? |
| RITA: |
Sir, it was then the costliest movie ever. There was extensive use of computers and digital imagery to create scenes that were totally out of this world. |
| 2nd MEMBER: |
How about the story line? What was the basic theme? Is there any similarity between the story and the modern history of this world? |
| RITA: |
The basic theme of the story was the rights of the indigenous people of a planet vis – a – vis a mining corporation’s might that wanted to extract an invaluable mineral found on this planet. (Thinks for a while) As far as similarity to modern history is concerned, it resembles the objective of the colonial masters which was to exploit the resources of a region or a country and use it as a market with scant regard to the interest of the people of that region. |
| 2nd MEMBER: |
Well! In India, we often see that there is a tussle for land, between the local people and an MNC or a big company that wants to excavate the minerals or start a production unit. Would you say that the situation is analogous to what was depicted in the movie? |
| RITA: |
Sir, the situation has certain similarities but is not analogous. The basic theme may be similar but the company that is acquiring land is not a complete alien. It is doing so as per the law of the land and with the prior approval of the government and the government is answerable to the people. |
| 2nd MEMBER: |
As a policymaker, whom would you support: the rights of the people or rights of an MNC? |
| RITA: |
(Thinks for a while): Sir it will depend on the situation, may support would be with those whose rights are legal and are in greater interest of the people of that state, the region, and the country, However, due consideration will have to be given to the problems faced by the displaced people, if a decision is taken to support the company. (Third member interjects) |
| 3rd MEMBER: |
Considerign the ecology of the North – eastern states, would you support large power generation, mining, and other such projects? |
| RITA: |
It is true that the north – eastern states are ecologically sensitive. But the economic development of the region is also important. I would support those projects that have the potential to bring development but cause no or less ecological damage. In case large projects prove to be ecologically disastrous then they should be discarded and should be replaced by smaller projects like small hydel projects. (Question passé to 5th Member) |
| 4th MEMBER: |
You are doing Master in Philosophy. |
| RITA: |
Yes Sir. |
| 4th MEMBER: |
Have you had exposure to the subject of Indian philosophy and religion? |
| RITA: |
A bit Sir, |
| 4th MEMBER: |
These days we often talk about yoga as a set of physical exercises but from the perspective of philosophy, what is the meaning of yoga and what is Eightfold yoga? |
| RITA: |
(Thinks for a while) Sorry Sir, I cant’s recall now. |
| 4th MEMBER: |
Have you heard of Vasudheva – Kutumbkum? What does it mean? |
| RITA: |
It means the whole world is a family |
| 4th MEMBER: |
Is there any sub – topic in modern Indian philosophy that deals with this concept? |
| RITA: |
Yes Sir, it is the concept of global village |
| 4th MEMBER: |
What does this concept mean? |
| RITA: |
Sir, in a literal sense this concept means that the information and technological advancements have shrunk the world where no one can live in isolation. But philosophically, this implies that the whole world including the materialistic domain is a manifestation of the Universal Consciousness and therefore, one. |
| 4th MEMBER: |
in the strife – torn world of today, is this philosophy relevant and practical? |
| RITA: |
Sir, it is true that today there are numerous differences and strife between people and various countries and the world is far from one. But the philosophy provides us an ideal that the world has to aspire for and strive to attain. |
| CHAIRMAN: |
Thank you. Your interview is over. |
| RITA: |
Thank you, to all of you Sir, |
| REMARKS: |
Rita has fared very well. She has portrayed a positive as well as pragmatic approach, especially on the issues of ecology and development. Her last reply conveys hope and belief in the ideologies that are socially desirable |
