Kargil Vijay Diwas

Respected Sir/Ma'am,
The following report -- released by the United News of India news agency on July 16, 2011 -- is for your kind perusal.
With regards
Abhi

DEFENCE-KARGIL-IESM ACTIVITIES (ATTN SRINAGAR) Kargil anniv: Veterans' activities to start on July 20
Bhopal, July 16 (UNI) Pride and grief form a heart-rending cocktail as veterans of the Indian Armed Forces prepare for a bouquet of programmes as tribute to the indomitable courage of the nation's military officers and men who made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil conflict whose 12th anniversary will be observed on July 26.

The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) commemorates the valour of these brave-hearts on that day each year through countrywide activities. This time round the activities start in the week preceding Kargil Vijay Diwas.
"Amongst all military actions since Independence, Operation Vijay was not only the longest but the ferociousness brought about heavy casualties. As many as 527 personnel were martyred and 1,363 severely wounded. Four Param Vir Chakras (PVCs) were awarded, two posthumously and nine Maha Vir Chakras were awarded, six posthumously besides 55 Vir Chakras," narrated IESM Vice-Chairman Major-General (Retd) Satbir Singh, Sena Medal.
The tenacity with which Indian Army units precariously negotiated the razor-edged mountain ridges in darkness -- for daylight spelt doom from the machine-gun-swept mountain slopes bereft of vegetation -- is testimony to the leadership, training and professionalism of the best Army in the world.
heir officers -- two of whom deserve special mention -- led the valiant soldiers from the front in true Indian Army ethos.
Captain Vikram Batra (IC-57556) of the 13 JAK Rif (the 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment) was martyred while dragging injured Lieutenant Naveen towards cover. Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey (IC-56959) of the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles said "Na chhornu" (Do not leave them) to his jawans before succumbing to wounds caused while leading his platoon through a hail of gunfire during the capture of Khalubar. Both officers were decorated with PVCs posthumously.

DEFENCE-KARGIL-IESM ACTIVITIES BHOPAL
"The years since Independence have seen an ever-declining interest in matters military. Kargil happened just a decade plus back and was confined to history within 365 days! Our forces entering Dhaka in December '71 and the heroes of the Kargil conflict are oft forgotten," alleged IESM Member Colonel (Retd) Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi.
Rather than being confined to cantonment commemorations, IESM feels that participation by the citizenry would spread awareness a lot better. Starting on Wednesday, veterans will give lectures in schools. Taking the conflict as the backdrop, they will talk on inculcation of intrinsic qualities like values and camaraderie that characterise the Armed Forces fraternity.
On July 24, homage will be paid from 1100-1300 hrs to martyrs at the Shaheed Smarak in Sector 29, New Okhla Industrial Development Authority Area. Blood donation and organ-pledging are planned on site for those who volunteer. Over 500 persons are expected.
Several households -- both military and non-military ones -- have appreciatively adopted the poignant ceremony of lighting candles at home in the past two years. At 2000 hrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas, citizens across India are requested to light a candle each at their residences' entrances and lay a marigold each by its side after saying a prayer for those who did not come back. This may additionally be done at offices.
A university students' group will conduct a theatrical poetry performance at the Vivekananda International Foundation, Chanakyapuri, Delhi. IESM appeals to media and the people of India to join in commemorating Kargil Vijay Diwas in a befitting manner to generate the spirit of Bharat. UNI AC 0832

