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For all of IT/CS guys like us, Indian Navy has just got new, specific branch for us. But that’s not the only branch you can apply for. you will find list of various branches in the due course of answer. Let’s now talk about Information Technology Cadre.Information Technology cadre was first proposed by Indian Navy, in the backdrop of war room leak case, which made Indian Navy realize its weak network links. Not only did it made India aware about its shortfalls, a whole new warfare was knocking at India's door step, known to world as Cyber Warfare.Information technology cadreWith increasing cyber terrorism and attacks on its networks, the navy has created a separate cell for communications, space and network centric operations (CS&NCO) under an officer of the rank of Rear Admiral. The cell would operate and maintain the naval network and will respond to cyber attacks from hostile hackers. It will be manned by a special information technology cadre of the Indian Navy.As Modernization wheel gained the pace, it became evident to planners that tomorrows war results would be defined by advancement in technology, and the one who has big picture of a battle theater. Well ,as IT Officer, you role and responsibility in this theater increases.In terms of Promotion, depending upon SSC Entry/ PC Entry,one can climb up to the rank of Commander for SSC Entry, whereas for PC Entry one can climb up on the ladder.However, Operational Command Structure mandates, Officers of Executive Branch should take the charge of Command and Control, in near future as Indian Navy is Evolving, there is high possibility that separate Command Structure under the command of IT Officer will be created in lieu with International Blue Water Navies.Naval satelliteIndia's first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by European space consortium Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana in August, 2013, giving a major push to the country's maritime security. The Navy is the user of the multi-band home-built communication spacecraft, which has been operational since September 2013. GSAT-7 was designed and developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and is expected to operate for seven years in its orbital slot at 74 degrees east, providingUHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band relay capacity. Its Ku-band capacity is expected to provide high-density data transmission facility, both for voice and video. This satellite has been provided with additional power to communicate with smaller and mobile (not necessarily land-based) terminals. This dedicated satellite is expected to provide the Indian navy with an approximately 3,500- to 4,000-kilometer footprint over the Indian Ocean region, and over both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal region and enable real-time networking of all its operational assets in the water (and land). It also will help the navy to operate in a network-centric atmosphere.Indian Navy provides excellent career opportunities in the field of IT. Personnel gain hands-on experience in operations, maintenance and administration of state-of-the art networks, IT infrastructure and advanced IT/InfoSec application. They are exposed to handling niche technology and R&D functions as part of standard growth profile. Naval IT setup is unique since it involves not only shore based establishments but also afloat units, which require to maintain connectivity and synchronized operations. The charter of duties of IT officer includes following:-Implementation of enterprise wide networking and software development projects.Management of critical Naval networks and software applications.Administration of ashore and afloat networks.Development activities with respect to cyber security products.Administration of cyber security incident response and cyber forensics.On completion of training, officers would be posted on-board IN Ships & Establishments for carrying out IT duties. The officers would be handling state-of-the-art networks and niche applications, both in operational and administrative areas. Sufficient opportunity to handle both ‘open source applications’ and ‘proprietary tailor made software’ will be available. The job profile would involve designing/implantation/Maintenance of secure and critical networks including manning of Security Operations/ Network Operation Centers. The officers will have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technology in the field of IT & Cyber security, while implementing and maintaining various Navy wide applications, portals & dedicated IT Systems.Till here, i believe answers is suffice to fulfill the requirements of question, Further information is for your extra knowledge which you may/may not be knowing.Following list of tables will help you find eligibility according to your qualification.Now this was the part of Application, Next Comes SSB Interview.I believe even before setting in for above tasks and planning for them, invest good amount of time in yourself. Without Knowing yourself, one can never get through SSB, and that’s how each task is designed to get qualities out of your personality.Self Introspection of your qualities is very crucial. Knowing ones’ Strength and Weakness are the building blocks to success.Coming To Various Stages of Interviews, you can scroll down to the part which says SELECTION PROCESS, if you are interested knowing more about how to Self Introspect and Improving Ones Quality, you can read further, otherwise i would suggest, you can stop your reading here.Now, as you have chosen to read further, well first of all congrats because You have PATIENCE my friend. Even before keeping any points in my mind for SSB, my friend you need look into you,i.e.Self Introspection is crucial aspect of SSB, and indeed Life. Unless and Until you don’t know about you Strengths and much more important your weaknesses, it will make things a lot tricky.SSB as a whole is rather very easy testing process, and why not it was designed to be like that, so that your real self can come out, its Us who make tough for us by trying the shortcuts, and this step is taken when someone is to much crazy about achieving something, well both this things don’t go well with SSB.I will what i did, for a start for self introspection, you can have your own way for it, I took a A4 sheet and started with my Strengths, an you know what i got a hell lot of strengths on the paper, but then came climax, When i started jotting down myweaknesses, i could only make 4–5 points max,if you see this in normal scenario its good that i have less weaknesses and even anyone would see it that way,and i am no different, but i took a random thought process, i thought why is it that i have so less weaknesses but then too i am not able to hit the target, answer was obvious, i was not looking in for weaknesses deeply, what my mind did while writing down weaknesses was it started categorizing them common, small or negligible weaknesses, whereas same didn’t happened in case of Strengths, there i had it, I broke down classification, and started finding weaknesses of mine, and believe and made me realize that there were many incidents which overlooked instead of learning from those mistakes.Sorry, for long explanation , but i guess you must have got my point, but don’t just stop at Strengths and Weaknesses, think of what you daily, your hobbies, you sporting activities, this will help you to confidently answer question about yourself, and believe me or not, when you don’t know yourself completely its this Questions On you which take you down.So, when you are out there in SSB, you need to make sure of this things in broader aspects,BE YOURSELF - let others response may sound how much interesting and thrilling, its your response and reaction that matters at that moment, from my experience i thing which i observed, SSB majorly focuses on how you do itordeal with a certain situation. Even if you give an interesting and impressive answers, which you have mugged up, it wont do any good, and in fact do a lot bad, Instead, you can give your answers, and think before answering so that when stressed upon, you can confidently support your point.PRESENCE OF MIND - Its very crucial, a lot go down just because they neglect this aspect. Presence Of Mind not brings in “A” Game of yours, it broadens your horizon of thinking, instead of getting excited and running just for the sake of running without any direction. This Aspect brings in Patience in you, and its no secret staying calm in stressful situation is key to go through it.BE POSITIVE & OPTIMISTIC - Putting you under stress is what SSB does to take your real out, so many times things don’t go the best way you would have hoped for, now at this point you need to have a optimistic view, analyse your mistake and move on, instead of crying and getting worried over it, as doing this just starts a chain reaction which will destroy all your tests.All the above mentioned three points together power up your CONFIDENCE, and it goes in your favor in a big way.Some simple points such as,Be at your Formal best when asked to be, How you pull yourself is reflective of you Personality.Listen to Instruction very keenly and follow them, Instruction given are very clear in nature and if you hear it properly, you won’t have any Doubt.And, Last but not the least, Enjoy it, yeah you heard it right Enjoy it, its a whole new experience which you feel in 5 days, you will make lot of friends and some of them will be there for long time in your life.for simple outline of the SSB Process you can visit this link → Join Indian NavySELECTION PROCESSThe aim of five day testing is to assess personality of candidates by three pronged approach – Manasa, Vacha & Karmna, Translating into your thoughts, speech and deed/actions. These three approaches are termed as techniques and they are assessed by Psychologist, Interviewing Officer and Group testing Officer independently. The summation of three approaches in conference gives inputs for identifying a potential and a trainable Armed Forces leader.TESTING SCHEDULE AT SSBThe selection process is spread over five days