AN INDIAN SOLDIER

Last night as I lay sleeping
I died.... or so it seemed,
Then I went to heaven
But only in my dream

Up there St Peter met me
Standing at the Pearly Gates,
He said, "I must check your record...
Please stand here and wait."

He turned and said "Your record
Is covered with terrible flaws,
On earth I see you rallied
For every losing cause."

I see that you drank alcohol,
smoked and partied too,
Fact is, you've done everything
A good person should never do.

We can't have people like you up here...
Throughout your life all you did was hear,
You carried out orders without pausing to think.
You never asked for instructions in ink.

Then he read the last of my record
Took my hand and said, "Come in."

You stood in isolated places and shivered alone
You left your kith, kin, hearth and home
You come from an unresponsive, ungrateful nation
You were denied your rights by every Pay Commission

He led me up to the Chief of Heaven ...
"Take him in and treat him well",
He has served in the Indian Military ...
He's done his time in hell.

MIG-29K READY BUT NO AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN INDIA

This is the follow up story of my article, "INDIAN MARITIME BOUNDARIES HAVE NO AIR SUPPORT FOR THE TIME BEING" dated August, 25,2009. The aircrafts are now ready but where to place them is a big question. A blunder in the planning of INDIA'S MARITIME DEFENCE, though, a wastage public money as well.

"Brand, spanking new MiG-29K fighters for the Indian Navy are ready for delivery after years in development, except there's one major problem -- the aircraft carrier they were meant to be deployed on the Gorshkov, is no where near ready.

As India and Russia continue negotiations for a final price on the Gorshkov, these jets will be based at Goa with no carrier to be deployed on.

The saga to fix a final price on the Gorshkov, a second hand carrier being refurbished for the Indian Navy, is now having a clear impact on the Navy's capabilities.

These MiG-29s are not designed to be deployed on its existing carrier the Viraat -- a 50-year-old ship which simply must be retired in the next three years. At that stage neither the Gorshkov nor the indigenously built aircraft carrier, being constructed in Cochin, will be ready.

Four years after they signed a 1.6 billion dollar contract with India for the Gorshkov and its planes, the Russians went back on their word, saying, "We underestimated the work needed" and have since upped their demand to a whopping 3 billion dollars.

For India, cancelling the deal is a no-win situation since we have already pumped in hundreds of millions of dollars into the deal.
As India and Russia try and close out the Gorshkov deal there is every possibility that by 2012, for the first time in more than 50 years, the Indian Navy will be without an operational aircraft carrier."

(Source: NDTV)

NOW CHINA DOES IT

Chinese Women Become Fighter Pilots
It is said that, armed forces of any nation reflects the fundamental aspirations of society but India seems to be an exception. Our Armed Forces lack the very "connect" with society. This is evident with the fact, that, people at large have no understanding, whatsoever, about them. It may appears to be some in rural India but almost lacking in metro India.

In the recent past, Indian society has evolved across civilisations, making a strong presence on all global forums. Indian women in particular have even surpassed their male counterparts in many areas of expertise. "India Calling" has become the slogan world-over. Unfortunately, it appears to be unheard by our Armed Forces. Close to the second decade, when women were first inducted in the Services, our top brass has failed in raising their level in tune with the modern militaries world-over. It is without doubt that women members have always proved their mettle on the ground.

Women at present are only serving with the administrative echelons of armed forces despite a strong demand for their induction in combat role. They hold the SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION to a maximum period of 14 years and are not allowed the PERMANENT COMMISSION (except AEC,JAG,MEDICAL). The larger question still looms around their employability. It says "either you give them or don't give them". There is, a strong demand from all quarters of our society for their equal participation in all branches of Armed Forces but is being covertly negated by the top brass. It is said that our Generals have asked the commanders for their opinion on this subject. It could be argued that an opinion is generally asked in a cooperative society or is a bureaucratic way of avoiding things as the exercise can go for years. On the other hand, MILITARY ORGANISATIONS carry the vision of Generals. Anyway,the bottom-line is, that if at all, we are the true representative of INDIAN SOCIETY, we need to give an equal opportunity to women in all branches of our SERVICES as is the case with modern militaries world-over including PAKISTAN, SRI-LANKA or even THE CONSERVATIVE MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

China is the latest entrant in this club.

"China has joined many other nations and is now using women as military pilots. Recently, the first 16 female fighter pilots graduated from a 44 month course. The young lieutenants (age 21-24) are not the first female Chinese military pilots, as there were already 52 in service (flying non-combat aircraft) and another 545 in training.

