Chetwode Motto: Back to Basics

LEST WE FORGET OUR MEN
An Officer’s responsibility towards his Men does NOT end with his retirement; it is a lifelong commitment.
We, Officers, owe it to our Men; for having had the honour & privilege of leading them, while in service.

Lunch with Ex-Servicemen on Tuesday, 2 Oct 2012
1. With a view to reach out to Ex-Servicemen at Bangalore, I had most cordially invited a few Ex-Servicemen for lunch at my place on 2 Oct 2008. And it was gratifying that 11 Ex-Servicemen came over, couple of them with their spouses. 2. On arrival, the Ex-Servicemen mentioned, “Saab, hame retire hokar 10 saal ya 15 saal ho gaya. Hamaare puraane saab log kabhi kabhi CSD canteen me milthe hain. Thodaa saa Hello, Hello baath- cheeth hothaa hai. Bus uthnaa hi. Yeh pahli baar hai ki, ek Afsar saahibaanne, hame apne ghar me khaane ke liye bulaayaa hai”. I could see that the Ex-Servicemen were profoundly touched by my simple gesture of inviting them for lunch at my place. And so was I touched. And that day, I decided that, as long as I live, 2 Oct every year shall be the day when Ex-Servicemen shall be cordially invited to join me for lunch at my place.
3. On 2 Oct 2009, 17 Ex-Servicemen, a few of them with their families were gracious to join me for lunch at my place.
4. On 2 Oct 2010, over 100 Veteran Officers of the Army, Navy & Air Force joined hands and hosted a lunch for approximately 400 Ex-Servicemen, their families and Defence Family Pensioners. It was gratifying to see a galaxy of Generals, Admirals & Air Marshals present as hosts and talking to Ex-Servicemen, their families and Defence Family pensioners. A large number of Ex-Servicemen and Veteran Officers recalled their days together, with nostalgia.
5. Unfortunately, on account of my ill-health and personal commitments, I could not organize hosting of a station lunch for Ex-Servicemen on 2 Oct 2011 and 2 Oct 2012. All the same, lunch for Ex-Servicemen was hosted by me at my place on 2 Oct 2011 and on 2 Oct 2012.
6. Point for kind consideration by Veteran Officers. I suggest that 2 Oct every year should be a day when Veteran Officers host lunch for Ex-Servicemen, their families & Defence Family Pensioners, either individually at their place or collectively at a central location in all stations. The local mil Fmn Cdr or Station Cdr may be invited for Lunch. A small gesture as hosting of a lunch for Ex-Servicemen by Veteran Officers on 2 Oct every year would go a long way in strengthening the bonds of kinship, brotherhood & camaraderie amongst the Ex-Servicemen fraternity.
Regards,
Col Shaitan Singh Rajan of Jikargacha

ESM Welfare Thiruvananthapuram

State would favourably consider issues concerning ex-servicemen and service personnel:CM
Thiruvananthapuram 05-10-2012: Inaugurating the Civil-Military Liaison Conference, CM said that the State would favourably consider issues concerning ex-servicemen and service personnel.
He added that exemption in age criterion, weightage mark, and reservation for ex-servicemen would be considered in select posts apart from strengthening the functioning of ex-servicemen’s grievance redressal cells.
The Sainik Welfare Board should take up recruitment of kin of war heroes and those incapacitated during action to civilian posts in Defence establishments including the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) said the CM.
The State would ensure land for expansion activities of Army units stationed here, including handing over of 10 acres at Muttathara or Vithura for rehabilitation of ex-servicemen.
There are no hassles in handing over 70.40 acres near the Cochin international airport at Nedumbassery for the Coast Guard Air Enclave. The Army could prepare a consolidated list of land issues it faces, to be discussed in a separate meeting led by the Chief Secretary and the Collectors concerned, the CM said.
Civil Military liaison Conference

MoD: Britain Vs India: Career average Vs Final salary

Britain: Pension reforms for military outlined by MoD
The age at which members of the Armed Forces claim pensions could rise from 55 to 60 under government plans.
The changes, affecting all service personnel under the age of 45, are part of the government's plans to cut the cost of public sector pensions.
The new conditions are set to be introduced from April 2015.
The Forces Pensions Society (FPS) said the forthcoming changes were a "very good deal" and "certainly not all bad news".
The society's general secretary, Major General John Moore-Bick, said: "We have ensured that armed forces pensions stay towards the top end of pensions in the public sector."
"This does not mean that any people will have to carry on serving until they are 60."
Early payment
The current Armed Forces pension scheme has two main sections, for those who joined between 1975 and 2005 and those who joined afterwards.
In both cases the normal pension age is 55.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that only 2% of those who serve in the Armed Forces do so until that age.
The new scheme will be a career average one, rather than the final-salary versions that operate at present.
Pension rights accrued under the existing sections will be protected, so pensions earned up to the change-over date of April 2015 will be payable at the current retirement ages.
A unique early retirement feature of the scheme will also remain.
Under this, early departure payments in the form of a lower level of pension, and a lump sum, are paid to service men and women with at least 18 years service who are aged 40 or over.
The length of service required to trigger this will rise to 20 years.
"This will mainly affect officers who tend to join after university rather than the other ranks who join about the age of 20," said David Marsh, pensions secretary of the FPS.
Exemption
In the rest of the public sector the government is linking the normal pension age to the state pension age, which is going to rise in due course from 65 to at least 68, in line with increased life expectancy.
The MoD said this meant that those in uniform would still have better pension terms than most other public sector workers.
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, said: "The government has had to make some tough decisions to ensure sustainable public service pensions which provide a fair deal for both service personnel and for the taxpayer."
"We recognise the unique commitment made by the Armed Forces and we have done all we can to protect them and make these changes in the fairest way possible," he added.
Service personnel who were within 10 years of their normal retirement age on 1 April 2012 will be exempt from the new changes altogether.
All service personnel will continue to be exempted from paying cash contributions to their pension scheme, though many argue that their pay rates are set at levels lower than would otherwise be the case, to offset this apparent generosity.
"The MoD has done a very good job - under the consultation this is a very good job," Mr Marsh said.
Britain: Pension reforms for military outlined by MoD

62nd Republic Day

A strong and resurgent India is celebrating its 62nd Republic Day today. The main parade will held at Rajpath in the capital which will showcase the country’s cultural diversity and military might.

