Corps of Signals: 14th Reunion in 1 STC, Jabalpur

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. Several functions in various military stations throughout the Centenary Year (2010-2011) had maximum participation of serving and retired personnel. The final part of the celebrations will culminate in the 14th Reunion which will enable old comrades to renew and maintain contacts with each other and to honour and pay homage to our heroes. This is being held in 1 STC, Jabalpur and is an excellent expedient to inculcate a sense of tradition and espirt-de-corps. To this end, Signal Officer in Chief and Senior Colonel Commandant Lt Gen P Mohapatra, PVSM, AVSM, ADC and Brig SK Pillai, VSM Commandant 1 STC have planned the 14th Reunion Celebrations- a three day packed with events- for a Galaxy of serving and veterans of the Corps of Signals to showcase the past and present. These spectacular events will be unfolded on the three days from 13th Feb to 15 Feb 2011.

Click here to view the Report and Photographs of the 14th Reunion and Centenary Celebrations- New Blog

Corps of Signals- TV Panel Discussion

On the occasion of Centenary of Corps of Signals, “Day And Night News” TV Channel, Chandigarh, will telecast a discussion on Corps of Signals, as part of their program Defence Line. The details are as under:

Date and Timing
12 Feb 2011 Saturday at 9-30 PM
13 Feb 2011 Sunday at 1-30 PM

Participants
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM (Retd) former SO-in-C
Maj Gen Amarjit Singh Kahlon (Retd)
Maj Gen Sudesh Kumar (Retd)

TV Channel Day and Night News, Chandigarh- Platforms:
Dish TV- Channel 611
Big TV- Channel 462
Videocon- Channel 311
BSNL- Channel 75
Using a computer- Log on,‘youtube.com’ and search for after 12-2-2011 “Defence line-12-2-2011.”

Duration: 30 minutes approx
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Signal Officer-in-Chief and Senior Col Commandant 1988-91

PS
The Program can be seen on YouTube in two links below:

Part-1: Defence Line - 'Nerves' Of The Army - 12th Feb 2011

Part-2: Defence Line - 'Nerves' Of The Army - 12th Feb 2011

Newsletter from Veekay

Dear Friends,
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year. My newsletter click here.
Vinay and Kumud Singh

Extracts from Veekay Newsletter 2010
The year is coming to an end and it is time for the annual ritual of connecting with friends, acquaintances, comrades and colleagues. I do not recall the last time I sent a New Year's card or a hand written letter. Ever since we started using e-mail, letters have become passé. Until a few years ago, very few people had a computer and one had to write a letter. The advent of mobile telephony has put paid to the art of letter writing altogether. What a pity. I have begun to relish the advantages of being a senior citizen. One can buy rail tickets at a 30% discount. (Women get 50%, but Kumud is still to qualify. Even when she does, I think she would rather pay the full fare than be classified as a senior citizen!). Youngsters, especially girls, sometimes offer you a seat in the Metro. Shopkeepers, parking attendants and handymen address you as uncle, though hardly anyone calls Kumud an auntie, and woe betide anybody who dares...

There is little change in our routine. I go to the gym in the DSOI, which is a stone’s throw from my house, at 0645, returning at 0745 or so. Kumud goes at 0830 and returns only when the gym closes at 1000. By this time I have gone through my newspapers, had my bath and my breakfast and am ready to leave for Signals Enclave, where the Corps History Cell is located. On the days I have a hearing in Tis Hazari or the High Court, I have to give the gym amiss. The Ansal Plaza is next door and Kumud does not miss a movie. She is usually accompanied by my daughter in law or one of her gym buddies. They go for the morning show, when the children are at school and the tickets are cheaper. Twice a week, I too get a chance to go to the mall – it has a Reliance Fresh outlet and buying vegetables is one of the chores entrusted to me.

A Strategic Perspective for the Corps of Signals

THE CENTENARY YEAR AND BEYOND— A STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE FOR THE CORPS
“The vision of Signals Corps is to attain and maintain informatics ascendancy by developing infostructure to cater for Network Centric Warfare in a digitized battlefield of tomorrow. The aim and objective of Signals Corps is to make the Indian Army Network Enabled Force by 2012 and Network Centric Force by 2017”
Extracts from Official Website of Indian Army– Corps of Signals

Introduction
1. It has been rightly commented that the saga of wars has been a narrative of human ingenuity and resilience amidst all adversities. The tales of valour epitomizes the ‘never say die’ attitude of the soldier. The Corps can be justifiably proud of its alacrity and professionalism of the highest order rubbing shoulders with their brethren from the combat forces. In the words of one of the former SO-in-C’s, the Saga of the Corps has been “a story of enterprise and endeavor, of accomplishment, and of courage and consistency. The methods of signaling used in the yester years may appear very primitive today, and one can only marvel at their ingenuity and determination.” The tasks on hand for the Corps have been unenviable, given the thirst for signal communications and keeping them ‘through’ always and every time. The accolades won testify the dexterity and technical acumen punctuated with combat skills exhibited by all ranks of the Corps. Some invaluable major pioneering efforts have been the “Area Grid Systems’, the ‘ASCON’, ‘Enterprise Wide Messaging Network’ and ‘Cellular Communications’.

