What lures Generals to Panchkula?:

Panchkula: 'City of Generals'
PANCHKULA: Panchkula, the satellite town of Chandigarh, seems to be fast becoming the " City of Generals" as one more war veteran has made it his post-retirement home. Army commander of Western Command Lt Gen S R Ghosh, who hung up his uniform, has decided to settle down in Panchkula, which is already home to hundreds of Army officers including Gen V K Singh, who also retired recently, and former army chief V P Malik.
Lt Gen Ghosh said he loved the area during his stint as Army commander and decided to settle here because of the atmosphere and way of life the city offers for the defence personnel. Another reason for settling down here, he added, was that his wife, a retired bureaucrat, was born and brought up here. Ghosh, nevertheless, maintained that the city lacks maintenance and that considering the number of senior officers settling here, local bodies should focus on its proper upkeep.
Panchkula already has hundreds of officers and war veterans, who remained commanders of various vital formations of Army during conventional as well as non-conventional wars, settled here. Among them are former Army chief Gen (retd) Malik, former Army vice-chief Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, former commanders -- Lt Gen H S Panag, Lt Gen P S Hoon, Lt Gen Deepinder Singh, LT Gen T K Sapru, Lt Gen G S Sihota, Lt Gen R S Dayal (died recently), Lt Gen Daljit Singh and Lt Gen Surinder Singh among others.
Sector 12, 12-A, 6, 20 and MDC have a high concentration of top Army officers. In fact, Panchkula has become a station of choice post-retirement not only for those from the region but also those belonging to other parts of the country.
According to senior Army officers, the city is one of the best urban planned cities of the country, has spacious roads, large lung spaces and planned markets. Besides, it is strategically located -- within an earshot of Shimla to the north and New Delhi to the south. With Chandimandir Cantonment in the vicinity, officers' link to service life and a large community of retired and serving officers make it particularly attractive.
Panchkula: 'City of Generals' gets 2 more after 'farewell to arms' by Ajay Sura, TNN Jun 1, 2012, 05.01AM IST

Kargil Divas: Report from Mangalore

KARGIL VIJAYA DIWAS - 26 JUL 2011
My dear Brig,
I am submitting a brief account of activities of AFVs of Mangalore, on, Kargil Diwas, with a request to publish the same, in RMS.
We held a press briefing at the Press Club, Mangalore, on 25 Jul 11.
On 26 Jul 11, Radio "Mirchi"( 98.3 MHz ), organised a real time live Radio broadcast, from 0830 - 1100 hrs, where in, three AFVs, my self from Army, W O Radhakrishna Shetty from IA, P O Joachim D' Souza from IN, were interviewed. Two telephone interviews were also conducted with Brig I N Rai, SIKH LI, and Col Prem Kumar Shetty , JAK Rifles. It was well received by the public.
In the evening, at 1700 hrs, four Veterans were honoured at a public function. at the Don Bosco Hall, Mangalore. The AFVs were : Brig I N Rai, Col N S Bhandary, Wg Cdr D R Belle,and Cdr G P Mascarenhas.

Wing Commander D R Belle, Brigadier I N Rai, Colonel N S Bhandari and Lt Commander G P Mascarenhas were felicitated by Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Dr K N Vijayprakash on the commemoration of Kargil Vijay Divas.
At 2000 hrs, AFVs gathered at the War Memorial, at Kadri Hills, Mangalore. A large number of people including civilians and LIONS club members, attended. LIONS district Governor, Ln J K Rao, graced the occasion.
We all lit a candle each and placed a flower next to it.
It was a solemn and graceful function. There after, LIONS club, hosted a dinner for us.
With good wishes and warm regards,
Your's sincerely,
Col Nitteguthu Sharath Bhandary (Retd)

Ex servicemen observe Kargil Vijay Diwas on Kadri Hills
Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 27, 2011 :The 12th anniversary of the Kargil victory was celebrated as Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26 Tuesday by the DK District Ex Servicemen Association and Lions Club Mangalore on Kadri Hills, during which the soldiers who had laid down their lives while on duty were honored.
The dignitaries and eminent personalities present offered floral tributes to the martyrs at the war memorial. Candles were lit and a minutes silence was observed.
Kargil Vijay Diwas was held in commemoration of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1999. The two-month war, which commenced in May 1999 ended at the end of July when the Pakistani army retreated. The Indian Army lost 543 soldiers during the war, and these soldiers were honored after their death.
Ex servicemen observe Kargil Vijay Diwas on Kadri Hills

