Indian Ex Servicemen Movement Video
Date: Wednesday, 29 April, 2009, 9:40 PM
Dear Colleagues,
Election News
Efforts continue to help BJP in their elections. Addressing rallies, Press conferences, interactive sessions etc are some of the methods being followed by the Core Gp in particular and the ESM in general.
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM
Showing posts with label General Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Elections. Show all posts
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Who should I vote for?
Only two days are left for the first phase of the General Elections and a few Assembly level elections. People are being exhorted to vote and there are slogans of ‘need for change’. However, overshadowing these is the business of traditional elections, which seems to have changed little. Large processions; huge rallies; film stars dragged out for canvassing; large crowds of shouting supporters are all de rigueur, as are bands, flowers, paying obeisance to all deities in the surrounding areas and of course menacing looking guards surrounding the ‘netas’. Their protection ability may well be low but without them no ‘neta’ worth the name will step out of his house!
While this great election tamasha has commenced, do the voters know who to vote for? I am certainly clueless about who I should vote for.
The voters are by and large clear about what they want– good governance; strong action against terrorism; better law and order; jobs for everyone; eradication of poverty; no corruption; focus on environmental degradation; equitable distribution of wealth and status – all knowledgeable and correct aspirations. However, who out of the thousands in the election fray would actually give us these? The couple of thousand aspirants for the Lok Sabha are all tall on promises and high in rhetoric, but when you look at their background or record of governance and the kind of company they keep (their parties and their connections with criminals); there are major doubts whether they will be able to deliver and meet the voter’s aspirations. The question therefore remains – who should I vote for?
With a view to clear my mind, I carried out an appreciation of the situation, as we do in the army. Let me share the salient points with you. The first and obvious question which bugged me no end was whether one should vote for a party or an individual. After all, it is one of the parties that will eventually be called upon to form the government and our concerns and aspirations would have to be met by it. I therefore analysed each party.
The oldest party was first on the list, especially as it was the party in power, along with sundry smaller parties and individuals, which formed the coalition. I listed their past achievements, their current promises and other relevant points, especially how they had performed and delivered. Being an ardent secularist, it received a positive point. Other points in favour included the Indo-US nuclear deal; the economic growth; the opening up of the economy, despite being dragged down by their obdurate partners-the communists; and the fact that they had managed to last their full term. But there are many negatives too – weak-kneed response to terrorist attacks; choosing unprofessional and timid security advisors; relying solely on ‘soft power’ in foreign policy formulations; no control over the rapacious bureaucracy; little understanding of military power and consequent choking of funds for defence; and similar inadequacies that have made the nation a ‘soft state’.
Then I analysed the next biggest party, which was trying to make a comeback after losing out in the last hustings. Being a rightist party, it understands security issues better, but has been unable to take tough stands when it was in power. It has very few leaders of caliber and it is heavily influenced by the ideas of Hindu ideologues, something least desirable in a secular country; its partners are again steeped in narrow and sectarian issues and it has major internal dissentions, although the latter is not peculiar to this party only. Its biggest negative, in my view, is its hard-line Hindutva policy, which has produced rabble-rousers who can take to extreme violence to further their ends. In our multi-lingual and multi-religious country, which has been known for millennia as tolerant to all religions, there is no place for any party that spreads hatred in the name of religion. Although it is now trying to make amends by wooing military personnel, having understood that they are no longer in a state of somnolence, by making promises which the oldest party, in its vanity, has ignored, most military personnel are unlikely to be overly influenced, especially as the past record of the party does not inspire confidence.
Need I say anything about the third aspirant to power, the so-called ‘third front’ – a grouping of has-beens and opportunists? Can anyone trust them when they have abandoned their partners for dubious short-term gains? No one in his right mind should even think of supporting such a conglomerate of diverse parties, mostly small. How can such a coalition deliver when their focus is on petty local issues? Even the coalitions anchored in the major parties have found it difficult to govern. In any case, depending on the equations, when the results are announced, the bulk of these small parties will commence hobnobbing and horse trading with the major parties.
I am afraid space does not permit me to share my analyses of the other prominent but considerably smaller parties, except to highlight the perfidy and anti-national stances (since Independence) of the communists, who need to be boycotted by all thinking persons; the gross populism of the party in power in UP, where their latest promise is to further increase reservations and even in the army-God forbid! Power was known to corrupt, but this is a case of power making one insane!