Country’s military might, economic progress and its rich culture will be on show at the Republic day parade at the Rajpath in the national capital.

The Amar Jawan, the immortal soldier, is symbolised by a reversed rifle topped by a helmet. As per tradition, after unfurling of the National Flag, the National Anthem will be played. The President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil will confer the Ashoka Chakra on Major Laishram Jyotin Singh (posthumous) of the Army Medical Corps. The parade will then commence and the President will take the salute.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will be the chief guest at the parade.

President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will take salute of the marching contingents.

President will also present Gallantry awards to security personnel.
While the Indian Navy will display scaled down models of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, Talwar kilo class submarine and the Mig-29K, the 4th Generation fighter jet inducted last year, the Indian Air Force tableau will focus on Network Centric Operations based on the AFNET, the state-of-the-art gigabyte digital information grid, also dedicated to the nation last year. However, the IAF will not hold any static-display of any of its aircrafts.

The parade ceremony will commence at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate where the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will lead the nation in paying homage to the martyrs by laying wreath. An eternal flame burns at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to commemorate the indomitable courage of our Armed Forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.

The marching contingents of paramilitary and other auxiliary civil forces will include contingents from the Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

Twenty-one of the 23 children selected for the National Bravery Award – 2010 will also participate in the parade. Two children have got the award posthumously. 686 children of different schools from Delhi and Regional Cultural Centres will present a fiesta of the varied folk and modern dances.

This year’s Chief Guest at the parade is president of Indonesia Dr. Haji Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono . The parade will be commanded by Major General Manvender Singh, General Officer Commanding Delhi area, The marching contingents of Army include the horse-mounted columns of the 61st Cavalry, Punjab Regiment, Grenadiers Regiment, Rajputana Rifles Regiment, Rajput Regiment, Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, 3 Gorkha Rifles and the Territorial Army. Another interesting feature of the Parade will be the Ex-Servicemen Marching Contingent led by 87-year-old Flying Officer MM Shukla, a veteran of the 2nd World War.

The Camel-mounted band of the BSF will be another major attraction. Tableaux from 23 states and Central Ministries and Departments will present the varied historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the country. They will also showcase country’s progress in different fields.

Dare Devils, the motorcycle display by the Army’s Corps of Signals, will perform breathtaking stunts the grand finale of the parade will be as usual a spectacular fly-past by the IAF, the Mi-25 attack helicopter participating for the first time.
62nd Republic Day

Time to Plan and Act: Ex Servicemen Barakhana at Bangalore

TIME TO PLAN AND ACT- EX-SERVICEMEN BARAKHANA ON 2 OCT 2010
An Officer’s responsibility towards his Men does not end with his retirement; it is a lifelong commitment. We, Officers, owe it our Men, whom we had the honour & privilege to lead, while in service.
Respected Veterans,
Jai Hind.
1. We, the Veteran community in Bangalore, had been organizing various Veterans’ activities & events, since April 2008, showcasing the strength of Gaurav Senanis (Ex-Servicemen) by reaching out to our retired JCOs, NCOs & OR and families, enabling their participation in large numbers. With this in mind I had been hosting Lunch for retired JCOs, NCOs & ORs during the last two years at my residence, on 2 Oct. They in return had expressed their happiness and gratitude in being so honoured. Witness to such sincere sentiments, I decided that through the rest of my life, on 2 Oct, I would invite them to participate in lunch at my home.
2. After seventeen Gaurav Senanis, a few of them with their spouses, participated in lunch at my home on 2 oct 2009, such involvements have become routine every two or three months, strengthening our bonds of brotherhood & camaraderie. In reciprocation, when Gaurav Senani L/Nk Naidu suggested a couple of months ago, that we have a luncheon meeting at his residence, we all agreed; and seventeen of us incl Brig Reddy & myself had lunch at Naidu’s residence; with positive impact on bonhomie and mutual respect & regards amongst the retired veteran community.
3. Come 02 Oct 2010. We, the retired Officers at Bangalore, plan to host a lunch for all retired JCOs, NCOs & OR of the Army and their equivalents in the Navy & Air Force and Defence Family Pensioners at the Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka site, Bangalore. The Barakhana with 1000 Gaurav Senanis participating is to be a great event; further strengthening bonds of brotherhood & camaraderie amongst retired Defence community. We plan to invite the local Fmn Commanders of the Army, Navy & Air Force, the CDA (Pension), Defence Pension Disbursing Officer (DPDO) and a few Civilian Dignitaries; to thank them for their assistance & unstinted support to the community.
4. I now appeal to all Veteran Officers across Bharatvarsh, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Arunachal, Nagaland & Manipur to Punjab, Rajasthan & Gujarat to PLEASE consider hosting a Barakhana for all retired JCOs, NCOs & OR of the Army and their equivalents in the Navy & Air Force, at their respective cities, towns & villages on 2 Oct every year. The impact of such yearly activity, would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood & camaraderie within the veteran community and enable rendering a helping hand to the needy and not so fortunate ones.
Regards,
Col Shaitan Singh Rajan of Jingergacha
A son of an Infantryman (a Garhwali) and A Bombay Sapper