ESM enter State Elections

RASHTRIYA RAKSHA DAL, FIELDS MAJOR IS JAKHAR (RETD) FROM DELHI CANTT CONSTITUENCY

Dear Members of the Press,
Responding to a widely and long felt need for efficient and clean governance, retired Defence Personnel of India have decided to enter the legislative arena. Not only will such an effort inject dedicated, honest and experienced leaders into the polity, but also give a voice to the hitherto unrepresented but one of the largest communities- that of the retired defence services personnel (with a voting strength, which can be built up to eighty million).
Defence Personnel while in service, have so far been denied the rights to vote at the place of posting, the provision of which existed in the Election rules but was never put into practice in any of the Elections so far.
Rashtriya Raksha Dal, a party formed by Ex-Servicemen, is a Registered National Party.
Defence personnel are specially endowed with qualities of high integrity, loyalty, honesty and administrative acumen and ability to withstand long durations of sustained stress and strain. If Ex Servicemen, who have decades of experience, are elected as MPs and MLAs, they can contribute a lot to the nation building process. It is tragic that such talent as theirs has not so far been fully utilized, in spite of their retirement from active service at a relatively young age. This effort is aimed to correct this HRD shortcoming.
Major IS Jakhar, nominated by RRD, to stand for the Delhi Cantt constituency, besides being a voice for Defence personnel, will work with scrupulous honesty, total commitment and unparalleled efficiency to develop and maintain Delhi Cantt to a high standard as a livable constituency.
It is reliably learnt that Serving Defence personnel at Delhi Cantt have, once again not been registered as voters despite instructions by the Election Commissioner. Maj IS Jakhar has petitioned to the Chief Election, Officer Delhi State to order revision of voters to ensure 100 percent serving Defence personnel and their dependents are given the option to exercise their franchise at the place of posting before the Elections. This HQ is pursuing the correction of this injustice with the electoral authorities at different stages.
His Election symbol is "Pair of Candles". You are requested to kindly cover this item in your news paper/ TV Channel.

Yours faithfully,
Col MS Krishnamoorthy (Retd)
General Secretary
For Rashtriya Raksha Dal

Silent Protest against Recommendations of SCPC at Chandigarh

The silent event for persons living at Chandigarh and surrounding areas would be held at 1100 h on Sunday 27 April at the War Memorial located at the Bougainville Garden in Sector-3, Chandigarh.

The modalities would be as under:

All assemble outside the Garden at 1100 h.

All ranks, their spouses and families are requested to attend.

Officers and JCO’s are encouraged to wear regimental or any military neck-tie.

All ranks should wear medals – miniature medals for officers and full medals for PBOR. Regimental caps may also be worn.

All are requested to wear a black band on their left sleeve.

The proceedings will be in accordance with military ethos and discipline. There should be no slogan shouting and there will be no speeches.

Carrying of placards is discouraged. Static banners may be displayed at the venue, if considered absolutely essential.

All are encouraged to carry a candle, a flower or a bunch of flowers, which may be placed at the designated place at the Memorial.

After the assembly, at a signal by the organisers, individuals or small groups, not exceeding six, will move inside the Memorial and place their flowers/candles at the designated place and then move to the central area in front of the Memorial. This will be a continuous process. When all have assembled in the central area, a gong will be sounded for all to stand at attention and observe two minutes silence. At the end of two minutes, the gong will be sounded again to signify the end of the silence period. Thereafter, all will disperse in an orderly manner.

The media is being invited to attend in strength and cover the event fully.

The overall aim is to convey the concerns of the veterans, through the media, at the grossly anti- services bias of the Pay Commission.

Similar, or locally modified events, at maximum cities and towns, preferably on the same date, may be organized to get maximum impact.

This is for information of all Retired Officers, ESM and Veteran Organistions in India to coordinate the silent protest. For those organisations abroad a letter to Indian Consulate be handed over to lodge our protest.

Are ESM Welfare Organisations under any Scanner

All the non-profit and State welfare organisations must utilize 85% of its income in any financial year (1st April to 31st March) on the objects of the organisation. In case the organisation is unable to spend 85% of its income in the previous financial year due to late receipt of income or any other reason, the trustees/ governing body may exercise the option to spend the surplus immediately within subsequent 12 months. Surplus income can also be accumulated for a specific project, for a specific maxium number of years, as prescribed. The funds of the organisation are deposited according to the forms and modes specified u/s 11(5) of the Income Tax Act. Many organisations resort to spinning/ parking money in the Banks and circumvent the intended purpose.

We see so many ESM Welfare Organisations in the Public domain, but sadly none of them spell out their welfare activities in monetary terms and indicate precisely who benefits from these organisations in real terms. The audited accounts are not displayed in the respective websites violating the basic principle of transparency.

Moderator

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.

Retired Officers Serving a Noble Cause

Over the past 60 years of Independence, India has fought five major battles and survived numerous skirmishes to keep its borders intact and free of insurgents. The experiences of 1948, 1962, 1965, 1971, 1999 all have shown that the armed forces of India are our first and last line of defence against any enemy.