testing schedule and is conducted in two stages. Stages I is conducted on the first day and the candidates having some chance of getting selected are retained for Stage II based on the performance of candidates in written test and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP & DT) conducted on Day 1. The brief program for five days is given below and the same is elaborated in subsequent sections.STAGE -1DAY 1 - Written Test, PP & DTSTAGE – IIDAY 2- Psych Test ; InterviewDAY 3- GTO 1 Day; InterviewDAY 4- GTO 2 Day; InterviewDAY 5- ConferenceREPORTING DAYRECEPTIONYour day of reporting starts with the reception as per the details given in call letter/ SMS sent to you, a reception is organised for all candidates at the railway station. You have to report to the Movement Control Office (MCO) at the time and date given in call letter/SMS. Here a representative of the SSB manning the reception will receive you and direct you to a bus that will take you to SSB.Candidates arriving late or by road/air should proceed directly on their own and report to the SSB. On your arrival at the SSB, you will be given sufficient time to settle down.OPENING ADDRESSThe first organised event at the SSB is the opening address. The duty officer gives and introductory talk, explains matters of administration arrangements, the DOs and Don'ts at the SSB and the routine at SSB in the brief for the next five days. Listen carefully to what he says.DOCUMENTATIONAfter the opening address Documentation check is the next event. You are required to produce your original certificates for verification and fill up certain forms like the TA form on the reporting day itself. You will also be allotted chest numbers for your Stage I testing.DAY 1 – STAGE 1OIR TESTMorning of the Day 1 begins with the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test. The test would start early, so ensure that you have a good night sleep and wake up in time to be ready for the tests. The tests themselves include verbal and non-verbal tests which require simple and analytical reasoning.PPDTThe second test of Day 1 is Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP&DT). During this test a picture is flashed on screen for 30 seconds and candidates have to broadly note down certain basic parameters i.e. No of characters, their age, sex, mood and thereafter write a story relating to the situation in the picture. A story that could cover, what according to the candidate’s perception led to the situation in the picture, its present and future development? The time allotted for the story to be written down is 4 minutes.GROUP DISCUSSIONIn this test the picture and your stories would be discussed in a group. For this phase the batch is divided in small groups. The strength of a group is around fifteen candidates. To start the Group Discussion, each candidate would be required to narrate his perception and individual written story. Subsequently, candidates will discuss among themselves and achieve a common consensus about the characters and the theme of the story.RESULT OF STAGE 1Once all candidates have undergone this stage the results of Stage I are declared. Successful candidates are retained for Stage II testing and the balance are asked to leave after a short brief on general shortcomings. The candidates are provided with lunch and transport to go to the railway station. Candidates will also be paid the entitled Travelling Allowance for AC 3 tier class. This travelling allowance is paid to candidates appearing for the first time in SSB on production of the original tickets.STAGE 2The candidates retained for further testing in Stage 2 will be divided into groups of eight to ten candidates. Each candidate will be allotted a new chest number. It is important to remember that you are not competing with other candidates, all of you will be assessed against the common standard of suitability and it is possible that everyone in the group is selected or rejected. You will require to fill up Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ) with correct and exact details about your life. In case of a large batch some of you may find yourself facing Interviewing Officer in the evening of same day.DAY - 2PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTThe second day sees the testing in the earnest and begins with the onset of Psychological Assessment. The candidates are taken through a series of situations projected as words, pictures and narrated situations. The reaction timings are stringent to bring in natural and subconscious behavioral pattern of individual. As the Psych tests takes time and one has to be fresh and natural, the tests are started early in the morning. Before the tests are administered you will be briefed by the Psychologist about the various tests you have to undergo, also before you undergo actual tests you will be familiarises with the example tests of each type. Psych test are administered on candidates to access the psychological profile acceptable for candidates of particular age group.THEMATIC APPERCEPTION TESTThe first test among the battery of Psych tests is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). In this test a total of 12 pictures including a blank picture will be shown for 30 seconds each, one after the other. Candidates are asked to write story around the picture shown, covering issues like what led to the situation, what is going on and what would be the outcome of the situation perceived in the picture. The picture is selected in a manner to allow your creative mind to evolve a number of stories.No story is correct or wrong, what matters is it must be a story triggered in your mind by the picture. Remember that the picture is shown only for 30 seconds and then you are asked to write about the picture within four minutes. In the blank picture, you have to imagine a picture of your own choice and write a story around that. Since the timings are stringent you are advised to write the story that occurs to you first on seeing the picture, that way your response will be natural and you will be able to write the entire story within the limited time available to you.WORD ASSOCIATION TESTThe next psych test is the Word Association Test (WAT). In this test a total of 60 words are shown to the candidates. Each word is flashed on the screen for 15 seconds. The candidate is required to write down the first thought or idea that comes to his mind on seeing the word in the space provided in the 15 seconds before the next word is flashed.SITUATION REACTION TESTThe third psych test is the Situation Reaction Test (SRT). This test consists of 60 routine life situations regarding day to day activities. The situations are printed in the booklet and candidate is asked to write his reaction by completing the sentences as to how he would feel, think and act in these situations. A total of 30 minutes are given to candidates to write down reactions to all the sixty situations in the booklet.SELF DESCRIPTION TESTThe last in the battery of Psych tests is the Self Description Test (SD). Each candidate is given 15 minute and is asked to write 5 separate paragraphs on the opinion of his parents or guardian, friends, teachers or superiors, self opinion and qualities the candidate would like to develop/ inculcate in himself.Following is the way how you will mostly probably sited for Psych Test.DOS & DON‘TS PSYCH TESTDOsListen and adhere to the instructions properly.Clarify all your doubts before the commencement of each test.Be as imaginative and spontaneous as possible.Give your first reaction to picture/word shown to you, don’t think twice as there is no right or wrong answer to the situation, everyone is like to respond in his own unique way.Be realistic and logical in your responses and keep track of time.Don'tsDo not use coached/ tutored ideas while responding to psychological test battery.Do not create mental sets about pictures during run up to the SSB as it may restrict your spontaneity and imagination.INTERVIEWOn completion of Psych tests and subsequent refreshment break, some of the candidates have to appear before the Interviewing Officer for Personal Interview. The interviews will continue in the afternoon and evenings of Day 2, 3 and 4. You will be interviewed only once and will be informed well in advance about the time and place.The atmosphere throughout the interview is relaxed and informal. The questions are generally based on your every day experiences and relating to your work, education, family and spare time activities, hobbies and interests. Each candidate is interviewed for a duration ranging from 45 minutes to an hour. The Interviewing Officer will discuss by way of questions and answers the opportunities you had in your life and utilisation you made of them. The Interviewing Officer is fairly senior and experienced in the armed Forces while he interacts with you, he assesses whether you have the essential qualities to be trained to become an officer in the armed Forces. What you have done till date with regard to your academics, your achievements and extra curricular activities, your interest in life, interaction with your parents, friends and society at large. Candidates’ general awareness, physical and mental fortitude, form important facets to assist him in his assessment. No one is perfect and the Interviewing Officer understands and gives more than adequate benefits for the shortcomings or mistakes which you may have committed thus do not try and hide anything. The tendency of lying and making false pretences is easily found and is viewed negatively.DOS & DON'TS – INTERVIEWLook smart, cheerful and enthusiastic.Be audible but not too loud and appear keen to speak and respond to questions.Sit straight and comfortably, do not fidget, do not keep moving your hands and legs as it may distract the interviewer from your responses.If you have not understood anything politely ask for clarification or to repeat the question.You are expected to be aware so as to touch upon current events if asked.DAY 3 - GROUP TESTINGThe third day is full of exciting physical activity in the Group Testing Grounds. The candidates will be briefed by the Group Testing Officer in the morning about all