Captains: A lost Commodity

THE LONG AWAITED FIFTH OF FEBRUARY 2011 soon came, a very special occasion, the 100th Anniversary of the Corps and award of the PVSM to the incumbent SO-in-C, and we the veteran Signallers of Greater Noida, piled into the hired cabs for the long journey to Vatika, Signals Enclave: the Dinner invitation in the pocket and the stickers on the windscreens.
I take the front seat, assuming the onerous duty of the co-driver, isolated from the rest, those at the back and in jovial mood, exchanging anecdotes from the past and the woes of the recent move to the still evolving AWHO Township.
We arrive at the venue with high hopes and are not disappointed, saved from the long walk from the parking, by the ferry service, adorned with the Jimmy lapel pin at the entrance, overwhelmed by the long receiving line, officers resplendent in the ceremonial blue patrols; the regimental ladies in colourful Saree's with welcoming handshakes and namastays with folded hands and what not.
I shake hands with Lt Gen Mohapatra, greet him on the Corps Day and congratulate him on the award of PVSM, wish his lady wife and get amalgamated with the milling crowd: a sea of unknown faces.
I pick a glass of Pepsi and start weaving, gingerly through the milling congregation of blue and green of the uniforms and the rainbow of the Saree's. I am confronted by a sea of red tabs: serving Generals, Brigadiers, Colonels, especially Colonels, looks like every one has been promoted to a Colonel, a sprinkling of Lt Cols, and here and there a few Majors. Surprisingly, no Captains, who used to be the bedrock of the corps in the days of yore, are nowhere in sight.
With my random walk, I do come across a few faces from past, hand shake and ‘How are you?’ later, it is a short hi and bye as we part once again.
Surprised by their absence I begin my quest for the Captains, hoping to exchange a few words with the young of the Corps, to get a feel of there aspirations, hopes and apprehensions, if any, share my own experiences of that rank, and get updated with the current Army life, especially Signals.
It was becoming an exercise in futility; I address a nearby Colonel; he looked a bit amused by the query coming from someone out of uniform. ‘I have one back in the Regiment.’ He responded. To me it gave a feeling as if he was alluding to a museum piece and possibly that he was he was.
Frustrated and in desperation I approach the So-in –C, him surrounded by an ever changing kaleidoscope of senior guests, their accompanying wives and senior officers in uniform, all the time trying to get in a word edge wise, getting a chance I manage to ask. ’Where are the Captains?’ ‘They are a lost commodity.’ Was his cryptic reply.
I make a hasty retreat, leaving it at that and a bit more confused, I button hole a group of young Majors, so different from the dominating personalities of yore, whose presence even was enough to instill a feeling of fear in one, while a raised eyebrow, on the other hand could make us tremble, their forte, bereft of much technical knowledge or the science of propagation and the vagaries of ionosphere dependent on season or weather, was managing the communications with a bark and a stick, also blowing both hot and cold as the situation demanded.
Looking amused at my ignorance, there is an effort to educate me, a long winded explanation later, the long and short of which is that Captain to Major was a short distance in time and the three pips of the Captain soon metamorphoses in to the Ashoka Pillar on the shoulder.
Reminiscing with the group with some of my experiences as a Captain, during the 1962 Sino Indian conflict, I was left disappointed with their distorted impressions of the conflict in general and the lack of appreciation of how the insurmountable obstacles faced by the communicator, saddled, those days, with the ‘Second World War’ equipment, were surmounted.
Weaving through and ahead, ‘low and behold’, what do I spy: a Captain and soon ambush the diminutive, apparition in olive green, obviously a SS officer. She equally surprised, is taken aback by my ‘Excuse me.’
It transpires that she is the Adjutant of the Regiment, one of the prized jobs assigned to the senior captain or a major those days, the chair from which one learnt the ropes of how to run a regiment.
Simple girls once married soon acquire the skill to keep the husbands on a short leash, so I presume be the case of female Adjutants: keeping the regiment on a tight leash. It appears to be well worn practice followed by the Regiment as even her predecessor was also an officer of the so called weaker Sex.
Having found the proverbial needle in the haystack, I join the now milling crowed around the heavily laden dinner tables. Partaking the delicacies, satiated and satisfied, in an euphoric state as we prepare to leave, I cannot but help notice some diehards with glasses half full or half empty depending the current perception of the nearly sozzled, still lingering near the bar.
With the ‘See-off’, once again with smiling faces, waiting for the lingering guest to depart, for their long delayed dinner, surely a bit hard on the ladies, shivering in the late night February cold, we set sail for the long journey back to Greater Noida.
As we take the long road back, still suffused with the euphoria from the pleasant evening spent in the company of the old and the new, I could not help but lament for the’ Lost Commodity’.
Brig Lakshman Singh (Retd)

