Can Gen Bikram Singh erase the stain of Corruption?

The stain of corruption is fast eroding the reputation of the Armed Forces. In the last one year alone, several senior officers have been embroiled in a slew of corruption cases that have hogged media limelight. The situation is so grim that as many as six officials have either been arrested by the CBI or faced court of inquiry during the last two months.
Even the nursery of Armed Forces, the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, has not remained untouched by this all-pervasive decline in the Armed Forces. Recently, the CBI arrested two Colonels posted at NDA for allegedly accepting money from aspirants for ensuring jobs of cooks and gardeners.
Given the number of cases involving senior officers hitting headlines, former Navy Chief Admiral L Ramdas wrote a letter to Prime Minister last Friday expressing concern over “continuing fall in ethical standards” in the Armed Forces and sought setting up of a commission to probe the recent controversies surrounding them.
In the letter, the former Navy Chief said the recent controversies have adversely affected the morale of the forces, which could pose a serious threat to the national security.
“With the continuing fall in ethical standards at all levels in the country, including within the Armed Forces, we believe it is our duty and right to call your attention to these developments,” Ramdas said.
Listing out the age row involving former Army Chief General VK Singh, leakage of his ‘top secret’ letter to the Prime Minister, alleged spying in Defence Ministry and corruption in military deals, he said “this situation must be addressed with urgency, because it could pose a serious threat to our national security.” The letter claimed support of retired Lieutenant Generals PC Katoch, OS Lochab, Major General Ashok Kalyan Verma and former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami.
Can Gen Bikram Singh erase the stain of Corruption?
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Chennai: Ex-Army officer gets life for murder of teenager

A retired Army officer has been sentenced to a lifetime in prison for the murder of a teenager who was shot dead while plucking almonds from a tree in Army property in Chennai.
Retired army officer Lt Col Kandasami Ramraj was today given the life term by a Chennai court for killing 13-year-old Dilshan on July 3 last year. Dilshan had trespassed into the Army officers residence on Flag Staff Road, Chennai to pluck fruits.
Ramraj was arrested on July 10, 2011 by the CB-CID for the murder. He has maintained he was innocent in the case, which largely stood on circumstantial evidence. But the Chennai court today upheld the murder charge against the retired Lt Colonel.
Dilshan, who stayed in a locality adjacent to the Army quarters, fell victim to a mysterious bullet while collecting almonds. His family alleged he was shot by an Army personnel.
The post-mortem report established a bullet injury had killed Dilshan when he scaled the Army campus.
Following a public outcry, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ordered a probe by the Crime Branch. Subsequent probe pointed at the Lt Colonel as the possible offender.
Lt Col Ramraj gets life term for murder

64th Army Day Celebrations

Why does India still not have a national military memorial?
Published On: January 15, 2012 | Duration: 51 min, 15 sec
As the country marks Army Day, there is perhaps an unprecedented perception of differences between the Ministry of Defence and the bureaucracy at large, and the military. But beyond the controversies, and a perception within the military that modernisation and acquisition of equipment takes far too long, there is a much more basic issue: Why does India not have a national war memorial?
NDTV Video at: Click here

Monday 16 January, 2012.
Army Day being celebrated today
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A.K. Antony have greeted the personnel of the Indian Army on this occasion.
64th Army Day is being celebrated across the country on Sunday.
Chief of Army Staff, General V.K. Singh, laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi to mark the occasion this year.
General V.K. Singh on this historic occasion called upon each of the Army personnel to continue performing their duties with resolve, keeping the interest of the nation and army in the forefront.
He further said that the armed forces are ready to face any challenges.
Army Day is celebrated on 15th January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1948.
The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in national capital as well as all six Army Command headquarters.
Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect the country. (SP-15/1)
DD News: Army Day

History of IMA

Here are some more facts about the history of the IMA. These are taken from Sam Manekshaw's biography, which is part of my book LEADERSHIP IN THE INDIAN ARMY - BIOGRAPHIES OF TWELVE SOLDIERS.

Skeen Committee
The Skeen Committee, set up in 1925, had recommended the establishment of an Indian Sandhurst by 1933. To work out details of the proposed military training college, the Government had appointed the Indian Military College Committee, in early 1931. The Committee was chaired by Sir Philip Chetwode, and had a large number of service and civilian members. After detailed deliberation, the Committee submitted its report on 15 July 1931. It recommended establishment of a college to train Indians for commissions in the Indian Army, after an examination to be conducted by the Public Service Commission. The course was to be of three years duration, with the age of entry between 18 and 20 years. On graduation, officers would be granted Indian Commissions, which would be signed by the Viceroy. (The Commissions of officers graduating from Sandhurst were signed by the King). The total fee would be Rupees 4,600, which would cover tuition, board, lodging, uniforms, books and pocket money. Indian Army cadets would be exempted from the fees, and given a stipend of 60 rupees per month. After getting their commissions, the officers would be given the rank of Second Lieutenants, with a monthly salary of 300 rupees.

Location
One of the important points which the Committee considered was the location of the proposed college. It had to be centrally located, easily accessible, with a temperate climate all the year round, and adequate accommodation as well as space for future expansion. The presence of a military garrison in the vicinity was also desirable. After considering over a dozen locations, the Committee short listed three - Dehradun, Mhow and Satara. Finally Dehradun was selected, because of its central location, climate, proximity to the PWRIMC, and the fact that the Railway Staff College was closing down, and its accommodation was readily available.

The three Poineers
Early in 1932, it was announced that an examination for entrance to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) would be conducted in June or July. Sam took some money from his mother, went to Delhi and appeared in the entrance examination on 14 July 1932. There were a total of 40 vacancies - 15 selected through open competition, 15 from the Army and 10 from the Indian State Forces. Only 15 cadets were selected and Sam was sixth in order of merit. The first Commandant was Brigadier L.P. Collins, DSO, and the staff was carefully selected to ensure that the standards were kept at par with those at Sandhurst. Training commenced on 1 October 1932, though the Academy was formally inaugurated on 10 December 1932 by the C-in-C, Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, Bart, GCB, GCSI, KCMG, DSO. The first batch, called 'The Pioneers', had three future Chiefs - Manekshaw rose to head the Army in India, Smith Dun in Burma and Mohd Musa in Pakistan.

Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)
Military Historian

LEADERSHIP IN THE INDIAN ARMY - BIOGRAPHIES OF TWELVE SOLDIERS published by Sage Publications. Flyer
Copies are available at reduced price from Air Sp Sig Regt in Delhi for units, serving personnel and ESM.

Photograph. Field Marshal Philip Walhouse Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode, 7th Baronet of Oakley GCB OM GCSI KCMG DSO (21 September, 1869– 06 July 1950) was a British cavalry officer who became Commander in Chief in India. Famous Chetwode Hall of IMA.