They have consistently proven their mettle since the First World War, when they fought with the British forces, as well as in recent wars and whenever the UN requested for assistance from the Indian government. The long list of medals, gallantry awards, VCs, PVSM, AVSM, VSM etc. underline this courage and leadership.

But the gallantry awards and victories did not come without a price. The armed forces of India have had to face human losses in battle, soldiers missing in action and wounded soldiers – those who could never go back to the forces again. These wounded were part of the fighting team, till injury separated them from the forces, leaving many of them to face their future alone.

Recently, veteran cricketer Kapil Dev agreed to be the goodwill ambassador of War Wounded Foundation. On August 15, 2004, he relaunched the book Paramveer - Our Heroes In Battle by Major General Ian Cardozo.

There are over 30,000 disabled soldiers in our country without proper rehabilitation. War Wounded Foundation is the only NGO working towards this cause. Founded by Lt. Gen (Retd) Vijay Oberoi and Maj. Gen Ian Cardozo, both of whom are war-disabled, the foundation has been able to make significant advances despite paucity of funds.

They have come up with a small website about these unsung war heroes. Donations to the War Wounded Foundation are exempt from tax under Sec. 80 G of income tax act. Corporates which are already contributors to the War Wounded Foundation include Apollo Tyres, IOC, MICO, Kinetic, Pepsi, Piaggio, Ambuja Cement and Hindustan Lever.

Website: http://www.warwounded.org/

The people behind this organisation.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM, President of this organisation. He lost his leg in a 1965 skirmish with the Pakistani infiltrators. An officer of Maratha Light Infantry, he continued to serve in the army for 40 years, retiring from the post of Vice Chief of the Indian Army. He was selected as the International Fellow from India at the US Army War College. He continues to be active in intellectual/ Social work.

Maj Gen Ian Cardozo (Retd), AVSM, SM; Vice President of this organisation. An officer of the 5th Gorkha Rifles, he lost his leg as a Major in the war of 1971. He became the first war-disabled officer to Command a Battalion and a Brigade and retired as Chief of Staff of a Corps in the eastern sector. He is now a social activist, an author and a military historian.

Mr. Mukesh Anand, is the Executive Director of this organisation. Son of an Army officer, he devoted himself to serving the cause of retired/ disabled soldiers after the Kargil war. He has been instrumental in rehabilitating a large number of retired/ disabled soldiers.

HARPREET KAUR
War Wounded Foundation, 2 Balbir Saxena Marg, Hauz Khas, New Delhi
Credit: http://www.dancewithshadows.com/society/war-wounded-foundation1.asp

Opportunities for Ex Servicemen

Home Stays
Ex-servicemen offer home stays, launch venture to promote tourism. In Kochi a new era has started in the field of tourist home stays in the State with ex-servicemen venturing into the field. The Kerala Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association has given shape to Ex-Servicemen Tourism Development Organisation (EXTO) to provide safe, hygienic and quality accommodation and other amenities to tourists.

Eco-Task Forces
Four Eco-Task Forces (ETFs) of ex-servicemen are being funded by the NAEB. These ETFs comprise of ex-servicemen and are commanded by serving JCOs and Commissioned Officers. Forest Departments of the State Governments, in which the ETFs are located, provide technical support to the ETFs. The activities undertaken include afforestation, pasture development, soil and water conservation and other restorative works. The 9th plan allocation for the scheme is Rs. 24.00 crores. The ETFs are presently located at Kiarkuli, Bikaner, Samba, Pithoragarh.

Manning Toll Booths
This scheme is being formulated and implemented by the National Highway Authority of India. Ex Servicemen will be inducted in a phased manner.

Computer Training Centre
To rehabilitate ex-servicemen, Department of Sainik Welfare has opened a computer centre to train ex-servicemen at Thrissur district in Kerala. It was felt that making ex-servicemen, especially those under the age of 45, computer-literate, as an important step towards rehabilitation. Of the 1.46 lakh ex-servicemen in the state, 11,842 are from Thrissur. They include world war veterans, retired short-service commissioned officers and personnel who opted for retirement after fifteen years of service. The Department of Sainik Welfare plans to associate with national agencies in this regard. Qualified teachers from these agencies would handle the classes. Basic courses such as MS Office are on offer to start with initially. The total fee for each course is Rs 100. The basic qualification of the candidates SSLC/ Army Equivalent.

Self Employment
Large scope exists in avenues like in manufacturing activities, small scale service establishments, agriculture, tiny, cottage and village industries. The DGR has launched a few self-employment schemes for the resettlement of ex-servicemen and widows. Among the self-employment schemes, SEMFEX-II, SEMFEX-III and National Equity Fund are the prominent ones.