2. As a part of the Centenary celebrations, it is planned to release the Third Volume of The Corps History, a compilation done by a dedicated and committed Veteran of The Corps-Maj Gen (retired) VK Singh. This painstaking compilation would surely reflect on the rich and valuable contributions by all concerned during the period under review. Also it would set the right framework for similar compilation of the ensuing years to the present day .There is another monumental contribution by yet another visionary of the Corps—Maj Gen (Retd) Yeshwant Deva,AVSM—“Dedicated to my son-The Signalman” as he puts it. Laced with a strenuous research spread over two decades, this book titled “Sky is the Limit” is a first hand account of the ‘SIGNALS’ in Operation Pawan, highlighting some very defining and inspiring acts of valor , dedication and commitment our Corps personnel.

3. As we draw inspiration from the performance of the Corps in the years gone by, it is also a good time to reflect on the future especially the challenges that lie ahead and how we view the ‘the core competencies’ of the Corps in the coming years.. We should logically arrive at a strategic perspective paving the way for what needs to be done internally to culminate into a well thought out strategy for execution and as a long term orientation of the Corps against the backdrop of warfare of the future. There is yet another factor we have to contend with namely the influence of ‘technology’. It is tough to make predictions especially of technology, but we do have some idea as to what are likely in the years ahead. The speed and convergence of scientific and engineering disciplines promise to fundamentally change the nature of deployment and redeployment, and prolonged sustainement of forces. Discovery and innovative breakthroughs in scientific areas related to high density- energy sources, superior material reliability, and information and knowledge fusion across the operational, intelligence, and logistics domain will vastly increase the combat readiness and operational effectives of the Armed Forces. The Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) has become a reality and has brought in significant changes in military doctrines at one level and in hardware at the other. Military technologies are changing rapidly and their procurement and induction demand a proper understanding of the wide array of the technology spectrum. We need to factor all these aspects in the strategic perspective of the Corps.
Looking Beyond the Horizon— Adapting to Netcentric Warfare(NCW) Paradigm...
A Strategic Perspective: click here to read more

Lt Gen (Retd) SRR Aiyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM has served in the Corps for nearly four decades and commanded three premier training institutions namely MCTE, DSSC and NDC.

Olive Green: Brief history of MCTE, Mhow

Brief history of MCTE, Mhow by Ambreen Zaidi, Bhopal, February 05, 2006 Archives Hindustan Times
MILITARY HEADQUARTERS of War (MHOW) Cantonment was founded by Sir John Malcolm as a sequel to the Treaty of Mandsaur signed by the British Government and the then Holkar king.

Three premier training institutions of the Indian Army viz. the College of Combat, Infantry School and Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) are located in the cantonment.

The spirit of the cantonment is irrepressible, showing a quaint defiance to the inexorable march of time. During and even after World War I, the Corps of Signals was officered by individuals from the Royal Signals trained in the United Kingdom.

From 1933-40, Indian commissioned officers were trained at the Signal Training Centre (STC) Jabalpur and Army Signal School, Poona. Besides this, specialist training was imparted at the Telecommunications School, Agra and Communication Security School (Cipher) at Mhow.

A Signals Officers Training School, as part of the STC (British) Mhow, trained cadets commissioned into the Royal Signals as well as the commissioned officers of the Indian Signal Corps during 1940-46. All these institutions, except the Army Signal School, Poona, were amalgamated at Mhow on October 1, 1946 to form the Indian Signal Corps School. After independence, it was renamed the School of Signals on June 25, 1948.

The school was organised to train Young Officers (No 1 Squadron), Tech Training (No 2 Squadron) and Cipher Training (No 3 Squadron). However, in 1947 the squadrons were renamed Coys. By early 1949, the establishment was revised again and the school redesignated the School of Signals.

In 1952, the Army Signal School was also moved from Poona to Mhow and retained its separate identity till July 1, 1953 when it was absorbed as part of the School of Signals. The wings were redesignated as Tactical, Technical, Cipher and All Arms Wings. Consequent to national emergency in 1962, a requirement was felt to give pre-commission Signal training to cadets from the Indian Military School (now the Indian Military Academy).

Thus, an additional ‘cadets’ wing came into existence in February 1963 as an affiliate to the Tactical Wing. It was later called YOs Wing. On October 1, 1967, the School was redesignated as the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, and Tactical and Technical Wings became Faculty of Combat Communications Engineering (FCC) and Faculty of Communication Engineering (FCE) respectively.

Graduation from School to College in 1967 also saw addition of Technical Maintenance and Training Aid Wing and the Equipment and QM Wing.