out door activities. The primary concern here is to see how you will face the obstacles and the tasks allotted to you and your attitude towards other members of the group both while working with them and while directing them. Group tests do not require specialised individual skills on your part, logical thinking, coordinated team efforts, work ability to receive and give suggestion is what is looked at by assessors. You will be provided with Sketch Board, Ladders, Ropes, Planks and other such things as your tools to help you in the assigned task. You are given few minutes to form plan and thereafter execute the task within the given timeframe. The battery of GTO tests consists of nine tests/ tasks.GROUP DISCUSSIONThe first task of GTO battery of test begins with Group Discussions on a debatable topic, which is usually given on a current event/social issues. In the first group discussion the group is allowed to select one of the two topics offered.In the second group discussion the topic is of the GTO’s choice. Each discussion will last for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Each candidate is expected to participate in the discussions. Remember that the discussions involve the exchange of ideas and thoughts. It is not a traffic of words.GROUP PLANNING EXERCISEThe Group planning Exercise is the second test of the GTO test series. In this test a story on a model with a few problems is narrated. What you are required to do is to identify the problems and evolve the practical solution within the given time. You are expected to write down your own individual solution on the paper provided to you. A candidate while giving solution should think logically, write and draw neatly and also examine alternate solutions of the problem. Thereafter your group collective solution will be discussed by the group and you are expected to participate in evolving the group plan acceptable to everyone. One of you may then be asked to explain the acceptable group plan.PROGRESSIVE GROUP TASKProgressive Group Task is the next GTO test. Four obstacles are required to be collectively negotiated by your group along with a heavy load. Certain helping materials in the form of Rope, Planks etc are provided for the task to be completed within 40 minutes. Ground rules will be explained to the candidates in detail before the commencement of the tests. Make sure you and your group adheres to the rules strictly. Also remember that all of you and the load need to negotiate the obstacle together to move on during this test.GROUP OBSTACLE RACEUnlike other tasks here the entire group competes with other groups of your batch over a set of six obstacles. Each group has to carry a roll of tent/ stuffed gunny bags in the shape of snake from the start point to finish point. Therefore the task is commonly referred as Snake Race. The rules of the race will be explained to you, the winner is the group that cover all the obstacles against the challenge posed by opponents. Not to forget to include time, obstacles and load within the framework of rules of the race. After the race there is a short 20 minutes break for rest and refreshments.HALF GROUP TASK (HGT)After the break you will participate in the Half Group Task. This task is similar to the PGT except that it is conducted over one obstacle with smaller group.LECTURETTEOn completion of HGT the GTO will conduct the task called lecturette. Each member of your group will deliver a three minutes informal talk on a topic selected by candidate from the set of topics offered separately to each candidate.Approximately three minutes are given to the candidate to prepare the talk and thereafter speak for three minutes in front of group on the subject chosen by the candidate.DAY 4 - GROUP TESTINGThe balance of the Group Tests are conducted on fourth day. The test begins early in the morning with Individual Obstacle (IO) course.INDIVIDUAL OBSTACLESIn the individual Obstacle there are ten obstacles designed to test candidates individual ability in negotiating them, you are given three min to negotiate as many obstacle as possible on your own. If the course is completed within the time limit, you may repeat the obstacle of your choice. You will be given short break after all members of the group have completed their individual obstacle course.COMMAND TASKThe next task in line is the Command Task, each member of your group will be put in command of the group in turn, the objective being completion of the specified task as commander of a group. You will be first briefed by the GTO regarding the task and thereafter you will explain the task to your group as commander and give instructions to them and also monitor the completion of the task personally.FINAL GROUP TASKAs the name suggest the last GTO test is the final group task, here once again the entire group gets together to complete an assigned task within the stipulated time frame.DOS & DON'TS for GTO TESTDOsPerceive the problems posed correctly and assimilate all details.Have adequate awareness about general/ current affairs.Be quick enough to think and write solutions.Solutions should be logical and realistic.Be spontaneous and forthright in expressing yourself, participate actively.In outdoor task, be energetic, participate and contribute to the group activities.Understand the requirement of the task, plan and try to evolve/suggest workable ideas.Keep the group aim in mind.Be confident and develop perseverance in pursuing the aim/goal.Be effective in communicationDon’tDon’t limit yourself to one type of media-explore various types of media to acquire knowledge/awareness about topics of general interest.Don’t try to put pre-conceived knowledge / ideas, utilize them to generate own ideas.Don’t sit/stand back and wait for opportunity to come your way – grab the opportunity.Don’t shut out others’ ideas.DAY 5 – CONFERENCE DAYCLOSING ADDRESSThe last or the 5th day is spent in the conference. In the continuation of the process of selection, the day begins with the closing address. Closing Address is generally given by Dy President of the board before the Board Conference. During the address officer will highlight the merits of selection system, explain the qualities that we in the Armed Forces are looking for in your personality and provide clarification to any doubts or question that may arise in your mind. This is also interactive forum for you to put forward any problem complaint or any suggestion that you may have experienced during your stay at SSB.BOARD CONFERENCEThe Board Conference is the final event of the five day testing process, during the board conference which is chaired by president, Dy president and all the assessors that is the GTOs, Psychologists and Interviewing Officers, who have assessed you will be in attendance. Each candidate is discussed in detail by the three assessors, who have examined his demonstrated performance through the specific technique independently to arrive at consensus on acceptability of each candidate. Detailed process of validation and counter validation is undertaken to arrive at final decision about the candidate. Candidates will be asked to appear individually before the board. You will be asked some question during the conference. Your answers during the conference are also important. The board makes final recommendation about the suitability of the candidate as well as final marks to be awarded to each candidate.DECLARATION OF RESULTAfter all the candidates have appeared before the board and the result has been compiled, the Technical Officer of the board will announce the result. The candidates who fail to make the grade are seen off at the railway station. All those who are recommended by the board will stay on for the medical examination which may take one week.MEDICAL EXAMINATIONRecommended candidates appear before the medical board for carrying out their medical board after the SSB results. It takes 4 to 5 working days for the concerned Military Hospital to complete the medical board and after that the candidates are dispersed. NDA candidates are examined both for Army and Navy unless otherwise instructed and endorsement of fitness status will be made accordingly. President of the medical board will guide the candidates for Appeal/Review Medical Board procedures. Candidates may seek the advice of President Special Medical Board for review/appeal in case they have been declared unfit.Few Tips from my personnel experienceBE YOURSELF and I mean it, not just for the sake of saying. Trust you actions and Thoughts.Little Self Introspection such as your strengths & weaknesses will give you more clarity about your personality.If you don’t do physical exercise much, start jogging, it will help you to keep up your breath during GTO.Smiling brings positive thoughts. Make a habit to converse with others with smile on your face, but of-course don’t do it for serious moments otherwise i am not responsible for Slap…!!!!!!Don’t over do thingsStick to truth & facts, and they will be happy, go otherwise, and you will be sunken boat.and Once you get Recommended, Medically Cleared,Merit In, you can tuck me in for having a Pizza Party, after all it will be great mile to celebrate upon.All The Best.Source: - Join Indian NavyThank You.!