Reliance Fresh
Reliance Industries plans to hire several thousands of ex-servicemen as it spreads wings in the retail sector. Having set up outlets in a number of cities, the Reliance Retail has offered jobs in plenty to the large pool of talented and qualified workforce emerging out of the forces. As its footprints expands across the country, the company has the capacity to employ all of around 60,000 uniformed men retiring every year, Colonel (Retired) S.P. Nanda, Vice-President, Reliance Industries, told a day-long seminar in New Delhi. A large number of jobs are also being constantly created by the group in specialized professions like drivers for cranes, bulldozers and earth movers and heavy machinery operators.

The Indian Veterans Network
A body of retired defence personnel from India and abroad, was launched by the chief guest, former Information and Broadcasting Minister Brigadier (Retd) K. P. Singh Deo. An initiative of the Chandigarh- based Institute of Tourism and Future Management (ITFT Group), the Network, to be registered as a society and consisting of retired officers of the three services, would provide a platform for reoccupation and welfare of their families. Addressing the delegates, Lt. General (Retd.) Ranjit Singh Dyal, ITFT Chairman and former Lt Governor of Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar islands, said a global network conference of Indian Veterans would be held on the sidelines of the 3-day Bharatiya Pravasi Diwas celebrations in January next year. General Dyal said the conference would offer an opportunity to interact with about 8,000 ex-servicemen settled abroad, part of the 26 million Indian diaspora, and explore overseas job opportunities for retiring servicemen.
Web Portal http://indianveteransnetwork.com/

Ex Servicemen and Self Employment

Analysts say the number of approvals required from government agencies for setting up mid- size industrial plants has increased in some sectors despite economic reforms.

To set up a mid- size factory, at least fifteen state and six central government clearances are required. And that's not all. Indian manufacturers face an average 7.4 visits each year from government officials, wryly nicknamed "inspector raj".

Drastic changes may be visible soon as the government plans to cut down the time taken for various clearances to 3 months from present 10 months. But some areas such as employment are more problematic.

It is estimated that there are 47 central government laws and 157 state regulations governing employment— often inconsistent and at times overlapping.

Reforming labour regulations is a priority for India. The current rigidities impose significant costs in terms of lost jobs, but policy makers say touching them is just too controversial. Till now there is no unified policy to regulate employing ESM as security Guards in Civil Sectors. Most of ESM working with Security Agencies are underpaid and exploited.

There is strong opposition to reforms in India from certain quarters and they embrace or include both the left and the right. Reforms have been fitful, ad hoc and they have been abandoned as soon as they have encountered political or other kinds of opposition.

Ex Servicemen need fast tract clearances for setting up mid size projects and industrial units to utilise the reservoir of latent talent available for self employment.

James Kanagaraj
Lt Col (Retd)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brig Sukhwindar writes...
I am afraid the Post 'Ex-Servicemen and Self-Employment' is NOT well-researched. I have been running a private ltd company in IT since 1998. Only one official has visited Me. Yes, other Sectors have more Inspectors coming. There is a lot of change now. CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and Other Trade Orgns continuously pressurise the Govt. on the Issue. Mid-sized companies by the ESM? Just kindly look at the Outlay needed. This Article would scare away would- be ESM Entrepreneurs. Suggest the "loader" must correct the facts in the article.

Sukhwindar Singh
Brig (Retd)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kindly Visit
India’s Prime Minister warns business about the “cancer of corruption”
Riding a Elephant

James Kanagaraj
Lt Col (Retd)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How to Be a Veteran Leader

Want to know how to be an awesome Ex Servicemen leader that people can look up to? Here's your chance to find out. Our Retiring Jawans need more attention in civilian life. Who better qualifies to lead them?

1. Be very dedicated to what you are doing. Being a leader is a lot of responsibility and hard work, and you have to be up to it. Truly understand the field in which you are leading and be willing to spend a lot of time with whoever you're working with.
2. Help out others as much as you can. Spend quality time with those that need you.
3. Know right from wrong. Be cooperative as much as you can but also realize when you need to be assertive. Let people know when they are doing something that is not right.
4. Lead from the front. Put yourself on the front lines with your people, instead of trying to lead by just barking orders.
5. Be a good role model. Support those you are working with and do all you can to show everyone the strength of your team/ group.
6. Have confidence and be positive. A good leader never lets their team down. The meaning of the word team is "Together Everyone Achieves More". Work with everyone you can and have a good attitude.

Tips
Give everything all you've got. Just remember that people are relying on you.
Encourage those who follow you and build alliances.
Your example will set the tone. If you are patient and optimistic, ESM will learn to follow your example.

Warnings
Don't get too carried away. Being a leader doesn't mean you need to be cracking a whip over others constantly.
Don't be overly critical, but constructive.

Message from Chief of Army Staff

On the occasion of Army Day, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all ranks of the Army, ex-servicemen, civilians and families.