Amazing Grace: Corps of Signals Pipes and Drum

A photograph of the Bagpipers playing the tune Amazing Grace (Hymn), who form part of Corps of Signals Pipes and Drum, during Centenary Celebrations at Jabalpur on 14 Feb 2011
Corps of Signals Indian Army celebrated its Centenary at Jabalpur, where No. 1 Signal Training Center is located, from 13-15 Feb 2011 in a very beffiting manner.
One of the soul stirring and inspiring event was a Band Concert after dark in the Gowrishankar Parade Ground (named after one of our illustrious Signals general, who earned a Maha Vir Chakra-a very high gallantry award while commanding a brigade in Dera Baba Nanalk Sector, in Punjab, during 1971 War with Pakistan).
A poignant item in the Band Concert was playing of the Hymn 'AMAZING GRACE' by nearly thirty Corps of Signals Bagpipers. They came marching in slow time in two columns well separated by a large screen, each column lit by soft blue light, playing beautifully the haunting tune of the Hymn. As they came nearer, the sound of the bagpipes gradually increasing.
The Pipers formed up in two rows in front of the audience continued to play the tune and then slowly returned the way they had come; the sound fading away in the semi darkness and leaving everyone spell bound and may be with some moist eyes as well!!
A recorded version of the same tune played by US Marine Bagpipers can be seen and heard on this video below:



The Corps of Signals Pipers played absolutely in the same manner and I feel even better, except that the setting was more serene and stirring, being in the quietness of night under subdued light!

WHAT IS AMAZING GRACE HYMN?
"Amazing Grace" is a Hymn written by English poet John Newton in 1973 and published in 1779.
Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He joined the Royal Navy and became a sailor, eventually participating in the slave trade. One night a terrible storm battered his vessel so severely that he became frightened enough to call out to God for mercy. After a few years he quit going to sea altogether and began studying theology.
Ordained in the Church in 1764, Newton began to write hymns with poet William Cower. "Amazing Grace" was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year's Day of 1773.
Gradually it was sung in Churches and congregations and over time set to many types of music. However, perhaps it sounds the best when played by Bagpipers.
Each Regiment and infantry battalion in the Indian Army has a Pipes and Drum Band. Corps of Signals has two such bands, one located with each of its two Signal Training Centers.
All Praise for Brig SK Pillai, Commandant 1 STC and his Team for masterminding and showcasing such amazing events, which make the Corps of yesterday and today so proud.
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Former Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant

Corps of Signals: Down memory lane Bangalore

The Hindu archives: Life in Bangalore: Evening to remember- 21 Feb 2003

Col. K. Raghunathan (left) and Hema Raghunathan (centre), who hosted the 92nd anniversary celebrations of the Corps of Signals, seen with Ms. S.L. Kapoor (second from left), Sudha Hiremath, and Maj Gen (retd.), Suresh Hiremath.

IT WAS an evening to remember for serving officers and retired veterans of the Corps of Signals. The birthday bash to celebrate 92 years of the Corps' official existence saw a large gathering of officers and their wives on the lawns of the Officers' Mess on Cubbon Road.

