Indian Air Force ahead with over 10 percent women officers

New Delhi, Aug 22, 2012, (IANS)
Women officers in the Indian army, navy and air force constitute only 3.3, 3.9 and 10.4 percent of the officer cadre respectively and these figures were achieved within 20 years from when they were first recruited, parliament was informed Wednesday.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the representation of women in the armed forces has been progressively increasing since their first recruitment in 1992-93.
"At present, the percentage of women officers in army, navy and air force, excluding medical streams, is 3.3 percent, 3.9 per cent and 10.04 percent respectively," Antony said.
"The representation of women officers in the armed forces has increased progressively over the years," the minister added.
To another query on the same subject, the minister said the number of women officers in the army is 1,214, in the navy 302 and the air force 1,079.
At present, the existing strength of the army is 36,788 officers, the navy 7,744 and the air force 10,747. There is a shortfall of 13,000 officers across the three services.
These figures are excluding the medical stream women officers.
Women officers are inducted in the branches open to them within the overall authorised strength of officers' cadre of respective service, based on merit on an all- India basis.
"There is no separate fixed sanctioned strength for women officers in the armed forces," he added.
Noting that a fresh policy on induction of women officers was laid down last November, Antony said it was issued after considering the paper submitted by a high-level tri-service committee with the approval of the chiefs of staff committee.
"There is an endeavour to fill up the vacancies of officers from amongst eligible candidates, which is a continuous and an ongoing process," Antony said.
Barring the medical stream, women officers are inducted on short service commissions in certain branches of the three armed forces.
In the army, women officers are recruited in the Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Army Air Defence, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Intelligence Corps, Army Education Corps and Judge Advocate General branches.
In the navy, they are inducted into the Judge Advocate General, Logistics, Observer, Air Traffic Controller, Naval Constructor and Education branches.
In the air force, though, women officers are recruited in all branches and streams, except the fighter stream of the flying branch.
Indian Air Force ahead with over 10 percent women officers

India's Arab Sprint

The Indian Express
Sanjaya Baru : Wed Feb 22 2012, 03:23 hrs
Riyadh and Delhi are quietly drawing closer, acknowledging their many shared concerns
Amidst last week’s focus in the Indian media about a coming conflict between Iran and Israel, not much attention was paid to a historic visit to Saudi Arabia by the defence minister, A.K. Anthony.

Several interesting facts marked Anthony’s path-breaking travel across the Arabian Sea. First, the visit was the first ever such official visit by an Indian defence minister to the epicentre of the Arab world. Second, it came in response to persistent invitations from the Saudi government. Anthony was unable to make the trip on two earlier occasions when an invitation had been issued, but finally made it after a third call from Riyadh. Third, the defence minister was accompanied not just by diplomats and civilian officials but by three senior defence officials — the vice chief of army staff, the deputy chief of naval staff and an air vice marshal. Fourth, Anthony had one-on-one talks with his counterpart Prince Salman and an extended audience with King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

At the end of what has been described as “wide-ranging” talks, India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to set up a joint panel of officials who will together draft a defence cooperation agreement and a “road map” for defence cooperation that would include joint exercises between the three services of the two nations, training and co-production of defence equipment. The militaries and navies of both countries will undertake joint patrolling of the Arabian Sea, fighting sea piracy and disruption to maritime traffic.

India’s main concern is energy security and the security of the Indian community in the region. Already, rising tensions have pushed the price of oil up. Even if hostilities were not to break out, the persistence of raised risk levels will keep oil prices high. Finally, if Iran were to lay mines in the sea as a pre-emptive or provocative act, this would seriously disrupt the movement of oil tankers. Any sustained rise in the price of oil will hit the Indian economy hard.

King Abdullah has, it is reliably learnt, offered cast-iron assurances to Anthony that Saudi Arabia would step in and help both in making more oil available to India and in assuring the safety and security of Indian expatriates in the region.

An interesting aspect of the bilateral understanding reached between Anthony and Prince Salman is that India and Saudi Arabia would also undertake joint research and projects in the field of hydrography, exchanging information on nautical cartography and hydrographic surveys of coastal areas, ports, harbours and designated sea areas. In the near term this would also facilitate de-mining!

The people of India and Arabia have interacted across the waters between them for thousands of years. Omani and Gujarati seafarers were among the earliest and Arabs reached the Kerala coast as traders and teachers, not conquerors. In fact, among all the Muslim communities of the Middle East and Central Asia it is only the Arabs who never sought to conquer India. The Turks, the Persians, and the Central Asians came by land to plunder or rule. The Arabs came by sea to trade and teach.

While history has its limitations in shaping contemporaneous and forward-looking strategic choices, it does shape popular perceptions. What is, however, driving the India- Saudi relationship today is not this benign history but shared concerns about stability and growth in the Arabian Sea littoral and the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia is as concerned about events in Iran as it is about trends in Pakistan. Riyadh’s outreach to New Delhi is also an indicator that the Saudis are worried about what is happening in Pakistan. In this “arc of instability” Riyadh hopes India would be a reliable and credible guarantor of stability.
The writer is director for geo-economics and strategy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and honorary senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research
India's Arab Sprint: click here to read the full article

Indian Army has a new website

A NEW WEBSITE OF INDIAN ARMY HAS BEEN OPENED. YOU MAY LIKE TO SEE.

New Indian Army webpage: click me

Best wishes.
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)

Army Day 2009

Editor: Seema Mustafa Friday, January 16, 2009 Consulting Editors :John Dayal & Rahul Bedi

On 15 January, the Army would be commemorating another Army Day, but this one is special, as it is the 60th. While the other two services would participate in the various events and felicitate the army on their diamond jubilee, the citizens of our nation will not even know about this special day. The reason is that over the years the interest of the media in the army has waned considerably. The government too continues to be under the impression that platitudes are good enough during important speeches of our political leaders. It is a matter of major concern that the army as well as the other services are remembered only when an adverse security situation develops internally or externally.

This day was selected as the Army Day, as it was on this day in 1949, that the first Indian General (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa had taken over as the head of the Indian Army. The day is marked by an impressive parade at Delhi Cantonment, which is reviewed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This day is dedicated to all ranks of the Indian Army as well as the veterans, who had served the nation in the past. During the parade, the Chief would no doubt thank them for their steadfastness, sacrifices, courage and loyalty. He would also honour brave individuals, as well as units which have excelled, by presenting gallantry and distinguished service awards to individuals and unit citations for collective achievements by units.