Noting the success of female military pilots in the United States over the last three decades, an increasing number of other countries are moving in that direction as well. The reason is simple, many of the women who go through flight training turn out to have better flying skills than the average male pilot. But the traditional fear of women getting killed in combat still plays a role. For example, India is at war with Islamic terrorists in Kashmir. While female police and government workers are at risk of injury from terrorist attack, that is not considered the same as the risk to female pilots flying in the area. So, bowing to real, or imagined, public opinion, the Indian Air Force quietly transferred female pilots who were in squadrons that flew into Kashmir or near the Pakistani border.

Earlier, the Indian armed forces conducted studies of women in combat, and concluded that there was no practical reason for keeping women from these duties. There are currently nearly 2,000 female officers in the Indian armed forces. Most are in the army, but 39 percent are in the air force, and over fifty of them are pilots.

India, and even Pakistan (which recently graduated its first female pilots) are having a hard time keeping male pilots in uniform. Too many of the men depart for more lucrative, and less stressful, careers as commercial pilots. Women may not be the solution. Currently, only about half of women officers stay in past their initial five year contract. Indian women, even military pilots, are under tremendous social and family pressure to marry. Those that do may still be pilots, but married women are under a lot of pressure to have children. The Indian Air Force provides its female officers with ten months leave for this, six months during pregnancy, and four months after delivery. The air force does this because pilots are very expensive to train. Fuel costs the same everywhere, as do spare parts. So what India may save in lower salaries, is not enough. A good pilot costs over half a million dollars for training expenses, and takes over five years. So the Indians are betting a lot of money, and time, on their female pilots. Many women are willing to take up the challenge. But they have already heard from their peers in Western air force, that motherhood and piloting can be a very exhausting combination.

Worldwide, women are increasingly part of the military. In many nations, over ten percent of military personnel are female. A century ago, it was under one percent (and most of those were nurses and other medical personnel.) More women are in uniform now because there aren't enough qualified men, especially for many of the technical jobs armed forces now have to deal with.

Islamic nations have higher illiteracy rates overall, and very high rates for women. These nations have a severe shortage of technically trained people. Those women that do get an education in Islamic cultures tend to be very bright and able. So there's a need, and a solution close at hand. But because of those religious restrictions, and the generally very macho attitudes in Islamic nations, there will never be as many women in uniform as are needed. This means that Islamic armed forces will continue to come up short when it comes to maintaining and using military technology. The future of military operations is more technology, so you can see where this is leading. No wonder Islamic radicals want to go back to the past. Unfortunately, the non-Muslim world is not inclined to join them.Taking a knife to a gun fight doesn't work.

Allowing women to be combat pilots leads to women commanding combat units. Last year, a U.S. Navy F-18 pilot, Commander Sara Joyner, completed her tour as the first female commander of a navy combat squadron (VFA 105). This included a seven month cruise to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, where her dozen F-18Cs flew about 412 hours each. The squadron has 245 officers and sailors, including pilots and maintenance personnel. The squadron commander flies combat missions, in addition to running the squadron. Joyner has been in the navy since 1985, when she entered the Naval Academy. She was a flight instructor in 1993, when the Department of Defense changed its policy and allowed women to fly combat missions. Joyner has 3,000 hours in the F-18, and 600 carrier landings. Once women were allowed to fly combat aircraft, it was only a matter of time before some of them rose to command positions. Her husband is also a naval aviator, and she has a four year old daughter. Her next assignment is a staff job in the Pentagon. As more women become combat pilots, more will command combat units, and larger ones at that."

(Source: Strategy Page)

SOME CHEERS FOR THE HANDSOME HUNKS OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES

What is it about men in uniform that makes women weak in the knees?

A recent study conducted by " IDIVA.COM"indicates that indian women are now quite impressed with our soldier's determined stances, manly muscles and apparent readiness to take a bullet for our nation's pride. They say,

"This got us thinking, what is it about soldiers, or those in other branches of the defense system, that make them so irresistible? After all, womankind swooned over a made-over Hrithik Roshan in Lakshya and many will remember the good-looking Black Cats who guard the Prime Minister.

He's got the look !

Kasturi Barua, a 24-year-old bride-to-be says, "Men in uniform just look good." So that explains why she will marry her Grenadier (grenadiers form one of the most distinguished regiments in the Indian Army) later this year.

Proving that love does have a formula, Barua added that her fiancé's uniform contributed an impressive 40% towards his attractiveness.

"They make a good impression as soon as you meet them," adds Audrey Fernandes, 24, a beauty student, who's married to a navy man. "In fact the moment a guy mentions he's with the navy, it's good enough to catch a girl's attention!"

He's got the X factor !