Col. K. Raghunathan and his wife, Hema, played hosts, taking time off to introduce the few media personnel to the officers. There was a lot of swapping of stories about shared experiences. Those with claims to musical talent were invited to take the mike. There was also the ceremonial opening of bottles of champagne with spirited toasts to the Corps, an organisation which keeps the Indian Army's communication lines going.
Evening to remember

CJI under RTI Act

The Supreme Court of India building in New Delhi. The Delhi High Court has held that the office of the Chief Justice of India comes within the ambit of RTI. Photo: R.V. Moorthy Read Full Story

Dear Veterans,
This refers to the report CJI under RTI Act in Hindu on 12 Jan 2009.
The CJI's office was under the purview of RTI Act was never in doubt to those who knew how to read and write and could read the Act for themselves. The question remains why did and how could the CJI make such absurd claims? And now that the Central Information Commission, and two benches of the Delhi High Court have held him wrong isn't it time our representatives in parliament thought of impeaching him? Having lowered the image of the judiciary to such an extent he doesn't even deserve the honourable option of resigning.
It is pertinent to highlight here the fact that while the apex court had filed its appeal against the decision of the Central Information Commission with the Delhi Court in the judges' assets case, it has opted to go on appeal to the apex court directly against the orders of the Central Information Commission in the case of appointment and posting of judges. It is also necessary to ask at this moment what is the role of the judiciary? While it is tasked and empowered to sit in judgement over disputes between citizens, between citizens and govt and between govts, can it sit in judgement over disputes involving itself? Natural justice and common sense would dictate an unambiguous NO. But with the only option of impeachment available to prevent the CJI from perpetuating a devastating fraud, will our law-makers measure up to their responsibilities?
Your's truly
Veteran P M Ravindran

RTI Activist murdered in Talegaon
Dear All,
Reference TOI Report: click here.
In these difficult hours, we RTIns together express our solidarity with the family of Satish Shetty and convey our heartfelt condolence. We resolve with all our might that we will not let the sacrifice of Satish Shetty, a brave citizen of India go in vain. In October 2009, I had sent a comprehensive paper ‘4 Year of RTI’ which also contained “Major Impediments and Suggestions for effective implementation of the RTI Act” The very first issue raised in my Paper is reproduced below: Quote Protection of Whistle Blowers: While the RTI Act is meant “to contain corruption and to hold Governments and their instrumentalities accountable to the governed”. The act does not have any provision to protect ‘Whistle Blowers’ for RTI users. This anomaly needs urgent attention. Unquote. It is high time Government comes out of its slumber to face the reality on the ground. But why will they? It is Government functionaries who are being exposed by RTIns. Time we raised this issue in a big way.
In Grief,
Commodore Lokesh K Batra (Retd)
Social and RTI Activist

Mercury Golf 2010

ATTENTION SIGNALLERS!!!
MERCURY GOLF 2010
Date - 08 Feb 2010 (Monday).
Venue - At Army Golf Course, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi.

Participation - Retired and Serving Signal Offrs (Army) and their spouses can participate.
Tee Off Time - 0700 hrs onwards for below 65 year category and 0900 hrs onwards for veterans (above 65 Years).
Format - ‘Stableford’ team event.
Prizes - Winner and Runner up teams, Best Gross and Net Score, Nearest to Pin, Longest Drive, Max Birdies and Pars, other prizes.
Conduct -18 Holes for below 65 Year. 9 Holes for Veterans.
Ladies Putting -Will be conducted at the golf course at 1030 hrs.
Entry - E mail us at mercurygolf@gmail.com or contact at tele No 9910387519 or 9910387517

Maj Avinash Bhandare
Coordinator Mercury Golf 2010

Corps of Signals centenary celebrations and 14th Reunion

The Corps of Signals was raised on 15 Feb 1911 and will be celebrating its centenary on 15 Feb 2011. The journey of hundred years has been a saga of rich heritage, technological excellence, modernisation, brotherhood and pure soldiering. We intend holding several functions in various military stations throughout the Centenary Year (2010-2011) to have maximum participation of serving, retired personnels. The second part of the celebrations will be reunion which will enable old comrades to renew and maintain contacts with each other and to honour and pay homage to our heroes. It is an excellent expedient to inculcate a sense of tradition and espirt-de-corps. The aim is to acquaint the Signals fraternity about the Celebrations Plan and to keep them updated about the forth coming events.
Centenary Celebrations: Address, Tele Nos and email contact details
Celebration Plan
Calendar of events
Corps of Signals’ centenary this year: Tribune News Service

Corps of Signals celebrate 99th raising day

Punjab Newsline Network
Sunday, 15 February 2009
CHANDIGARH: The Corps of Signals personnel also known as "Information Warriors" celebrated their 99th Raising Day at HQ Western Command in Chandimandir Sunday.