With the advent of computers, the Faculty of Computer Technology and Systems was added in February 1971. EMC/EMI Cell was established in 1980 as part of the prestigious project of the Department of Electronics.

This cell was then expanded and on June 19, 1986 it became the Army EMC Agency, a separate establishment that is now the Army Centre for Electromagnetics (ACE) wef January 1, 1997. Establishment of the Cadets Training Wing on July 10, 2000 heralded the dawn of another era in the history of Mhow Cantonment.

Did you know?
SEVERAL CENTURIES ago, an innkeeper put a small slotted box on each table with a sign ‘To Insure Promptness’, and hence, the word ‘tip’ was coined from the initial letters of this sign. However, the practice of tipping is almost universal though in certain exclusive establishments like the Officer’s Mess it is discouraged. The general rule is that a tip equivalent to 10 per cent of the bill is paid to the waiter. One should be careful not to tip too lavishly as it arouses scorn from others and appears unduly ostentatious. On the other hand, too small an amount brings resentment.
Snooker
The game of Snooker was conceived in Jabalpur. Origins of the game of Snooker are generally regarded as being in the latter half of the 19th century. Billiards had been a popular activity amongst British army officers stationed in India who stole the idea from the Indian game Carrom, and variations on the more traditional billiard games were devised. One variation was to add coloured balls in addition to the reds and black which were used for pyramid pool and life pool. This gave birth to the game of Snooker. Although snooker's origin is not recorded explicitly, it is generally held that a Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain (no relation to the World War II Prime Minister) conceived the game in the British Army Officer's Mess in Jubbulpore, India, in 1875. Was this Mess subsequently designated as Officers Central Mess?
OLIVE GREEN | Brief history of MCTE, Mhow
Diary of 2/4th Battalion the border regiment, 1914-19

Corps of Signals Centenary Celebrations Chandigarh

A motorcycle rider shows his skills during the centenary celebrations at Chandi Mandir on Sunday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Corps of Signals: Martial arts, skydiving mark centenary celebrations
Tribune News Service, Chandigarh, April 11, 2010

As part of the ongoing celebrations to mark 100 years of the Corps of Signals, a thrilling display by skydivers, martial arts experts and motorcycle riders was organised at Chandi Mandir near here today.

The show was kicked off by kalariyapattu, an ancient martial art. The eight-member team led by Hav KP Dhanesh performed with daggers, swords and sticks. This was followed by a display of taekwondo skills by a team led by Hav Arup Shaikhiya.

Next to come in was the silent drill team, the first of its kind in the Army. Based on the silent drill teams in the US military, the team executed synchronised and coordinated moves with weapons but without any word of command or accompanying music.

Commanded by Sub AC Gogoi, the 20-member team gave its first performance at Delhi in February this year.

Paratroopers from the Army’s skydiving team stole the show. Six of them led by Lt Col Satyendra Verma jumped from two Chetak helicopters hovering at an altitude of 10,000 feet and touched down with a precision at the designated landing point after opening their parachutes at 3,000 feet.

Dare devils of the Corps motorcycle rider display team put up a scintillating performance with their high-speed precision maneuovers and formations. Led by Capt Rahul Saini, their display included a group as well as individual stunts like jumping through a ring of fire and smashing through glass barriers.

The Corps regimental pipes and drums band was also in attendance. A large number of serving as well as retired military personnel and their families attended the event.

A series of events, including public displays and technical seminars, have been planned throughout the year at various locations across the country to mark the Signals’ centenary. The Corps was raised on February 15, 1911, with the formation of 31st and 32nd Divisional Signals Companies at Fatehgarh. Also known as information warriors of the Army, the Corps of Signals is responsible for secure and reliable communication at the tactical and strategic level.
Corps of Signals: Martial arts, skydiving mark centenary celebrations

Indian Express Report
Acrobats on speeding motorcycles to sky jumps from 10,000 feet above the ground, martial art presentations to a one-of-a-kind silent drill, it wasn’t for no reason that Chandimandir’s enormous Raina stadium was bursting at its seams this Sunday afternoon. The display by various Corps of Signals teams was organised as part of the ongoing centenary celebrations of the Corps being held across the country.

The first signal units, 31st and 32nd Divisional Signal Companies, were raised on February 15, 1911 at Fatehgarh and this year the Corps of Signals has entered 100 years of its journey, achieving significant milestones in fields of strategic, tactical and operational communications. Putting forth an enthralling display of daredevilry and team spirit were various groups comprising both officers and men.

The special showcase kicked off with presentations on martial arts such as Kalariyapattu, where an eight-member team performed battle acts using daggers, swords, spears and flexible swords. That was followed by a Taekwondo display that saw the Signals team break burning tiles and the like.