AN APPEAL TO ALL RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE AT BANGALORE
PLEASE JOIN HANDS IN HOSTING A LUNCH FOR RETIRED JCOs, NCOs & OR OF THE ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE AND DEFENCE FAMILY PENSIONERS AT BANGALORE AS PER DETAILS GIVEN BELOW:
Retired Officers of the Army, Navy & Air Force at Bangalore cordially invite retired JCOs, NCOs & OR of the Army, Navy & Air Force and Defence Family Pensioners for BARAKHANA (Lunch) at 12 Noon on Saturday, 02 October 2010 at the RASHTRIYA SAINIKA SMARAKA site, Bangalore adjacent to Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain on Chowdaiah Road
Opposite Nehru Planetarium, near Raj Bhawan, Bangalore.
Please confirm your participation by Post Card or Email
RSVP
Veteran Col SS Rajan, IESM Convenor Karnataka & South Zone
77, 1st Cross Shankarpuram, Opp. Shankar Mutt, Basavanagudi – 560 004

From: yoginder sharma
Date: 15 September 2010 18:04
Subject: AN APPEAL TO ALL RETIRED OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE AT BANGALORE
To: Colonelrajan Srinivas
Dear Rajan,
What a noble, admirable and thoughtful initiative!
My congratulations- Bless you, Sir.
We talk; you act and how!!!
Am not in Bangalore or else would have joined up.
Will anyone take up the 'challenge' here (Hyderabad/ Secunderabad).
Don't know; not likely if 'past' is an indicator?
Let hope run eternal in human heart-some 'selfless- live-wire' may yet emerge!
Compliments and best wishes.
Yogi
Lt Gen YN Sharma, Former Army Commander

Army will not fight Naxals, says Cabinet Committee on Security

Vishwa Mohan, TNN, Jun 12, 2010, 01.13am IST
NEW DELHI: The Army will not be used in a "combat role" in the ongoing anti-Naxal battle. The Centre and states will, instead, recruit ex-servicemen — including retired sappers for de-mining exercises — on contractual basis to fill the gap and will focus on strengthening paramilitary and police personnel through intensive training and recruitment programmes. Role of armed forces will only be limited to "training".

The Cabinet Committee on Security, which met under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday, took these decisions. It expected states to lead the charge against Maoists with the Centre mainly helping them with additional "security assistance" in terms of paramilitary personnel and "more funds" for modernisation of police forces and pursuing "development programmes". The committee, which analysed the proposals and counter-proposals of both the home and defence ministries before arriving at the decisions, also decided to meet again soon to give final shape to the strategy.

"CCS will also invite chief ministers of Naxal-affected states. Their views will help the Centre in finetuning the strategy," a top government official said.

Although the CCS meeting remained inconclusive in terms of giving final shape to the strategy and earmarking additional funds, it addressed major concerns of both defence and home ministries on major issues. "Since it was decided not to expand the role of armed forces at all beyond training, the focus was mainly on looking at alternatives to address the need of home ministry as well as states," the official said.

As the armed forces do not want to be dragged into yet another internal security duty beyond their existing roles in J&K and N-E states, the CCS allowed home ministry to fill the gap by recruiting ex-servicemen in a big way.

"While a couple of states are already doing this, remaining ones will also be asked to recruit retired armed force personnel for de-mining exercises and other security duties on minimum three years contract," the official said. The committee decided that the Centre would provide adequate funds to states for this purpose as well as for recruiting regular police personnel and increasing number of police stations in Naxal-hit districts.

Since the defence ministry argued that IAF could not spare a more helicopters to ferry troops, the CCS explored the option of hiring choppers from Pawan Hans for emergency duties including evacuation of injured personnel.
Army will not fight Naxals, says Cabinet Committee on Security

Letter to Editor
Dear Veterans,
1. Please refer to above news item
2. In this connection Letter to Editor click here.
With Kind Regards,
Jai Hind
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM
Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement

Veteran Voice
Maoism in India cannot be viewed from the angle of a few more jobs for some ex servicemen. Indian soldier remains a soldiers even in retirement (hopefully) - disciplined(?), apolitical and patriotic. Ethically never to turn their training for war into mercernaries for hire.
Maoists are Indians. Indian Army soldiers should not be asked to turn their guns on them. Its a political mess, created for politicians future and multicorporations benefit. It had been researched that one tree in the jungle, as a natural process, shed enough leaves and dead wood to take care of one tribal familiy's need of fire wood for a year. The politician wants to cut that tree and hand over the place to a business house. Think about that tree in all its economic, social and humanitarian nuances.
We live in a land where at the end of a 10 percent GDP spectrum you have a Mukesh Ambani presenting a 1000 crore aeroplane to his wife on her birthday and on the other a tribal digging for edible roots for sustenance.
K Khorana
PS: Excuse me. I am not a 'commie'! They would prove worse than all political parties put together.

ESM for training CRPF and guard UP Statues

Govt to recruit about 2,000 ex-servicemen
Press Trust of India / New Delhi April 12, 2010, 16:47 IST
The government will recruit about 2,000 ex-servicemen specialised in commando and jungle warfare tactics to impart cutting-edge training to CRPF personnel.

The recruitment of these ex-servicemen, which will begin next month, assumes significance as 76 paramilitary personnel were massacred by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada recently, raising questions on the operational strategies of the force.

Those servicemen, who retired as Sepoy and Havaldar, will be drawn from Army regiments and Corps like infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured, artillery, intelligence and engineering Corps for the purpose.

In order to ensure that the CRPF personnel get the best training, the government has made it mandatory for these ex-servicemen to be trained in specialised courses like 'Ghatak' commando training, weapons, IED and bomb disposal, dog handling, Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare (CIJW).

It is also mandatory for these ex-servicemen to have served in insurgency-hit areas and had stints at Army training schools.

