Civil Military Relations: The pivot has become unstable

Army will Continue to Play A Pivotal Role in the Nation Building : Pallam Raju
Minister of State for Defence Dr. MM PallamRaju has said that the Army has always in the past and also in the future will continue to play a pivotal role in the nation building and for that it must emerge as a national symbol and represent the nation’s unique characteristics which is ‘Unity in Diversity’.
Delivering Field Marshal KM Cariappa Memorial Lecture on ‘Army’s Contribution to Nation Building – The Way Ahead’ here today, Dr.Raju said the military virtues of sacrifice, loyalty and discipline have always remained and must serve as objects of veneration for the rest of the nation.
Following is the text of the speech delivered by the Minister: Army will Continue to Play A Pivotal Role in the Nation Building: Pallam Raju- click here
Civil-military relations in crisis
Civilian bureaucrats, who in any case are not specialists, lack the ability to inform themselves adequately and constantly re-invent the wheel. As a result, they show a poor grasp and understanding of military matters and are unable to engage in an informed dialogue. Many members of India’s strategic community have recognised these problems and offered some sensible policy measures to enable more harmonious civil-military relations. For instance, Admiral Arun Prakash, among many others, has argued in favour of integrating bureaucracies and fostering teamwork by cross-posting civilian and military officers. Recognising the problems stemming from a generalist civil service, N.N. Vohra has advocated the creation of a civilian Ministry of Defence, or even National Security cadre. Almost all members of the strategic community have called for a more logical and mature declassification policy.
Read more: Civil-military relations in crisis by ANIT MUKHERJEE- click here

National War Memorial approved: Defence Minister

Finally, plans for National War Memorial approved: Defence Minister
Reported by Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Edited by Amit Chaturvedi | Updated: August 17, 2012 17:38 IST
New Delhi: The long-delayed national War Memorial for Indian soldiers, first proposed in the 60s, has been cleared by a group of ministers handled to manage the project. It will be constructed next to the India Gate in New Delhi, a location preferred by the armed forces.
Defence Minister AK Antony told reporters today, "Most hurdles for the construction of War Memorial has been cleared." While the armed forces wanted the war memorial to be built at India Gate at the centre of the capital, the Urban Development Ministry and other bodies like the New Delhi Municipal Corporation had objected, saying that the construction would mar the landscape that includes Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Indian Parliament. Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy was among the group of ministers who were appointed in 2009 to resolve differences of opinion. They have agreed that the layout of the memorial will be organic to the India Gate vista; it will surround the main canopy or chhattri at India Gate, and will list the names of thousands of soldiers who died in the line of duty.
The Union Cabinet is expected to formally approve the construction in the next few weeks.
India Gate and the eternal flame there, the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which remembers the unknown solider, was built by the British in honour of Indians who died during World War 1. Since its independence, India has gone through five wars; soldiers have died in counter-insurgency operations, too. But there has been no memorial built in their honour.
Armed forces will now consult design experts to finalise the design.
National War Memorial approved: Defence Minister