Please compare the recent judgments of rafale deal and 2G spectrum cases by Supreme Court in a nut shell.Rafale Judgement:- The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a group of petitions that demanded an investigation into the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal, saying that it was satisfied that the process for procurement had been complied with.The judgement was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice K.M. Joseph.“We are satisfied that there is no occasion to really doubt the [decision-making] process [on the Rafale deal], and even if minor deviations have occurred, that would not result in either setting aside the contract or requiring a detailed scrutiny by the Court,” the bench has said. “We have been informed that joint exercises have taken place, and that there is a financial advantage to our nation. It cannot be lost sight of, that these are contracts of defense procurement which should be subject to a different degree and depth of judicial review. Broadly, the processes have been followed.”2G spectrum Judgement:- In exonerating all the accused, CBI special judge O.P. Saini said, “I have no hesitation in holding that record is not sufficient and the prosecution has miserably failed in proving charges. All accused are acquitted.”What difference do you find? In 2G case the prosecution has failed to prove charges.Does it fail because of incompetence or deliberate. This doubt gives rise as the investigation conducted during UPA regime and also there seems to be the evidences were destroyed.Here is the time line of the case and you can observe that the investigation was mostly carried through UPA regime.2007May: A. Raja appointed telecom minister.August: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) initiates the process of allotment of 2G Spectrum and licences.October: Raja announces that on the recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, there would be no auction of spectrum, which would be allocated. DoT receives 575 applications from 46 firms.2008January: DoT decides to issue licenses on a first-come, first-served basis with a retrospective cut-of date of 25 September 2007.2009May: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) receives a complaint from Telecom Watchdog, a non-government organization, alleging illegalities in 2G spectrum allocation. CVC orders a probe by the CBI.July: The Delhi high court rules that the cut off date for license applications of 25 September 2007 is illegal.October: A first information report is filed by the CBI against “unknown officers” of DoT and unknown private persons/companies under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Corruption Act.2010September: The Supreme Court issues notice to the Center and Raja on a petition by the Center for Public Interest Litigation, an NGO, over an alleged Rs70,000 crore scam in granting 2G licenses in 2008.November: A Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report, tabled in the Lok Sabha, says that allocation of 2G spectrum led to a presumptive loss of Rs1.76 trillion to the exchequer.Raja steps down as telecom minister.2011February: The Supreme Court asks the Center to constitute a special court for hearing cases related to irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum.Raja is sent to 14 days in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the case. Shahid Usman Balwa, then director of Swan Telecom Pvt. Ltd, is also remanded to judicial custody.March: A special CBI court is set up for hearing cases related to the so-called 2G scam.April: The first charge sheet filed by CBI names Raja, Balwa and Raja’s ex-private secretary R.K. Chandolia, along with Reliance Group managing director Gautam Doshi, senior vice president Hari Nair, group president Surendra Pipara, Swan Telecom promoter Vinod Goenka and Unitech Ltd managing director Sanjay Chandra. Reliance Telecom Ltd, Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd and Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Pvt Ltd are also charge sheeted.DMK chief M. Karunanidhi’s daughter and MP Kanimozhi and four others are named in the second charge sheet filed by CBI.October: The special CBI court frames charges against all accused.November: The special CBI court begins trial.The Supreme Court grants bail to five corporate executives, namely Sanjay Chandra, Vinod Goenka, and Gautam Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara.The Delhi high court grants bail to Kanimozhi, Sarath Kumar of Kalaignar TV, Karim Morani of Cineyug and DB Realty’s Rajiv Aggarwal and Asif Balwa.The special CBI court grants bail to Shahid Balwa.December: CBI files a third charge sheet, naming Essar Group promoters Anshuman and Ravi Ruia, its director (strategy and planning) Vikas Saraf, Loop Telecom Pvt. Ltd promoters Kiran Khaitan and her husband I. P Khaitan, along with Loop Telecom, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding.2012February: The Supreme Court cancels 122 telecom licenses and spectrum allocated to nine companies in January 2008 during Raja’s tenure, saying the process of allocation was flawed. It orders that the spectrum be auctioned.The Supreme Court asks the special CBI court to decide on P. Chidambaram’s alleged role in the case within 2 weeks. Also asks CBI to supervise the probe and submit a status report on the investigation to the central vigilance commission (CVC).Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy moves the Supreme Court, challenging the special court’s order dismissing his plea to make Chidambaram a co-accused in the 2G case.Center for Public Interest Litigation moves the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the CBI to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged role of Chidambaram in spectrum allocation irregularities.August: The Supreme Court dismisses a plea for a CBI inquiry against Chidambaram, saying that there was no material to establish that he abused his official position as the finance minister.2014August: Enforcement Directorate (ED) files a charge sheet before the special CBI court against Raja, Kanimozhi, and 17 others in connection with a suspected case of money laundering related to the 2G spectrum allocation irregularities. It also names DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka as accused in the case, in which it alleges that Rs200 crore was paid by Swan promoters to DMK-run Kalaignar TV.October: Charge of money laundering made out against A. Raja, Kanimozhi and others by a special CBI court. Trial to commence on 11 November.2015November: The Supreme Court rejects a plea by Kanimozhi for quashing of charges against her.201726 April: The special CBI court reserves verdict in 2G spectrum allocation case.21 December: The special court acquits all accused.So how it was done.TheCBI failed to produce any records or registers at former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) minister Andimuthu Raja’s residence at Motilal Nehru Marg in Central Delhi or at his office to prove its charge that both Shahid Balwa, the promoter of DB Realty, and Vinod Goenka, the chairman of DB Realty, were close acquaintances of Raja since his days as the environment minister in 2004. The CBI instead produced Raja’s private secretary Aseervatham Achary as a witness in court. Achary testified before the court that he had seen Raja meeting Balwa and Goenka more than 20 times at Raja’ residence. However, Achary failed to substantiate his statements through documentary evidence for the same despite the fact that as Raja’s man-Friday he was responsible for maintaining the minister’s daily engagement charts. When daily charts maintained by Achary were produced in the court, nowhere were the names of Balwa or Goenka found. The CBI tried to counter the lack of evidence by stating that Balwa and Goenka’s names were deliberately not recorded in the register when they visited Raja. However, the court dismissed Achary’s testimony as unreliable, calling him a man with political inclinations. What further complicated the investigation was that even as he was one of the men closest to Raja and aware of his every single meeting, Achary’s statement was not recorded before a magistrate with a sense of urgency. Achary’s statement was taken by CBI’s investigating officer only in 2011, while the first case was registered by the agency in 2009.The CBI further tried to establish proximity and conspiracy between Raja and Balwa by alleging that a company in which Raja’s close associates were directors received money from Balwa’s DB Realty. The company in question was Greenhouse Promoters, owned by Sadiq Batcha, an associate of Raja. Batcha allegedly committed suicide at his Chennai residence in 2011. While CBI alleged that Batcha’s company had received and returned more than Rs 1 crore to Balwa’s company, the court did not find this evidence as an indication of Raja’s close relationship with Balwa and Goenka, or this transaction as being conspiratorial in nature. The CBI, by the look of the court's observations, did not produce considerable documentary evidence to support its claim that Rs 200 crore had been paid to Kalaignar TV, affiliated to DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, by Balwa’s DB Realty. The CBI introduced a driver at Greenhouse Promoters, its managing director and a director as witnesses. But none of them could substantiate the CBI’s allegations of kickbacks to Kalaignar TV.All of this raises questions on the kind of investigation that was carried out. Why did the agency wait for almost two years before taking Achary’s statement, despite knowing that he was Raja’s secretary and privy to all his meetings? Why did CBI keep on pressing the charge of multiple meetings among the three when it had only a delayed statement from Achary and no documentary evidence to back its claim? Why did the CBI not requisition bank account statements (or not produce them in court) to substantiate its allegations that kickbacks to the tune of Rs 200 crore were paid to Kalaognar TV? Why did the CBI rely on drivers and directors to substantiate this claim when it was well within its powers to requisition or seize bank account statements of all people and companies it suspected of having received kickbacks? If the CBI hadn’t recovered any incriminating documentary evidence in its multiple raids during the probe, why did it choose to mention the Rs 200-crore kickback in its charge sheet?The CBI alleged in its charge sheet that Raja had fixed the cut-off dates in a manner that favored two companies –Uni tech and Swan Telecom (allegedly owned by Reliance Communications Limited) but failed to convince the court about its conspiracy theory. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) sent its recommendation to Raja’s office on the grant of licenses to telecom operators on August 29, 2007. A note was sent by A K Srivastava, then a joint-secretary-level officer in the ministry of telecommunications, to his superiors on September 24, 2007, with a proposal to set the cut-off date for receiving applications as October 10, 2007. According to the evidence produced in the court, on the same day Raja sent back the note saying that the cut-off date should be fixed as October 1, 2007. Srivastava had in his note explained that around 167 applications had been received following Trai’s recommendations and, given the massive rush for licences, a cut-off date should be set. The CBI’s case rested on Srivastava’s testimony that Raja’s private secretary R K Chandolia, also listed as an accused by the CBI, was constantly inquiring from him about Unitech’s bid.But the court found Srivastava’s statement about a huge rush in applications following acceptance of Trai’s recommendation to be false. Documents produced in the court showed that only two companies had filed applications after the acceptance of Trai’s recommendation, and 124 applications were previously pending for approval. The CBI’s investigating officer deposed that there was a surge in applications but could not produce any documentary evidence to satisfy the judge. Unitech’s representative, meanwhile, deposed that he had submitted the company’s application on the morning of September 24, 2007. Srivastava deposed that he issued a press release on the same evening announcing the cut-off date as October 1, 2007. The CBI failed to adequately cross-question any of the witnesses, including Raja, on the coincidence of the above-mentioned events, despite claiming in its charge sheet that there was constant communication between Raja and Unitech group regarding the cut-off date. The CBI prosecution put two questions to Raja – none of them challenging Raja’s claim that there was no conspiracy. This led even Justice O P Saini, who delivered the judgment, to observe: “Prosecution put only two questions to Raja on cut-off dates. No question was put to Raja on whether the cut-off date was fixed by him in conspiracy with Swan Telecom andUnitech group of companies to help them in the matter of UAS licences and allocation of spectrum.” The CBI did not substantiate Srivastava’s claim that he was being constantly asked about Unitech’s bid by Chandolia for the reason that Srivastava could not tell the court the name of the junior officer from whom he had inquired about Unitech’s bid following calls from the most proximate bureaucrat in Raja’s ministry.In many ways, the CBI’s case to prove collusion between Raja and Unitech rested on the fact that Raja had decided to issue Letters of Intent (LOIs) only to those who had submitted applications by September 25, 2007. This effectively meant that Unitech, which had submitted its application on the morning of September 24, would have been one of the last ones to be issued letters of intent for an allocation of spectrum. The CBI’s allegation was that this led to a shuffling of the priority list and allowed Swan Telecom to bag prime spectrum in national capital Delhi. Additionally, the CBI contended that Raja’s decision to set cut-off date as September 25, 2007, ensured that even though adequate spectrum wasn’t available in various circles, Unitech and its subsidiaries were allocated spectrum.However, the examination of CBI witnesses, comprising senior bureaucrats of the telecom ministry, failed to prove that the decision to change the rules was Raja’s alone. Letters written by these bureaucrats indicated that the sole criteria to be used for issuing LoIs should be to keep the availability of spectrum in mind. But the judge observed that the bureaucrats failed to inform and advise Raja, despite having an obligation to so. The CBI’s charges were quashed after it became evident that there were 575 applicants who had submitted applications in time and there was not enough spectrum to give all of them. The court observed that all senior bureaucrats were well aware of the fact that given the limited availability of spectrum, a cut-off date of September 25, 2007, for issuing LoIs was the only option. The court observed: “So the blame for shifting the cut-off date to September 25, 2007, cannot be put on Raja alone.”Furthermore, even the CBI’s own witnesses produced in court – four senior bureaucrats of the telecom ministry, including Srivastava – failed to substantiate the CBI’s claim that the date was changed on Raja’s insistence. The court observed that although CBI was keen to prove that Raja had taken the decision to change the cut-off dates, the CBI’s own witnesses who were involved in the decision-making process in their respective capacities as senior bureaucrats were never questioned on the matter.The CBI had further alleged in its charge sheet that Raja further tinkered with the rules of the first-come-first-served basis by deleting a paragraph in the draft LoI. This paragraph stated that a license agreement for allocation of spectrum would be signed with those who had paid the entry fees first. This according to CBI’s charge sheet was a “malicious design” meant to benefit the accused companies. But Shah Nawaz Alam, the director of wireless finance in the ministry of telecommunications, who deposed as a prosecution witness before the court failed to back the CBI’s theory, told the court that he had suggested the deletion of the paragraph from the draft LoI but did not know who had actually deleted it. Other CBI witnesses also failed to back the agency’s claim, leading the court to observe that “witnesses have completely disowned the prosecution’s case”.The CBI charge sheet as produced in the court accused Raja of misleading the then prime minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of changing of cut-off dates and changing contours of the first-come-first-served policy. The CBI produced a letter written by Raja to Manmohan Singh on November 2, 2011, in which Raja states that an unprecedented number of applications were being received after the acceptance of Trai’s recommendations on August 29, 2007. However, the judge had rejected this contention earlier while deciding records placed before it showed that only two companies had filed applications between August 29 and September 24, 2007.It is this very contention, among others, on the basis of which the court had called A K Srivastava, one of the CBI witnesses, as unreliable. The CBI failed to flag this issue in the court. Although the CBI produced this letter in the court with the PM’s notings, the court itself noted that the file in which the letter was processed in the PMO wasn’t produced as evidence.Furthermore, another letter written by Raja to Manmohan Singh in November 2007 was labelled by the CBI as an attempt to mislead the PMO. In the letter, Raja had assured the PMO that no rules were being violated in the allocation of spectrum, apart from clarifying his position on the revision of entry charges for newer players. The CBI again failed to “provide even a scrap of evidence” on whether this letter was even seen by Manmohan Singh. A section officer of the PMO who was cross-examined stated that he was unaware of how this letter was dealt with by the PMO. The court itself observed that despite making these allegations in its charge sheet, the CBI did not produce either evidence or any witness from the PMO in court to substantiate its charges.he CBI in its charge sheet contended that Raja had caused a loss of almost Rs 31,000 crore to the exchequer by not revising the entry fee last fixed in 2001. In doing so he ignored the recommendation of Trai, Ministry of Finance and even the PMO. According to the CBI, Raja was the person solely responsible for the loss to the exchequer. This is where things got tricky for the CBI while arguing in the court.Manju Madhavan as member (finance) in Raja’s ministry had written to the ministry of telecommunications in November 2007 that the issue of selling spectrum at 2001 prices should be examined in depth. Furthermore, D Subbarao, thefinance secretary of the time, also made similar observations in communications that were produced as evidence in court. The court observed that since the matter of spectrum pricing pertained to the country’s finances,Nanju Madhavan should have approached the finance minister. The court observed that there was no record or evidence to prove that she approached the finance minister.But perhaps what is contradictory in the CBI court’s judgment is that it also notes that then finance minister P Chidamabaram was well aware of the matter. Chidambaram had asked the department of telecom to examine issuing telecom licences at 2001 prices in a communication dated November 30, 2007. After all, as finance minister Chidamabaram had the powers to flag the issue with the PMO. This is where the court observed that the “finance ministry”was not very enthusiastic about its objections to the initial pricing of spectrum or the entry fee”. The CBI does not seem to have challenged these observations in court.Records showing extensive interactions between Tra and Raja’s ministry were produced in court. Raja’s defense in court rejecting the CBI’s allegation that he failed to revise the 2001 prices was also heavily based on Trai’s report. The report had in August 2007 suggested not revising the entry price for new entrants in the 2G spectrum band (800 MHz/900 MHz/1800 MHz). However, CBI lawyers pointed out that the Trai report was contradictory. It recommended realizing the true market value of a valuable resource like spectrum, and at the same time also advocated not raising the price for new entrants for the sake of maintaining a level playing field.When Nripendra Mishra, the then chairman of Trai, was called as a witness, he testified that a revision of entry fees was indeed recommended. But the court found his explanation to be weak as the Trai report was open to interpretation and that “nobody understood the recommendations in this manner. There is absolutely no evidence, oral or documentary, that anyone understood that Trai had recommended a revision of entry fee.”So, if Raja didn’t do it, who caused the loss of Rs 31,000 crore to the exchequer. The court raised questions over the very concept of a loss put forth by the CBI. The court observed that the revised guidelines for spectrum pricing were introduced only in 2003 and not in 2001. As a result, the perceived loss to the exchequer would have been less than what was being calculated. The court also seems to have justified the non-revision of price observing that any rise in the price of spectrum would have further discouraged newer telecom players.The CBI’s argument that there had been a significant growth in the average revenue, profits and market capitalization of telecom companies since 2001 failed to impress the judge. The court, while dismissing the CBI’s conspiracy theories, observed: “This does not amount to abuse of power by A Raja.” In effect, the court seems to have ruled that all words of advice sent to the telecom ministry by Manmohan Singh, P Chidamabaram, the then finance secretary, the law ministry, among others, to examine the pricing formula in depth were based on imaginary fears.source:- 2G scam verdict: How CBI killed its own case