The Indian Army has passed through yet another significant year that has added glory to its magnificent past. This has been possible due to your high standard of professionalism, sense of selfless service, bravery and commitment towards the organisation. The year gone by abounds with your bravery and unwavering sense of duty. You epitomize secularism, national integration and harmony.

I compliment all those deployed along our vast borders for their colossal contribution in improving the proxy war and internal security situation. I would also like to compliment our Officers, JCOs and men who are keeping peace in several countries of the world as part of United Nations Peace Keeping Force. In performance of our duty we have earned the gratitude, respect and appreciation of our countrymen.

There will be many challenges ahead in the year to come. I am sure we shall surmount these too with the same zeal, gusto and confidence, that has been the hallmark of our great Army. Our efforts to upgrade the Army and make it technologically uptodate are beginning to bear fruit. Once completed these will go a long way towards making our Army stronger, vibrant and dynamic.

On this occasion, I call upon all ranks to rededicate themselves to the service of our motherland.

May God be with you in all your endeavours.

JAI HIND

DEEPAK KAPOOR
General

New Delhi, 15 Jan 2008

Ex Servicemen Statistics. Are they Mercenaries?

Punjab is the topper, Bengal ranks a lowly 14th in a state-wise break-up of the number of ex-servicemen, according to statistics placed by defence minister A.K. Antony in Parliament 0n 13 May 2007.
While these figures are not a definitive indicator that Bengalis do not opt for military service in large numbers, they definitely show that 150 years after the first war of independence in 1857 — which was commemorated last year — the “non-martial races” continue to be poorly represented in the armed forces. Ex-servicemen are registered with the Rajya Sainik Boards and the Zilla Sainik Boards. The defence ministry is urging police and paramilitary forces to recruit ex-servicemen in larger numbers for internal security duties.
In Bihar, the government has raised the Bihar Auxiliary Force to combat Maoist militants. The state has recruited 5,000 ex-servicemen in November and December.

Are Ex servicemen mercenaries?

Around 500 ex-servicemen from Kerala, who had served in various fighting units of the Indian Army, have been recruited from the central districts of Kerala for deployment in Iraq as security guards.

Termed as the first ever 'Indian regiment' to work as a mercenary force for the US, the recruitment was done by a Kuwaiti company working for the US Army without the knowledge of the Central Government and other bodies responsible for the welfare of ex-servicemen. We need, first of all, to understand the scenario with some clarity. There are many categories of Indians in Iraq today. There are those, for instance, who have been working there even before the war last year — some of whom have been living in Iraq for decades, even generations. A lot of these people would have lost their jobs in the upheaval caused by the war and its aftermath, and would be looking for sources of subsistence and employment in a country now mired in lawlessness. There are also many who have recently gone to Iraq in search of jobs, either legally or otherwise, either through contractors or independently. The emoluments on offer — going by the hazards involved — are much higher than normal. Many, therefore, are willing to risk their lives in order to get these jobs, which are in great demand. A single US contractor has 100,000 applicants on its waiting list!

A sepoy/ Jawan (private) is being offered as much as $750 a month, a captain $1,250, major/ lieutenant-colonel $1,750, a colonel $2,500 and brigadier $3,500. A serving brigadier in the Indian Army earns much less than $1,000 a month - a Jawan about $150 a month. Most of the ex-servicemen chosen are below the age of 55 and medically fit. Preference is given to those who have been involved in counter-insurgency operations, fighting guerrilla attacks in northeast India or experience of war.

Why should Ex servicemen, known for their professionalism and discipline, be branded as mercenaries when in reality they are only used as Security Personnel to guard Iraq assets from Terrorists attacks? They are akin to any other Indian Worker in the Middle East!

Brain Exercises keep Ex- Servicemen Ship Shape

Tease your brain
A child being teased responds with an increased energy and flow of adrenaline. Likewise, brainteasers increase the flow of energy to the brain, exercising short-term memory. Teasers force concentration, converting long-term memory into a library of information. Puzzles, riddles, word searches, Sudoku, and even a good mystery book can stimulate the brain's ability to reason and calculate.

Use it or lose it
Anxiety and stress drain the mind. Boredom and repetition put the mind into a state of suspended animation. Deep and deliberate breathing, much like that of yoga, reduces stress.

Working a crossword puzzle each day has limited benefits. Cross-train your brain much like you would your body. Alternate a word puzzle with games for senior citizens and computer games. Seniors try a fun game that wakes up the mind, so when your brain becomes gridlocked, take a walk. Sitting up straight in your seat increases alertness, concentration, and the level at which your brain functions.

The brain is a giant computer that shuts down under extreme stress to avoid loss of pertinent data. Simplify problems and encounter them as a general leads his army into war - one battle at a time. Exercise/ walk to release negative energies and to improve memory.