Fernandes says a soldier's profession demands that he be courteous towards women, which contributes to their attractiveness. "Because I have been with a guy who is with the navy, I learnt that they are taught to respect women. Even his colleagues, though they might be his seniors, refer to me as 'ma'am'," she says.

Annanya N, 28, a media executive, still recalls her long-ago date with a navy man with a sparkle in her eye. "What can I say about my knight in marine fatigues?" she sighs. They were introduced by the navy man's cousin and hit it off. "He ended up as my date for the Christmas Ball. Have you seen navy men in suits? I was bowled over and had jelly feet. But he held onto me and we danced till the morning. He taught me how to jive, brilliant dancer that he was. These guys do a lot of dancing and are very, very good at it."

It's been 10 years since that date, but Annanya says she "will never forget that night for years to come."

He comes trained !

Barua, who was introduced to her future husband by her parents, was bowled over by his entire regiment. She says she met him at his barracks, and was very impressed with the entire unit. It helped create a good impression of him.

"I also met his commanding officer. He takes great care to groom his men. He taught them all about romance and chivalry," she giggles. "And the best part is, I don't have to spend the first year of my married life making sure he dresses well, shaves… Soldiers come in a groomed package!"

He's got character !

Dr Anjali Chhabria, a Mumbai-based psychologist explains that men in uniform command a certain authority and respectability that women find appealing. "They also exude stability and dependability, which women look for in a relationship."

How to find him?

In Mumbai, you can hang out in Navy Nagar (but please don't do so in a suspicious manner). Or get yourself invited the Christmas Ball or the Navy Ball - it's held on the second Saturday in December.

In Delhi, officers spend their free time at the officers' mess. Or try the army polo and riding club."

SOOO, go out and enjoy your service to the nation guys !!!!!

(Photo concept: Maj Surender Singh, Graphics: Samson Roberts, Source: idiva.com)

A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

It is said that "You empower a man you empower an individual and you empower a women you empower the entire generation".

The Indian politicians have finally realised the essence of this statement and have recommended the amendment to article 243D of the Constitution of India for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats to 50 % . A Panchayat is the lowest governing body of India's democratic setup.

A Cabinet Decision

"The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for moving a Constitutional Amendment Bill for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats at all tiers from one third to at least 50%.This provision will apply to the total number of seats filled by direct election, offices of chairpersons and seats and offices of chairpersons reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Background

The President of India in her address to the Parliament on 4.6.09 has mentioned the intent to provide fifty per cent reservation for women in Panchayats as women suffer multiple deprivations of class, caste and gender and enhancing reservation in Panchayats will lead to more women entering the public sphere.

According to article 243G of the Constitution, State legislatures may endow Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary (i) to enable them to function as units of local self-government (LSG), and (ii) to prepare and implement plans / or schemes for economic development and social justice including those in relation to matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. Panchayats as such have a vital role to play in the welfare and development of the weaker sections of the society, viz., women, SCs and STs. Greater representation of these sections would enhance their voice in these bodies and promote inclusive governance which is critical to the inclusive growth.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj will move a Bill for amendment to Article 243D of the Constitution at the earliest after approval of the Cabinet. The proposed amendment will increase reservation for women in (i) the total number of seats to be filled by direct election, (ii) offices of chairpersons and (iii) in seats and offices of the chairpersons reserved for SCs and STs, to 50% in all tiers of Panchayats.

Enhancement of reservation for women in Panchyats will facilitate more women entering the public sphere and thereby lead to further empowerment of women and also make Panchayats more inclusive institutions, thereby improving governance and public service delivery.

There is no financial implication in operationalisation of the proposal.

At present, out of the total elected representatives of Panchayats numbering approximately 28.18 lakhs, 36.87% are women. With the proposed Constitutional Amendment, the number of elected women representatives is expected to rise to more than 14 lakhs. Having more elected women representatives would benefit the entire population of the States and UTs where Panchayati Raj is in existence.

All States/UTs and parts thereof to which Part IX of the Constitution applies would be covered (Part IX does not apply to Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, tribal areas of Assam, Tripura and hill areas of Manipur)"

It is pertinent to mention that a similar demand was raised for the reservation of women in Indian Parliament upto 33%, but was covertly negated by almost all political parties. They favoured it openly but never made any significant relevance on the ground. It is evident from the fact that none of the political party accepted a similar reservation in their party appointments.

Nevertheless, at last a beginning has been made in the right direction provided our politicians don't play politics into it.