What truly got the massive crowd applauding, However, was the sky diving event. A team of six sky divers, led by Lt Col Satyendra Verma, jumped from a height of 10,000 ft from two hovering Chetak helicopters. Keeping pace with the high-adrenaline action was a 30-minute show by the motorcycle riders, more popularly known as the dare devils.

The team consists of volunteer Dispatch Riders (DR) and on Sunday afternoon, the 31-member team showcased acrobats as well as tricks and stunts all astride their thundering motorcycles. Captain Rahul Saini led the dare devils as they displayed high levels of precision and timing during the course of the event. Another highlight of the well-attended show was the silent drill. Formed in the Corps of Signals, the team is first of its kind in the Indian Army. The main attraction was that it was performed with perfect coordination and synchronisation, but without any word of command.

Given the boisterous nature of the Army drills, where commands by the leader can be heard from far away, the silent drill took most by surprise. The event was attended Lt Gen S R Ghosh, AVSM, SM, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen MS Bhuttar, VSM, Chief of Staff, Western Command, Maj Gen TK Das, VSM as well as senior serving and retired officers with their families.
Corps of Signals celebrate centenary anniversary at Chandimandir

Signal Officer is a Hero: Book by Col I Jayakaran

Dear fellow Signaller,
You may not know nor have heard of me. I am of 1947 batch and retired in Nov 1976. But you and I are related because we both belong to the great Corps of Signals. I have written a fiction titled, "His Princess Royal" in which the hero is a Signals Officer. The book will be of tremendous reading interest to all Army Officers and Signals Officers in particular, especially those who have served in Army HQ Sig Regt (in the old location near Lok Sabha) and have done their SODE course. The book will be available shortly in Landmark outlets in all cities. It is priced at Rs 160/-. If not available in the book shops as yet, the buyers may approach the publisher directly: either send an email or contact on telephone and the publisher will send it to you by courier, of course, after you have made the payment. His id: "Ana books, Anna Nagar West, Chennai- 600040". Tele:(044)42611223, 64601100, Cell 9840080014 and email: sales@anabooks.net
Those living in and around Anna Nagar, Chennai, may just walk across and collect the copy.
Col Israel Jayakaran (Retd)

Corps of Signals: Group Photographs 1948-1949

Photographs kind courtesy Col Rangaraj Jairam (Retd)
Sitting L to R: Maj Gen Thakur Nathu Singh, Lt Gen Maharaj Shiri Rajendra Sinhji, DSO, IA. Lt Col Kamta Prasad, MC
Standing L to R: Maj Rattan Singh, MILO, Maj R Singh Rai, Maj T...
Sitting L to R: Maj Gen Thakur Nathu Singh, Lt Gen KM Cariappa OBE, Lt Col Kampta Prasad MC
Standing L to R(2nd Row): Maj Rattan Singh, Maj TW King, Maj HL Bhatia MC
Standing L to R(3rd Row): Capt Mohinder Singh, Lt H Lal, Lt TN Rangaraj, Capt Harnam Singh
Sitting L to R: Lt Col DC Saker, Brig AC Iyappa MBE, Maj SN Atal
Standing L to R: 2/Lt Satish Chandra, Lt RA Bhola, Lt KL Suri
L to R: Lt Col AC Misra, Maj Gen Hiralal Atal, Lt Gen Thakur Nathu Singh

Centenary Celebrations Corps of Signals

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.
Click on links for more information:
CORPS OF SIGNALS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS AND 14TH REUNION
Celebrations Plan
Celebration Calander
OPTION FORM : OFFICERS/PBOR DESIROUS OF ATTENDING CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS & 14TH REUNION FUNCTION

Lt Gen K Balaram: A Tribute

Dear Friends,
I am sad to inform you that a great soldier of Indian Armed Forces– Lt Gen K Balaram, PVSM, is no more among us. I am waiting for detailed information from Dte Gen of Signals on the subject. Two emails through which I learnt about General Balaram’s demise are appended below.

We pray to The Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to all dear ones and near ones to bear this irreparable loss.

Those of you who wish to write a "Shradhanjli" for Gen Balaram, may kindly send it for being posted to our weblog -
http://reportmysignal-shradhanjli.blogspot.com/

The Shradhanjli be kindly emailed to - Col James Kanagaraj, The Moderator at - reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com
In sorrow
Chander Kamboj

From: raj kadyan
Sent: 16 February 2010 12:55
I just learn from Barin's email that Gen Balaram has passed away. He was an epitome of propriety and high value system in the Army. A man of impeccable integrity who always stood by his principles. The posterity will remember him for his contribution to the Army.
The IESM pray for peace for his soul.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM

From: Barin Ghose
Sent: Tue, 16 February, 2010 10:05:04 AM
With the passing away of Lt Gen Balaram an institution associated with personnel of the Army and the Armed Forces has ended.
I was associated with him when as Chairman PPOC he guided the Pay Commission Cells of the three services in the submission of their memorandum to the 4th Pay Commission. Of specific rememberance to me was his interest in the job evaluation of the other ranks to establish their pay groups. He had the interests of army personnel close to his heart.
He became the first and perhaps only AG to be granted Vice Chief status
The last time I interacted with him was at a seminar at USI when he was Chairman of the Panel to discuss our approach to the recently composed 6th Pay Commission. It was like old times when he ticked me off for exceeding the time limit by 35 seconds.
May his soul RIP (Rest In Peace)
Vice Admiral Barin Ghose (Retired)
Head Pension Cell

From: Arun Saigal
Sent: 16 February 2010 19:26
Dear Kamboj Sir,
It was with a lump in my throat that I read out the sad news of Lt Gen Balaram's passing away to my wife this morning. Another stalwart has gone...
I would like to share a memory with you.
Maj Gen Balaram succeeded Maj Gen Mohinder Singh as Commandant Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) Wellington in 1982 soon after we reported for the staff course. Maj Gen Mohinder Singh used to run DSSC with a firm hand. For mid career young officers it was a great achievement to be selected for the course and a feather in one's cap to be graded DS (Directing Staff) material. Gen Mohinder Singh's legacy was that officers must be taught to obey rules and regulations scrupulously and any deviation or slackness would invite adverse comment / negative marking. The introductory talk by the BGS to us was overawing. It was the jewel which crowned the very surgically precise joining instructions which we had received earlier. Constantly improved over years of feedback and experience, the DSSC joining instructions are a role-model of outstanding staff work and minor SDs. Everything in them is well thought out. Detailed instructions & guidelines are articulated in well formed centre headings, group and para headings, using words & language which leaves no room for doubt.
The list of Donts spelt out by the BGS in his welcoming speech was exhaustive. It made us white uniform walllahs sit up and re-think whether we were really going to enjoy a year's sabbatical from the navy. We had all dreamt of a welcome break from the tough navy life and a year of regular family life in the exotic surroundings of a beautiful, quaint old hill station in the Nilgiris where time is reported to stand still.
Soon we began to reminisce about our initial days at NDA and about taut army discipline once again You see, the naval service is quite informal in many respects. One does not have to stand to attention all the time while speaking to senior officers; passing salutes are generally exchanged only upto noon and when they are, it is not necessary that you have a cap on your head, and so on. The coastal climate does not encourage one to invest in three-piece suits or many silk Saree's for the spouse....We felt a wee bit stifled at regimented routine and the lack of creative freedom.
But our fears were short-lived. Maj Gen Balaram came on to the scene without a swagger and swatch. A quiet unassuming, studious looking senior officer, he quietly observed the daily life for a couple of days and then made an unforgettable speech which showed how humane and perceptive he was. We took our seats in the main auditorium well before the appointed time, decked in our Sunday best, dreading what was to come. Though young in service, we were well-aware that traditionally a new hand at the helm always meant an across-the board tightening-up in any service. There was an unusual silence as we awaited the customary pep talk and a pronouncement of a fresh list of dos & don ts by the new commandant.

But what he said that evening remains forever etched in my memory. He spoke in fatherly terms and advised us to make use of the opportunity to spend a year with our family in that wonderful place to renew bonds with family and make new friends. He advised us to study hard, think creatively, question the 'greens' (the staff solutions) and come up with better ones. In our spare times we should play hard and utilise the recreational facilities of the institution to the fullest. He told us that our Directing Staff were mature senior officers who knew how to recognise the potential in us and that we should not be too-conscious of our gradings by them. We should consider them our gurud who were there to guide us to develop skills and abilities to become assets as future staff officers in higher formations.

He informed us that recognising that we were all fairly senior and mature officers, he had issued a specific directive to his staff earlier in the day. The staff were there to assist and guide us to develop our full potential. Henceforth, they were required to minimise the burden and routine chores of 'personal adm' from our shoulders so that we could devote our energies to the primary task of studying. He streamlined the requisitioning of transport to ferry the sick and the womenfolk from far off residential areas like Gorkha Hills and ensured easy access to medical facilities for the families so that we did not have to absent from class for these purposes. The doorstep supply of service rations and daily necessities from the market (Needs, near MRC) etc etc also became well organised and left the men-folk with more time and energy to think and turn in better solutions.
Above all (and this was a stunner) he said he had issued instructions that no one in the college had the power to say 'No' to the mature and responsible officers undergoing staff course. The buck for turning down a request for a sudden trip to Coimbatore to receive a family member, to take a couple of days leave to see an ailing parent, to requisition transport etc etc stopped at the Commandant's desk. If you got a No, it meant that it was his considered decison as head of our family and must be obeyed. All other officers of the DSSC had the power only to say YES and with that was implied their responsibility to ensure that students never faced problems - personal or professional.
It was a great thought. We worked hard and we played hard. Personally, I felt that the overall quality of our professional output notched up many times.
I practiced his philosophy about the power to say no in subsequent life and always had good results. It was a facet of leadership that he had passed on to us.
In the evening of his life sometimes I met Gen Balaram in a seminar or in the lawns of the Delhi Gymkhana Club. It was always an honour to re-introduce myself every time and to thank him for that unforgettable year in DSSC. Ever the courteous and caring senior officer, he never forgot to enquire about my well-being and about my family as if he knew them. Though in failing health himself, he always said that although he was not sure what he could do for me, I should feel free to call on my former commandant for a helping hand.
If memory serves me right, once after his retirement he was hand-picked by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to personally assess the ground truth and give her a factual account of what had happened in Orissa - I seem to recall that it was a case of starvation deaths or atrocities on dalits and that the administration was trying to cover it up. She probably trusted the General's sense of fairplay and his integrity to put in a true report of the reality as he saw it.
As a naval officer I salute my old commandant. I am fortunate that I got a chance to meet him. May his soul rest in peace and may his spirit guide us to develop our faculties for original and creative thinking. Perhaps I may yet invent a follow-on to the famous Balaram aerial!
Best regards,
Arun
(Cdr Arun Saigal)