Food for thought
Simple carbohydrates have a lethargic effect. As the body absorbs foods like sugar, white flour nan, potatoes, and rice, insulin is released into the bloodstream and the combination depletes energy sources. Fish and nuts (high in omega-3 fatty acids) are considered brain foods. Alcohol and beverages consumed in right quantities can be beneficial, overdoses become addictive.

Dreamer's Club

Now as an Ex Serviceman you can directly interact with Chief of Army Staff at http://tempweb51.nic.in/index.php

The website is user friendly with guidelines for becoming a member and then posting your Dreams.
It is really cool.

Ex- Servicemen Ideally Suited for the Corporate World

Approximately 60,000 army personnel retire every year; 3,000 are officers, most of them in their mid-50s, according to numbers provided by the Indian Ministry of Defence. This means many are in the prime of their working lives, retiring with an abundance of experience that they can ply in the private sector.

Velichati Satyanandam runs his office with military precision. As head of corporate services at business process outsourcer Nipuna Services Ltd., a subsidiary of Satyam Computer Services, he must ensure that 250 cars and drivers carry 3,000 employees from their homes to one of three offices in Hyderabad, India, every day. Every week scores of people quit while new employees are hired to work the nine-hour shifts for the U.K. market (start time: 3:30 p.m. local time) and the U.S. market (start time: 6:30 p.m.). On a recent day in late May, two rows of chairs for potential applicants outside Nipuna’s offices all were filled. Satyanandam is well-equipped to deal with this ongoing logistical crisis because like many executives in India’s new economy, including some human resource executives, he cut his managerial chops in the Indian armed forces. He retired in 1998 as a wing commander after 21 years in the Indian air force. He now brings a can-do attitude to his work running the logistical end of a BPO, which includes managing the company’s facilities. "Running a BPO is more like crisis management," Satyanandam says. "You can’t hide behind bureaucratic rules and say, ‘It can’t be done’. "

With India’s economy on a tear and companies hiring thousands of people a year, the armed forces have become a logical and bountiful place from which to hire employees, from the entry level on up. Approximately 60,000 army personnel retire every year; 3,000 are officers, most of them in their mid-50s, according to numbers provided by the Indian Ministry of Defence. This means many are in the prime of their working lives, retiring with an abundance of experience that they can ply in the private sector.

"In society, all the main management principles are developed by the armed forces," says S. Raja Gopal, a retired army colonel who lives in Hyderabad. That was the case even in ancient times, he adds. Gopal, 48, spent 25 years in the army, beginning with three years of training at the National Defence Academy, the Indian version of West Point. Eventually he became a "Black Cat" commando, part of the army’s special forces. He served in hot spots like Kashmir, where the country has fought a protracted border war with Pakistan. He says the leadership skills he learned during more than 20 live operations, which included the capture of 400 Islamic militants, helped him start a private security company. He now manages more than 500 employees, many of whom are security guards who also got their training in the Indian army. Gopal says his experience helps him know how to motivate employees and develop loyalty secured by more than just receipt of a paycheck. He has been able to retain 99 percent of his employees during the past three years, though he says his is not the highest-paying security company in Hyderabad. A man prone to understatement, Gopal recalled one mission from his army days, when he and his men were airlifted into the Himalayas on an eight-hour mission that stretched into five days. With only enough food for 24 hours, Gopal had to keep his troops motivated as they crossed the rugged terrain. "Have I eaten? No. Am I moving? Yes," he told his men. "So move with me."So how does this translate to the private sector? "It makes you realize, ‘I can do anything,’ " he says. "If the work is there, you don’t go home and go to sleep."

The government has institutions, such as the Directorate General of Resettlement, to help ex-servicemen find training and employment. But one Indian headhunter has found a niche placing retired military personnel in private-sector jobs. Appropriately named Bridgehead Consulting, the year-and-a-half-old company that was started by former military personnel has found upper management jobs for about 40 former officers. Venkat Ramana Rao, a former captain who served under Gopal, helped launch Bridgehead after completing a six-month course in human resources management at the state-run Indian Institute of Management in Lucknow in 2005. Rao says the new economy’s high demand for managers has made it easier for officers to penetrate a company’s upper management. "Earlier, for officers to start above the vice president level, it was not possible," Rao says. That’s because jobs were scarce and promotions were based more strictly on hierarchy, not merit, he explains.

Now that some former officers have reached the management ranks, they say they prefer hiring ex-military personnel like themselves. At his previous employer, Satyanandam hired 10 employees with a military background; seven were senior managers. Since arriving at Nipuna, he’s hired 10 people from the military, five of whom are in senior positions.

C.K. Veeresh, vice president of business operations for Computer Associates in Hyderabad, says he learned discipline during the five years he spent in an artillery regiment. Veeresh, 45, went from the army to the private sector in 1990 and was later hired by the public sector to promote economic development. Now he is in charge of business development and external and government relations for Computer Associates.