The parade is followed by a semi formal 'Reception' by the COAS, at his official residence, where political as well as civil and military dignitaries get a chance to mingle with the awardees of the morning. It is always a memorable occasion, where one meets a wide spectrum of people, from the President and the Prime Minister, to leaders of many political parties, to a selection of serving and retired military officers, and of course the decoratees of the morning, proudly displaying their well-earned medals and honours.

Army Day is a day of joy as it marks the passage of one more successful year for this potent and last resort instrument of the nation. At a different plane, however, it is a day of stock taking of every facet of the functioning of the army. The main question that arises in everyone's mind is whether the army is fit in all respects for carrying out its task of ensuring the security of the nation in a professionally robust and befitting manner. In my opinion, the answer is in the negative.

Let us start with the important aspect of modernisation, which is a continuous process that needs dedicated and sustained infusion of the correct and relevant weaponry, equipment and materials. Unfortunately, little modernisation has been carried out, not only last year, but also in the preceding years. Besides paucity of funds, there is the lethargy of the ministry of defence in taking procurement decisions. Resultantly, a large portion of the meager funds allotted for modernisation would again be surrendered, as in earlier years. Such slackening of the modernisation process results in losing the race vis-a-vis our adversaries.

This year the defence budget was the lowest in the past nearly two decades. As a percentage of the nations GDP, it has plummeted down to less than 2 per cent, whereas the minimum requirement is 3 to 3.5 per cent. The acute shortage of officers' continues, as does the status of the military. After the major lowering of the status following the Sixth Pay Commission, I visualise a further reduction in the strength of the officer cadre, as even the little attractiveness of the army as a career that had earlier existed has now vanished. That the Sixth Pay Commission has been an unmitigated disaster for the armed forces is by now too well known to bear any elucidation. The army will no doubt plod on, but it will be the security of the nation that will suffer.

The only silver lining I see is the continuing faith, regard and love of the people of India for the Indian Army, but can this be a substitute for a well equipped and well satisfied military? Serving personnel need to be happy with their status in society; must get adequate remunerations for their turbulent life; must be compensated in their pensions for their early retirements; and they must have faith that the civil administration will look after the interests of their families during their absence. At present, all four have been diluted to ridiculously low levels. There is also frustration and anger amongst the 30 lakh military veterans, as even the ministry of ex-servicemen's welfare is blasé about them. Do these affect morale? Of course they do.

Despite the negatives, the tasks of the army continue to increase manifold, as the other instruments of the nation are either incapable or unwilling to carry out their assigned tasks. That the army has continued to deliver, despite shortages, speaks highly for the selfless service and dedication of our officers and jawans and the institutional strength of the army, but highlights the constraints under which it functions.

After the Mumbai terrorist attack of November last year, the security situation within the country and in our immediate neighbourhood has worsened. Much more would be expected from the army in the coming year by both the people and the government. With the current heavy commitments and continuing calls for varied sundry tasks, the army would find it difficult to carry out its primary tasks of securing the nation, unless the anomalies pointed out are quickly resolved. The strengths of the Indian Army are many and multifarious. Our army exudes professionalism and is highly respected by world militaries, but no army can continue to deliver if the morale is not at its peak. Let the nation resolve that 2009 would be the year of change for the Indian Army.

By Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)
ARMY DAY 2009

Indian Army commemorates 61st foundation day

New Delhi: The Indian Army commemorated its 61st Foundation Day Thursday by paying homage to martyred soldiers.

Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Fali Homi Major paid floral tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate here.

Army Day is celebrated on Jan 15 every year to commemorate the appointment in 1949 of General K.M. Cariappa as commander-in-chief of the Indian Army - the first Indian officer to hold the post.

On the occasion, the army chief took the salute at a parade held at the Delhi Cantonment. He also presented Sena Medals for gallantry and unit citations.

Addressing the gathering, General Kapoor said: "The country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, has been facing challenges from elements who want to destroy peace in India and we are working to tackle it."

The Army Day parade showcased technological prowess and achievements of the Indian Army. Several serving and retired defence officers were present on the occasion.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service
Indian Army commemorates 61st foundation day

Army Chief, Gen Deepak Kapoor has commended the services of 392 personnel, while Lt Gen N Thamburaj Army's Vice Chief has commended the services of 176 personnel. These awards of Commendation Cards have been announced on the eve of the Army Day.
Army Personnel Commended by Army's Chief and Vice Chief

Indian Army to increase intake from NCC

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari addressing at the inauguration of the NCC Annual Republic Day Camp, organised by the Directorate General National Cadet Corps, in New Delhi on January 08, 2009.

Monday, January 05, 2009 18:51 [IST]
New Delhi: Facing an acute shortage of officers, the Indian Army is now considering increasing intake from the National Cadets Corps (NCC) into the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, a senior official said Monday.

NCC director general R.K. Karwal Tuesday said that the government could increase the intake of NCC cadets in IMA from 64 to 80. The IMA annually takes in upwards of 1,000 cadets in two batches.

“Alarmed over the shortfall of officers, the government is also likely to hike the intake of NCC 'C' certificate holders into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, from 79 to 100,” he said while addressing a conference ahead of the NCC Republic Day Camp. The OTA takes in 600 cadets every year.

The army faces a shortage of around 11,200 officers.

Karwal added that since 2007, the NCC is working on a scheme to raise the enrolment of cadets, a majority of whom would be girls. The NCC strength would also go up from the present 1.3 million to 1.5 million in five years, he added.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will Jan 8 inaugurate the annual NCC Republic Day camp, in which 1,950 cadets from across the country will be participating. It will conclude with the Prime Minister's Rally Jan 29.

Indian Army to increase intake from NCC
Indian Army to increase intake from National Cadet Corps

National Defence Academy 60 Glorious Years

A Tribune Supplement
Chandigarh, December 7, 2008
Note: TO SEE FULL COVERAGE PLEASE CLICK ON VARIOUS HEADINGS.

First step in and out of the NDA by Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)
It was on a chilly winter dawn in January, 1949, when we arrived at the vacant, almost desolate barracks in Dehradun that housed the newly established Joint Services Wing.