Oh this one is hard for me to answer. My dad was everything to me. After he passed away, I went through all of our email correspondance (I lived on the other side of the country from him) and saved all of the ones in which he gave me loving advice. Here are some of them. I need to re read these more often, despite the grief of his loss that they bring back.Me letting him know I started seeing a psychologist for councelling:“I believe that the important thing in life is love and a desire to change. You will not believe it but I am still trying to change in many aspects of my life, and I am pleased that I am making some progress. I am sure until my last breath; I will be trying to get better. It would be terrible if we had ever the feeling that we have made it and we are perfect. What helped me was the prolonged psychotherapy, where I tried to find the roots of my behavior. Knowing why I behave a certain way, it makes it in some way easier to try to improve .After all that the book you left for me ,and that I have almost finished and liked it very much, says something like this. I am proud of you for trying and I am sure that you succeed in shaping your character the way you dream.Yes, I would love to go with you to Banff next year. Wish me that the conference will go well this year.Love you.B”2. An msn messenger exchange while I was having a hard time during my PhDDimitrios:How did it go?BAntigone:i feel down today. sorry i didn't have any exciting report onmy presentation. I guess maybe i was looking for a pat on the backor some kind of recognition maybeDimitrios:I know the feeling. Kind of anticlimactic after all the work andanxiety. Hope you will give a pat to yourself.Love you.Good night.BAntigone:so i'm not crazy for feeling like that?i take it you don't feel that way after a talk. i wish i were athome.Dimitrios:You are not crazy at all. When I try to achieve something veryhard, when I achieve it I feel the vacuum and the next thing is what isnext. I have to admit that I am trying hard to allow myself enjoyand feel well even for small things when are completed. After allmy life is made of efforts to do and achieve something.Love you.Have a nice day today.BAntigonei feel like i let people down.Dimitrios:Do not include me in those people. BAntigone:i think i just wanted to do a great job in front of all thepeople I work with, and I felt i stuttered on some of the slides. why do iget so down?Dimitrios:We all have such doubts especially when things do not go well, nomatter at what profession we are. Always the other looks better but it has thesame problems, if the satisfaction does not come from within and weexpect external events to make us happy. I try to feel happy even withsmall things. Your mother is good with it, such as spending time withDimitrakis or taking Pete out etc. Things that for achievers like you and Imight be boring still she is happier. I am going to clear my desk to day andbe ready for the flight tomorrow. Lots of things to do.Love. BAntigone:it makes me wonder if i'm in the wrong profession.Dimitrios:I understand. This still happens to me if I give a talk that I havent felt so comfortable. I have accepted that I will not always beperfect. Such experiences help me to get better. BAntigone:Thank you for loving me.Dimitrios:Hope I will, have many years loving you.The desk clearing continues and I am pleasedI will let you knowAntigone: When do you think I will be okay?Dimitrios:I do not know. Some time it takes time until you accept that you area nice, worthwhile and lovable person irrespective of your weight andphysique. Beauty is an internal thing that starts from within and then spreadsoutside. I know how hard you are trying but I am sure that sometime you willbe able to accept yourself with all its limitations and then you will beable to accept the rest of us with all our limitations. It will take a lotof humility, forgiveness, and acceptance of you and the others.I pray that God will give you the wisdom and strength to find the right foryou solution I love you a lot.BAntigone:I guess you are saying i don't accept your limitations. I thought Iaccepted you very well. I don't expect perfection from anyone. Ijust feel something is wrong with my soul. I am damaged i think.Dimitrios:What I meant is that if we do not accept ourselves it is verydifficult to accept others. In many ways we are all coming damaged or becomedamaged from a variety of factors when we grow including our genes. However Ibelieve that continuous effort helps our efforts. What I had told you in thepast, when one asked a monk "and what you monks are doing all day?" hereplied, "we are falling and we are getting up". And these are people whohave made it their lives' goal to improve. Still they are struggling up to thevery end of their lives. Our progress is made in small imperceptible steps .BAntigone:I am afraid i have not improved at allBaba:I feel that way quite often.I will leave you with what Churchill said about success:"Success is to have one failure after the other and still continuewithoutloosing your enthusiasm".Hope you will always remember this.Love you.BAntigone:If you often feel how I described how do you believe this?Dimitrios:I do not understand your question .I said that I often feel that I have not made a progress inimproving myweaknesses that I had since a young man. They may be attacking me lessfrequently now but that y are lurking there at all times.bAntigone: so you really believe in the churchill quote?Dimtrios: 100%3. I wrote to him after recieving what I thought was a critical response from my PhD supervisor:Antigone“Actually I am a little sad. I spent days trying to learn the statistics and interpret them correctly - days! And R writes that he was disappointed in how I explained them and it created extra work for him. But how was he supposed to edit it without understanding the statistics himself? And I read many validity studies statistics sections so that I could learn from them, and I thought mine was actually pretty good in comparison to some others.I am discouraged.”Dimitrios:“Look at all these as opportunities for getting better. It is a whole process that never ends . he has told you on a number of times nice compliments so it is not bad if he gives some criticism . I have to learn to accept the criticism that God gives me sometimes , because ei am sure that he means well.It is all the way you look at these things .B”4. Re. my How to Live Like you Were Dying speech, read while he was dying from cancer in the hospital“Dimitirios:This is the dth time I read it today and the fifth time I cried from happiness that my daughter selected and presented a topic that was in my mind for the last 20 years. Thanks form my heart. You did more good to me than nyone else or any sedative or chemo drug. I am now absolutely sure that I can go in total peace when God asks my to go, you will do well and make me very prod. Thanks you again for this terrific present that I was expecting it for years. I am going to bed because I have to awake at 6am for my chemo session tomorrow.Everything will be ok. Help others even at your own expensed.Good nigh and I love you. BThank you Antigone for asking. The last three days my mind was foggy and this story made me cry again and thanks for all the tears. It says that the only power on earth that canchange nything is love. An I feel this love all around me and it gives me wings to fly totally fearless in any drection God wants me to.With all my love.5. When my dad came out of his confusion from the pressure of the brain tumor after the radiation treatment, he began signing all of his emails with “we are all one”.“Antigone:Where does the saying “We are all one” come from?Dimitrios:In my dream, when I awoke and I had this feeling of exrtreme pece I had the feeling that was one with everythig and this was an amazing feeling of being connected. Hope that some day God will reward you with this natural feeling of connectednes. Love you. B”6. Responding to a letter from a former medical student after the student learned that my dad was dying“So kind of you L to write to me this encouraging letter. As you may have heard my Non-Hodgin's lymhoma that was first diagnosed in April 2008, following treatment settled and remained quite dormant for the nxt 3 years and the therapy I received allowed me to enjoy an other 2 1/2 years of a reasonable life. But with some malignant diseases it seems that they come with an expiry date as in my case. After letting me rnjoy a reasonable 2 1/2 years decided to turn to the worse by expanding to my brain and heart and therefore my therapy was changed to Palliation to control the brain metastases and help me feel better. Indeed I feel relatively well and I do not have any pains other the loss of my recent memory. Like an other Patriarch I sit back and enjoy the love of those arouind me. I cannot drive and I cannot be responsible for a possible accident. What a strange feeling to " have to wait for my wife to take me to the office. I fraught the idea in the begining but at the end I submitted to the idea and the last few days I strted enjoying being driven back and fro once the anger of the loss of freedom is gone it seems that it is not bad. An other benefit of this abandonment is that it is fun as long as the person who provides the care does not remind you how bad it is. Closing the office after 40 years of intense work is an interesting experience. You detach yourself from everything