Ravi Babu, a retired colonel, has been in the corporate world since he left the army in 1996 after 22 years. During his tenure in the army, Ravi, 53, completed a master’s degree in computer science and taught computer science. While looking for a private-sector job in 1996, his future boss said to him: "We need a guy who can manage things. "Until the recent private-sector tech boom, the army was the center of technological innovation in India, and those who served in the service were the sources of that innovation. Today, Ravi says: "Indian companies want to create wealth, they want to innovate. They don’t just want to provide services". Officers, he says, have the management and people skills to do that. "You get fresh guys from IITs to do programming," Ravi says, referring to the Indian Institutes of Technology. "But you need people who can deal with client relationships. This is more important."

By Jeremy Smerd
Credit: http://www.workforce.com/section/09/feature/25/09/00/index.html

Indomitable Spirit of a Brave Soldier

Two weeks ago, I was invited to participate in the Founder's Day Celebrations of Peevees Public School at Nilambur, near Calicut in Kerala. I took that opportunity to go and look up my friend Brig PT Gangadharan who lives in Calicut and has been sending some very lovely pictures and quips which I have been forwarding them to my friends.

What I saw there, touched my heart. Gangadharan was commissioned in the Brigade of the Guards in 1971 and when he was commanding a Brigade in the valley, he was shot at by insurgents in Mar 2000. In the gun battle which ensued, he slipped and fell into a deep ravine. The fall damaged his spine and he is now paralyzed below his chest. Despite his near total disability, he is neither bitter nor helpless. He has learnt to use the computer and keeps himself occupied, picking up some of the nicest pieces from the Internet. With literally no support from any one, he sends his selection to more than 300 friends. The list is growing.

As one sits with him and his wife, one is filled with admiration for the indomitable spirit of this brave soldier. His motto in life is

"NEVER LOOK DOWN ON ANY ONE EXCEPT TO HELP HIM"

Wishing you all the very best for the New Year!

Maj Gen Surjit Singh
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brig Ganga writes

1. Thank you for placing my details in Signals blog.
2. It is kind of Gen Surjit to have taken the pains to visit me at Calicut and thereafter sending the letter. I am not a hero as you say but an ordinary soldier. There is a little factual error in the case. I was commanding a Brigade on the LoC and therefore the firing was from across the border, in the form of speculative fire, prevalent in border locations. My injury is as result of a fall for over 200 meters.
3. Thank you once again for placing my details in the Signal blog.

With best wishes and regards,
PT Gangadharan
Brig (Retd)
Date: 01 Jan 2008

ECHS- Constraints

Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM (Retired), Former SO-in-C, met Maj Gen RK Kalra, the MD of ECHS, at the beginning of this month and informed him of certain problems being faced by retired Defence Personnel. In turn Gen Kalra explained what all is being done by HQ ECHS to improve the services. But being a Govt setup, the bureaucratic hassles have to be overcome by them (as we have faced in Delhi during our tenures).

Gen Harbhajan Singh further informed Gen Kalra about the 'Report My Signal - Blog' setup at website http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/
In view of lack of a forum for proper interaction between retired Defence personnel and ECHS, Gen Harbhajan suggested to Gen Kalra that retired Defence personnel could put up their suggestions on the Blog, which Gen Kalra or one of his officers could periodically check and take necessary action where feasible. General Kalra agreed to the suggestion.

Therefore, it is suggested to members that as and when you wish to put up a suggestion regarding ECHS, please send your suggestion to -
'Report My Signal - Blog' setup at website http://reportmysignal.blogspot.com/

The link for sending your email to The Blog is given at the Blog itself, under Heading - "Sharing",

OR you can directly use the email ID - reportmysignalblogspot@gmail.com for sending your suggestion.

You would appreciate that it would depend on ECHS officers whether to visit the Blog and read your suggestions or not; and whether piecemeal suggestion can bring out the desired results? All the same let us make efforts and hope for the best.

CS Kamboj
Brig (Retd)

ECHS- Feedback

Dear friends,

Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was launched with effect from 01 Apr 2003. The aim of the Scheme is to provide quality medicare to its members and their authorised dependents through 227 ECHS Polyclinics and a network of service and empanelled hospitals and diagnostic centres. The Scheme is fully financed by the Government.

There is a network of 227 polyclinics, ie, 106 Military and 121 Non Military Stations Polyclinics, based on density of ESM in various regions.

With the ECHS now functional for nearly five years, it is disheartening to hear criticism of the scheme.

There are numerous reasons for lack of popularity of the scheme. However instead of analyzing reasons, what is necessary, now, is to collect objective feedback and try to convince the authorities to carry out introspection with an open mind, and bring about improvements.