Lt Gen TK Sapru, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command extended his greetings to all ranks, their families and veterans of the Corps on the occasion of their Raising day. He lauded the professionalism displayed by personnel of the Corps of Signals both in peace and war and exhorted them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.

Chief Signal Officer (CSO) HQ Western Command, Maj Gen VP Shrivastava addressed the Officers and Jawans at a special sainik sammelan and emphasized the important role being played by all ranks of Signals in enabling net-centric warfare in today's information age.

Gen Srivastava stressed that all the technological development undertaken by the Corps is primarily to enhance the decision making capabilities of the field Commanders by providing them timely information and reliable communication. As a token of recognition for their commendable contribution, he presented Signal Officer in Chief's commendation to Officers, JCOs and other ranks.

A lively Social evening was also organized on the occasion which was attended by senior serving officers of Western Command and all veteran signal officers settled in the tricity.

Corps of Signals has, in recent years, taken rapid strides in establishing world-class information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure in the Indian Army. The Corps which is aptly recognized as the benchmark of growth and efficiency, has also made its mark in international arena and have laid out state-of-the-art technology communication as part of the UN Mission. The Corps continue to strive for exceptional standards in all spheres of communication techniques.

Maintaining unremitting vibrancy and mission orientation, the Corps of Signals has successfully integrated various networks and systems including satellite to deliver the Army the 'Network of Networks'. Mobile satellite communication is also being introduced in a big way which would further enhance the communication capability of the Corps. Thousands of kilometers of optic fibre cable laid has enabled a high capacity backbone and convergence of Army voice and data networks, resulting in improved redundancy and optimal utilization of resources. Contribution of "Dharma Chakra Signallers" of Western Command in providing infallible communication support in aid to civil authorities in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Delhi and Chandigarh has been truly stupendous.
Corps of Signals celebrate 99th raising day
Photo Slideshow of Information Warriors- Courtesy Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh- former SOinC

Corps of Signals- Happy Corps Day

Dear Signallers,
"REPORT MY SIGNAL"

WISHES YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILIES
A VERY HAPPY CORPS DAY
HAVE A NICE DAY.
In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj

We never get what we want,
We never want what we get,
We never have what we like,
We never like what we have,
Still we Live and Love.
This is Life........

Brig VA Subramanyam (Retd)

XI Corps Signal Regiment 1956

Photograph
Left: Brig Iyappa the Director Signals on a visit to regiment With CO and other Officers
Right: Corps Birthday Celebrations The Cycle Rickshaw Race, Mrs Pettengell the passenger

On posting to XI Corps Signals Regiment, after the YO's Course at School of Signals Mhow, located at Jalandhar, the then Lt Col Pettengel was my first Commanding officer. Holidays were over for now and as regimental officers we were driven really hard, good in more than one way as it did make us tough mentally and physically the reason for the whip being used so often and hard I learnt much later.

The reason as to why the regiment was being run the way it was became clear years later when I had already retired and while researching for my book "Letters from the Border" had visited late Lt Gen EG Pettengell PVSM MBE who in 1992 was then settled in Dehradun and lead a quiet life shared with his friends a lovely dog and a bit of Golf. On learning of the early demise of my wife he was kind enough to share his own trauma on the untimely passing away of Mrs Pettengell. He took me down the memory lane about the wonderful albeit hard days in XI Corps Signal Regiment.

It did throw a light as to why we were driven so hard by him. He had assumed command of the Regiment; the only Corps Signal Regiment those days when it had just been declared unfit for war. The Corps Commander Lt Gen Kulwant Singh had given him two months to put it back on rails. The quickest way was to drive the regiment on the route of Drill, Weapon Training, Physical Training and sprucing and up the Quarter Guard the show- piece of any unit. He did succeed in satisfying the Corps Commander in the process, we especially the young officers had to go through a rough and hard time.

Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)

Report My Signal Blog Team thanks Brig Lakshman for sharing and recollecting his days in the famous XI Corps Signal Regiment. Other CO's one remembers are Brig RA Rajan, Maj Gen YK Gera, Brig VA Subramanyam and Brig AK Sharma. All of them were excellent Golfers too.