(Photo courtesy: Google, Source: PIB,India)

INDIAN MARITIME BOUNDARIES HAVE NO AIR SUPPORT FOR THE TIME BEING

Indian Navy has created uproar by grounding the entire fleet of Sea Harriers aboard INS VIRAAT, rendering its only aircraft carrier without the support of air power. The decision has been taken following the crash of one its aircraft at Goa. Court of enquiry has been ordered and any decision, whatsoever, would be taken based on the recommendations of the same. This is in the backdrop of INS VIRAAT, herself getting operational for atleast 5 years more after an 18 months of maintenance. It is also pertinent to mention that the INDIAN NAVY is left with only 10 Sea Harriers out of 20, procured in the mid-eighties from Britain. The loss is due to accidents and wear and tear.

The aircraft were recently upgraded for another five years due to the constant delay of DRDO and HAL coming out with Naval version of Light Combat Aircraft. Navy also plans to replace the Sea Harriers with MIG 29K, procured from Russia along with Aircraft Carrier Admiral Gorkshov in 2004 at a cost of $1.5-billion. Almost five years down the line, the deal is yet see its execution. It might be available in 2013. The 40000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), being built at Cochin Shipyard, will also be ready only by 2015-2016 The Russian Aircraft Carrier rated as one of the finest floating machine by the INDIAN NAVY is perhaps the most outdated Aircraft Carrier of Russia. This Carrier was almost on the verge of being decommissioned from the fleet of Russian Navy before it was finally purchased by India.

An Era of global terrorism where our maritime boarders have been exploited by adversaries to the maximum; this is a real jolt. Our leaders needs to give an explanation to the country as to why they have failed in working out contigencies. The Navy, too, share the responsibility.

INDIAN TERRITORIAL ARMY BATTALION CELEBRATES DIAMOND JUBILEE

A matter of great pride for the Indian Territorial Army

On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of 105 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Rajputana Rifles, Maj Gen KVS Lalotra, Additional Director General Territorial Army released the Special First Day Cover issued by Army Postal Service on 22 Aug 2009 at Delhi Cantt. Number of senior army officers including retired officers and men of the Battalion and Regiment graced the occasion.

The achievements of 105 Infantry Battalion were commended by Brig PS Pannu, Commander Territorial Army Group Headquarters Western Command. The unit has a rich history of valour and traditions. The 105 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Rajputana Rifles was raised in 1949 as part of the first block of Territorial Army units raised on formation of Territorial Army in India post independence. The unit has distinguished record of participating in all Indo-Pak wars and in counter-insurgency grid in Northern Sector. It has the distinction of winning 17 awards for gallantry and distinguished service. 105 Infantry battalion (Territorial Army) Rajputana Rifles has been the recipient of Western Command Territorial Army Banner ten times and three times Chief of the Army Staff Trophy since its raising. The unit has got a singular honour of providing a Ceremonial Guard at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Two of its officers Brig KP Singh Deo and Brigadier PS Rathore have been ADCs to the President of India. Brigadier KP Singh Deo, one of the distinguished persons to serve Territorial Army has been Minister of State for Defence and also for Information and Broadcasting , Govt of India.

The blogger has served as a staff officer in this battalion.

DANGEROUS IMBALANCE

NOT ANYMORE

Indian Armed Forces have been deeply shunned by the sixth pay commission. A largely ignorant society and the state have virtually remained mute in the entire setback. It is evident that the Armed Forces have never got their dues from pay commissions ever as the government remains trapped in the models prepared by bureaucrats. A continuous dominance of bureaucracy has sidelined this profession to such a low that even the best and the brightest officers of Armed Forces have refused to go for prestigious courses like the Senior Command, Higher Command or even the Staff Course. In most cases these officers are even opting for premature retirement from service. Statistics of pay and allowances after the sixth pay commission reveals that the difference of simple monetary returns between an IAS officer and an Armed Forces Officer to be over TWO CRORE RUPEES after their services. A services officer stands nowhere against his IAS counterpart in this respect; this is over and above the separation from his family which works out to be almost 70% of service. Such a turmoil within the Armed Forces, should be a cause of worry for any nation but India appears to be different.

State makes a sacred relations with her soldiers. While a soldier lays down his or her life, the state should ensure the safety of their family and pride for them. This is a very basis for the survival of a nation. A nation should look for a good bargain or else the implications could be disastrous.

Design: Maj Surender Singh, Graphics: Samson Robert, Photo: Lt Sandhu, Engineer & a part time army officer with Indian Territorial Army

JASWANT HAS PAID THE PRICE FOR BEING MODERATE

Recent expulsion of senior party leader Jaswant Singh by the BJP has once again reaffirmed its fundamentalist ideology. The party, widely considered as the face of RSS, began its march in the political corridors of India with the demolition of Babri Masjid. It was a high note to start, coupled with the raised religious expectations of Hindus; but fell miserably as the party failed in building the Ram Temple during its tenure at centre. Whatever might have been the political compulsions, it was aptly clear that India can not be ruled with religious hatred. Lost in the identity crises, the party tried to be moderate, but seemed, as almost impossible to give up the fundamentalist approach. The RSS had a say in that. This was again visible in the recent debacle of Lok Sabha elections.