Useful link for ESM Organisations
Utilization of manpower in the Army: Lieutenant General K Balaram PVSM (Retd)

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

Chandigarh Calling- Col Ranjit Singh Tiwana 91st B'day

Dear Signallers,
Col Ranjit Singh Tiwana, a veteran Signaller has turned 91. To celebrate the same he was the host at the Monthly Mercury Club Tea at Chandigarh on 01 Oct 09. The Mercury Club Chandigarh tea is hosted in turn by all the Signals veterans on the first Thursday of every month.

The Veterans arranged a birthday cake. Maj Gen MS Dhillon presented a bouquet to Col Tiwana being the next senior and Brig KS Gill as also Col JS Kandha spoke about the life and services of Col RS Tiwana.

Col RS Tiwana was commissioned in the Corps of Signals in 1942. He underwent the Staff College Course at Quetta, now in Pakistan, was instructor in the Infantry School at Mhow, commanded 5 Inf Div Sig Regt and was DCSO Jammu and Kashmir during 1965 War.

Later Col RS Tiwana joined the BSF and served for 8 years in this Organisation. His son late Col Amarjit Singh was also in the Corps of Signals. Col Ranjit Singh Tiwana lives in Chandigarh and with the grace of God he is in good health. He walks 2 1/2 km every day and still drives a Contessa, but only during daylight hours.

We wish him a long and healthy life.

We were very happy to have Maj Gen Manmohan Singh (Retd) who is heading The Army Welfare Education Society and Mrs Manmohan Singh as also Col KK Khanna (Retd) from New Delhi and NOIDA respectively, on this occasion.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM (Retd)

Maj Gen Manmohan Singh was the the 40th Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals. An alumnus of National Defence Academy, the General Officer is a graduate of Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. He has also attended National Defence College in New Delhi and Higher Command Course at College of Combat, Mhow. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers.

Maj Gen Manmohan Singh had been a General Staff Officer (operations) in an Infantry Division and at a Command Headquarters. He was also been a Deputy Commander of an infantry brigade in Western Sector. He commanded a Mountain Division Signal Regiment in high altitude in Sikkim and was instrumental in planning and restoration of communication during the flood which struck Mangan district in August 1983.

He was appointed Additional Director General Personnel Services at Army Headquarters. Prior to this, he was Chief Signal Officer of Southern Command. He was Operational Logistics analyst at Army Training Command. Maj Gen Manmohan Singh is a recipient of Ati Vhishisht Seva Medal. Now after retirement he heads the AWES- Army welfare Education Society. He is a go- getter and surely we would be seeing the Vision of AWES- ‘Quality Education at Affordable Cost’ to all ESM children- materialise under his able stewardship. He was my company commander when I did my Young Officers (YO- 60) course at MHOW in 1972 and I for sure know he tolerates no nonsense in achieving the aims and goals of AWES.

Indian Military: Securing and Safeguarding National Boundaries

Dear Brigadier Kamboj,
I read the account sent my Sunil Arya. There is still some doubt about when (25 or 26 October?) and where (Srinagar or Jammu?) the Instrument of Accession was signed by Maharaja Hari Singh.

I am giving below a link from the draft Chapter 2 of the Corps History, dealing with the 1947-48 operations. I would welcome clarifications or comments.