Memories of another day by Maj Gen Raj Mehta (Retd)
I am not a product of the National Defence Academy (NDA) but had the rare privilege of being an Instructor (Military Faculty) there from 1981-1984, as a Captain/Major.

Heroes: NDA’s gift to the nation

Param Vir Chakra

Ashok Chakra

Joint training institutions are the answer by Vijay Mohan
Defence policy built upon supposedly predictable actions of a potential adversary is a dangerous folly.

Training for leadership by Brig Ravi Palsokar (Retd)
The National Defence Academy is rightly called the “cradle for leadership”. Here boys (girls are not yet allowed) straight out of school get into a uniform which they take off only after they retire, a service period that covers about 35 to 45 years.

Shooting Star by Vijay Nohan
The country’s first individual Olympics medal winner, Lt Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is an alumnus of the NDA’s 77th Course. He had won Silver in shooting in the 2004 Olympics held at Athens.

Girl who could not make it to NDA by Geetanjali Gayatri
A pebbled driveway, an imposing old English-style mansion, a nameplate announcing Lt-Col Desraj, and, inside, a picture on the mantelpiece in the drawing room — that was my maternal grandfather for me.

Webpage
National Defence Academy

Reunions
12 Course Reunion
14 Course Reunion
18 Course reunion
25 Course Reunion
38 Course reunion

NDA Pride
Hut of remembrance
Sudan Block
Khetarpal Parade Ground

Welcome to the web site of the First Course Joint Services Wing
First Course JSW

Rover communications half a century ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)

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

War on Terror Jinxed

Vital intelligence on the Taliban may rest with its prime sponsor – Pakistan’s ISI By Rahul Bedi in New Delhi.

Pakistan’s sinister Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) remains the key to providing accurate information to the US-led alliance in its war against Osama bin Laden and his Taliban hosts in Afghanistan. Known as Pakistan’s ‘secret army’ and ‘invisible government’, its shadowy past is linked to political assassinations and the smuggling of narcotics as well as nuclear and missile components.

The ISI also openly backs the Taliban and fuels the 12-year-old insurgency in northern India’s disputed Kashmir province by ‘sponsoring’ Muslim militant groups and ministering its policy of ‘death by a thousand cuts’ that so effectively drove the Soviets out of Afghanistan and led to their political demise.

The goings on behind the ISI’s nondescript headquarters, located behind high walls on Khayban-e-Suharwady avenue in the heart of the capital Islamabad and its operational offices in the adjoining garrison town of Rawalpindi, have dominated Pakistan’s domestic, nuclear and foreign policies – especially those relating to Afghanistan – for over two decades.

Following links, give an insight and indepth know- how to Intelligence screw ups!
When we (Pak Officials) asked them for more information, Bush laughed and said "When we share information with your guys, the bad guys always run away."
Pak warned of action in case of another attack
Pakistanis Aided Attack in Kabul, U.S. Officials Say
CIA confronts ISI over alleged al-Qaeda links
CIA needs ISI more than ISI needs CIA
CIA confronts ISI for Indian Embassy bombing
Vital intelligence on the Taliban may rest with its prime sponsor – Pakistan’s ISI
India’s world-class counter intelligence activities on CIA and ISI of Pakistan! Rabinder Singh was allowed to escape!
Fulcrum of Evil ISI - CIA - Al Qaeda Nexus

1897 Saragarhi Battle

The battle of Saragarhi is among top ten acts of bravery in War, in the history of mankind. Signaller Gurmukh Singh, on receipt of orders to close down Signal Communications, when all his Comrades except one had fallen dead, immediately laid down his Signalling Flag, picked up his rifle and continued firing at the tribal hordes. His Comrade was killed and he himself seriously wounded. Even after being wounded, he killed 20 Pathans and having fired his last round, fell dead.

During 1897, 4/11 Sikh Battalion was detailed to hold the Somana Hills between the Kurram and the Khanki Valleys in Baluchistan. Their defences lay over five miles of extremely difficult hilly terrain. Signal communications those days were provided between various posts using telephones on Field Cables, Signalling Flags and Helios during the day and lamps at night. The ranges of Signalling Flag and Lamp signalling being visual were very limited. With the use of binoculars, their ranges could be increased somewhat and the clarity of the signal received improved substantially.

Signal Platoon of the Sikh Battalion tried in vain to provide direct Signal Communication between Forts Lokhart and Gulistan due to large distances. The use of telephones on Field Cable was just not possible because not only the laying of field cable was extremely difficult but to maintain it in the hills occupied by the tribals was most dangerous. After detailed appreciation of the situation, it was decided to establish a Signalling Post at Saragarhi Hill top between Fort Lokhart and Gulistan in the Sumana Hills. Its sole aim was to relay messages between Lokhart and Gulistan Forts. The Post consisted of a small well-defended Stone House manned by twenty men of the Sikh Battalion under the command of Havildar Ishar Singh.

There was a general uprising of the Pathans led by the Mullahs from Tochi and Maklakand in North West Frontier (now in Pakistan). On the 3rd and 9th September 1897, the Pathans attacked Gulistan in large numbers. However, these attacks were repulsed by the Sikhs with very heavy losses to the enemy. To avenge these reverses, thousands of Afridi and Orakzai tribals fell on the small Saraharhi Post on the morning of September 12, 1897. The tiny Garrison of Saragarhi repulsed several determined attacks and killed over two hundred enemy troops during the six hours of their gallant resistance against overwhelming odds. Time and time again, the Pathans asked the small Garrison to surrender, but each time they were met with a volley of fire and challenge from the Sikhs.

Due to accurate fire as well as the tenacity and courage of the defenders, the enemy was unable to get near the Post. Thus, they set fire to the dry grass and bushes around the Post and, under the cover of thick smoke, breached the wall of the Picket forcing an entry. By this time, all except two of the defenders had fallen. Until then, Signaller Gurmukh Singh had maintained signal communication with Forts Lokhart and Gulistan and was giving graphic account of the battle. On receipt of permission to close down the Signal Communications, he immediately laid down his Signalling Flag, picked up his rifle and, along with only surviving Comrade, continued firing at the tribal hordes. Because of their overwhelming large numbers, the enemy forces ultimately succeeded in capturing the Post. Gurmukh Singh’s Comrade was killed and he himself was seriously wounded. Even after being wounded, he killed 20 Pathans, and having fired his last round, he fell dead.