An ugly face of party came out in public during the brainstorming sessions post parliamentary elections. Leaders like Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and Jaswant Singh were virtually sidelined for their independent and moderate thinking. It was more to do with their not so fundamental ethics. Again, it was RSS at its best. The sevaks could not tolerate the emergence of independent thinking. The selective sacking of Jaswant Singh followed by a ban on his book in Gujrat is perhaps, a warning to all those moderates. Jaswant Singh has called this ban, a ban on thinking. He has been sacked for having a point of view on Jinnah, whereas, similar was the case of L K Advani when he also praised Jinnah on a visit to Pakistan.

It may seem like an internal matter of BJP but the implications are grave for India's democratic structure. It has sent an open alarm that religious politics is here to stay.

Jaswant Singh , a Soldier and a Politician

Jaswant Singh, an alumnus of the India's National Defence Academy, passed out with the 11th course on 01 Dec 1956 and was later commissioned into the Indian Army's Central India Horse in 1957. He resigned his military commission to join politics. A six term Member of Parliament (of both houses), he was appointed Minister of External Affairs in Dec 1998. On 13 Oct 1999, he was reappointed as the Minister of External Affairs following the elections and formation of the new Government. In Government, he has held a variety of posts in the past, as Minister of Finance and Minister of Electronics and Surface Transport; has chaired several Govt of India Task Forces, including Telecom, IT and Infrastructure, thus preparing the policy framework subsequently adopted by the Govt. He has also been the Dy Chairman of the National Planning Commission. Suave diplomacy, excellent oratorical skills and a reputation for solidity characterise him as an outstanding and respected politician.

SHORTAGE OF GOOD LEADERS IN INDIA , A TAKE ON THE CITIZENS' ARMY

A TIMES OF INDIA editorial read as under :

Numbers Tell The Story
(Ajai Sahni18 August 2009, 12:00am IST)

"Our national leadership is constantly advocating 'out of the box solutions' to meet a rising tide of national crises. But it has persistently and obdurately ignored the quotidian and necessary tasks of governance and of maintaining minimum strength and standards in the institutions already 'in the box'. In India today, basic capacities for governance, enterprise and social action have been allowed to decline to such an extent that the most rudimentary tasks of nation-building, indeed, even of administrative maintenance, cannot be executed with a modicum of efficiency.

Ironically, this has happened over decades of a public and media discourse about 'bloated government', 'massive police force', 'gigantic expenditure on the bureaucracy', the need to 'downsize government', and other politically correct slogans based on extraordinary ignorance of fact. A look at the most rudimentary statistics may help pull some heads out of the sand.

After numberless terrorist attacks and years of hammering away at every possible forum with the basic data, India's abysmal police-population ratio appears to have found marginal registration in segments of the leadership, at least at the Centre. The ratio, at 125/1,00,000 in end-2007 (it is expected to have risen significantly thereafter, though nowhere approaching what is necessary) stands against western ratios that range between 200 (Australia: 209) and over 500 (Italy: 556). Western police forces, moreover, have tremendous qualitative advantages in manpower, technology, infrastructure, financial resources and conditions of work, and are rarely required to deal with proxy wars and insurgency.

The police are not the only organisation in crisis. Every government institution in the country has been hollowed out by political incompetence and ignorance. A look at the 'bloated bureaucracy' is instructive. The embedded principle in American democracy is that 'the best government is the least government'. Consequently, the state focuses as exclusively as possible on 'core functions' and minimises engagement in welfare and activities that can be taken over by the private sector. The administrative philosophy in India is the exact opposite, with government's fingers planted firmly in every possible pie.

That is why the ratio of government employees to population in the two countries is the more astonishing: the US federal government has a ratio of 889 employees per 1,00,000; India's Union government has just 295. State and local government employees in the US account for another 6,314 per 100,000; in sharp contrast, Uttar Pradesh has 352; Bihar, 472; Orissa, 1,007; Chhattisgarh, 1,067; Maharashtra, 1,223; Punjab, 1,383; Gujarat, 1,694. Worse, in India, the overwhelming proportion of government employees is in the lower cadres, class III and IV, as against the 'thinking' element of the state in higher echelons. Even in the latter category, qualitative profiles, including modern and administrative skills, training and technological competence, are severely limited.