"These men will be deputed to train our personnel at the various counter insurgency and jungle warfare schools in the country which are facing shortage of trainers. It is a fact that a good trainer can only bring out the best in an individual," a senior CRPF officer said.

The ex-servicemen will be recruited on a contractual basis for five to seven years on a total remuneration of Rs 12,625 plus other incentives.

Initially 1,950 men will be recruited and the numbers could be enhanced in the future. The all-India recruitment will begin in May and would finish by June after which the ex-servicemen would undergo initial training and briefing before they start the job, the officer said.

A board of senior CRPF and Home Ministry officials will conduct the "open rally" recruitment for which an applicant should be under 40 years of age. There will not be any criteria for physical and educational background of the ex-service personnel.
Govt to recruit about 2,000 ex-servicemen

Retired Colonel to Guard Statues
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday decided to recruit former servicemen for the protection of statues and monuments without a nod from the ruling Governor B L Joshi and senior government officials.

Mayawati allegedly decided to go ahead with her plans even without Governor B L Joshi's assent to a bill and ordinance for creation of such a security force.

Mayawati convened a meeting of the state cabinet on Friday afternoon and took an administrative decision to proceed with raising the new force.

The force would be headed by a retired army officer of the rank of colonel.

The cabinet meeting was followed by a press conference, where state Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh gave justification for the government's decision to go ahead without waiting for a word from the governor.
ESM for protection of Statues

Civil Military Relations: There is urgent need to bridge the gap

It is acknowledged that India’s military has historically been apolitical. Unlike other militaries in developing countries early in the post colonial period, there has never been an instance of the Indian military transgressing its bounds. This has consistently been among the indicators of India’s democratic good health. However, it is averred that this has resulted in the military’s marginalisation in core security decision making structures and processes. This refrain in security studies commentary testifies to the continuing distance between the apex military leadership from political decision makers on policy issues. Details of the critique are well known. These include: the strategic grasp of the generalist bureaucratic cadre dominating the ministry is suspect; in modern defence systems elsewhere officials in uniform share desk space with civilians having appropriate background in national security; the current system results in manipulation of service differences by bureaucrats playing arbiters, thereby precluding efficiencies, jointness, etc. But the fact that the system persists begs the question: Why?
Extracted from:
The central debate in India’s civil military relations
Ali Ahmed: IDSA

The probable reasons for the widening gap
Military service changes one's way of thinking and gives one a sense of patriotism, a sense of working for something bigger than one's self. It helps to provide a more realistic view of what the Indian Armed Forces can and cannot do. Most of the Politicians and Bureaucrats lack that military experience and do not know what Military Service means. Sadly their children too are averse to the Armed Forces.

The average Indian knows very little about the military anymore... and even more troubling, the average middle- and upper middle-class family doesn't tend to look on the Defence Forces as a career they want their kids to follow... only about 0.02 percent of the total population of our nation are directly or indirectly connected as either serving, retired or family members of the Armed Forces.

WELCOME TO DOWA COCHIN- A blog created on Mar 27, 2009

DEFENCE SERVICE OFFICERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION COCHIN
Established in 1988 by a small group of retired officers at Cochin to promote the interests of veteran officers. Welfare, Charity, Social and humanitarian activities are some of its charters. DOWA has a noticeable strength of 245 members today. The kith and kin of the members further enhance its size. DOWA has a pan India network through well wishers and friends. Life membership is given to all retired defence service officers at a nominal fee. Retired and serving defence and civilian dignitaries are welcome to become honorary members. DOWA is registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and charitable societies Registration Act XII of 1955.

BLOG TEAM
Brig (Retd) VA Narayanan, President
Col (Retd) MS Yohannan, Vice President cum Treasurer
Col (Retd) RB Nair, Secretary and Blog Moderator
Col VSM Makkar, Executive Member
DOWA Cochin: Click me

Comment: Col RB Nair is retired Corps of Signals Officer and we congratulate him and the blog team on launching the DOWA Blog.

Demise of Nupur/ Rama Bahl

Dear Friend,
With profound sorrow and a heavy heart, I am forwarding this mail which has come from our esteemed veteran, Brig Thyagarajan. For those who may not readily remember Col Vinod Bahl, he was from the 16th NDA Course (Fox Sqn). He was commissioned in the Corps of EME and stood first in every course which he attended. He was sent to the UK for his Post Graduation which he did at the Cranfield. He proceeded on pre-mature retirement in 1982, and later migrated to the USA.

Rama ji (whom Vinod called Nupur) was an extremely warm hearted person, forever willing to help any one in need of her assistance. I say this with complete conviction because she was our neighbor in Agra during 1978-80. My wife fell ill and I took her to the Hospital, where she was admitted. By the time I returned, I found that upon learning about Surinder's illness, she had crossed over to our house, and taken our children aged seven and four under her wings and cared for them until my mother arrived a few days later. The important thing is that she did all this without any one approaching her for help. And she never permitted us to say a word of thanks!

May her soul rest in peace. And may the Lord grant courage and equanimity to Col Bahl and their boys, Twinkle and Shaund to bear this loss with fortitude.
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)

God has been rather cruel with our very dear friend Lt col VK Bahl in snatching away Mrs Rama/Nupur Bahl from this mother earth. Those whom God loves die young.
I announce this with a deep sense of regret. Col Bahl and his sons along with their families are settled in USA.
Brig V Thyagarajan (Retd)

Report my Signal Forum and Readers offer their heartfelt condolences to bereaved members of the family.

Lt Gen Mote Dar’s works are sheer poetry

Photo: K.V. Srinivasan
FULL OF LIFE Lt Gen Mote Dar and his paintings
He speaks of the wars of 1965 and 1971 in the same breath as the poetry of T.S. Eliot and Kalidasa. He links strategic military command and the creation of art. Meet Lt Gen (Retd) Mote Dar — former Vice Chief of Army Staff and the man who paints — and speaks — like a poet.