The highest gallantry award those days was the Indian Order Of Merit(IOM). All intrepid martyrs of Saragarhi Battle were posthumously honoured with this highest award. The Government of India gave 26 acres of land and a cash award of 500 rupees to the family of each hero. Martyr Signaller Gurmukh Singh’s name should be written as a Pioneer in the History of the Corps of Signals in Gold.

SARAGARHI DEFENDERS’ PRAYER
Stay with me God, the night is dark. The night is cold, but my little spark,
of courage dies…The night is long. Be with me God and make me strong.
I love a game, I love a fight, I hate the dark, I love a light.
I love my child, I love my wife. I am No coward, I love my life.
Life with its change of mood and shade, I want to live, I’m not afraid.
But me and mine are hard to part, O Unknown God lift my heart.
You stilled the waters of Dunkirk, and saved your servants - all your work,
Is wonderful down God, you strode, before us down that dreadful road.
We were alone and hope had fled, we love our Country and our dead.
And we could not shame them, so we stayed, the course and we were not afraid.
Dear God that nightmare road-and then, the sea - we got there - we were men.
My eyes were blind, my feet were torn, but my soul sang like bird at dawn.
I know that death is but a door, I know what we are fighting for?
Peace for our children, our brothers freed, a kinder World, a cleaner breed.
I’m but the son of my mother bore, a simple man and nothing more.
But God of strength and gentleness, be pleased to make nothing less.
Help me God when death is near, to mock the haggard face of fear.
And when I fall- if fall I must, my soul may triumph in the dust.

"World War Veterans put their life on the line for Democracy in which different people could live together and enjoy freedom in peace. Remember them!"

Lt Col Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd)
Founding President Indian Ex-Servicemen Society British Columbia
Saragarhi Battle
Tirah Campaign

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

Forty people have received the Bharat Ratna since it was first awarded in 1954. By my count at least 22 are politicians. A further 13 intellectuals or artists, two social workers and an industrialist. There are also two foreigners. But in 54 years not a single armed forces officer has qualified. Surely Manekshaw should have? Was he less deserving than M. G. Ramachandran, Rajiv Gandhi, Aruna Asaf Ali, Gulzarilal Nanda, VV Giri, Gopinath Bordoloi and Chidambaram Subramaniam?

Actually, the discrimination against the armed forces is yet more inexplicable if you analyze how service officers are ranked alongside civilian bureaucrats. For instance, in the states a brigadier and a district collector are treated as equals although it takes 28 years for an officer to become a brigadier and just 8 for a bureaucrat to become a DC. Worse, the central government ranks the Army Chief below the Cabinet Secretary. Yet the IAS comprises 4671 members and the army over a million. Even members of the Planning Commission, Chairmen of the UPSC, the CAG, the Attorney General and every single foreign ambassador have precedence.
Read the Full article: Unbelievable or deliberate

Karan Thapar

Challenges of Commanding a Signal Regiment

Strength
With a post graduate degree in science and having successfully completed the TSO Course followed by a long tenure with DRDO I was not overawed by technology the tenure of more than three years with 27 Mtn Div Sig Regt had provided me enough practical knowledge about the nuts and bolts of running a Divisional Signal Regiment as also the pitfalls of not being vigilant on a 24X 7 job. From Chhabra I had learnt how to bring the maximum concentrated effort at the time required and from Kapoor the power of delegation. I was also by now well versed in the finer points and the intricacies of dealing with the Staff both Signal and the General. I had also learnt over time that there was a play of the personal egos involved in these interactions. One of my major strength was in that I had in my a wife a person who though a total novice to regimental life was not only willing but keen to get involved in the welfare of the regimental families and the various formation activities, though unfortunately she was saddled with a willing but a weak team. The regiment was lucky in having a top class Quartermaster in Capt Chander a General Service (GS) officer, Goverdhan Rai a sincere and honest cipher officer and Barar a competent TMO. Strangely they were the GS and Special List officers who had not lost their élan and helped me to lift-up the regiment Another asset was Zorawar Singh the loyal Subedar Major. He had an imposing personality and led a team consisting of a number of competent JCOs.

Weaknesses
With no major commitments after the Bangla Desh operations the unit deployed for long in Punjab had fallen in to the culture of a static unit and was costing on its past glory mainly the weakness of the regiment lay in the senior officers. My Second in Command, good in planning was deficit in delivering. From of the other three Majors at regimental HQ one was downright dishonest, inefficient and incompetent as also a shirker with a trait of trying to forge links with senior officers through his wife who with little interest in the welfare activities of the regiment was a part of the senior lady’s Rummy and Mah-Jong circuit. The other major having risen from ranks though willing and honest had his professional limitations. The third fresh from the SODE course on promotion reported in shirt and trousers with his uniform yet to fetch up with the rest of his baggage; unfortunately he also suffered from lack of confidence and low self-esteem. The Boys due to long inaction in Malout to me appeared to have become rusty. I also noticed a general lack of interest in soldering. To the external environment I was an outsider not part of the clique of those who were together during the Bangla Desh Operations.

Opportunity
I could discern that even with the limited assets at my command and some effort there was an opportunity to bring back the regiment operationally up to mark. There was also an excellent opportunity to groom the crop of young officers with the regiment to be good and competent Signal officer by giving them giving responsibility and providing necessary guidance. I also noticed a chink in the armour at Div HQ in the weak AQ branch lacking the confidence of the GOC which I fully exploited to the advantage of the regiment.

Threats
The Regiment stationed at Ranchi in Bihar was no body’s baby. 9 Inf Div was placed under Central Command located at Lucknow. However. due to geographical constraints for administrative support it was dependent on Eastern Command at Calcutta. We also had a third master: for operations the formation came under 2 Corps located at Chandi Mandir in Haryana which itself was part of the Western Command then located at Shimla. It was a hopeless situation in so far as the ‘Chain of Command’ was concerned; I would at times get calls even from the Signal Directorate at Army HQ. Any one in the chain could find fault with us with none willing to extend a helping hand in a crisis situation or when a lapse had taken place. The Staff at Div HQ did not have much love lost for me personally a newcomer. Internally there were good chances of pilferages of the POL (Petrol Oil and lubricants) , rations and sale of the cheap liquor from the unit canteen to civilians as also misuse of local purchase privilege with the prevailing lowered threshold of honesty.