Then, look at the 'second largest army in the world'. At about 1.4 million, the current strength of the armed forces appears large in absolute terms but is utterly inadequate in terms of India's population, territory and strategic projections as an 'emerging global power'. India's ratio of active duty uniformed troops to population works out to about 1:866. China's ratio is 1:591; UK's 1:295; Pakistan's 1:279; the US's 1:187. Again, the Indian armed forces' technological and resource capabilities compare adversely to those of the modernised western powers, and the army is way overstretched in conventional defence and counter-insurgency deployments. It can only be hoped that the navy chief's dark assessment of capacities relative to China will ring a few alarm bells.

Given the magnitude of delays that mar the judicial process, it is not surprising to find this institution is probably the worst off in terms of human assets. India has about 1.2 judges per 1,00,000 population. The Law Commission, in its 120th report, recommended a much-augmented ratio of 5 judges per 1,00,000 - a more than fourfold increase. But even this projected ratio would compare adversely with most countries that could be categorised as reasonably administered. The US has nearly 11 judges per 1,00,000 population; Sweden: 13; China: 17; and, at the top of the scale, Belgium: 23; Germany: 25; and Slovenia: 39!

The obvious 'solution', theoretically, would be to initiate massive recruitment to fill up these deficits. Government revenues have grown tremendously over the past decades, so that seems feasible. But it is here that the system hits a wall. Forget lack of political will, corruption, bureaucratic delays, interminable selection processes or absence of training capacities. India has an abysmal 9 per cent higher education participation rate, lower than the average for Africa at 10 per cent. An overwhelming majority of 'graduates' come out of third-rate institutions and are in fact unemployable, lacking essential language and reasoning skills. For all our boasting about the 'youth bulge', India simply does not have the manpower profile to fuel a modern nation and it will take decades before suitable profiles can be generated to meet the demands of modern governance, commerce and society."

The writer is executive director, Institute for Conflict Management.


Issue raised by the author is an alarming one, India lack the depth of good leaders in almost all stratas of her national mechanism. The statistics quoted can not be ignored as the stakes are too high. What is more important is to give a more logical thought to it. Now, when it comes to the army, the auther reccomends the rationalisation of strength, whereas, I feel the otherway round. Rather than raising more manpower, we can go in for the broader concept on CITIZENS' ARMY in India. It is prevalent all over the world, why cant in India? A huge part Time army with a strong nucleas of regular elements should be the option for india. In this way, we can ensure the supply of good leaders in society at a very minimal cost. These part time members of the CITIZENS' ARMY can fulfill the wide gap of all sections of our society along with serving in the army. To be more precise, almost 70% elements of the UNITED STATES ARMY belongs to the NATIONAL GUARDS in sharp contrast to 40000 TERRITORIAL ARMY personnel against a huge 1.4 million strong REGULAR ARMY in INDIA. The Americans have a great culture of national service, they never fall short of leaders, even their Presidents have served in this organisation. Similar is the case of all leading democracies all over the world. Unfortunatly, we in India dont even talk on this issue, we dont even know that we also have a CITIZENS' ARMY in India. What is worst is that our policy makers are almost ignorant of this fact.

Picture: Capt Jagdeesh, Chartered Accountant & an officer in the INDIAN TERRITORIAL ARMY

Design : Maj Surender Singh, Graphics : Samson Roberts

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

LET US NOT FORGET THEM

NEHRU REMEMBERED

Pt Nehru had a special attraction towards lady Mountbatten in the mid forties . There first meeting was like a typical filmy plot in 1946, wherein, Mrs Mountbatten was knocked off at her feet by a crowed of Panditji's admirers at the YMCA in Singapore. She crawled under a table from where, Panditji rescued her.

Panditji and the lady had an immediate attraction which blossomed into LOVE.

Nehru, a widower had a daughter Mrs Gandhi, who was married with a husband to look after and was not often around. Nehru had two sisters who were away in Moscow and Bombay. This had left him lonely in the house and he could not share much with his associates as well. This is how, Lady Mounbatten became his confidence. He would never write to her until about two in the morning, when he had finished his work, and his letters were a fascinating story on the creation of new India. The beginning and the ending were full of personal words for the lady but the main text was the reproduction of daily events, what he had been doing and people he had seen, his hopes and fears and towards the end of this twelve-year correspondence, his disappointments and disillusion.

The Lady already had many LOVERS and the fact was known to LORD MOUNTBATTEN. It broke his heart for the first time but not anymore.

It is evident from his letter in June 1948, written to his own daughter,

" She and Jawaharlal are so sweet together, they really dote on each other in the nicest way and Pammy and I are doing everything we can to be tactful and help. Mummy has been incredibly sweet lately and we have been such a happy family.'