National War Memorial

National War Memorial, at last
The ‘Unknown Soldier’ deserved it
by Lt-Gen Harwant Singh (retd)
IT is more than half a century since the proposal to build a national war memorial at a suitable place in New Delhi was mooted by the defence services. All this time the proposal was being put off for no valid reason. It had been a sustained attempt by successive governments in the Capital to keep the military in the background and, as a policy, never to give due recognition to its services and highlight the achievements and sacrifices made to the nation. The bureaucracy, with a view to keeping the military suppressed, has succeeded in injecting into the political executive the fear of a military takeover of the country. The developments in the neighbouring countries served to reinforce such fears in the minds of the political class.
The media’s role has been anything but laudable. At another level, there has been complete apathy on the part of the public at large and the so-called civil society for building a National War Memorial. After all, it is for the protection and safety of people of this country that these gallant men gave up their lives. Therefore, the idea of National War Museum has been a victim of this policy and attitude of indifference.
India has been the scene of innumerable battles, yet it never evolved a military tradition and resources enough to meet the challenge from invading armies. The soldier was seldom given recognition for his valour and sacrifices. Nations that value freedom and abhor foreign rule remember and honour those who sacrifice their lives for the defence of the country. They honour their martyrs in all possible ways as also build memorials to acknowledge their sacrifices. Unfortunately in India, there has been no tradition or practice to raise memorials to honour those who sacrificed their lives in defence of this land and commemorate battles in which they fell.
The concept of raising war memorials as such was, perhaps, first introduced in India by the British. Some historians have tried to classify the Qutab Minar in Delhi, the Victory Towers in Chittorgarh and Tughlakabad (down South) as a sort of memorials, but that claim is contestable. These were more to honour and highlight the achievements of the king or the conqueror than the common soldier. However, in other parts of the world the tradition of raising memorials in one form or the other has been in vogue from prehistoric times — in the form of ‘Burial Mounds’, ‘Obelisks’, crosses, the female figure as a symbol of victory, statues, structures, arches, etc.
It was the shattering experience of World War I that set in motion the urge to build memorials all over — in every town and village in Europe and elsewhere. In addition to these innumerable memorials, each of these countries, whose soldiers took part in this war, built national war memorials at the most appropriate places. In England, it is next to Whitehall in the heart of London. It is around this time that the concept of an “Unknown Soldier” was evolved and national memorials started being dedicated to him. Arch-de-Triumphe in Paris is the most prominent memorial; it is at this place that the idea of an “Unknown Soldier” was first put into practice. An “Unknown Soldier” lies buried in the Arch complex.
The British built a number of war memorials to commemorate their battle victories against Indian troops. The last great memorial they built to honour the Indian soldiers who fell in World War I is India Gate in New Delhi. While it has the names of all those who laid down their lives in this Great War, on the gate (a memorial arch) are also the manes of British officers who were killed in the NorthWest Frontier. Though some smaller memorials were built in the North-East to honour those who fell defending India against the Japanese offensive across Burma during World War II, no main war memorial could be built to honour the killed Indian troops. Thus, there is no memorial for Indian troops who sacrificed their lives during this war. Many of them had died defending India against the Japanese and others in North Africa and Italy to defend freedom.
India has fought a number of wars since Independence where thousands of soldiers (the term “soldiers” includes airmen and sailors and their officers) died but their sacrifices have never been properly recognised. Therefore, the decision of the government to finally build a National War Memorial in New Delhi should be welcome. The approval to build it near India Gate is both befitting and laudable.
This memorial needs to be dedicated not only to those who fell in the battles after Independence, including those of the Indian Peace Keeping Force during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, but also those who laid down their lives during World War II. The failure to do so will be a great injustice to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in that great struggle.
The monument to be thus constructed must be of a grand design and scale, befitting the valour and sacrifices of those whose memory it aims to perpetuate. It must match India Gate in design, scale and grandeur. It ought to portray the unwavering loyalty, devotion and dedication of the Indian soldier (which includes airmen and sailors) to the country. It would be a place where all visiting dignitaries must be taken to pay homage to the “Unknown Soldier”. Some suggestions are doing the rounds that it should have a statue of a particular Indian general. National War Memorials as such never have a statue. There may be statues of a group of soldiers involved in some activity related to their deeds of valour, etc. National War Memorials are invariably dedicated to the “Unknown Soldier”, “The lads who took the copje (rocky outcrop) and are not known.”
The Tribune: National War Memorial, at last

Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha speaks for the Honour of Soldiers

RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR
A MESSAIAH OF THE SOLDIERS AND MILITARY VETERANS
HAIL RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR
THREE CHEERS TO RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR
Military Veterans are proud of the fact that Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar is son of Veteran Air Commodore MK Chandrasekhar, VM, VSM, an ace transport aircraft Pilot.
RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR IS THE ONLY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT WHO HAS EVER SPOKEN SO UNEQUIVOCALLY IN SUPPORT OF SOLDIERS:

URGING THE GOVT TO CONSTRUCT A NATIONAL MILITARY MEMORIAL IN THE CAPITAL

IMMEDIATE GRANT OF ONE RANK ONE PENSION TO MILITARY VETERANS & DEFENCE FAMILY PENSIONERS AS PER THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE FOR DEFENCE AND THE PARLIAMENT’S PETITIONS COMMITTEE

NOMINATION OF DEFENCE SERVICES PERSONNEL AS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO THE RAJYA SABHA
Please hear Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar speak forcefully in support of the Soldiers, in the Rajya Sabha in Video above
Webpage: click here
Military Veterans who wish to thank and express their gratitude to Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar may email Shri V Anand PS to RC
Regards,
Col Rajan
Convenor, Military Veterans INDIA
Bangalore, 9449043770
Brig V A Subramanyam (Retd)

Corps of Signals Veteran, Bangalore
Dear Veterans and would be veterans sooner or later!!
The speech by Mr. Chandrasekhar in the Parliament is so powerful, to the point and crisp. One has also seen Mr. Chandrasekhar on TV Channels very ably articulating soldier's points of view. Time and again he has been peaking in the Parliament and writing to the PM and the RM supporting the cause of the soldiers and in support of the Defence Forces issues.
While quite a few veterans will and have sent messages to him individually, it would be befitting if thousands of us append our signatures to a communication thanking him and appreciating his efforts for his concern for India's Defence Forces and its personnel. May be Lt Gen Kadyan/ Maj Gen Satbir Singh the Adhikaris of IESM can take the initiative. Jai Hind
Harbhajan Singh
Lt Gen
Former Signal Officer-in-Chief