The anecdote concerning Manekshaw and Indira Gandhi during 1971 has been related many times. I am giving an extract from Manekshaw's biography that forms part of my book LEADERSHIP IN THE INDIAN A RMY- BIOGRAPHIES OF TWELVE SODLIERS. The draft was vetted by the Field Marshal in 1996.
Regards,
VK Singh (Maj Gen, Veteran)
Extract from History of Corps of Signals: Click Me

Contribution of the Armed Forces to the Freedom Movement

Dear Friends,
This to inform you of the publication of my latest book, CONTRIBUTION OF THE ARMED FORCES TO THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN INDIA. This was the result of project that I did in 2007-08 for the USI.
I am attaching the front and rear jacket and a copy of the contents page.
Regards
Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)


Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research
United Service Institution of India New Delhi
Contribution of the Armed Forces to the Freedom Movement in India
Maj Gen VK Singh
knowledge world
KW Publishers Pvt Ltd
New Delhi
Contents
List of Abbreviations v
Glossary of Hindustani Terms vii
Prologue ix
1 The Vellore Mutiny –1806 1
2 The Barrackpore Mutiny – 1824 11
3 The Great Indian Mutiny – 1857 19
4 The Singapore Mutiny – 1915 55
5 The Peshawar Mutiny – 1930 69
6 Mutinies and Revolts During World War ii81
7 The Air Force Mutiny - 1946 91
8 The Naval Mutiny – 1946 105
9 The Jubbulpore Mutiny – 1946 131
10 Nationalism in the Armed Forces 151
11 The Soldier’s Contribution to Indian Independence 167
Bibliography 185

REAR JACKET
The saga of India’s independence movement has been documented by scores of Indian and foreign authors, but none has documented the role of the Indian soldier in the struggle for freedom from British rule. The general public remains unaware and the nation’s leaders have never acknowledged or appreciated the part played by the military in this important chapter of our history. Some lost their lives, while many were deprived of their livelihood and liberty, without recognition or compensation. This book attempts to undo this injustice and acquaint the nation with the soldier’s contribution to the freedom movement.

Except for the Great Indian Mutiny of 1857, also called the First War of Indian Independence, historians have virtually ignored the uprisings by soldiers that occurred during the British Raj, many of which were politically motivated and inspired by a spirit of nationalism. Though the mutiny of 1857 was quelled, the spirit of nationalism that it kindled could not be extinguished. A number of smaller mutinies and revolts took place during the next 90 years, especially during the two World Wars and immediately after wards. These rebellions were instrumental in the decision of the British Government to pull out of India in August 1947.

The non violent struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi is universally credited for India’s independence in 1947. However, documentary evidence of that period conclusively proves that the crucial factor in the British decision to quit India was the realization that they could no longer trust the Indian military to maintain control over India. Had the Indian Armed Forces remained staunch, British rule would have continued for at least another 10 to 15 years.

Major General VK Singh is career soldier who was commissioned into the Corps of Signals on 27 June 1965. He served in the Army for 37 years, his last appointment being Chief Signal Officer of the Western Army. In November 2000 he joined the Cabinet Secretariat, (R&AW), where he served up to June 2004, when he retired from government service.

Major General VK Singh’s varied interests include adventure sports, military history and journalism. A regular contributor to magazines and journals, many of his short stories and poems were published in the Illustrated Weekly, Filmfare, Femina and Eve’s Weekly in the seventies and eighties. In later years he took to professional writing and has authored four books. His previous books are Through – Saga of the Corps of Signals (2001); Leadership in the Indian Army - Biographies of Twelve Soldiers, (2005); History of the Corps of Signals, Volume II, (2006) and India’s External Intelligence – Secrets of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in 2007.

Order the Book
Delhi: KW Publishers Pvt Ltd, 4676/21, Ansari Road, New Delhi - 110002.
tel 23289555, 23264676 e mail mail@kwpub.in and knowledgeworld@vsnl.net
Bombay: 15 Jay Kay Industrial Estate, Linking Road Extn., Santa Cruz,(W), Mumbai 400054

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)

Corps of Signals: Info Warriors

Corps of Signals will be celebrating its 99th Raising Day on 15 Feb 2009
Corps of Signals webpage: Click here
The aim and objective of Signals Corps is to make the Indian Army Network Enabled Force by 2012 and Network Centric Force by 2017. This will entail consolidation of all networks so as to provide the Indian Army with an optimal, secure, reliable and robust infrastructure that can meet both operational and peacetime requirements and one that is capable of withstanding technical and physical degradation. The Corps remains the lead agency and nodal centre for information and cyber security both within the Defence Services and at the National level.

The momentous strides made by the Corps in the last few decades have truly been stupendous and without parallel. It has transited to a network enabled force, propelled by the intellect, sustained hard work and the inherent urge to excel which have been so vividly displayed by all officers and men. The domain of enhancing communication in the Tactical Battle Area and the facilitation of synergy of C4I2 elements are going to be the major thrust areas for the future. The Corps is forward looking, with finely honed procedures and exacting standards for execution of tasks. The Corps has always had an abiding and strong ethical foundation. With character comes reputation, and the esteem that the Corps enjoys today stems from the value system and ethos which need to be continually preserved and nurtured. The Corps has also evolved drills and procedures that ensure the provision of reliable and responsive communications to the Army under harsh terrain and tough battle field conditions and is living up to the motto of the Corps - "TEEVRA CHAUKAS" or "Swift and Secure".
Corps of Signals

Rover communications half a century ago

Lt Gen J N Choudhry arrives to witness the Hockey Match
Brig Iyappa the Director Signals on a visit to regiment with CO and other Officers
The ‘Rover’ is the commander’s wireless link to the world when he is moving away from his headquarters. It was a few days earlier than the Corps exercise that I was ordered to check the performance of the GOC’s Rover around Jalandhar. Possibly due to the rigors of atmospherics or the ionosphere not playing up; the results of the trial were deemed to be unsatisfactory. The trial now was extented to Ambala.