Dar was in Chennai recently for the first showing of his exhibition “Inner Vision Outer Truth” at Prakrit Art Gallery.

He’s been painting for a long time — he had his first exhibition as a young captain in the Indian army back in 1965 — but this set of works is almost entirely new, created in the last few months.

“I continued to paint even as a junior and senior officer, but in the last part of my career, when I became General Officer Commander-in-Chief Southern Command, and then basically the number two man in the army, it was very difficult to find the time,” he says.

Now, of course, he has all the time in the world, so he’s chosen to experiment with oils — he did mostly only water colours before, because they were quicker — and with numerous themes, from a depiction of the seasons of the year to surrealist abstracts.

“In Indian poetry, the seasons of the year have been written about from time immemorial — from Kalidasa to Guru Nanak — linking the different months with festivals, with emotions of separation and union,” he says. “So, I thought I’d do a contemporary re-imagining of them.”

The result is a series of radiantly-coloured paintings filled with lively, abstract imagery of flowers blooming in spring and children playing in the monsoon — a joyful celebration of the seasons. On the other hand, his surrealistic ‘On the thorns of memory’ series is more enigmatic, using more light and shade and Freudian symbolism in the midst of swirls of thick, strong colour.

“I see painting more in terms of an inner awakening, as a form of meditation that drives away your stress, and helps in self-actualisation,” says Dar, who was part of the 1965 and 1971 wars, wounded in the latter.

Creative thinking
He adds: “I also believe it aids in the creative, out-of-the-box thinking that’s so essential in strategic military command — when big armies are on the move, you need to be able to envision their movements in time and space.”

Not surprisingly, one of the most powerful series of paintings in the exhibition has to do with war — a pair of abstracts bearing a single inscription across a solid wall of colour. Starkly gorgeous is the one in the vibrant green of the valleys of Kashmir with a quote from Jahangir in Persian above, and a single trail of blood below. “When Jahangir went to Kashmir, he’s supposed to have said, ‘If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here’,” says Dar, who is Kashmiri but has had to leave his troubled home state to live in Pune. “But now, it is all tears and blood and coffins.”

However, the collection of 29 paintings pulses with life, much like the man himself. The exhibition is on until February 27.
DIVYA KUMAR
Art and Awakening: Mote Dar’s works are sheer poetry

Retired Maj Gen Himmat Singh Gill is no more

Maj Gen Himmat Singh Gill (Retd) and Dr Rana Nayyar (right), on the occasion of the release of “The Eye of a Doe”, a collection of short stories by Punjabi litterateur Mohan Bhandari (left), at State Library, Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Express News Service Posted: Nov 26, 2008 at 0136 hrs IST Chandigarh:

Eminent defence analyst, a prolific writer and a former diplomat, Maj Gen Himmat Singh Gill (Retd), passed away in Chandigarh on Tuesday morning. He was 71. According to his family, Gill had suffered a brain haemorrhage and a massive cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife and two children. His brother and Union Minister of State for Sports, M S Gill, arrived in Chandigarh on hearing the news of his death.

A former chairman of the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, Gill had authored two books, Ashes and Petals, and was a frequent contributor to various newspapers, including The Indian Express. After retiring from the Army in 1993, he had remained vocal about defence matters. He was also deputed to Afghanistan to study the situation there.

A large number of his friends and admirers flocked to his residence to meet the bereaved family. The funeral will take place on November 27 at the Sector 25 cremation ground at 2.30 pm.
Retired Maj Gen Himmat Singh Gill is no more

Getting connected to Maj SK Dhawan

Dear Sir,
This is regarding a school friend of mine Brinda Dhawan, who was with me in year 1989- 1990 at Patiala. Her father was in Signals, named Major SK Dhawan.

Around the same year, they moved to Pune & even though we tried, we lost touch after the first few months of her moving there.

I often think of her & would love to meet her & get reconnected. I came across this blog & thought you might be able to give me a lead to this. Would really appreciate if you can help in this, in anyway possible.

Thanks & Regards
Manmeet Kaur
SCM Analyst,
Cargill India Pvt Ltd

We kindly request our Readers to help Manmeet Kaur to locate her friend Brinda Dhawan. Kindly send the contact details by email to reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com

The SCPC Fiasco

Defence forces are designed to work in seclusion. Soldiers intrinsically are shy of publicity. This is part of their ethos. They work unnoticed. They die unsung. The recent Pay Commission controversy has pushed them in limelight. This could be foreseen when their request for inclusion of a defence member was rejected. The economic experts comprising the commission could not understand a soldier’s problems. No civilian can. Military life can only be experienced; it cannot be explained. Previous pay commissions had been pushing the military down, both in status and salaries. The 6th PC further widened the gap. The report drew immediate negative response; muted from the serving, vociferous from the veterans. The report was then put before a committee of secretaries. The disparities were too stark to escape even an untrained eye. The senior, experienced Secretaries knew what should have been done to restore balance. But they did not. While making some cosmetic alterations they in fact injected some more serious disparities. The cabinet endorsed the report. It is doubtful they got involved in the nitty-gritty.