and you sit back and enjoy the throwing away of all thse precious books and other items that we're your idntiy for all these years. . What a life and what feelings every book that was thrown away had enclosed. But I am in a hurry to "finish" the job and feel relieved from any bond. My health is relative ok with the only problem of the extreeme fatigue after each irradiation. They finished now and what was left is a number of intrathecal injections. There are of course set backs but as a whole they do an excellent job. I have an intense need to revist either in my mind or possibly by phone persons who worked with me revisit old memories that is sustaing me, apologize for wrongs I have done and ask for forgiveness that my friends are so generous and gladly give it to me. This soul searching is so nice. And here you are looming a tall kind of a giant in my memory L. You are so humble respectful kind and you are willing to spend time to talk with me. I am so thankful for you coming to my life. You are very kind and spiritual and care for your patients and accepted your life in a solid simple way that I was admiring you. Your german blood I believe allows you the luxur yof not shoing any resenment to what life gave you. I liked this Philosophy and I was envious but now I have this peace that I did everything that God intending me to do. I fought the good fight and leaving with the extreeme satisfaction that I did my best ih the end. Of course my "best" was not always "the best" but there I. Trust in God's mercy that as a righteous judge he will take into accound the way I was raised during the war with famine extreme povery and trying to escape from death, and all the times God stood by me and despite all my weaknesses He gave me financial stability, an excellent wife of 40 years(!!!) and 4 beutiful children that now I know that they were and should have been my main goal in life. I have been blessed with so many young doctors who came to my life and allowed themselves to be influenced by me and at the same time they influnced me with their enthusiasm and characters. What a blessing!!! I feel an insult of asking for more. I am satisfied with what I was given and what I gave back and now I can sit back for the next 6-8 moths and enjoy all these memories that become so preciopus as the time passes. Thank you L for coming to my life to clear the painful memories if the early war years with your kindness. I love you and your dedication to your family.Please do not worry about me. Once I was gifted with the lack of fear of death a tremendous peace spread in my heart and a feeling of gratitude towards God. Please do not pray for me not to become well through a miracle but instewad pray God give me His Grace and stay with me all the way to the end. This would be the greatest gift that a student of mine can do for me. And try to help people whom you never met before and doing so just turn for amomment your thoughts to me and how much I loved you. This will definitely give ghreat solace and pece to my soul.May the good Lord stay with you all the time and guide you in your decirions and from time to time when you help a person whom you have never met before just turn your mind to me and tell me that you did it for me and-my soul. I will definitrly feel it.Many God be with you and all your family. And don't forget me, at least until we meet againWith all my love. Dimitirs"We are all one"7. Random email from meAntigone:A quote from today’s sermon:Joy is not the absence of problems, it is the presence of GodDimitrios”Because in the presence of God problems become opportunities for growth and He gives the strength to do so. Love you. B8. Me after recieving a publication rejection letter during my PhDDimitrios:“I get a dozen grant rejections and 20 to 30 paper rejections a year. It is good habit to celebrate rejections. Rejection is one part of the complicated path of learning and as any part should be celebrated.Love you.B”9. After we had an argument about a difficult decision I had to make during my PhDDimitrios:“I am just finishing my coffee.Last night I awoke up at 2 am and I could not stop thinking of you.How much I love you and care for you. I felt bad that I was talkingloudly ( shouting) and I apologize for this. This morning a prayedfor you more than usual. I am sure that God will guide you andeverything will turn out well.Today I have a relatively easy day but at the end I have a boardmeeting at the Hellenic home.With lots of love.B”Antigone:“I don't mind your talking loud. It shows you care. I justalways get the impression that you get disappointed or annoyed if Istart to cry. I don't mean to cry, believe me, I feel like I havecried enough to last 3 lifetimes when I went through the divorce. Ijust get emotional sometimes. I suppose you are the one that hears mecry most because i only talk to you about the important and emotionalstuff.”Dimitrios:“In moments like this make sure to read again the poem foot-prints on the sand. You are not alone. On the other hand do not worry. As long as you agonize about a decision, whatever you decide at the end it will be the right decision. But even if you perceive it as wrong, you end up becoming a wiser person. In either case is a win win situation. Keep in mind that whatever you will decide at the end I will support you 100%.Love you.10. Me telling my dad about a sick PhD study patient of mine:------Original Message------From: Antigone Oreopoulos EdmontonTo: Dimitrios OreopoulosSubject: sadSent: Oct 23, 2009 6:45 PMI feel very sad now.One of my study patients just phoned me, asking for another blood workrequisiton. He had not got the blood work done yet because he is fromout of town. But he said he was going in to edmonton to see a doctorso he could get it done next week. Then he said he was going in toget checked for cancer. I didn't know what to say. I wished wordscame to me that would have comforted him but I just said "i'm sosorry". He was very sad. And I felt so sad for him.Dimitrios:Some times saying nothing means more to people who want someone tolisten with empathy and nothing else. You can also say how mush youunderstand him and you feel for him. And the cases you are close tosuch a person just holding their hand without saying anything may bemore than enough. Being an "empathic listener" is an art that youwill learn with time.I love youB”11. Advice regarding nerves before my PhD Defence:Antigone:“hello baba!I was wondering when you were flying back. I wrote all day yesterdayworking on the revisions, about 8 or 9 hours. Today I got up at 6 andam writing the discussion. I am meeting with Raj tomorrow morning at9am to discuss some more.I think I have anxiety. I felt like this during my candidacy exam.It's like constant butterflies in my stomach. It doesn't feel goodbut I don't know how to turn it off. I wish you were flying throughedmonton instead of calgary. I am glad you had such a good time atthe meeting.I am looking forward to seeing you soonA”Dimitrios:“I would be surprised if you did not have the butterflies. It is avery stressful thing. Sometimes you may be able to redirect all thisstress into energy and do your work. Prayer and meditation help. Just trust that everything is the way it is supposed to be and that everything will be ok.Lots of love.B12. After I had an interview in which I thought went badly…turned out they pulled the position and hired no one.“Antigone:I feel sad that I let the position at Jannsen ortho slip through my hands. I know I would have been really good at it. But I messed up the interview.Dimitrios:You are too hard on yourself. I believe that every opportunity like this is a tremendous learning experience. Usually you come to appreciate this after years. Hard to convince yourself now. B”13. During depression:“Antigone:I feel so down. And cannot sleep. Something is wrong with me. I don't know what to do. I wish you were here.Dimitrios:I understand what you are going throughI really hope and I am sure that things will get better for you.Love you. BAntigone:thanks for being there for meDimitrios:I will always be there for you and my prayers and blessing will always follow you. B”14. An email during his palliative care before his death:Dimitrios:“At this time of my life pririties change importance. What is my first priority is to see you and Mom in peace. For some reason I do not worry about it being convinced that God has already granted me this wish.No2 priority to see you happy. He has granted me this to me.No3 to see you realise and develop this amazing talent you have to write so well get even better.No4. To see you happy and content in your life.No5 to see you feel the satisfaction of a great work production (Litrature, science etc)No6. To see feel the same satisfaction you gave me to feel the same feelings of grtitude to God.AND No7 to taste the same feelings that you give me from your own child some time.For some reason I am convinced that this all have already been granted.No greater power than love exists in the Universe.With All my love I kiss you. B”15. An email to my dad as he was dying:Subject: I have great faith in youFrom: Antigone Oreopoulos(U Alb)To: Dimitrios OreopoulosSubject:Sent: Sep 26, 2011 7:23 PMI miss you terribly. I know that i said in one of my speeches that happiness does not come from anothwr person, but i dont think that it teue in my case. I think that my happoness comes from you and i will not bw able to figure out how to be happy again.Dimitrios:Love you too. Loking forward seeing you on the weekend. I pray that God will guid e to do his will always, the only way for us to find true happiness. All my prayers and blessing are for you. I am definitely sure that you will do well and find your wqay to your destination.With all my love. B"We are all one"16. An email from him to me as he was dying:“Dearest Antigone.It is 9 pm after a very long day with chemotherapies, radiations punctures etc and I am going to bed looking forward to see you tomorrow. Though I am very tired tonight I decide to continue my new tradition of writing a letter with my thoughts to some very important persons in my life. I was going to do so with my letter to you later on but for some reason I felt very