The Black Money trail vanishes: Politicians Vs Civil Society

special article 4 July 2011
When Government Is Of The Thieves, By The Thieves And For The Thieves
mg devasahayam
A DEBATE is on over the role of civil society and popular movements in influencing government policies and laws. Politicians of the beleaguered UPA government are increasingly trying to discredit mass movements against corruption by declaring that civil society cannot usurp the right to legislate ~ a right which, according to them, is the exclusive preserve of ‘elected representatives’. Congress veterans seem to be in competition over offering their gems of wisdom.
Home minister P Chidambaram, facing fraud charges over ‘getting himself elected’, set the ball rolling when he said, “Elected members cannot yield to civil society since this might undermine parliamentary democracy.” As a wag promptly retorted, “Yes, Chidambaram is right. Elected members should yield only to Niira Radia and corporate plunderers and not to those who elected them.” Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has charged civil society with weakening the democratic institutions.
The Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari, almost went berserk: “If this country and democracy has any threat, it is from the unelected tyrants. If democracy faces its greatest peril, it is from the tyranny of the unelected and unelectable.” True, for those steeped in corruption, people who raise their voice are indeed ‘tyrants’! But, the fact is that it is not democracy or its institutions that are in danger, but the ‘kleptocracts’ who run the government of the thieves, by the thieves and for the thieves who are facing the heat!
Politicians and their cronies had become so paranoid that one of them even went to the Supreme Court with an absurd plea that ‘it was impermissible under the Constitution to involve civil society in the drafting of a Bill, which was the sole prerogative of the legislative department of the government.’
And Man Friday Kabil Sibal put his imprimatur on that: ‘Civil society won’t be involved in future for drafting the law’. That is it. If only these worthies had an elementary understanding of society and democracy!
It would be useful to quote Wikipedia’s definition of civil society: “It is composed of the totality of voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state and the commercial institutions of the market. Together, state, market and civil society constitute the entirety of a society, and the relations between these three components determine the character of a society and its structure.”
Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. This includes participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law. People’s sovereignty is the founding principle of such a system. A parliamentary system is nothing more than representative democracy in which citizens do have a right to tell their elected representatives what kind of laws they want enacted and what laws they want changed or scrapped. Mass movements for doing so strengthen democracy; they don’t weaken it as apprehended by our ‘intellectually arrogant’ Home minister.
The Special Economic Zones Act is a case in point. This law was drafted without the citizens’ consent and enacted by Parliament without a word of dissent. But when implemented, those most affected by this law ~ farmers ~ did not accept it. This has led to massive resistance all over the country. Indeed, there is virtual civil war in the tribal heartland of Dandakaranya.
A series of laws have been opposed because they were enacted without the involvement of citizens when India was under colonial administration. Notably, the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The first provides that fertile farm land can be acquired for a song to build super-luxury malls and bungalows by invoking the urgency clause of Section 17 of the Act. It deprives the aggrieved persons the right to object. Even the Supreme Court has come down heavily against this Act. The Indian Penal Code still has the sedition clause under which British rulers arrested patriots and freedom fighters. This section is now being used against citizens fighting against corruption and injustice. Our ‘elected representatives’ have not bothered to amend these draconian laws even six decades after Independence.
The BJP enacted the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, without any consultation, consensus or consent. It goes against the concept of freedom. The same party’s government issued ‘The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Ordinance, 2002’, conferring draconian powers to bank managers to take possession and sell the properties mortgaged with them by genuine borrowers. Parliament confirmed the Ordinance without debate, thereby depriving small and medium entrepreneurs their basic right and livelihood in the most arbitrary and autocratic manner.
Because the views and inputs of civil society are not taken into consideration, there are several impractical Central and state laws that are sources of corruption and black money.
In the reckoning of politicians, civil society undermines parliamentary democracy. On the contrary, it is the politicians who are undermining parliamentary democracy through feudal and dynastic political outfits. Indeed, they are indulging in large-scale electoral corruption and thuggery. Certain parties are calling the shots. They are dominating over governments without any constitutional sanction. Our Constitution, which has provision for all institutions/instruments of governance, has nothing for ‘politicians’ or ‘political parties’. The charge that civil society activists are seeking to replace Parliament does not hold water. In the context of the Jan Lokpal Bill, civil society activists are seeking to shape the draft, mobilise opinion on the content, and hold elected representatives accountable to such opinion. The common people are better informed and closely involved than ever before. But the actual task of enacting the law still rests with MPs. The debates within Parliament are likely to be closely scrutinised by citizens. This is a process that is essential for the growth of democracy. Politicians and the government only expose their authoritarian streak by trying to discredit such participatory processes. The writer is a former IAS officer
Politicians Vs Civil Society
Related action to negate court ruling!
Govt moves SC for recall of order for setting up SIT on black money

One Rank One Pension- A CNN-IBN TV Presentation on 16 July 2011

Dear friends,
CNN - IBN is televising a show on OROP at 2230 (1030PM) on Saturday 16 July 2011 on their English News Channel. The show will be repeated at the same channel at 1200h on Sunday morning and again at 2130h on Sunday evening 17 July 2011.
IESM has contributed a lot in preparation of the show. Any comments and reaction about the show should please be sent to undersigned. I will prepare a brief of the comments and forward congratulations and the brickbats to the channel. Please do not write directly to the channel.
All veterans are requested to inform their friends so that maximum number of veterans/servicemen can watch the program. The program will also be available on the website of the channel after Sunday.
Regards,
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM

ESM News from Navi Mumbai

Sent: 11 July 2011 08:52
Subject: Visit to Navi Mumbai
Dear Sir,
At the invitation of the Chairman of our associate Ex Servicemen League CBD Belapur Navi Mumbai on 09 Jul 2011, Lt Col Vinod Patil and self attended their AGM.
Col T S Tanwar has been elected as the New Chairman of the league. The members were briefed on the following issues.

JCOs and below of who number 14 lakh or so only 3 lakh have got their correct dues. Normal error by banks is they have not been consulting the two tables in the letter of 11/11/2008 and giving the higher pension. A Sgt with 15 yrs of service was thus getting basic of Rs 3500 as against 4047 till 01.07.2009.

In case of Naval personnel wrong group being used.