Strategy
The Strategy after detailed analysis of the situation and a deep deliberation that I evolved was to first convenience the officers and make them understand that our first priority as Signallers was to provide reliable communication to the formation possible only if the regiment was professionally competent. The next point that I stressed upon was the need to excel in the tasks assigned to the regiment in the training directive issued by the Formation HQ as also those offered and willingly accepted. With this achieved I assured them that every other problem could be tackled and I would then be able to act as a shield to protect the regiment from external pulls and pushes.

Junior Commanders
Deciding not to be too dependent on my listless senior officers I gave additional responsibilities and provided opportunities to the junior Captains and Second Lieutenants to exercise their imitative in the process I was prepared to accept a few mistakes committed by them. I did not believe in Zero error syndrome. My interest was in building their self confidence. However, this entailed a lot of guidance and supervision by me and also at times blowing hot and cold. It was with immense pleasure and satisfaction that I saw them growing fast professionally, delivering the goods every time and making my hands strong. To name a few the three stalwarts Rajeev, Choudhry and Sood as also Mehta come to my mind; same four were also together once again on the OST course at MCTE Mhow when I was their Faculty Commander. It was also important and I ensured to have efficient and honest officers posted at the Brigade Signal Companies especially those located at a distance from Ranchi to take care of any problems emanating from the three Brigade Commanders.

Annual Inspections
Charity begins at home and had to start at my level. Not only I had to be scrupulously honest and just in my dealings as the Commanding officer but my actions had to be visible; only then I could enforce discipline on the others. The reluctant individual who had over time got used to easy ways unfortunately had no options but to fall in line; their Black books despite valiant efforts on their part about my acts of commission and omission remained blank. I also lead the officers for the PPT (Physical Proficiency Test) as part of the GOC’s annual inspection though of 43 years by then I managed it without much difficulty.

Dividends
The pilferages stopped the regiment did not have a single malaria case that was rampant in other units the power of local purchase for mechanical transport and telecom equipment that has large loop-holes to be exploited was tightly controlled and kept under acceptable limits which resulted compliments whereas some other units had to face the GOC’s ire on both accounts. With the records at Ranchi and the unit having been away for long the publication of casualties in respect of the Jawans was in serious arrears; some case had even become time barred. This was effecting the pay and allowances of the jawans and causing latent dissatisfaction; I spoke to Records Officer at the Signal Training Centre and sent my Head Clerk to the record office at Jabalpur used some special provisions and eventually got the mess sorted out.

Troops Welfare
Next was the food for the jawans which I would check the preparations on daily basis. The quality of the food served in the regiment had interesting yet serious repercussions. With the GOC’s and GSO1’s personal staff getting attached to the regiment due to their administrative convenience for their meals the news about the high quality of food in the Signal Regiment soon spread to Div Camp resulting in a near revolt; with every jawan clamouring to join our Langhars this was some thing that was neither desirable in the overall interest of discipline nor acceptable to me. Hopefully, from the prodding of the OC troops the AQ and the Camp Commander by the GOC the quality of the food served to the Div Camp would have improved.
To be continued.......

Brig Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)

Battle of the Namkachu 1962

Karpola PassLooking Down from the Summit at 16000 feet photograph taken on 6th October 1962
One was Breathless, Sleepless, Hungry and Tired beyond words. No Oxygen and no Snow clothing. The Karpola pass was the Battle Zone. One can imagine what would have been the condition when we were withdrawing from the Chinese onslaught.

Brig lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)

Summary: 7th Infantry Brigade paid the price with its blood.

7th Infantry Brigade Brigadier John Dalvi – POW, tactical commander for the battle

1/9th Gorkhas Lt Col BS Alhuwalia

2nd Rajputs Lt Col Maha Singh Rikh, 90 POW in a single day. 60 escaped.

4th Grenadiers Lt Col KS Harihar Singh

9th Punjab Lt Col RN Mishra

One company, 6th Mahar Machine Gun Regiment

One troop, 17 Parachute Field Regiment (4 guns, only 2 operational, 260 rounds, no sights or FOO)

34 Heavy Mortar Troop (Minus one platoon, No ammunition)

100 Field Company (Engineers)

One platoon, Assam Rifles

450 civilian road construction crew, Border Roads Organization, used as porters

Chinese forces directly attacking 7th Brigade included 11th Division, Tsona Dzong. A second division and a separate or independent regiment joined 11th Division in the subsequent fight against 4th Division.

That the Indian infantry stood and fought and died in the conditions and circumstances of the Battle of Namkachu had nothing to do with its senior officers, and everything to do with its company and battalion officers and its traditions of honour– honour to your brother soldier, to your unit, to your officers, and to your flag.

Tailpiece: The higher military leadership had been so beaten down and cowed by the Government, that the senior officers who should have set the terms and the timetable for this offensive remained silent. 7 Infantry Brigade paid the price in blood. Our hearts go out to them. Is there a memorial to honour them or to place a wreath or candle for their eternal supreme sacrifice?

We acknowledge with thanks “Famous Battles” from http://www.bharat-rakshak.com

Posting to Mhow as Faculty Commander

Posting
The posting to MCTE Mhow in 1979 as the Faculty Commander FC&VE was the highpoint of my instructional career. It was even to my own eyes a bit unexpected especially with a plethora of average grades collected by me in all the Corps courses attended. It was no small wonder; I did manage to make a success of it. Possibly it is not the grades on the courses but the application of the knowledge and experience gained in various situations reaction to the problems faced and the attitude when things got difficult and the horizon bleak overcast with dark-grey and threatening clouds.

Spectrum
The tenure as Faculty Commander in MCTE considered a hot seat by some of my predecessors was not an easy one. MCTE was a mine field to be traversed most carefully inhabited by highly ambitious and furiously competitive young staff, young student officers the young and pretty wives and senior officers living some reason or other separated. There were also some passengers both in staff and the students who had their own agenda and well thought-out plans to achieve the same. The place had its own dynamics, the air perpetually bristling with palpable energy of all frequencies across the spectrum.