Therefore, only a party approach is unlikely to lead the voter to the correct conclusions; it has to be modulated by a detailed look at individuals also. This is even more difficult. The candidates are as diverse as our society. There are criminals of various hues, who must be discarded immediately, irrespective of the party to which they belong. The same goes for the known-corrupt; the ultra-religious; and racial zealots. The bureaucrats turned politicians, whose ulterior motives have turned to power and pelf now, to safeguard their ill-gotten wealth, must on no account be supported. We next come to the category of entertainers, both of the Bollywood and the cricketing varieties, who have been dragged into the fray both by their personal motives as well as by the parties to add colour and oomph to their campaigns. What has been their contribution in the past to governance? Zilch in my view, except for displaying their ‘matkas’ and ‘jhatkas’! It would only be crazy fans and we do have a fair share, who will vote for them!
What about other independents then? They are of two varieties. The first are those who did not get a ticket from their party and are therefore so-called rebels. In my dictionary, they are highly untrustworthy and need to be discarded. That leaves a few independents, with a record of being straight, honest and efficient? It is no doubt difficult to identify them in a sea of opportunist rogues, but with effort a few, very few, can be found. There is Shiv Khera at Delhi and Arun Bhatia at Pune and there is a sprinkling of down-to-earth, honest and upright military veterans, whose only aim is to reform the system from within and they are undoubtedly capable of doing so.
I also considered casting the “I Vote Nobody” option, as enshrined in the constitution, but there is currently a lacuna in this also, as such votes are not counted as ‘minus votes’ for the winner, which was the intention of the framers of our constitution. So far, the wily politicians have stymied both the election commission and the Supreme Court.
So Sir, who should I vote for? Can someone help?
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Dear Gen Oberoi,
Your mail has your characteristic wit, and a philosophic touch. Many of us are faced with the same quandary and seek a prudent answer. You have, of course, analyzed the options in a very succinct manner.
Many years ago, our father was face with this problem. He found a way out of this quagmire. He voted for the party which he hated the least. Our mother was advised to cast her vote in favor of the nearest rival. And our servant was told to choose the "third" alternative.
This way, he was spared the guilt of not exercising his franchise and he was also able to tell the supporters of all the parties that he was sympathetic to them, without telling a lie.
Indeed, as a soldier, he disliked all politicians. And so if you have three votes in the house, this could be the DS solution to the question at the end of your mail.
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)
Dear General Oberoi,
I read your article with interest, I am also facing the same dilemma. Possibly the answer would be to change the system of polling' one votes for a party and not an individual. Depending on the no of votes polled by a party it could be allotted a certain number of seats in the Parliament and it then nominate its candidates.
Regards,
Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)
While this great election tamasha has commenced, do the voters know who to vote for? I am certainly clueless about who I should vote for.
The voters are by and large clear about what they want– good governance; strong action against terrorism; better law and order; jobs for everyone; eradication of poverty; no corruption; focus on environmental degradation; equitable distribution of wealth and status – all knowledgeable and correct aspirations. However, who out of the thousands in the election fray would actually give us these? The couple of thousand aspirants for the Lok Sabha are all tall on promises and high in rhetoric, but when you look at their background or record of governance and the kind of company they keep (their parties and their connections with criminals); there are major doubts whether they will be able to deliver and meet the voter’s aspirations. The question therefore remains – who should I vote for?
With a view to clear my mind, I carried out an appreciation of the situation, as we do in the army. Let me share the salient points with you. The first and obvious question which bugged me no end was whether one should vote for a party or an individual. After all, it is one of the parties that will eventually be called upon to form the government and our concerns and aspirations would have to be met by it. I therefore analysed each party.
The oldest party was first on the list, especially as it was the party in power, along with sundry smaller parties and individuals, which formed the coalition. I listed their past achievements, their current promises and other relevant points, especially how they had performed and delivered. Being an ardent secularist, it received a positive point. Other points in favour included the Indo-US nuclear deal; the economic growth; the opening up of the economy, despite being dragged down by their obdurate partners-the communists; and the fact that they had managed to last their full term. But there are many negatives too – weak-kneed response to terrorist attacks; choosing unprofessional and timid security advisors; relying solely on ‘soft power’ in foreign policy formulations; no control over the rapacious bureaucracy; little understanding of military power and consequent choking of funds for defence; and similar inadequacies that have made the nation a ‘soft state’.