OROP recommendation of Rajya Sabha committee expected this session of parliament. Of course the RM is merely talking of near parity so far.

A civil presentation to the Rajya sabha committee has said that they civil service will not object to OROP.

Punjab and HP have already passed resolutions in their State Assemblies supporting grant of OROP to Defence pensioners.

IESM Chairman has written to Chief Ministers of 12 other States (UP, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Bihar, WB, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, MP, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, J&K) requesting for similar action. One of our members from pension cell has also approached an MLA. We are trying to get an appointment with the Min for Ex Servicemen affairs.

ECHS Help line is now working both 18001038666 and 08043004300 and what will be available on this help line.

Out sourcing of Pharmacy operations is in progress and awaiting Finance Ministry clearance. IESM AGM was held on 13 Nov 2010. Details will follow.

A white ECHS card is now being issued to disabled Veteran.

Rank pay case will be heard on 11 July, 2011. (Adjouned again)

All pre 2003 retirees who are not yet joined ECHS should do so by Dec 2011 as they would not be able to join after that and advantages of joining ECHS.

Many have joined ECHS and are still drawing Fixed Medical allowance. If this is reported you stand to lose ECHS membership.

Suvigya is likely to be available soon at various locations but is currently having some glitches.

Security jobs likely to be available on Merchant vessels.

Points to check for pension being correct and what to do.

One widow has approached with her pension problem.

Efforts on to meet Maharashtra Minister for Ex Servicemen welfare.

The members were told to set up a committee to study special needs of ECHS with regard to Mumbai and come up with suggestion which IESM would study and follow up.

A total of 17 new individual members were enrolled.
Regards,
Ravi
Cdr RW Pathak, Member Governing Body IESM and Pension Division IESM

Mumbai Terror Attack 13 July 2011 update

14 Jul, 2011, 02.55AM IST,IANS
Mumbai terror attack: Mobile network jammed after blasts
MUMBAI: Thousands of people in Mumbai had difficulty in contacting their near and dear ones as the mobile network was jammed soon after the triple blasts in the city.

Though police said they have not asked the service providers for any such service, experts said that anxious people calling their relatives and friends could have resulted in the networks getting jammed. The situation eased considerably after 10 p.m.

Twenty-one people were killed Wednesday evening in three bomb attacks in Mumbai's Dadar West, Zaveri Bazar and Opera House. Over 140 people were injured.
Meanwhile, The city's King Edward Memorial Hospital, which is treating eight people who were injured in the serial blasts Wednesday evening, was under tight security. Media persons were not allowed to enter the hospital.
More than a dozen armed police personnel were deployed outside the hospital, while some officers and constables are keeping a vigil inside.

"Lots of people are coming because they don't know where their relatives are being treated and apart from them others are also coming. So we have to make sure that the right people are getting entry into the hospital for security reasons," said an official. The notice board outside the hospital, which is located in Parel, has listed the names of eight people who got injured in the blasts in Zaveri Bazara, Opera House and Dadar.

A doctor at the hospital, Prashant Bangar told IANS: "Three of the eight were very serious. One had a very serious injury, one had abdominal injury and the other had fractures. The first two are kept in the ICU after operation."

A wardboy said that "so far there has been no casualty here". Sixty-two-year-old Dhananjay Adhikari was rushed to the hospital after he got a splinter in his stomach in the blast at the Opera House. "I went to Opera House for personal work and blast happened very near to me. I saw people being blown away and dying," said Adhikari who is recuperating after getting first aid. His son arrived in the hospital to take care of him.
Mumbai terror attack: Mobile network jammed after blasts
Photos Courtesy: Triple 'terror' blasts kill 21 in Mumbai

...

Armed Forces Tribunal Orders are mostly defied

On record
Half the tribunal’s orders are being defied
The Tribune 10 July 2011 by Vijay Mohan

Justice Ghanshyam Prasad
THE Armed Forces Tribunal has been in existence for over two years. An agency dedicated to deal with military related issues, it expedited the judicial process that earlier used to take years to settle due to the huge pendency of cases before various high courts. The inclusion of a retired armed forces’ officer on the bench also helped in dealing with technical issues unique to the services.

While the tribunal has been a boon, specially the veterans who are now able to get their pension related grievances resolved faster, several issues remain to be sorted out. Justice Ghanshyam Prasad, the senior judicial member of the Tribunal’s Chandigarh bench speaks on some of the more contentious issues.

What are the major challenges affecting the functioning of the Tribunal?
A major obstacle is that the Tribunal does not have the powers to initiate civil contempt proceedings in case of non-compliance of its orders. This is unlike the High Courts, where a party can be hauled up for non-compliance. This does have an impact on the Tribunal’s effectiveness. In more than 50 per cent of the cases, the orders and directions passed by the benches are not executed by the authorities concerned, requiring repeated follow-up action. On an average our bench is receiving 10-12 applications every month seeking redressal for non-compliance of orders alone.