Constraints
I did identify the problem as to why the "Faculty Commander's chair" had become so hot for the previous occupants who not only found it difficult to manage the highly qualified and ambitious faculty as also the nearly rebellious students branded as an undisciplined lot. The Key lay to get out the mindset those training institutes, colleges; universities are not for the students but for themselves and the staff, to some how solves the administrative, personal and domestic problems of the student officers, a misunderstood lot, and win their confidence. Though students they were still officers and needed to be treated to as such. For me it became an exercise in human relationship and personal management.

Convocation Signal Officers Degree Course
Student assignments
In case of the teaching faculty problem was of the lack of planning at the faculty HQ level with the teaching assignments being given in an ad- hoc manner; with the help of my able Senior Instructor Lt Col Daspal it was soon sorted out even though still heavily loaded at least now they knew as to what was required from them.

Enduring Friendships
Perhaps it was due to this that I did make some enduring friendships. The tenure enriched with me more than 300 friends some now senior officers or doing equally well in civil life who recognise me at airports seminars and social occasions, approaching with a smile. Even some Foreman of Signals students who have risen to officer ranks also coming and greeting me when we meet on social occasions. It more than compensates for the hazardous journey through the so called mine field that I did manage to traverse with fortitude, patience and skill; some inherited others acquired.

Lt Gen MS Sodhi So-in-C with the Commandant visiting the MCTE TV Studio at FCE
Challenges
Meeting the College HQ requirements of using the FOS (Foreman of Signals) students for the Adm Wing requirements in afternoons, running of the ‘Annexe’ the MCTE Club and the organising of the entertainment evenings both my responsibilities as also my insistence in strictly following the orders emanating from the HQ on holding the PT and Drill parades for the student officers was a different issue and was the cause of my running battle with the Deputy Commandant and at time creating difficult situations for even the Commandant.

Reposing faith
My young staff officer; earlier Capt Sunil Arya and later N V Pandey had to bear the brunt of these demands on daily basis which they resisted with my my unambiguous directions backing them. I am glad Arya made it to the rank of Brigadier, Pandey as Maj Gen had the privilege of being the Deputy Commandant of MCTE. Once again they proved the faith that I always reposed in my young officers. At that stage of service they are happy to learn, especially if being guided, and work whole heartedly in delivering the goods rather than harbouring any long time ambitions which quickly grow as one advances in service.

Brig Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)

Learning to Command

The Corps Commander Lt Gen J N Choudhry arrives to witness the Hockey Match.

How a young officer learns to command and grow on joining his first unit and the role of the seniors NCO,s and Jawans who help him in the process . One has to learn by watching, asking, and following.

NDA
Cadets were embodied as recruits and trained as such. (As cadets we would line up in NDA early every month, for what was known as Pay Parade and were handed over the princely some of Rs 16, that was the salary of a recruit those days, that too from the Rs 800 we were required to bring from home and deposit in NDA. However, they were also introduced to the graces considered necessary in officers; Dress, Table manners, Etiquette and so on.

IMA
I was totally bereft of any idea of how to manage, lead or deal with JCOs, NCOs and OR, my encounters, till now having being with the Drill JCO the PT NCO or the Weapon Training staff at IMA and a few of the same at School of Signals. Coupled with this was the awe of senior officer ranks. The Platoon Commander at IMA and the Group Officer at the School both a Captain the first and only contact with an officer looked a towering figure; any rank above was much beyond my vision.

Section Commander
As 2 I/C of Main wireless section, it was, for me, a period of growing up as an officer, the process of learning by watching Capt Sikand and doing what he directed me to do I somehow became totally dependent on his presence and felt a bit lost when he proceeded on annual leave leaving me to survive on my own.

Troops
My grateful thanks to the NCOs who held my hand during critical periods and help develop my self- confidence. Men are very discerning possibly my attitude willingness to learn respect for their experience and knowledge made them come forward. The Indian Soldier never lets down his officer but first, one has to win his confidence and respect in turn by respecting his experience and knowledge.

Technical Stores
The Main Wireless section or rather its store which also served as the Section office with a folding table (Table Tele) and two folding leather stool for the section Officer Commanding (OC) and the Second in Command that was me to sit across was located in a ramshackle barrack.

399 Radio Set Shelter
Six Ton Studybaker vehicle with PE95 Generator
The Section had a mix of about 15 or so mobile vehicle mounted 400 watt SCR 399 radio sets of US Army and the Command Vehicle High Power (CVHP) with the Radio Set RS 53, of British origin along with Command Vehicle Low Power (CVLP) with radio set 19 HP and a number of PE 95, 15 KVA generators and assorted charging engines for the secondary batteries held.

RS 53
RS 19 HP
RS 62
The section also held Radio sets like 19, 19 HP and 62. There was a bewildering array of equipment spares, accessories and tools to my inexperienced eyes making it worse with some on the racks and the rest piled up in a haphazard manner on the floor of the store. As a routine we were required to be in the section office after lunch and before the games parade doing nothing even if we wanted to do with all the men away possible cutting grass of performing some such non- technical but essential task under the Subedar Major. What I still remember with amusement is the picture of the Section Havaldar busy most of the time making Lists, lists after lists- of men of equipment of vehicles and whatever.

The Corps Troops Shooting Competition Gill, Saran, self sitting and Siddhu on Mic

Company Commander
The OC Company the most non- technical officer commanding the most technical company was always meticulously turned out both in uniform and civies, a former Adjutant of Signal Training Centre Jabalpore where he had the reputation of changing his stiffly starched uniform three times a day, stiff most of the time he would Blow Hot and Cold. Sadly his efforts generally ended with predictable results to run the Science and Physics classes of the Ionosphere with his stick. For him winning the Corps Troops drill or shooting competition was more important that being the requirement of the day than the on- going CEME inspection of the equipment with even the Radio mechanics required for maintaining and preparing the equipment taken away from the command of the section. Maj Siddhu the Company Commander, would address me as Lakshman when in good spirits and as Mr Lakshman Singh when in foul mood. 2nd Lt were then designated as Mr, but now an extinct tribe.

Brig Lakshman Singh VSM (Retd)

Comments: The old school of Generals in the Army were sportsmen and proficient in troops games which trickled down the chain of command. Games and sports fostered and built team spirit and lasting relationships. Sadly the interest in sports and games has diminished which is discernible from the media reports where defence teams are in the background. Now our arm chair Generals, in lighter vein, would prefer to be office bound rather than find time to play/ encourage/ witness troop games.