The defence forces cannot form unions and associations. The soldiery’s problems are projected up the established chain of command. Those beyond the purview of intermediary levels reach the Service Chiefs. The latter in turn approach the government. This is part of their function. This was done for the PC disparities too. Going by media reports the defence minister supported the demands. With the finance minister stonewalling the recommendations and the PM being out of the country, the issue remained in limbo. Time was running out for the October 1, 2008 deadline. The delay in implementation of the PC report could cause disquiet. Rumours resulting from heightened media reporting could fan discontent. The Chiefs would have got inputs of the rank and file edginess. The memory of Jamnagar Air Force base disturbance during the 5th PC would have come to their recall. They had to act. Inaction was not an option. Various options would have been examined. Should they implement the PC report on the assurance that the disparities would be resolved later? That the anomalies of the 5th PC have remained unresolved for over 12 years foreclosed this option. The fact of the Defence Minister still batting for amendments rendered the cabinet decision ‘under review’. A message down the command chain to forestall any possible brewing problem was the obvious choice. It was rightly followed by all three Chiefs. The Naval Chief was the first to do so. His message said, “We are in the process of resolving all pending issues and this may take a little longer than we had earlier expected...” He then exhorted his command, “...In the meanwhile I am certain that one and all will display maturity and patience and not be swayed by hearsay or speculative reports from any quarter”. There is nothing palpably wrong with what he told the Navy. He was chastised for sending an unclassified message. That is absurd. The lowest military security classification is ‘Restricted’. Its very name suggests that its circulation be restricted to the intended few. When a message is meant for dissemination to every sailor in the Navy, where is the need for making it ‘Restricted’? Nor do the contents reveal any State secret. The disquiet on the PC report has even appeared in the Pakistani Press. The three Chiefs should actually be complimented for displaying foresight and for taking pre-emptive action.

The Service heads are being questioned – even editorially - for not implementing the cabinet decision. They are told it was ‘not expected of them’. This is the common whip the government uses to browbeat soldiers. It raises two important points. If ‘expectations’ from the mlitary are different and much higher than from other government organs, then why are they not also distinct for salary and perks? Putting them in a common basket is a clear case of equal treatment and unequal obligations. Secondly, can the soldiers also have some reciprocal expectations from the government? Is the government expected to empower the bureaucracy and let them loose to ride roughshod over the defence forces? Is the civil control to be taken to mean control by bureaucracy instead of by the elected representatives? Is the government expected to push down an unacceptable and patently biased PC report down the military throats despite clear disparities that have been accepted by the Defence Minister himself?

Over the years governments have been routinely ignoring defence forces’ plea against discrimination. This has left scars of distrust and frustration. The grouses have accumulated. Even a small wound becomes a festering sore if ignored. That the 6th PC report was unacceptable to the defence forces has been blindingly clear to all. The unequal emoluments hurt their pockets. What is even more important, the skewed parity also hurt their pride. Military is one organisation that has been doing its job with sincerity, dedication and with success. Why does the bureaucracy-dominated government keep constantly gnawing at their roots? Considerable damage has already been done. Further damage needs to be controlled. The committee of ministers needs to accept their four pending demands without delay.

The reported stand- off between the government and the Services has pushed the Ex-Servicemen (ESM) issue on the back burner. The ESM remain steadfast on their four demands; One-Rank-One-Pension (OROP), resettlement till age of sixty, constitution of an ESM Commission and their representation on all committees deciding issues of their concern. Out of these the most emotive is the OROP, repeatedly promised but never unfulfilled. Pension is a reward for services already rendered. Logic suggests that two individuals rendering equal service and reaching the same rank - and thus same level of responsibility – should get equal pension, irrespective of their date of retirement. The ESM are demanding equity and justice, not necessarily more money. If the government cannot afford, let them pay less pension, but uniformly to all. The 6th PC recommendations are extremely harsh on the old pensioners, who constitute the majority. They have actually created One-Rank-Several-Pensions, an extremely retrograde step. If OROP remains unresolved, the ESM intend to continue their fight for it. They have already put the government on notice for a relay hunger strike beginning October 20, 2008. The ball is in the government’s court.

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan (Retd)
Chairman, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement

SCPC: Injustice by Pay Commissions: Press Release

Sir,

1. The IESM (Punjab) has organized a Press Conference for the Ex- Servicemen Organisations of North India at Royal Hotel Phase- 10, Mohali, on 30/9/08 at 11:30am to 12:30 Hrs. This is being attended by Maj Gen Satbir Singh SM, Vice Chairman IESM New Delhi, and heads of ESM org & prominent ESM from Punjab, Haryana, UP, HP, J&K, Rajasthan and the Tricity. We strongly support the bold decision & stand taken by our 3 brave chiefs for proper justice, Value & dignity. We express anguish against Pay Commissions & Govt's indiscriminatory attitudes towards ESM Community & Forces. Surprisingly Defence issues are being handled by unprofessionals, who know nothing of our problems & values nor they want to understand. This GOM have already been tried out many times & we have no hope from them. They do not want Defence representation in them to ensure that cleverly manipulated anomalies are not revealed in time for correction.

2. Bureaucrats have been manipulating & tampering Pay Commission reports to their advantages illegally, that too after the Government's approval. We request for CBI inquiry. For ESM Pensioners, even 4th & 5th Pay Commission reports are yet not implemented sincerely. We have been repeatedly cheated & openly told to get justice through Courts only. Our most genuine demands are over ruled without sufficient cause. Our National Security & Values is at stake, because quality intake is not joining Armed Forces. Civil administration often collapses in crises & the Army is being over used to run the Government. Still our pay, perks & status is much lower than our civil counterparts. Our Chiefs cannot speak more than this being in uniform & in a civilized society of the biggest democratic country.

3. We report with heavy heart that Govt/ Defence Ministry have not appreciated nor responded to our peaceful methods of protests against repeated injustices & neglects caused by bureaucracy & Pay Commissions to Defence Forces, Ex-servicemen & Widows. We feel Govt only responds to violent agitations of high voltage. Some how, we have been avoiding indecent agitations being disciplined & responsible citizens but this decency have not been helping us in the most corrupted & irresponsible system. We are more than 40% Defence employees in the Central Government employees, yet we have not got a separate Defence Pay Commission nor a member in CPCs.