So, what is being done to redress this issue?
The government is taking steps to incorporate certain amendments in the Armed Forces Tribunal Act that will equip the tribunals with powers to issue civil contempt. This is consequent to a case that went up to the Supreme Court, where the issue cropped up during the proceedings. We would then be able to initiate the requisite action against erring authorities. At present, the tribunals’ powers of contempt are limited to criminal contempt where we can only initiate action in case of a person disrupting court proceedings or creating a nuisance.

There is an accusation that different members of the same bench have given varying judgements on similar matters involving common points of law.

Is there any justification?
These are judicial matters. We cannot call varying orders as conflict of judgement. Though they may appear similar on the face of it, all cases have different facts and circumstances behind them and the reasons for arriving at a conclusion can be different. All members could be correct in interpreting and adjudicating a respective case.

The AFT Act says that appeals against the Tribunal’s orders would lie before the Supreme Court, but the Delhi and the Kerela High Courts have recently ruled that high courts have the powers to review orders passed by the Tribunal.

How does this affect the Tribunal’s functioning?
The Tribunal’s functioning, per se, would not be affected, as it has no direct bearing on the role and powers of the Tribunal. The impact of the High Courts’ orders would be borne by the parties concerned only after the Tribunal has passed its orders. It has added another forum between the Tribunal and the Supreme Court and would now further lengthen the judicial process. The Tribunal was established to expedite the judicial process for armed forces personnel, but now things could go back to square one. It is the poor soldiers who would suffer.

Are there any plans to expand the Tribunal?
The Chandigarh Bench covers the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. This area has a large number of serving and retired armed forces personnel and keeping in view the number of cases filed daily, we need four benches in Chandigarh as against the two at present. Besides pending cases, we are getting about 200 fresh cases every month. There are also reports of the government contemplating setting up a separate bench for Jammu and Kashmir as it is very difficult for people from that area to travel all the way to Chandigarh , file cases and attend proceedings. Then we have recently started a circuit bench at Shimla, where a bench from Chandigarh holds court for a few days there according to a pre-defined roster. This is taking justice to the doorsteps of veterans and is of great help to those residing in Himachal Pradesh as it does away with the need to travel long distances and arranging accommodation for overnight stay. There is certainly scope for more circuit benches.

Are there issues pertaining to the Tribunal that are still pending with the government or other ministries concerned?
The biggest issue is non-availability of permanent accommodation for the Tribunal’s offices as well as its members. At present we are functioning from modified barracks at an interim location. Then there is the question of regular staff appointments. All members at present are retired judges or service officers.
Half the tribunal’s orders are being defied

Kargil Diwas, Tuesday, 26 July 2011 at Bangalore

KARGIL DIWAS : TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2011
Respected Sir,
Jai Hind. I shall be obliged if you could please put out the following in REPORT MY SIGNAL.
Regards,
Col Rajan

COMMEMORATION CEREMONY ON KARGIL DIWAS AT BANGALORE: TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2011 Veteran Admiral OS Dawson, PVSM, AVSM (Former Chief of Naval Staff) Veteran Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM (Former Chief of Air Staff)
Veteran Lt Gen (Army Cdr) Ravi Eipe, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Former GOC-in-C Eastern Command)
Veteran Lt Gen NSI Narahari, PVSM( Former Corps Cdr and Comdt, Army War College, Mhow)
request the kind presence of Ex-Servicemen & Defence Family Pensioners at the Commemoration Ceremony on Kargil Diwas at 9.15 AM on Tuesday, 26 July 2011at the Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka, Bangalore, adjacent to Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain on Chowdiah Road,Opp. Nehru Planetarium, near Raj Bhawan, Bangalore.

PROGRAMME ON KARGIL DIWAS
TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2011
09.15 AM: Assembly at Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka.
09.30 AM: Laying of wreaths. 1
0.30 AM: Tea, kind courtesy Govt of Karnataka.
WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 2011
07.30 PM: KARGIL DIWAS MUSICAL NITE at RSI Bangalore for Officers & Families.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Ex-Servicemen may be dressed in suit/ combination with regimental tie or National Dress (bandh gala) or shirt & regimental tie or just open collar; with miniature or full medals. The head gear could be a beret, a cap (like the Thambi cap or a Nepali cap), a side cap, a hat, a turban or a turban with ‘thura’.
2. Defence Family Pensioners shall be suitably attired, befitting the solemn occasion.
3. Cars & vehicles will be parked only in the designated Car Park, at the rear of Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka, entry to which is from Asgar Ali Road.
4. The entire proceedings shall be conducted as a solemn event with dignity & decorum.
5. Ex-Servicemen & Defence Family Pensioners are requested to be in possession of their Identity Cards issued by the Defence Department