Visit to Budapest

As leader of the delegation with Shamsher and our two escorts in front of Hotel Atrium Hayat Budapest October 1984

Brigadier Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)

Slideshow Budapest in Pictures Wait for Photographs to load.

Linked to Stranded in London

Confusion Confounded Dreamer's Club

Date: 07 Jan 2008
Promotions in Army
Arun Sinha's Dream:
In the other central govt job promotion is firm and fair as they have been able to manage their cadre. Why Army is not able to manage its cadre? There is a large percentage of offrs weeded out at Lt Col and thereby their utilisation is not at all there. If you see in other central govt like IPS after 15 yrs everyone is DIG. It gives very poor impression about army.
It is also pertinent to mention that promotion in army is based on ACR which is earned by doing dignified slavery to IO and RO. If somebody talks about rules and regulations and moral value, he is fixed in ACR thereby he loses promotions. Today actually army is flourishing on ceremonial values mixed with corruption called privileges in army parlance. If you oppose it you are fixed.
Its high time army wakes up and do something about its cadres.

Chief's Response:
AWHO is a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 and provides dwelling units on self financing scheme to serving /retired army personnel and their widows on "No profit No Loss" basis. Most of the work of AWHO is already outsourced to architects and contractors. The number of dwelling units built by AWHO at any time depends on availability of land and demand at a particular station. AWHO indeed is a facilitator, an enabler and user friendly. Check it out for yourself by logging on to www.awhosena.org. As suggested to provide 30,000 dwelling units per year, the cost would be roughly Rs 10,000 crores per year of projects, which is a figure even the big builders/developers/MES cannot handle.

My Dream muddled with Arun Sinha's Dream. Please visit:
Interact with Chief: Dreamers Club
Comments
AWHO is a vast organisation catering for housing to benefit a few. We do not get to know who are allotted houses year wise from its inception till date, from the website. What is the organisation cost? The audited accounts are not easily discernible in the web pages. The Society Act clearly emphasises the organisational costs should not exceed 15%. Are society act norms kept up to its true spirit?

Tawang September 1962 The Balloon goes up

Lull before the storm
It was the proverbial ‘Lull before the Storm’ that day on 8th of September of 1962, a Saturday, a weekend the legacy left by the British. In bracing cold Tawang at 10000feet plus was basking in bright sunshine. A clear day with the greens of the meadows, the deep blues of the sky, the silver of the river Tawang Chu flowing deep in the valley, the browns and reds of houses of the Tawang village, the majesty of the Tawang Monastery visible not far away was over powering. It was not too cold, not too hot but just pleasant Tawang that day was a tourist’s delight. However, there were no tourists in Tawang those days except the occasional VIP's who choppered to stay for lunch, give sermons, talk in platitudes and fly back again to civilisation in plains of Tezpur, Lucknow or Delhi.

Bde HQ
In any case it was too quiet and peaceful to resemble a noisy and bustling tourists resort with the Brigade HQ equally quiet. There was no officer present in the HQ except Lt Sharma the Brigade Ordnance Officer the duty-officer of the day; all others had gone off to attend a Bara Khana in one of the battalions.

Tension
It was my practice to go for an evening walk in the afternoon. I was reluctant to go out on this day as there was no one in the Bde HQ. However Lt Sharma insisted even though he was the duty officer. We had been lulled to the extent that even the duty officer was willing to leave his post with firm faith that nothing could happen especially in our Brigade Sector. We left via the Signal Centre as was my practice. It was all quiet there nothing on the air or line: some how too peaceful to my liking. We may have been away from the HQ at the most for an hour. However as we approached the HQ I could feel a tension in the air resulting in quickening of our pace. The scene had completely changed. It was getting dark and gloomy and there was unease in the atmosphere. Some thing was wrong very wrong.

Assam Rifles Post Surrounded
Wondering as to what had happened to bring about the sudden change both of us gingerly trooped in to the BM’s room apprehensive and expecting a rocket for our absence from the HQ where in every one seemed to have gathered. No one took notice of our entry. Kharbanda a bit worse for wear due to some extra beer incoherent with his eyes- bleary red and watering but a soldier to core - he was all decked up in full battle gear with his large pack ready for move. It transpired that Bingo the Assam Rifles post had been surrounded by more than 600 Chinese earlier in the day. This was according to a message received in a round about manner late in the evening; that is how the communication system was functioning those days. Kharbanda as we could see was all set to relieve the post single handed. All of us were more worried about him desperately trying to hold him back than the Chinese or Bingo. The scene would have definitely appeared a bit comical to an outsider ideal for a sequence in the war movies being produced in Bombay.

Suddenly Hindi Chini ‘bhai bhai’ became Hindi Chini ‘bye bye’

Ops Room Buzzing
Kharbanda’s small room, the telephone ringing continuously with incoming and out going calls to Tezpur where all of us of the Bde HQ had gathered resembled an ad hoc Operational Room. With so many of us crowding around the air had become charged with combined energy of diverse emotions; excitement apprehension uncertainty and even fear of the unknown all adding to the whole in various proportions depending on the attitude of the particular individual. With the BM being out of action Pereira the DQ the only possible link with the Commander at Tezpur and possibly me the Signals officer had a role to play others apart from the mess staff providing unending supply of mugs of coffee and tea were just hanging around trying to look involved and useful not unlike friends and relations holding vigil outside the Operating Theatre with some near and dear one on the surgeon’s table inside.

Commander Recalled
Willy- nilly the Brigade HQ swung into action Maj Pereira took charge of the situation. Commander was located in the guest room of the Mahar Regiment at the Tezpur airfield next door to the airfield from where his IAC plane was to take off early next morning carrying him thousands of miles away to Meerut in North India. The plane did take off the next morning. However his seat was empty. He took another seat but in a helicopter back to Tawang.

Brig Lakshman Singh, VSM (Retd)

Officers and Orderlies

In the military, a soldier is assigned to an officer to attend to his small personal requirements such as prepare his dress, serve bed tea, keep his room in good order, etc. This sets the officer free to deal with more important issues demanding his attention.

A few years ago, someone thought that the term “orderly” was not in keeping with the democratic norms and decided to rename him as “Sahayak” though his range of duties and commitments remain the same.