Having retired only in Dec 2006, I have very little experience of ECHS so far. However since some friends (coursemates in particular) have asked me to project a case, may I request you for your feedback. If you can collect feedback from your colleagues and forward it, you would contribute immensely to the cause.

Feedback is requested covering the aspects given below: -

Personal particulars .
Service No, Rank, Name.
Arm/Service/Regt/Branch.
Date of retirement/ leaving service.
ECHS Membership No.
Postal Address.
Email ID.
Phone/Mobile No.
Any other detail you wish to give.

Any comment regarding the org at the Army HQ (old name), Comd HQ, Stn levels.

Adequacy of staff vis a vis requirement. No of doctors and No of exservicemen dependent on the clinic. Is there a need to tailor the org of clinics based on requirements?

Competence and attitude of the staff.

Is there a need for more specialists, even on part time basis, once or twice a week?

Difficulties experienced in dealing with affiliated hospitals, and diagnostic centres.

Procedures followed by ECHS to prevent fraud or misuse. How justified and whether it is too bureaucratic. Any examples.

Any info on the finances of ECHS. Reasons for non clearance of bills of hosp, if known. Any avoidable expenditure in the clinics. Use of ECHS ambulances, if any (are they used for patients?).

Feedback systems in place. Attitude of different authorities.
Are you aware of any actions taken by any ex servicemen orgs or individuals, in this regard, so far? If anyone else is working on this please let me know.

Comment on the overall ambience. Is there place for patients to wait or do they wait in verandas and corridors? Parking space adequate? For how many vehs should it cater? This would depend on No of patients expected and time spent in clinics.

Your recommendations to make it an ideal org.

I intend using only authentic feedback with names and dates.

If some other issues arise on receipt of feedback I intend asking for more data to support such issues.

I will need data of as many stations as possible. I recommend special efforts to collect this data, to include interaction with pers in the clinics, and with the stn cdrs. Aim is to improve the system and not point out individual faults. The stn cdrs may be assured of the same, in case you interact.

May I take the liberty of reminding you that medical requirements will only increase with age. So efforts to collect feedback and attempts to bring about improvements are our investments for a better future. Feedback collected from senior colleagues will be most useful.

During visits to the ECHS or with your Regt affiliation could you please collect feedback from JCOs and OR, with their particulars.

Early action is requested. Comments should be sent on email ID echsfeedback@gmail.com

Even if our success is limited, we would have collected some data and made some progress which could be used in subsequent cases.

For those who do not know me, I would like to make it clear that I am no authority on the subject, and there are scores of senior offrs who would handle the case better. I harbour no grudge against any org nor do I have any axe to grind. Also I have no bitter experience of ECHS. I am doing this only because I hear a general crib and feel it is better to do something more positive.

Request excuse use of some commonly used abvns in my comns.

Regards.

Lt Gen KK Khanna, PVSM, AVSM** (Retired)

Ex-Servicemen's Welfare in the Ministry of Defence

The UPA Government will ensure that all delays in the modernisation of the armed forces are eliminated and that all funds earmarked for modernisation are spent fully at the earliest.

The UPA will set up a new Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare in the Ministry of Defence. The long-pending issue of one-rank, one-pension will be re-examined.

The UPA Government will make the National Security Council a professional and effective institution.

The UPA Government is committed to maintaining a credible nuclear weapons programme while at the same time it will evolve demonstrable and verifiable confidence-building measures with its nuclear neighbours. It will take a leadership role in promoting universal, nuclear disarmament and working for a nuclear weapons-free world.

The UPA has been concerned with the manner in which POTA has been grossly misused in the past two years. There will be no compromise in the fight against terrorism. But given the abuse of POTA that has taken place, the UPA Government will repeal it, while existing laws are enforced strictly.

The UPA Government will take the strictest possible action without fear or favour, against all those individuals and organisations who spread social discord, disturb social amity and propagate religious bigotry and communal hatred. The law of the land will be enforced effectively.

Credit: http://archivenews.blogspot.com/2007/12/full-text-of-cmp-of-upa-govt.html

Resettlement of Ex-Serviceman

The Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) under the Ministry of Defence looks after matters connected with the resettlement and welfare of Ex-servicemen (ESM) and their dependents. Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) under the chairmanship of the Raksha Mantri lays down general policies for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents, for administration of welfare funds, and also for coordinating the work of the Sainik Boards in the country. Similarly, at the State level the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and at the district level the Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) have been established. The Government of India bears 50 per cent of the expenditure incurred on the organisation of Rajya Sainik Boards while the remaining expenditure is borne by the respective State Governments.

Credit: http://india.gov.in/hindi/sectors/defence7.php

RAJYA AND ZILA SAINIK BOARD AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

http://www.dgrindia.com/directorate/kbs2.html