DGR Sponsored Security Agencies

Message For Security Agencies
All Principle Employers and DGR Sponsored Security agencies are requested to ensure that all provisions of Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act, 2005 and Rules, as applicable in the state they are working in, including Licence from respective States are being strictly adhered to. Principle,(mkmk?) employers are also requested to ensure adherence to the same, before giving any contracts.
DGR Webpage
The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005
List of defaulting Security Agencies
PIOs Nominated for RTI
DGR Demystified

Comment: Most of the DGR sponsored Security Agencies are violating all norms stipulated in the Security Act-2005. None of the directives are enforceable or punishable. Till date not one violator has been prosecuted nor imprisoned! We need to throw this ACT in the dustbin. Stricter and enforceable laws need to be drawn out so that not only money spinners do not cheat the system, but also the Retired Jawans employed as Security Personnel are not taken for a ride.

Modernisation: Antony warns defence firms against corruption

Antony warns defence firms against corruption
July 12, 2011 6:40:46 PM IANS | New Delhi

With India expected spend nearly $100 billion over the next decade on modern equipment for its armed forces, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Tuesday cautioned against corruption in defence deals, particularly warning military vendors of "extreme steps" if any underhand deals were struck by them.

Inaugurating an international defence acquisition seminar at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) here, Antony also assured the defence companies that they will get "a level playing field" and "fair play" in the acquisition process in India.

However, he asked them "not to try to corrupt our people" while dealing with them during the acquisition process.

Going a step further, he said: "I do not want to be a party to any corrupt practice and will not allow even a rupee of Indian taxpayer's money to be spent on graft."

His assertions come at a juncture when Indian defence ministry is in the final stages of deciding the winner of its $10.4-billion tender for 126 combat planes for the Indian Air Force (IAF), apart from the contracts for 22 attack helicopters and 15 heavy-lift helicopters.

Plans for acquiring six new diesel-electric submarines, five different types of artillery guns and additional C-17 heavy-lift transport planes are in various stages of being implemented.

Trying to dispel suspicion among some smaller countries with a good defence industrial base that more powerful nations may sway India's heavy-duty defence deals in their favour, Antony said the defence acquisition in the country "will not be propelled" by political considerations.

"Up to the trial stage, the technical soundness of a product will determine whether it will remain in the race, and after that it is the price of the equipment which will determine its ultimate selection for procurement," he said.

India's April 2011 decision to down-select European firms EADS and Dassault as the two vendors remaining in the fray for the 126 combat jet tender was seen by many in the defence business fraternity as "going by the rule book" and without any "political and strategic" considerations in mind.

Sketching out the changes in the nature of warfare in the recent times, Antony said there was a shift and today the challenges range from asymmetric threats, terrorism, internal disturbances as well as conventional warfare in a nuclear backdrop.

"On our part we need to develop the latest strategic and conventional capabilities. However, in our enthusiasm to modernise and upgrade our security infrastructure, we must not allow our defence acquisition procedures to be manipulated or corrupted," he said.

The defence minister said the latest production policy of his ministry was aimed at strengthening the military industrial base in the country, both private and public sector, with the offsets (the mandatory defence acquisition clause of a successful foreign vendor ploughing 30 percent of the deal back in India's defence, civil aviation and internal security industry) showing potential.
Antony warns defence firms against corruption

NCR Kargil Vijay Divas 26 July 2011

Dear Friends,
Jai Hind. The programme for celebrations of Kargil Diwas in NCR, being organised by IESM, is given in the email below.Be a good soldier and join the celebrations with family and friends. We look forward to your valuable support. Vande Matram
In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj

Sent: 09 July 2011 15:49
Subject: Kargil Divas - Noida/ NCR KARGIL VIJAY DIVAS : 26 JULY 2011 Kargil Divas falls on 26 July. It is the day when the entire area captured treacherously in Ladakh by Pakistan in 1999, was fully cleared by some very dogged and ferocious actions, fought by our valiant soldiers, led 'from the front' in true Indian Army ethos, by Officers.The tenacity and courage with which Indian Army units precariously negotiated the razor edged mountain ridges in darkness, for day light spelt doom from the machine gun swept mountain slopes bereft of vegetation, is testimony to the leadership, training and professionalism of the best army in the world. Truly, Tenacity in Adversity.
Amongst all military actions fought since independence, this was not only the longest, but the ferociousness brought about the maximum casualties. 527 personnel died. 1363 were seriously injured. Four PVCs- the Bravest of the Brave, were awarded, two posthumously. Nine MVCs were awarded, six posthumously. The Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM), commemorates the valour of the Indian soldiers each year, on Kargil Divas by India wide participatory activities. As the soldier is primarily a son of the soil, a national asset and not just a member of the Defence services, we believe that such commemoration of valor has to move beyond cantonments and largely involve the citizenry. Related events therefore are planned with such participation in mind.Following events are planned this year.

