We could either place our palm over our chest and proclaim 'all is well'. Or we could recognise and acknowledge the clear and present dangers that threaten to rip apart the most diverse, exotic fabric of democracy that is India.

The downside of hypnotising billions with an image of “world leader” or “Vishwaguru” is that sometimes problems crop up that demand the full agency of such leaders to step-in and solve complicated problems. Now, the unthinkable has happened.

Cheers to the brave young crew of IN 709 who kept their calm, overcame startle effect, fell back on a decidedly difficult and unscripted manoeuvre practised in the simulator, and ditched the stricken helicopter in an exemplary manner.

Four days ago an F-22 Raptor's first air-to-air kill became a high altitude spy balloon. That may be thrilling, but no less than when a naval hot air balloon landed in a village sarpanch's house in north India – with the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff in it!