We had tied up and the three of us, me, the radio operator and the driver of the Jeep left for Ambala it was already dusk. Under the circumstances, the rapidly shifting of the ionosphere layers, predictably was the worst time for HF communication. The question of remaining in touch and maintaining communication from the speeding Jeep, the Signal to Noise ratio degrading fast just did not arise. The Second World War 19 HP trans- receiver pumping out a couple watts of energy and a not so sensitive receiver even with the 14 feet rod antenna trailing at an angle was totally unsuitable for the task and we were soon out of touch with the Control Station at Jalandhar.

Ambala, 172 Km away, I was told to go and I was determined to accomplish the trials. Communication or no communication; Hello Alfa Bravo Charlie report my signal calling and calling again and again ,repeated ad nauseam, hoping against hope to make a contact till we reached Ambala.

I knew a senior officer, a not too distant relative, then posted at Ambala. Though it was late in the night, hoping for a cup of tea, something to eat and not the least to have a look at his young daughter and if possible exchange a few words with her, I got dropped at his place while sending the detachment to the Four Divisional Signal Regiment, then located at Ambala, for some hot- food and if possible try to contact Control at Jalandhar using a wire aerial.
I did get the tea, the Black label whisky was politely declined, as also something to eat but the main attraction of landing there was conspicuous by her absence, she preferring to stay inside even though it was a fairly hot summer night.

Having done our duty both in letter and spirit we turned back towards Jalandhar, alternately calling and listening, now more hopeful of making a contact as the distance to Control Station at Jalandhar was decreasing by the minute. All this time we were oblivious of the flap going on back at Jalandhar, with no news of the Rover detachment every one was hoping for the best and fearing the worst possibly even rueing the decision to send us on a wild goose chase.

Low on fuel as we turned in a wayside petrol pump, the day was already breaking and with the physics of radio wave propagation becoming more favourable, the welcome call of the control, manna to our ears and soothing to our sore throats, came booming into the head phones.

Bleary eyed, deprived of sleep having been on the move throughout the night we drove in to the unit lines. Dismissing the detachment I presented myself to the Second -in -Command Maj Harchand Singh. With the failure of the mission at the back of my mind I was mentally braced for an imperial rocket. Possibly the relief of seeing me in one piece and not lying mangled somewhere on the road between Jalandhar and Ambala with the wrecked Jeep, the worst case scenario, was enough to cover my acts of omission and commission. I was summarily dismissed and ordered to go and rest in my room. I have no doubt that the next call by him must have been to the worried CO informing that every thing was in order.

Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)

Comments: Fifty years ago the Director(s) Signals, Ordnance, EME and Army Supply Corps were all Brigadiers. Upgradation to Lt Gens in the last four decades have actually degraded the Armed Forces Rank Structure, Honour and Status. The SCPC has crowned them all with further upgradation, and subtly devastated the Warrant of Precedence; giving the Armed forces a eternal blow to prestige of Commissioned Ranks. Bureaucratic goals: "Appease the top few and throttle the rest"!

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.

Each moment in a day has its own value

Morning brings Hope...
Afternoon brings Faith...
Evening brings Love....
And
Night brings Rest...
Wish you find them all today.

VA Subramanyam
Brig (Retd)

Some Facets
Brig VA Subramanyam was born and brought up in Bangalore, where his great grand father had moved in during 1865. After completing schooling from Bangalore, he graduated in Physics from the Madras Christian College,Tambaram. Even before completing his degree, he was selected for a commission through the NCC graduate entry scheme. He was commissioned into the Corps of Signals in December 1960. He had the unique privilege and honour of being asked to compile the History of the Corps of Signals, which was published during the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations (75 years) of the Corps in 1986. He retired in 1990, and served in a few organisations before moving into Chennai, in 1994. He was married to Jaya in 1964. Jaya is a trained singer and teacher. She taught at various schools during service, and used innovative methods in the teaching of physically challenged children. During the later years she studied differing forms of alternative therapies. Subramanyams have three children– a boy between two girls.
Please visit following webpages for more interesting highlights and information.
Family Photographs of Brig VA Subramanyam
Bio- Data of Veterans

The Blog Team thanks Brig VA Subramanyam and looks forward to his contributions. Truly ESM do need Hope, Faith, Love and Rest each Day. The verse is indeed motivating.