Lectures in Schools by Veterans. In the week preceding Kargil Divas. Taking Kargil War as backdrop, they would talk on inculcation of intrinsic qualities like Values, Camaraderie etc that characterize the Armed Forces fraternity.

Homage to Martyrs. Shaheed Smaarak, Sec 29, Noida. Sunday 24 July. 1100-1300 hrs. Its a Citizen's function. No politics. No Chief Guests. Blood Donation and Organ Pledging camps are planned on site for those who volunteer for this. All are requested to attend.

Lighting Candles at Home. This poignant ceremony has been appreciatively adopted by many households- both in the military and non military ones, in the past two years. At 8 PM on Kargil Divas- Tuesday 26 July, citizens across India light a candle at their residence entrance, and lay a marigold by its side, after saying a prayer for those who did not come back.

Theatrical Poetry Program. A College students Group dedicates their Theatrical Poetry performance during the week preceding Kargil Divas, to the valour of our Bravehearts who snapped victory from the jaws of a very dangerous situation.
Details later. All are requested to participate in large numbers. For any queries, please feel free to contact me. Thanks.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi, IESM

Restructuring the Central Police Forces and the State Armed Police

USE OF INCORRECT TERMINOLOGY
Dear Chander,
I had written an article titled "Restructuring the Central Police Forces and the State Armed Police to Combat Internal Insurgencies". It was published in the South Asia Defence and Strategic Year Book 2011, which was published early this year. I am enclosing a copy as an attachment. As you will see, it is a long article of 4781 words, which all may not be interested to read. However, I would recommend that the portion highlighted in yellow be read by all. Following the publishing of the article, I was informed that the then Home Secretary (retired recently) issued immediate instructions to the police forces not to call themselves para military forces. As suggested by me, the Home Ministry issued a policy letter dated 18/22 March 2011 wherein all the armed police forces were instructed to adopt a uniform nomenclature as suggested by me. I am enclosing a scanned copy of the same as the second attachment. I do not know whether the police forces and others will follow the instructions but it is important that they do. The media continues to use the term para military forces incorrectly and so do even defence officers. Army Headquarters needs to contact all editors of newspapers and magazines, as well as others, including their subordinate formations and request them to instruct their scribes/ others to use the correct nomenclature. I thought the readers of your blog would be interested to know; they could then correct people who continue to use the wrong nomenclature.
Warm regards.
Vijay Oberoi
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
Former Director Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)
Click here to read the full article

BRO Signboards that make you smile

— Photo: PTI

SIGN OF THE TIMES: A signboard erected recently by the Border Roads Organisation along the Leh-Manali national highway.
Leh: ‘I am curve[a]ceous, Be slow!'
This is one of the many messages put on signboards along the Leh-Manali national highway here to guide drivers about narrow turns and traffic rules.
This innovation of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a nodal agency under the Government of India involved in construction and maintenance of crucial road infrastructure for the armed forces in inhospitable and far-flung border areas, has caught the fancy of tourists.
“It is interesting to find such funny boards on roads. These signboards convey serious messages. I really like the idea,” says Christopher, a tourist.
‘Love thy neighbour but not while driving,' reads another one.
Roads maintained by BRO are full of such signboards.
For 29-year-old software professional Aniket, who had come to Leh from Ahmedabad on a motorbike, these signboards are rejuvenating after a tiring stint.
“I have come to Leh a number of times. Every time I see these boards, I forget all my worries and laugh freely. These are indeed an innovative approach to teach people about traffic and roads rules,” he said.
‘This is a highway not a runway,' warns another signboard, asking people to drive slowly.
These boards are visible from a distance of about 200 metres and words are written in large fonts for the convenience of the drivers.
“I am going to suggest officials in my country follow this. How do you people get such ideas?” said a Canadian national, Maya Taylor.
The BRO has been receiving plaudits from people and authorities here for its initiative.
“We have tried to make it innovative so that people feel like reading and following it. We keep thinking of such new messages to teach people about traffic rules and driving,” a BRO official said.
‘Your hurry may be a cause of worry to your family,' says another signboard.
“I wish these kind of signboards are erected by other State authorities too. After all, gone are the days of serious messages. The government needs to change its attitude,” said Raksha, who had come here from Mumbai.
Some of the signboards, which were damaged in a cloudburst on the intervening night of August 5-6 last year, are being revamped by the BRO. Over 250 people had died and 1,400 households were affected in the natural calamity. — PTI
Signboards that make you smile