close to you tonight and I decided this to be your turn. I usually let God guide me what to say and and write.First of all I want to tell you how much I loved and love you. Indeed in the begining I was so preoccupied with "the succes of my career" that I did not pay that much attention to the needs of those around me ( you, the boys, Nancy)soemthing that recently the whole picture and purpose of me being sent here has been clear in my mind. After I awoke from my coma I was in peace and absolutely sure that I was sent here to be with, help, guide my children and my wife. Now I know for sure. There is no regret but a feeling of peace. I was searching for this answer all my life and in one morning everything cleared in my mind. It was worthwhile waiting all these years. I am thankful to God who decided to let me know this now.Now my relationship with you, the boys and Nancy is the most focal point in my life. There are no regrets. I am oly happy and in peace that I have tried and partially succeed in doing what He sent me here to do, even though I did not know- to have my family and guide them to trust Him and His will. It is an amazing feeling of complete satisfaction and happiness. Believe me that I am in peace knowing absolutelly true that everythng now will be ok. God was with me all these years and he blessed me to find this only at the end. Glory to His name. I am not in a hurry to leave but I am ready to accept His will. Now I know that I have been loved all these previous years even though I did not have any idea that this was so, and occasioanally was complaining that I was feeling abandoned.I want you to know how proud I am of you. YOu took your growth in your hands and the only gift I could give you was my continuous prayer for you that I promise yiu I will continue here and beyond. Hope you will continue your efforts forb improvement in your charater with total trust in God's care for you. Now I can say absolutely for sure that we came for a purpose. For me it was clear to have you the boys and Nancy in my life and help thsoie who were sent to me. I cannot say that I did it perfectly but now I can say that I did try my best that I believe is what He expets us to do. The rest is left to His love for us. I am sure ThatHe loves you. Try to do all your life His will even though it may not be that clear. He is looking after you always and He will reveal His purposes for you when He thinks the time is right. I believe that He sent Marc in your life for reasons that He only knows and will show in His time. Try not to have any resentment against him. Hector is a great gye. I have great respect for him as a scientist and as a person and I am pleased he is your friend.You have three excellent brothers who I know love you lots and are proud of you. Stay all together. Siblings are not our choice. They are gifts from God. Continue working on the improvement of your character as I have done all my life. I am pleased to see that you are trying hard and you make me so proud. Try to undestand your mother who I know she loves you more than anything. I do not think that I have shown enogh appreciation to her. After I am gone the main source of love for her will be her four children and I hope you will be my main representative. Take your time. I kanow that love is the strongest power in the world and I am sure that God will halp you experience what I am saying.Finally I want to thank God for sending you in my life. I amasure that you will do great in your life. I will always be with you. Just turn your thouts to me. If you want to give rest to my soul try to help those in need who come to your way and while doing this send me a htouight. I am sure that I will feel it and I will find the way to tell you that I recived it.And don't forget that I will always love you and be there for you.With all my love. B”17. An email to me after I learned about his brain cancer:From: Antigone Oreopoulos(U Alb)To: Dimitrios OreopoulosSubject: whySent: Sep 23, 2011 12:53 AMWhy is it that you have saved and touched so many lives, and then are given a brain tumour? I am angry.Dimitrios:I am grateful for this gift. Dying is not to make us angry or fearful. Dying under these circumstances that I am surrounded by the love of God and my wife and my children makes me such a happy and blessed man that this can only be a gift of God. If my life has made some people thing that love is the greatest thing in our lives and if after 40 years of a family life God pours in our hearts this gift of a loving family this is the "end dessert" that He has kept for me to please me at the end as a reward. Death is not the worse thing that can happen to us humans. Death surrounded by the love of God and of my loved ones can not be anyhing else but the gratest gift for all of us. I am not going away to leave you. I will be there whenever you turn your thought to me. I will be praying for you much stronger to get strength to face life's difficulties" and you will get the strenth. I have such a faith in you that I am leaving without any concern for you. "Everything will be ok". And if you cannot email me to my heavenly address send me your thoughts and I will be there for you. You are the core of my life. Do not be afraid. You have a great soul. Just do whati asked you for me and think of me whan you may need help to do the final step. Your mother has been a treasue and a gift in our family. because I had taken care of all the finances she is facing a tremendous anxiety and I will do everything I can to clarify the saituatiosn to her satisfaction and if she is still worried stand by her with love and tenderness something that she desperately needs from you. This is for me the best gift you cangive me to rest my soaull. Depsite the difficulties we had in our lives due to the differnt cultures and my strong character she has been a blessing for me and all four of you. She gets anxious from time to time but it will be our job ( me from above and you close by) to sooth her fears and anxieties that everything will be ok and we all love her. Don't refulse her this gift of love that I know she need it from you more than anyone else. Perhaps you may do it for me and thinking of me. I am sure that you will do it because love is stronger than anything else in life. Help me go waya with this present-gift in my hands and tell God that I left behind a loving family which I am sure it would have been my biggest success. I will always love you and be with you and be praying for youBaba"We are all one*18. Another email from when he was dying“Dimitrios:Dear AntigoneIt is 3am. I have been awake since 2am and going though my emails and after I finished going through my previous emails. I noted how prominent is your name among my emails and I want to thank you for this kind of connection between us. I suppose as one gets old s/he is sustained by the contact/interaction with the people one loves. I believe that I am going through this stage of "getting older" and I want to thank you for being there for me. You are a very important part of my life and though I may have not been always an ideal father I hope that you have felt ( at least some times) that I love you and care for you a lot. My dream for you is to see you a happy and fulfilled person happy with you life and surrounded by people who love you and whom you love to be with. I am thrilled any time I speak to you and I sense the enthusiasm of what you do and wish that this will be more and more often in your life and share this with us to get "contaminated" with your enthusiasm.I love you lots under any circumstances.BAntigone:Hi Baba. I am sad that you cannot sleep. But I'm a little happier that you found some comfort in my emails. I look forward to your email/communication every single day. And I feel kind of empty if I have not had the chance to hear from you that day. You're the most important person in my life and the person I want to share news with first, good or bad. I love you under any circumstances as well. I wish we could go for coffee together more often.I hope you are sound asleep now and feel rested when you get up.I stayed up to finish my ethics training. I finished it, but realized that the quizzes I had to pass were so easy that I probably didn't have to read the training manual for 2 hours to pass them. Oh well. Now I can officially say I am ethical.I love you very much and thank you for teaching me so much in my lifetime. I have saved each and every one of your emails for the past 6 years although I wish they went back further.A”19. A ‘just a hello’ emailDimitrios:How are you? It is amazing how fast time goes. Already this week has gone. Lots ot thing to do, then done and then more things to do. I am thinking that I am blessed for that otherwise it would have been dull if I had nothing to do. A long Clinic today. Mu vision is getting blurred and it seems that I need new glasses. I will see the specialist next week.Thank God we have dreams. Last night I dreamed that we were together in Thessaloniki.Hope you are having a pleasant and productive time. Love you. BSent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network20. An msn messenger conversation after finishing my PhDAntigone: I noticed I feel nervous about leaving schooljust worried I will fail out in the real worldschool is not so difficult. a real job probably isDimitrios: Every change in our life is scarry. However it is the most exciting thing in our lives. I am so sure about your strength that i have no doupt that you will do well in any new environment. I never worry about you.Antigone: how can it be scary and exciting at the same timeAntigone: that's contradictingDimitrios: Change is always scary. Excitement because a new chapter is opening waiting for you to write its content. the expectaion of the future that you will create is the excitement.Antigone: you are rightDimitrios: And on top of this these new experiencies will make you wiser and stronger .Antigone: well, i will assume i will not get an interview with Jansen OrthoAntigone: that way i will not be disappointed if i dontDimitrios: this is immaterial to me . What is important is that you are rying . Let go of the outcome.Antigone: thank you