So it was a firm understanding on all sides. In one of the letters written by Nehru to the Lady in March 1957, he quoted,

"Suddenly I realised ( and perhaps you did also ) that there was a deeper attachment between us, that some uncontrollable force, of which I was dimly aware, drew us to one another, I was overwhelmed and at the same time exhilarated by this new discovery. We talked more intimately as if some veil had been removed and we could look into each other's eyes without fear or embarrassment."

Both used to meet at least twice in a year even after independence in the backdrop of official visits. The Lady was on an overseas tour in 1960 and had just left India, she died in her sleep at the age of fifty-eight during that tour. A packet of letters from Panditji was found by her bedside. There was a suitcase full of letters left in her will for Lord Mounbatten.

On the death of Lady Mounbatten, INDIAN PARLIAMENT stood in silence in her memory and a frigate from the INDIAN NAVY attended her funeral at sea off PORTSMOUTH. They cast a wreath of marigolds into the ocean on behalf of the PRIME MINISTER NEHRU.

A REAL DOWNFALL OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES

The implementation of sixth pay commission has drastically changed the warrent of precedence (WoP) for the Indian Armed Forces. The chairperson of UPSC has been upgraded to article 9A over services chiefs (at article 12). He/she used to be earlier at article 17 below services chiefs and also below officiating chiefs of the rank of Lt Gen who were on article 16. Chairperson of SCs and STs were added on article 17. Both these chairpersons are now higher than Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs who are on article 23. Members of SCs & STs placed at same level of Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs at article 23.What more to say, even Field Marshall Manekshaw was placed at article 12 below two former civil servants ( Brijesh Mishra and Vijay Kapoor). Now, does anyone know what these gentlemen have done for INDIA????

As was well known, Army Commanders/Vice Chiefs were equated with secretaries to Govt. of India on article 23. However, Note 10(c) of the WoP make an interesting distinction: In official functions held at Delhi, Army Commanders /Vice Chiefs of the Army Staff or equivalent in other services will always rank after the secrataries to the Government of India.

Following are the deductions:

1. DIG is now officially equivalent to a Brigadier (Earlier this rank was even junior to a Colonel)

2. Ministry of Home Affairs has declared that all IPS officers shall attain the rank of DIG in 14 year's service.

3. Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) is now officially equivalent to the rank of Major General.

4. Dept of Pers & Trg has declared that all IAS officers shall attain the rank of SAG in 14 year's service.

5.What would be achievable by 100% IPS officers in 14 years, 100% CPO and State Cadre (class two) Police officers after 25 years would now be achievable by 7% defence officers in 28 years.

6. What would be achievable by 100% IAS officers in 14 years would now be achievable by 2% defence in 33 years.

7. 20% defence officers attain the rank of COLONEL after 16 years of service whereas, the same rank(SSP) is achieved by 100% IPS officers afters 8 years of service, 100% CPO officers after 16 years, 100% state cadre (class two) police officers after 15 years and in some cases few state cadre Sub Inspectors or even the ASIs as well.

It is now evident from the above deduction that almost 80% of the defence officers will always be junior to all IPS,CPO and even the state cadre police officers throughout their service. The selection grade officers, who make it to the rank of COLONELs and beyond, will also be junior to their police counterparts in all protocols .

It is pertinent to mention that the senior most civilian rank in a state was equivalent to a Colonel during independance; whereas , over a period of time, the nation has only seen the downfall our BABUS. Their machinary collaps even with a simple storm, whereas, their protocol has kept on rising. I dont need to mention the professionalism of our Armed Forces; the nation knows well.

In principle, our politicians needs to give an explanation for this remarkable erosion of a soldier's status over the past sixty years, the Generals , too , are equally responsible. They have virtually failed in restoring the pride of their own men whom they command.

No doubt, even, they dont send their children in the services who rather prefer beauty contests or becoming a Bollywood star. I dont blame them also because they have seen it all.

It is high time that we speak up or else a disaster of command and control during warlike situations is waiting to happen.

(Photo Concept: Maj Surender Singh, Graphics: Samson Robert)

Picture: Capt Rajpal,Jt director FICCI(left) , Lt Sanjeev Kaura,Politician BSP(right) ,INDIAN TERRITORIAL ARMY

THANKLESS NATION

I think time has come to learn the spirit of nationhood from Americans.Being an Army Officer, I felt ashamed of myself when our great politicians linked Operation Vijay (the famous Kargil war) with dirty or rather petty politics.They should learn that a soldier never dies for BJP or a CONGRESS, he rather does so, for the pride of his motherland.It is therefore, for the politicians , to decide the reasons of that pride.The Generals ,too, share equal morality. By associating this war with party politics, we are inviting a complete DISASTER of our sacred ARMED FORCES

In a country like India,where our soldiers have to pay bribe to get a railway seat or run from pillar to post to get a basic work done from civil administration, our politicians should rather concentrate on.