Rank Pay: Solicitor General Resigns

Dear Sir,
It is intimated that:The case came up for hearing today in the court of Justice Aftab Alam & Justice RM Lodha. In the absence of the Solicitor General, since he has put up his resignation, UOI sought fresh date. However Mr Harish Salve appearing for the RDOA and others explained to the court the wrongful deduction of the rank pay in contravention to the recommendations of the IV CPC.
The example given by the UOI in its affadivit as asked by the court was argued threadbare and the wrongful deduction was exposed to the court. The court made a note of that. The next date of hearing has been scheduled after 15 days. It is requested that the same be put on RMS for info of all.
Thanking you,
Secy RDOA

RBI orders to Banks for delay in Pension Payments

Dear Veterans,
I wish to bring to your notice to the various circulars issued by the RBi regarding payment of pension by the banks. i would like to draw your attention particularly to the clause whereby you are entitled for bank rate plus 2% for all delayed payments by the the banks of your dues. You may like to visit this web site and update yourself on the matter. http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Notification/PDFs/98MCP010711F.pdf
Pension Payment to Central/ State Govt. Pensioners by Agency Banks-Delay
(Ref.DO.No.CSD.CO/8793/13.01.001/2009-10 dated April 09, 2010, DGBA.GAD.No.H- 46/45.01.001/2010-11 dated July 2, 2010 and DGBA.GAD.No.H- 6212 & 6213/45.01.001/2010-11 dated March 11, 2011)- click here
Reserve Bank of India is receiving several complaints from the pensioners alleging inordinate delay in disbursing the revised pension and arrears. Position was reviewed by RBI and the agency banks have been instructed as under:

Pension paying banks should compensate the pensioner for the delay in crediting the pension/ arrears thereof by paying compensation at Bank Rate plus 2% penal interest for the delay after the due date and the compensation shall be credited to the pensioner's account automatically without any claim from the pensioner on the same day when the bank affords credit for revised pension/ pension arrears, in respect of all delayed pension payments made since October 1, 2008.

Pension paying banks have been requested to put in place a mechanism to obtain immediately the copies of pension orders from the pension paying authorities directly and make payments without waiting for receipt of instructions from RBI so that pensioners should 28
get the benefits announced by the Governments in the succeeding month's pension payment itself.

System of attending to customer service including pension payments may be reviewed.

The branch continues to be a point of referral for the pensioner lest he/she feel disenfranchised.

All branches having pension accounts should guide and assist the pensioners in all their dealings with the bank

Suitable arrangements are made to place the arithmetic and other
details about the pension calculations on the web, to be made
available to the pensioners through the net or at the branches at
periodic interval as may be necessary and sufficient
advertisement is made about such arrangements

All claims for agency commission in respect of pension payments
must be accompanied by a certificate from E.D. / CGM- in-
Charge of Government business in case of SBI and its Associate
Banks that there are no pension arrears to be credited /delays in
crediting regular pension / arrears thereof.
Veteran Raman

Retd Lt Col arrested for killing Dilshan

DD News 10th July 2011
A former Lt Colonel was on Sunday arrested for the killing of 13-year-old Dilshan a week back inside the army residential complex for plucking mangoes and almonds as he was annoyed with boys trespassing in the area.
With the police zeroing on him on the basis of its probe, 58-year-old retired Lt Col Kandaswamy Ramraj, a native of Madurai, confessed to having shot Dilshan with his rifle from a balcony.
Ramraj has been booked by the Tamil Nadu Police crime branch under Section 302 (murder) of IPC. He was produced before a special court which remanded him to judicial custody for 15 days.
"We have got a major breakthrough in the Dilshan murder case. We confronted the retired army officer with physical witnesses and evidences which made him to confess," CBCID ADGP R Sekar told reporters on the killing of Dilshan who fell to the bullet when he trespassed into the army residential quarters last Sunday.
Stating that the retired army officer got annoyed by the frequent trespassing of the boys to pluck mangoes and almonds, he said, "this lead him to shoot from his rifle from a balcony at the time of incident."
"He used to yell at the boys who trespassed frequently to pluck mangoes and chase them," Sekar said.
Ramraj, a former Assistant Engineer (Arms section), admitted that he threw the rifle in the Cooum river here along with the bullets after the incident, Sekar said.
"With the help of fire tenders we were able to recover the weapon imported from United States and efforts are on to locate the bullets," he said, adding that the car used for hiding the weapon was also seized.
Sekar said that though initially police came to know there were only three children at the time of incident it later came to light that there was a fourth boy who informed them about a senior army man who tried to erase the evidence, he said.
With the help of fourth boy, police could zero in on Ramraj who initially refused to admit that he owned a licensed weapon but later confessed that he had applied for renewal of license with the suburban police, he said.(ST-10/07)
Retd Lt Col arrested for Dilshan killing
Comment: A sad commentary on Military Leadership qualities being imbibed. Certainly there is a need to have a relook on the ACR loaded officer cadre! Veterans with weapons cannot run amuck and erase evidence- truly disgusting.

