Colonel held with bar girls in Gujarat

Shiv Aroor, Monday, April 19, 2010
An army officer was recently caught frolicking at a sleazy rave party at a farmhouse in Ahmedabad district's Sanand area recently. The officer was arrested along with seven bar girls and 21 others at the party.

Colonel Ritobroto Sengupta was arrested on April 15. He was reportedly caught dancing with bar girls and consuming alcohol at the party, both illegal under the Gujarat laws.

Confirming the news to Headlines Today, the Army said that the officer's conduct was being probed. He was arrested, questioned and then handed over to army authorities for further action. The officer belongs to the Dhangadhra military station, where he commands an artillery unit.

The party, which had free-flowing illegal alcohol and seven bar dancers from Mumbai, was allegedly thrown by an Ahmedabad businessman and had several other businessmen in attendance.

Sources told Headlines Today that the officer was being probed for giving the police a fake name. The police were also investigating the possibility if he provided alcohol at the party. His links with the businessmen in attendance was also being probed.

Sources said there was also a serving brigadier involved in the party, but he might have given police the slip during the raid. The Army has not confirmed the brigadier's presence at the party.
Colonel held with bar girls in Guj

Rito Brato Sengupta, serving as colonel with Indian Army at Dhrangadra base was also among the arrested. He initially told investigator that his name was Rakesh Varma. We have charged him with misguiding investigators.
Police bust booze party at Sanand farmhouse, 29 held

A Soldier's Journey through life: A review

BOOK REVIEW
A Soldier’s Journey through Life with Two Wives. By Brigadier Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd) (NOIDA : BLS Publishers, 2009) pp..306, Rs. 450, ISBN 978-81-901855-1-6.

It is difficult to classify this book – it is neither a love story, nor an autobiography, nor an historical saga, nor a personal narrative. Perhaps, it is a combination of all these and more. In spite of the suggestive title, it is in essence the tale of a man torn between his two loves– his wife and his calling, a dilemma faced not only by soldiers but many others who are wedded to their careers, some even more demanding than the profession of arms. It is not easy to reconcile the demands of one’s family and his job, a point the author has highlighted in his narrative.

Written in an earthy style, the book traces the story of a young boy born in a middle class family in Western Uttar Pradesh, his early education, graduation from college and university, training at the Indian Military Academy, service in various units and training establishments, stints in the DRDO and RAW, retirement from the Army and life thereafter. There are vignettes of village life, ‘boot camp’ during cadet training, the first experience of battle during 1962, and the slow but steady rise up the ladder in the military hierarchy. To keep the reader’s interest alive, the author has peppered the narrative with personal anecdotes. A parallel theme is the poignant story of two people deeply in love - the author and his wife Rosy,
also called Jeet. Starting from their courtship and marriage, the book takes us through their intimate moments, separations, reunions, tribulations, the pain suffered by both in her fight with cancer, and
her death in his arms.

Though it is a commonplace tale of an ordinary person, there are a few things that make it extraordinary. The book gives an insight into the challenges faced by a military leader, the strong bonds between an officer and his men and the loyalty and grit of the Indian Jawan in the face of adversity. The only jarring note is the presence of numerous grammatical mistakes and mis-spelt words, which detract from the readability of the book. Notwithstanding this flaw, the book will interest both soldiers and civilians, and will be a valuable addition to libraries as well as
personal collections. It is especially recommended for young officers, who will find valuable lessons in command at a sub unit level.
Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)

Change of Command Ceremony- US Army

more photographs click here
Change of command of a unit or formation is a very important event. Sadly, in the Indian Army this function is mostly confined to the offices.

I had the pleasure of witnessing change of command of a US Army Reserve unit, in San Diego, California in 2007. Let me recount the details.

The main event of the ceremony was a ceremonial parade by the unit personnel. It was presided over by the Brigade Commander, who had come from a few hundred miles away. To witness the parade, former serving and retired Brigade Commanders, officers commanding, other officers, NCOs and men were invited. I was a special invitee, guest of a serving Colonel. A band was in attendance.

The Brigade Commander reviewed and addressed the parade. He praised the services of the out going Officer Commanding and introduced the incoming incumbent. Next, the out going and incoming Officers commanding addressed the parade and also the senior most NCO (like our Subedar Major).

During the speeches, the role played by the ladies of the Unit was highlighted too, particularly since this unit had sent sub units to Iraq and some were due to go.

The Brigade Commander and the two officers commanding went down from the podium. The Senior Most NCO took the Regimental Standard from the Honour Guard and handed it over to the out going officer commanding. He in turn handed it over to the Brigade Commander. The Brigade Commander handed over the Standard to the new Officer Commanding and he in turn handed it back to the senior most NCO. This was followed by a march past.

After the Parade refreshments were served and there was social interaction.

ABOVE ARE PICTURES OF COL ARJINDERPAL SINGH SEKHON, US ARMY (A CARDIOLOGIST) TAKING OVER COMMAND OF THE US 349TH COMBAT SUPPORT HOSPITAL ON JANUARY 21, 2007, LOS ANGELES.
Col Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, US Army- Command Ceremony

Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM
Signal Officer-in-Chief, 1988-91