4. Soldiers work for 24x7 days for 281 days in year but civilian who work only for 8x5 days & 165 days in a year, are being graded higher with more pay & promotions. Soldiers are unskilled workers even after handling needle to ship & rifle to Rockets and all electronic gadgets with highest degree of accountability & success rate. We have been sent home much prematurely, just to keep the forces young in the National interest. But Govt have done nothing concrete for our resettlement. We have asked for most legitimate & genuine four demands in a decent & democratic way but Govt is not responding because we have nobody in decision making bodies. That's why, our only main demands are:-

One Rank one Pension, which have been accepted by Parliament but Bureaucrats are not allowing its implementation by various designs. Whereas IAS Officers are manipulating and filling their own pockets illegally being in power.

Guaranteed Job up to 60 yrs age by lateral induction into Civil services & state Police, under Parliament Act. This will improve Civil Admn's credibility, discipline & reduce corruption in uncontrolled set- up. ESM deserve to get much needed Social & Financial Value and powers to look after the most neglected Defence Community. Soldiers will also get some incentive for early retirement after a very tough & disciplined life.

Constitute ESM Commission with statutory powers to safeguard our genuine interests, like many other weaker sections of societies. ESM Commission may be headed by retired SC Judge & only ESM members at National & State level. ESM should draft its terms & conditions with the help of Judiciary.

ESM representation in all Government Bodies Commissions & Committees where ESM Community interests are involved. Our properties, entitlements & honour are not safe & secure in our own nation.

5. Even, Voting Right to Soldiers at their place of duty have yet not been implemented to elect our own representative in Assemblies. Every community gets more than they agitate for violently. The ESM Community should no more be branded as a weak Community. Therefore, we are being forced for undignified agitations. To start with, all ESM should also observe BLACK DIWALI & put Black flag on their Vehicles & houses, till our all demands are met without conditions. We have given our best and sacrificed a lot to protect the nation at our own cost & value; hence we deserve a respectable retired life with dignity, so that next generation replaces veterans happily.

Lt Col SS Sohi (Retd)
Coordinator, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, Punjab.

President Audience for war hero’s wife

-Photos: Subir Roy, AP/ Presidential Palace The President meets Rasoolan Bibi, wife of Abdul Hameed, a soldier who was killed during the 1965 Indo-Pak War
LUCKNOW: Rasoolan Bibi, wife of Hawaldar Abdul Hameed who was conferred the nation’s highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra posthumously during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, on Tuesday urged President Pratibha Patil that an army recruitment board be set up in Ghazipur district of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Rasoolan Bibi was granted audience by the President during her Lucknow visit on Tuesday. Among the charter of demands Rasoolan Bi presented to the President was one to name the Dullupur railway station in Ghazipur district Veer Abdul Hameed station and another to issue a stamp in the name of her husband.

She expressed a desire to meet the President during Ms. Patil’s visit to Lucknow University earlier in the day. A letter seeking permission was given to the university authorities by her grandson, Shahabuddin Ahmed, who is enrolled there as a BA second year student. But permission was denied.

The news was picked up by the media, following which the Rashtrapati Bhavan took note of it. The 90-year-old Rasoolan Bi was granted an audience with the President.

On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati sanctioned Rs.5 lakh for repairs to Rasoolan Bi’s house at Dhanupur village in Ghazipur district. Another Rs.10 lakh was sanctioned for building a park in Ghazipur named after Abdul Hameed.
Audience for War hero's wife

High Court clears petitions related to pension benefits of ESM

A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today allowed five petitions filed by the All India Ex-servicemen Welfare Association holding any personnel below the officer rank (PBOR) entitled to the improved pension from January 1, 1996, the day of implementation of the Fifth Central Pay Commission, instead of Jan 1, 2006.

The judgment will benefit a large number of pre-1996 ex-servicemen. Five writ petitions were filed by Bhim Sen Sehgal, Chairman of the Ex-servicemen Welfare Association, representing the PBORs challenging the arbitrary fixation of date as January 1, 2006, instead of Jan 1, 1996. The soldiers were deprived of arrears, which were due since January 1, 1996.

The petitioners claimed that the Ministry of Defence in a letter, dated June 7, 1999, had notified the implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission relating to the pension benefits of the officers and the PBORs, with effect from January 1996.

It was revealed that the PBORs are not at all benefited, whereas the commissioned officers were benefited to a large extent and were given huge arrears from January 1, 1996, whereas the PBORs were left high and dry as formula adopted for fixation of pension resulted in downward trend.
Source: Indian Express
High Court clears petitions related to pension benefits of ex-servicemen

ESM News
Space for ex-servicemen association building sought: Bangalore DH News Service, Kushalnagar: Government should give more importance to the welfare of the ex-servicemen, said Colonel (Retd) R V Narayanmurthy. He was speaking at the 10th annual day celebration of the Ex-servicemen Association at APCMS auditorium. Ex-servicemen are rendering service to the society in their own way. Government should provide sufficient space for constructing a building for the ex-servicemen association, he said. Donour K S Sannappa inaugurated the programme. Capt (Retd) M A Bhaskar, Subedar (Retd) P B Ravi, Bhojappa, K K Nanjappa, K M Poovaiah, B T Honnappa, J N Padmanabha, N R Nareshkumar among others were present. Children performed variety entertainment. Sports competitions were conducted.
Space for ex-servicemen association building sought

CHANDIGARH: Col Partap Inder Singh Phoolka (Retd.) has been appointed as President of Ex-Servicemen wing of Shiromani Akali Dal. An announcement regarding this was done by Sukhbir Singh Badal President Shiromani Akali Dal and Member Parliament in a press release issued from Party Head Office in Chandigarh Saturday. A resident of Patiala, Col Phulka served for 32 years in the army. He retired in 2002. Earlier, Col Phulka was Secretary General of the ex-servicemen wing of the party. He had worked tirelessly for the cause of ex-servicemen.
Col Phulka appointed President of SAD's Ex-Servicemen Wing

Exemption to ESM: ECHS Contribution
Following a Supreme Court judgment, the Centre has exempted ex-servicemen who retired before 1996 from payment of contribution to join the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme. This is a boon to ex-servicemen who are not able to meet rising medical expenses. But no wide publicity is given to this concession. It is suggested that this important information be publicised.