Reforms accelerates black money transfer to Offshore financial Centers

Can the Supreme Court Ferret out the Money Laundering Route
Corruption Cost India $462 Billion As An Illegal Capital Flow
From BOB Goswami

INDIA NEWS - Asia’s one of the most fast developing nations India has coughed up more than $460bn since Independence on illegal capital flow, funneling corrupt riches money to overseas banks widened the gap between rich and poor. According to a new report, illegal money through various sleaze exercises like tax evasion, crime and others have founded strong base of inequalities irrespective of rapid growth of its economy.

US-based group Global Financial Integrity has published its reports, showing the illegitimate outflows of wealth to overseas robustly increased after economic reforms began in 1991. The group based in Washington has also revealed the detail analysis of cross-border flow of illegal money around the world.

The shadowy projection of mounting economy actually masquerades the poor state of governance in India since Independence in 1947. The ironical economical growth of nation in reality disguises the start term of financial cost of tax evasion, corruption, and other illicit financial practices in India.

Findings of Global Financial Integrity:

India’s $462bn wealth has gone astray in illicit outflows of money between 1948, a year after Independence, and 2008.

The capital outflow is more than twice of India’s external debt of $230bn.

The total illegal capital flight out to overseas is equal to 16.6% of its GDP.

After the economic reforms in 1991, 68% of India's capital loss occurred.

The main guilty are private organizations and high net-worth individuals.

Indian companies moved money from developed country banks to "offshore financial centers" (OFCs) increased from 36.4% in 1995 to 54.2% in 2009.

Dev Kar, a former International Monetary Fund economist said that the illegal money that consists of India’s underground economy drains out in foreign lands. According to him, India’s underground economy has been believed to sum up 50% of the country’s GDP - $640bn at the end of 2008.

The report is based on a World Bank model to estimate India’s missing wealth. Mr. Kar warned that the figure could be more alarming as it didn’t include other illegal transit such as smuggling and cash transfer outside the financial system.
Corruption Cost India $462 Billion As An Illegal Capital Flow
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Greek crisis is a warning signal for India?

Homage to Kargil Martyrs on 24th July 2011

Dear Veterans,
26 July 1999 is a very important day in the history of India and specially for Indian Armed Forces. On this very day, our valiant armed forces drove out Pakistan army intruders from unauthorised occupation of Indian territory of Kargil and Drass. Indian Armed Forces had a difficult task of uprooting and throwing out the well trenched Pakistan army from Indian territory. The job was difficult and was made near impossible by the strict orders of GOI that Indian Armed Forces were not to not cross the LOC while recapturing Indian territory from unauthorised occupation of Pakistan army.
Indian Armed Forces rose to the occasion, with impeccable coordination between Indian Army and Indian Air Force, and attacked the hills facing volleys of bullets from enemy and drove out the Pakistan army from the Indian territory. Indian Navy successfully blocked the sea routes to Arabian sea thus depriving Pakistan of all supplies during the these operations. Last hill was captured on 26 July 1999. This was an example of great courage,valour, comradeship and leadership on the part of Indian Armed Forces that this near impossible task was completed with great finesse and Indian territory was liberated from unauthorised occupation.

Indian Armed Forces paid a heavy price for the Kargil victory in the true spirit of Armed forces motto of "Nation before Self". 527 brave soldiers sacrificed their life and 1363 soldiers were seriously wounded in achieving this victory on 26 July 1999. Armed forces were awarded following medals for their extreme bravery and valour in the face of enemy:

Paramvir Chakra 4

Mahavir Charkra 9

Vir Charkra 55
IESM has been paying homage to the brave soldiers for the last two years. IESM had organised blood donation camps, organ pledging camps and encouraged public participation in nation building while remembering the sacrifice of the young soldiers. IESM has also been organising interaction with students to inculcate the value of discipline and sacrifice in them. This is a small step on the part of veterans (IESM) in building character of young of India.

IESM would be paying homage to the martyrs on 24 July 2011 from 1100h to 1230h at Shaheed Smarak, Sector 29 Noida. The date 24 July 2011(Sunday) has been selected for convenience and maximum participation all civilian friends. The week would start with interaction with students of different schools to educate them about the military way of life and the sacrifices of the soldiers. This will be a subtle way to teach them leadership qualities and educate about them their duties to our Motherland. Some social programs have also been planned. The details of these programs would be sent separately. All are requested to come to Shaheed Smarak, Sector 29 Noida at 1100h on 24 July 2011 to pay homage to the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the true tradition of Indian Armed Forces. Light refreshments would be served after the homage ceremony.

All are also requested to light a candle at their doorstep at 2000h on 26 July 2011 to remember the sacrifices of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War. All core group members are requested to arrange similar homage ceremony in their towns. Funds for the homage ceremony are to be arranged through local contribution.
Regards
Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM
Gen Sec IESM