Then I analysed the next biggest party, which was trying to make a comeback after losing out in the last hustings. Being a rightist party, it understands security issues better, but has been unable to take tough stands when it was in power. It has very few leaders of caliber and it is heavily influenced by the ideas of Hindu ideologues, something least desirable in a secular country; its partners are again steeped in narrow and sectarian issues and it has major internal dissentions, although the latter is not peculiar to this party only. Its biggest negative, in my view, is its hard-line Hindutva policy, which has produced rabble-rousers who can take to extreme violence to further their ends. In our multi-lingual and multi-religious country, which has been known for millennia as tolerant to all religions, there is no place for any party that spreads hatred in the name of religion. Although it is now trying to make amends by wooing military personnel, having understood that they are no longer in a state of somnolence, by making promises which the oldest party, in its vanity, has ignored, most military personnel are unlikely to be overly influenced, especially as the past record of the party does not inspire confidence.
Need I say anything about the third aspirant to power, the so-called ‘third front’ – a grouping of has-beens and opportunists? Can anyone trust them when they have abandoned their partners for dubious short-term gains? No one in his right mind should even think of supporting such a conglomerate of diverse parties, mostly small. How can such a coalition deliver when their focus is on petty local issues? Even the coalitions anchored in the major parties have found it difficult to govern. In any case, depending on the equations, when the results are announced, the bulk of these small parties will commence hobnobbing and horse trading with the major parties.
I am afraid space does not permit me to share my analyses of the other prominent but considerably smaller parties, except to highlight the perfidy and anti-national stances (since Independence) of the communists, who need to be boycotted by all thinking persons; the gross populism of the party in power in UP, where their latest promise is to further increase reservations and even in the army-God forbid! Power was known to corrupt, but this is a case of power making one insane!
Therefore, only a party approach is unlikely to lead the voter to the correct conclusions; it has to be modulated by a detailed look at individuals also. This is even more difficult. The candidates are as diverse as our society. There are criminals of various hues, who must be discarded immediately, irrespective of the party to which they belong. The same goes for the known-corrupt; the ultra-religious; and racial zealots. The bureaucrats turned politicians, whose ulterior motives have turned to power and pelf now, to safeguard their ill-gotten wealth, must on no account be supported. We next come to the category of entertainers, both of the Bollywood and the cricketing varieties, who have been dragged into the fray both by their personal motives as well as by the parties to add colour and oomph to their campaigns. What has been their contribution in the past to governance? Zilch in my view, except for displaying their ‘matkas’ and ‘jhatkas’! It would only be crazy fans and we do have a fair share, who will vote for them!
What about other independents then? They are of two varieties. The first are those who did not get a ticket from their party and are therefore so-called rebels. In my dictionary, they are highly untrustworthy and need to be discarded. That leaves a few independents, with a record of being straight, honest and efficient? It is no doubt difficult to identify them in a sea of opportunist rogues, but with effort a few, very few, can be found. There is Shiv Khera at Delhi and Arun Bhatia at Pune and there is a sprinkling of down-to-earth, honest and upright military veterans, whose only aim is to reform the system from within and they are undoubtedly capable of doing so.
I also considered casting the “I Vote Nobody” option, as enshrined in the constitution, but there is currently a lacuna in this also, as such votes are not counted as ‘minus votes’ for the winner, which was the intention of the framers of our constitution. So far, the wily politicians have stymied both the election commission and the Supreme Court.
So Sir, who should I vote for? Can someone help?
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Dear Gen Oberoi,
Your mail has your characteristic wit, and a philosophic touch. Many of us are faced with the same quandary and seek a prudent answer. You have, of course, analyzed the options in a very succinct manner.
Many years ago, our father was face with this problem. He found a way out of this quagmire. He voted for the party which he hated the least. Our mother was advised to cast her vote in favor of the nearest rival. And our servant was told to choose the "third" alternative.
This way, he was spared the guilt of not exercising his franchise and he was also able to tell the supporters of all the parties that he was sympathetic to them, without telling a lie.
Indeed, as a soldier, he disliked all politicians. And so if you have three votes in the house, this could be the DS solution to the question at the end of your mail.
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)
Dear General Oberoi,
I read your article with interest, I am also facing the same dilemma. Possibly the answer would be to change the system of polling' one votes for a party and not an individual. Depending on the no of votes polled by a party it could be allotted a certain number of seats in the Parliament and it then nominate its candidates.
Regards,
Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)
Friday, April 3, 2009
Army gets ready to vote for its rights
Dear Friends,
Jai Hind.
A news cutting from Hindustan Times, 03 Apr 09, New Delhi Edition, is reproduced below.
Most of us, while in service, never cared about elections. If the present serving personnel also do the same, we cannot blame them. But the environment for Defence Services personnel, serving and retired, today are quite different that they were two or three decades ago. Therefore, to get justice for Defence Services, voting by all Defence personnel and their families is very necessary.