Over time a strong relationship builds between the officer and his orderly (sorry Sahayak). The latter would go to any extent to make his officer comfortable. Thus an orderly of a Polish officer during World War II would bring hot meals from the enemy kitchen for his officer. He continued with this enterprise for quite some time till one day he was found out and taken prisoner.
When General Musservy came to India to attend the centenary celebrations of his regiment so did his long time Sahayak. The two went into a long hug with tears flowing down their wrinkled cheeks.

Sahayaks not only attend to the basic needs, but often proffer advice to the officer. While I was working as a staff officer, my Sahayak finding that I was not regular with the morning physical training would often lecture me on the need for an officer to remain physically fit. He continued lecturing me till the annual test of a five-mile run where I beat him by a wide margin. After that he never brought up the subject of physical fitness.

During training camps, the officers are accommodated in tents of various sizes, depending on rank. Camp equipment is an essential requirement, such as camp cot, a hurricane lamp, an odd stool or table and in the bath tent, the necessary items like foot board, bucket, mug, stool and a commode, better known as “thunderbox”, etc.

We were on one such camp when a young officer, straight from the academy, arrived late in the evening. He was assigned a tent and a Sahayak. On discovering that the officer had just his bedding and a small box with none of the camp essentials listed above, Sahayak was in a quandary.

The young officer after leaving his baggage with his Sahayak went to the officer’s mess. After dinner everyone moved to their respective tents and so did this officer. On opening the flap of his tent he found that his bedding was neatly laid out on a camp cot, there was a hurricane lamp, stool, a hanger or two for his clothes and the bathroom was fully equipped with a bucket full of water, “thunderbox”, etc. He felt happy at having come to a regiment where they took such good care of their officers!

He was immersed in these pleasant thoughts when someone shouted that his camp cot was missing and soon more protests were heard regarding other items. A search commenced and item by item were traced to this newly arrived officer’s tent. One by one these items were taken away with this officer helplessly watching the proceedings. Soon his bedding was on the floor and nothing else left with him.

Throughout these unseemly proceedings the officer’s Sahayak remained in the shadows and when every item was taken away, he was overheard telling another Sahayak, “Mein ta sub kuch ekatha kar detha se, par saab kolon sambhalya hi nahin gaya.” (I had collected everything, but the sahib could not consolidate his hold on these!)
Reproduced for benefit of Readers Article in Tribune, 26 March 2008

Lt Gen Harwant Singh, PVSM, AVSM (Retd)

Rescue of Dogra Women

Harvard
Dakota
Poonch Rajouri Link Up 1948
Despite the resistance created by the Opposing Forces, both Rajouri and Poonch Columns kept advancing steadily. They finally met at the rendezvous and formed into a Bde under Brig Pritam Singh. As planning for the intended attack was underway, 30 very young Dogra girls mostly pregnant, some in advanced stages, appeared suddenly. They were weeping loudly. They complained to the Bde Comdr that Muslims of the area grabbed them from their parents through intimidation and kept them in their houses against their will. They were often beaten and gang raped mercilessly. As Indian troops arrived, the Muslims ran away from their houses, leaving the girls behind. The girls found an opportunity to escape from the captivity and came running to our Column for help. They repeatedly begged the Bde Comdr for reunification with their parents.

Humane Logistics
The Dogra girls created a huge problem for the Bde Comdr. Their reunification with parents was out of question. The Bde Comdr, therefore, decided to evacuate them to Poonch, from where they could be flown by normal Dakota service to Delhi for further necessary resettlement. Under orders from the Bde Comdr a small patch of land was levelled up along side a Stream for a small aircraft to land. A small single engined two seater aircraft called Harvard was retained at Poonch for emergency use. The Bde Comdr ordered the use of that aircraft for evacuation of the girls to Poonch. The Harvard Pilot made three trips and managed to evacuate six girls.

IAF Dakota
Shortly after that, a Dakota started circling over our location. On seeing that, Brig Pritam Singh who was sitting next to me, asked me to order the Dakota Pilot to go away as we did not want him. I got in touch with the Pilot on RT and passed the Comdr’s orders, which he acknowledged immediately. Nevertheless, the Dakota kept circling and started descending by reducing the speed. The Pilot soon landed the Dakota at the levelled ground. He then got out came uphill to meet the Bde Comdr.

Pilot Reprimanded
Brig Pritam Singh was furious at the Pilot for disobedience of his orders. He threatened to take his belt off and put him under arrest. He was so angry with the pilot that he continued with his abusive slurs and outbursts in Punjabi. He said that the Dakota now has to be written off. He asked the pilot if he possessed enough money to pay the cost of the Dakota? The Pilot kept mum, listening very attentively to each of the Bde Comdr’s harsh and unpleasant words with his eyes fixed to the ground.

Permission Granted
When anger of the Bde Comdr subsided somewhat, the Pilot requested his permission to say a few words. On receiving the Comdr’s permission, he said "Sir, I have a family. In case the Dakota crashes while taking off from here, I too shall die and my family too shall suffer. That is the last thing I would like to happen. I have very long service in the Indian Air Force and a lot of experience in flying Dakotas. In case I had the slightest doubt in my mind about taking off, I would never have decided to land. Sir, Please trust me and permit me to take all the remaining girls to Delhi in the Dakota. I am positive that I shall succeed in this mission".

Rescue Mission
After careful consideration , the Bde Comdr agreed to his request. The girls were loaded in the Dakota and the Pilot took a detailed look around surrounding hills. He found a saddle between two hill- tops and decided to fly the Dakota above that saddle. He warmed up the aircraft engine for a long while. As soon as the Dakota got into motion, the Pilot put it into the ’Flying Gear’ and buzzed off through the saddle, leaving us all anxiously waiting and praying for his success. As soon as the Dakota flew past the saddle, the Pilot reported “All Clear“ on the RT. I passed his message to the Bde Comdr who took a sigh of relief. It was later learnt that the Pilot in question was appropriately decorated for this extraordinary deed of bravery in rescuing all the deserted Dogra Women.

Pritam of Poonch by Lt Gen Harwant singh
History Dogra Rule

Lt Col Pritam Singh Jauhal (Retd)
Founding President Indian Ex- Servicemen Society British Columbia