PM means well for the ESM: Tardy follow up action by Bureaucrats

PM Inaugurates Meeting of Kendriya Sainik Board May 19, 2007

The welfare and well being of our soldiers, ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents have always been a subject very close to my heart.

Indeed, the subject of ex-servicemen’s welfare has in fact been identified by me as a thrust area of the Government’s functioning and my Office is monitoring it regularly and very closely.

I believe that the most befitting tribute we can pay to the exemplary sacrifices that our valiant soldiers have made for the nation, is for us to look after them in the best possible manner after they retire.

I am happy about recent initiatives taken by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare to strengthen the mechanism for prompt redressal of the grievances of Defence pensioners. These include computerization of the pension sanctioning offices and organizing regular Defence Pension Adalats in different parts of the country. In this context, I believe we need to intensify efforts to ensure that the targets set for Pension Adalats are met.

It is a matter of satisfaction that following our decision taken last year, with effect from 01.01.2006, the pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank have improved significantly. This, I believe, has benefited about 12 lakh pensioners.

I take this opportunity to also seek your help for the families of the serving soldiers posted in far-flung locations. As the soldiers are posted far from home, it is difficult for them to attend to the needs of their families, and to deal with property related matters and other personal issues. To assist them we need a mechanism by which at the District level, the Collector, and at the State level a nominated senior officer can every quarter review the status of grievance redressals. Such grievance redressal meetings for the benefit of ex-servicemen can be organised in conjunction with the Sainik Boards in States on the lines of Pension Adalats.

State Governments could also consider introducing e-enabled services for dissemination of relevant information and guidance for the benefit of Ex-servicemen through dedicated web sites.

Last year I announced a scheme to provide scholarships for the children of ex-servicemen to pursue professional education in management studies, engineering, medicine and a variety of other disciplines. The scheme is being funded from the National Defence Fund and I believe that there is no better way to repay the debt we owe to our ex-servicemen than to provide for the education of their children. I am very happy that in the very first year of the scheme itself we have awarded scholarships to 3,915 meritorious students from the families of our ex-servicemen and paramilitary forces. This is a small recognition of the great contribution that our armed forces make to the protection of our liberties, to the strengthening of our vital borders and promotion of our vital national interests.

The Kendriya Sainik Board is an apex body which makes recommendations towards formulating policies for the welfare of ex-servicemen, war widows, disabled soldiers and their families. The various agencies of the Government, which deal with these matters, will give careful consideration to these recommendations.

I thank Hon’ble Raksha Mantriji for inviting me to this very important event and I hope that many useful suggestions and initiatives for the welfare of our soldiers and their families will emerge from this meeting. I wish you all the success in your endeavours.”
PM Inaugurates Meeting of Kendriya Sainik Board May 19, 2007

Pension for ESM not granted for forty years: Contempt notice to defence secretary

Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony (L) stands in the cockpit of a Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft as Air Chief Marshall, F.H. Major (3-R) looks on during the induction ceremony at Bidar Air Force Station

Tribune News Service, Chandigarh, September 16
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued contempt notice to the defence secretary over the government's failure to release pension benefits to an 80-year-old veteran as directed by the court earlier.
In its verdict delivered on March 11 this year, a division bench comprising Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Mohinder Pal had allowed a petition filed by ex-reservist Harjinder Singh, seeking sanction of reservist pension.
The court had directed that his pension, along with arrears of three years and two months preceding the date of filing the petition, be released within two months from the date of the court's order. Any delay in the matter would be "inexcusable", the court had observed.
Residing in an old age home here, the 80-year old veteran has been battling for his pension since he retired in 1967. He had taken up the matter on numerous occasions, but the controller of defence accounts had turned down his pleas on the ground that he had been discharged upon his own request.
Harjinder had put in over 17 years colour service, including reserve service. Service rules stipulate that 15 years service is required for grant of reservist pension. He had moved the High Court in 2006. The HC, in its order had also observed that voluntary retirement cannot be a ground for refusing pension.
Contempt notice to defence secretary

Comments: One of the typical cases of MOD bureaucratic apathy and bungling in respect of ESM. Can a ESM ever dream of fair play by MOD? One Rank One Pension is an illusion! The security of the Nation is the ground reality made possible by sacrifices of lakhs of ESM.

Governors Conference New Delhi

Extract: SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS, New Delhi, 16th September 2008

I want to advert your attention to another segment of the society where there is both need and scope to improve. We have about 21 lakh ex-servicemen and 4 lakh war-widows. The constant vigil of our security forces keeps us safe and secure. We must take special care of their welfare and rehabilitation. I had requested you all for a special report on the activities of Sainik Boards and Amalgamated Funds. While the focus of a few States seem to lack drive, some have embarked on innovative schemes like computerization of Sainik Board data in West Bengal, medical reimbursement in Goa, reimbursement of housing loan interest in Jharkhand, just to name a few. I would urge upon all the Governors presiding or chairing the Rajya Sainik Boards to hold regular meetings and impart greater dynamism to these Boards; take up resource-mobilization drives besides a prompt redressal of their grievances.

Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
President of India
CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS, 16 Sep 2008