I suggest that All Indian Military Veterans located at places, where the Defence units are located, should liaise with the units of their respective Service and ensure that all serving Defence personnel and their families get registered as the voters at their station of posting. Unless we the veterans chase the issue, some serving personnel may feel too lazy to vote, like most of us did while in service.
IT IS NOW OR NEVER. LET US ALL STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AND ENSURE JUSTICE FOR DEFENCE SERVICES. HONGE KAMYAB HUM EK DIN.
In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj
Hindustan Times, April 03, 2009
Army gets ready to vote for its rights
THE ARMY didn't like the rough deal handed to it by the sixth pay commission. It protested and petitioned whoever could help. Stonewalled at every stage, it is now ready to fire its most potent weapon yet: the vote. There are 11.3 lakh men and women in the Indian Army and together with their families and ex-servicemen, they add up to one crore, according to one estimate.
Army chief General Deepak Kapoor has directed all formations across the country to make vigorous efforts to achieve 100 per cent registration of service voters. Soldiers have also been asked to get their families registered as voters.
And the Army headquarters are not leaving it at that- just another order There is going to be regular follow-up. All units have been directed to send monthly reports on progress made.
"A large number of regiments have achieved complete registration of service voters," said an army officer, refusing to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
"Soldiers now have the potential to change political fortunes." This may make the UPA a litt1e nervous. The army believes the sixth pay commission handed it a bad deal.
There is sweeping discontent in the military over the government still sitting on a revised proposal to place lieutenant colonels and equivalent posts in the air force and navy in the same pay band as their counterparts in the paramilitary/ Group A services and IAS. There have been more such issues: The Army had to virtually wage a lonely battle with the government last year to restore the existing pensionary weightages for jawans from 50 per cent to 70 per cent to cater to their truncated careers.
The generals too have felt betrayed by the government with lieutenant generals and equivalent (who are not army commanders) being excluded from the HAG+ (higher administrative grade) pay band. Only army commanders and DGP (director generals of police) figure in this grade. Pay scales have traditionally determined inter-se status among government ofIicials.
The veterans are also unhappy as their demand for one-rank-one-pay has not been accepted. There are over 20 lakh defence pensioners in the country and ex-servicemen groups claim they can influence at least two to three crore votes.
"Rank and pay concerns raised by the armed forces have still not been addressed. As usual, the bureaucrats have walked away with the benefits," said a senior officer discontent fuelled by the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission had triggered an exodus from the armed forces with officers in the middle rung seeking premature release in large numbers last year. Now the army is fighting back with their votes.
Documents with Hindustan Times show that Army cantonments and military stations have been asked to make adequate provisions to address requests for canvassing by political parties in cantonment areas.
Citing relevant government rules, the Army headquarters has told all units that there is no need for them to seek prior permission from anyone for hosting public meetings on defence land. The Army headquarters has instructed all commands including the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Strategic Forces Command to encourage soldiers to cast their votes at their place of posting in the forthcoming elections. Official Army identity cards may be accepted as proof of identity at the time of voting. Regiments have also been asked to explain the provisions for proxy voting and postal ballot to soldiers to have the highest ever service voter turn out. vamhese.geome@hindustantimes.com
Army gets ready to vote for its rights
Jai Hind.
A news cutting from Hindustan Times, 03 Apr 09, New Delhi Edition, is reproduced below.
Most of us, while in service, never cared about elections. If the present serving personnel also do the same, we cannot blame them. But the environment for Defence Services personnel, serving and retired, today are quite different that they were two or three decades ago. Therefore, to get justice for Defence Services, voting by all Defence personnel and their families is very necessary.
I suggest that All Indian Military Veterans located at places, where the Defence units are located, should liaise with the units of their respective Service and ensure that all serving Defence personnel and their families get registered as the voters at their station of posting. Unless we the veterans chase the issue, some serving personnel may feel too lazy to vote, like most of us did while in service.
IT IS NOW OR NEVER. LET US ALL STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AND ENSURE JUSTICE FOR DEFENCE SERVICES. HONGE KAMYAB HUM EK DIN.
In Service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj
Hindustan Times, April 03, 2009
Army gets ready to vote for its rights
THE ARMY didn't like the rough deal handed to it by the sixth pay commission. It protested and petitioned whoever could help. Stonewalled at every stage, it is now ready to fire its most potent weapon yet: the vote. There are 11.3 lakh men and women in the Indian Army and together with their families and ex-servicemen, they add up to one crore, according to one estimate.