Contrary to this , We must look at the United States of America , where soldiers are considered as national pride & are never linked with politics. It runs in their spirit of nationhood. No wonder they rule the WORLD.

(picture courtsey: google)

CITIZEN INTELLIGENCE NETWORK

A story published on "TIMES OF INDIA" carried the observations of India's National Security Adviser , wherein , he emphasised the need of creating a "CITIZEN INTELLIGENCE NETWORK"

"NSA: Intel from aam admi will help terror fight
(Sachin Parashar, TNN 22 July 2009)

NEW DELHI: If national security adviser M K Narayanan has his way, India will soon have a Citizen Intelligence Network (CIN) allowing residents to participate actively in the intelligence gathering mechanism to help prevent terrorist strikes in the country. Narayanan, sources said, is the force behind the proposal, which is currently being examined by the CCS, to induct ordinary citizens to coordinate with not just the cops but also Intelligence Bureau officials. Once the proposal, which aims to revamp human intelligence, gets the go-ahead from CCS, which can be as early as a month from now, the police and IB will actively go about interviewing residents, initially only in the metro cities but gradually all over the country, to select men and women who could play the role of ‘special intelligence officers’ in their areas. To keep their motivation high, these officers will also be provided with mobile phones and the government will foot the bill.

While police have in the past asked people to become more aware of their surroundings, this is the first time that even IB would involve people in intelligence gathering. The proposal first came up in a report prepared by a joint task force on intelligence, a Narayanan brainchild, headed by former JIC chief S D Pradhan and comprising former IB chief P C Haldar and scientist Roddam Narasimha as members. The NSA is now said to be burning the midnight oil to get the implementation right. ‘‘We will have one or more intelligence units in each residential area and these will be linked to the local police station. There is a perception that human intelligence or HUMINT is weakening and this is an attempt to address the concern,’’ said an official source. Earlier this year, in January, the Centre had sent a note to all chief ministers asking them to focus again on human intelligence without compromising on technical intelligence. In fact, it stated that technical intelligence, even though extremely important and crucial in the fight against terrorism, cannot be a substitute for human intelligence.

It’s perhaps also proper that at a time when the functioning of central intelligence agencies like IB and RAW is being marred by shortage of staff, the government is seeking help from common man. According to an internal study carried out by the same task force, IB needs to increase its staff intake by more than 10% in the next 5 years to meet its requirements."

Dear Mr Narayanan

Pls tell your JIC,IB,RAW and all those committees to stop wasting public money in such wastefull exercises. Anyway for your kind information , we already have a concept of HOME & HEARTH battalions at J & K & NE region under the umbrella of TERRITORIAL ARMY.These battalions are akin to the CIN & have performed with outstanding merit ; much better , than the regular army battalions.

"Territorial Army is an organisation of gainfully employed Indian citizens who are not professional soldiers but civilians eager to do their bit towards the country's defence.Territorial Army provides an ideal opportunity to the youth of the country to receive military training in their spare time; so that, in the event of a national emergency , they might be called upon to meet the needs of country's defence and internal security ."

It is also known as the CITIZENS' ARMY.

The TERRITORIAL serves only two months in a year during the embodiment period & for the rest of the period ,they perform their civilian role. And for your kind information sir , this military organisation is existing in our country since seventeenth century.The US has NATIONAL GUARDS akin to this.

DEDUCTIONS

1.Are we really aware of this fact at the policy making level?

2.Does our police even has the data of Territorial during disembodied state or have they ever tried to liase with military authorities on this subject?

3.Whether we have learned any lessons from HOME & HEARTH or not?

4. Have we really thought of utilising the services of disembodied TERRITORIAL during terrorist strikes anywhere in India?

5.Or do we really know that we have a CITIZENS' ARMY in India?

I dont really have to guess the answer sir,therefore, let us stop fooling the nation once for all & let us do justice to our present security mechanism.

Photo concept: Maj Surender Singh / Graphics: Samson Robert, extreme left:Lt Sanjeev Kaura (Politician BSP), extreme right:Capt Rajpal (Jt Director FICCI), Netaji & Panditji ,Ex Territorial Army cadets at Calcutta & UK respectively during college days & Gandhiji, an Ex TA Sergent during the BOER WAR at SOUTH AFRICA, where, he even won a gallantry award which is preserved at GANDHI archives at Delhi.