Army chief General Deepak Kapoor has directed all formations across the country to make vigorous efforts to achieve 100 per cent registration of service voters. Soldiers have also been asked to get their families registered as voters.
And the Army headquarters are not leaving it at that- just another order There is going to be regular follow-up. All units have been directed to send monthly reports on progress made.
"A large number of regiments have achieved complete registration of service voters," said an army officer, refusing to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
"Soldiers now have the potential to change political fortunes." This may make the UPA a litt1e nervous. The army believes the sixth pay commission handed it a bad deal.
There is sweeping discontent in the military over the government still sitting on a revised proposal to place lieutenant colonels and equivalent posts in the air force and navy in the same pay band as their counterparts in the paramilitary/ Group A services and IAS. There have been more such issues: The Army had to virtually wage a lonely battle with the government last year to restore the existing pensionary weightages for jawans from 50 per cent to 70 per cent to cater to their truncated careers.
The generals too have felt betrayed by the government with lieutenant generals and equivalent (who are not army commanders) being excluded from the HAG+ (higher administrative grade) pay band. Only army commanders and DGP (director generals of police) figure in this grade. Pay scales have traditionally determined inter-se status among government ofIicials.
The veterans are also unhappy as their demand for one-rank-one-pay has not been accepted. There are over 20 lakh defence pensioners in the country and ex-servicemen groups claim they can influence at least two to three crore votes.
"Rank and pay concerns raised by the armed forces have still not been addressed. As usual, the bureaucrats have walked away with the benefits," said a senior officer discontent fuelled by the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission had triggered an exodus from the armed forces with officers in the middle rung seeking premature release in large numbers last year. Now the army is fighting back with their votes.
Documents with Hindustan Times show that Army cantonments and military stations have been asked to make adequate provisions to address requests for canvassing by political parties in cantonment areas.
Citing relevant government rules, the Army headquarters has told all units that there is no need for them to seek prior permission from anyone for hosting public meetings on defence land. The Army headquarters has instructed all commands including the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Strategic Forces Command to encourage soldiers to cast their votes at their place of posting in the forthcoming elections. Official Army identity cards may be accepted as proof of identity at the time of voting. Regiments have also been asked to explain the provisions for proxy voting and postal ballot to soldiers to have the highest ever service voter turn out. vamhese.geome@hindustantimes.com
Army gets ready to vote for its rights
Sunday, March 8, 2009
2009 General Elections: Are You A Good Citizen?
Date: Thursday, 5 March, 2009, 2:55 PM
Friends,
As educated citizens of this great country of ours, this is our best chance to take India to its rightful place in the world, as the bell for elections 2009 has tolled. History will not forgive us if we fail. Election day is not a holiday to enjoy but a day to do your solemn duty which is to vote for the right candidate. Here is what we earnestly implore you to do.
DON'T Vote for a party but for an individual who:
has no criminal record past or present even where the judicial system has kept an appeal pending
is neither a fundamentalist nor a communalist. Anyone playing vote bank politics should be shunned
declares in public domain his/her assets including those of immediate family as also IT returns for the past 3 years
signs an affidavit that should he/ she, if elected, fail to fulfill the poll promises then voters can recall him
has the minimum basic education- a graduate. Protagonists of the Aam Aadmi will say that their problems are not understood by the well-off. Sorry, they have got it wrong. The constitution had enshrined that reservations etc would be done away after 25 years but the interested have seen that poverty and uneducated masses remain as they are their best vote bank.
pledges not to interfere with independent bodies like Police force, judiciary, election commission and appoint people to these bodies in a transparent manner based purely on merit.
implement affirmative action rather than caste and creed politics
If an ex serviceman is standing, give him/ her preference above all other candidates and all things being equal- vote the ex serviceman in!!
If an ex-MP, should have atleast 75% attendance, participated in 50% of debates and usefully spent atleast 90% of development fund in his/ her constituency
Come May 16th we should sing Jai Ho! for a job well done!!
Warm Regards!
CK Sharma
Wg Cdr CK Sharma, Member IESM Steering Committee,New Delhi
Friends,
As educated citizens of this great country of ours, this is our best chance to take India to its rightful place in the world, as the bell for elections 2009 has tolled. History will not forgive us if we fail. Election day is not a holiday to enjoy but a day to do your solemn duty which is to vote for the right candidate. Here is what we earnestly implore you to do.
DON'T Vote for a party but for an individual who:
Come May 16th we should sing Jai Ho! for a job well done!!
Warm Regards!
CK Sharma
Wg Cdr CK Sharma, Member IESM Steering Committee,New Delhi
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