64th Army Day Celebrations

Why does India still not have a national military memorial?
Published On: January 15, 2012 | Duration: 51 min, 15 sec
As the country marks Army Day, there is perhaps an unprecedented perception of differences between the Ministry of Defence and the bureaucracy at large, and the military. But beyond the controversies, and a perception within the military that modernisation and acquisition of equipment takes far too long, there is a much more basic issue: Why does India not have a national war memorial?
NDTV Video at: Click here

Monday 16 January, 2012.
Army Day being celebrated today
President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A.K. Antony have greeted the personnel of the Indian Army on this occasion.
64th Army Day is being celebrated across the country on Sunday.
Chief of Army Staff, General V.K. Singh, laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi to mark the occasion this year.
General V.K. Singh on this historic occasion called upon each of the Army personnel to continue performing their duties with resolve, keeping the interest of the nation and army in the forefront.
He further said that the armed forces are ready to face any challenges.
Army Day is celebrated on 15th January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1948.
The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in national capital as well as all six Army Command headquarters.
Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect the country. (SP-15/1)
DD News: Army Day

Rezangla War Memorial

Dear Veteran,
1. I take pleasure in informing you that foundation stone for Rezangla War Memorial has been laid by Ch Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana on 16 sep 2011 at Rezangla Chowk near DSOI Gurgaon in Sector-23 of Palam Vihar:
(a) The construction of the same has started and Memorial will be inaugurated on 18 Nov 2012 conciding with 50th year of Battle.
(b) The function had the presence of almost entire Haryana cabinet & Gen (Retd) NC Vij, Admiral (Retd) RH Tahiliani & Air Chief Marshal (Retd) SP Tyagi & Sh AS Bhatotia Ex DGP, and large number of retd Lt Gens, Maj Generals & other high officials of Armd force and civil services.
(c) It was a touching scene to meet widows & next of kins of ‘C’ company of 13 KUMAON who were invited. They were honoured during the function.
(d) Military band was also in attendance and played the patriotic tunes.
(e) Hon’ble Chief Minister while addressing the gathering said that Dr TC Rao has taken a noble task to pay tribute to the Martyrs of Rezangla battle. The memorial will give a feeling to next of kins that Nation salutes them. CM added that he is aware of the difficulties faced by Ex-Servicemen and Govt of Haryana will do his best to look after them. He assured the martyrs widows & next of kins that he is always approachable for their difficulties.
(f) Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Power, Forests & Environment, who is also an Ex-Servicemen assured the next of kins that Haryana Govt will always be concerned for Ex-servicemen difficulties.
(g) Dr TC Rao, while thanking the Hon’ble CM & Minister & Ex-Chiefs said that Rezangla War Memorial of Gurgaon will be land mark in Delhi, Gurgaon & NCR which will be decorated with Tank & Guns & will inspire the youth to join Armed Forces & we will always salute the martyrs. The function ended with Nation Anthem.
Jai Hind
Dr TC Rao, Veteran

MOD updates

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Kargil Vijay Diwas

Respected Sir/Ma'am,
The following report -- released by the United News of India news agency on July 16, 2011 -- is for your kind perusal.
With regards
Abhi

DEFENCE-KARGIL-IESM ACTIVITIES (ATTN SRINAGAR) Kargil anniv: Veterans' activities to start on July 20
Bhopal, July 16 (UNI) Pride and grief form a heart-rending cocktail as veterans of the Indian Armed Forces prepare for a bouquet of programmes as tribute to the indomitable courage of the nation's military officers and men who made the supreme sacrifice during the Kargil conflict whose 12th anniversary will be observed on July 26.

The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) commemorates the valour of these brave-hearts on that day each year through countrywide activities. This time round the activities start in the week preceding Kargil Vijay Diwas.
"Amongst all military actions since Independence, Operation Vijay was not only the longest but the ferociousness brought about heavy casualties. As many as 527 personnel were martyred and 1,363 severely wounded. Four Param Vir Chakras (PVCs) were awarded, two posthumously and nine Maha Vir Chakras were awarded, six posthumously besides 55 Vir Chakras," narrated IESM Vice-Chairman Major-General (Retd) Satbir Singh, Sena Medal.
The tenacity with which Indian Army units precariously negotiated the razor-edged mountain ridges in darkness -- for daylight spelt doom from the machine-gun-swept mountain slopes bereft of vegetation -- is testimony to the leadership, training and professionalism of the best Army in the world.
heir officers -- two of whom deserve special mention -- led the valiant soldiers from the front in true Indian Army ethos.
Captain Vikram Batra (IC-57556) of the 13 JAK Rif (the 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment) was martyred while dragging injured Lieutenant Naveen towards cover. Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey (IC-56959) of the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles said "Na chhornu" (Do not leave them) to his jawans before succumbing to wounds caused while leading his platoon through a hail of gunfire during the capture of Khalubar. Both officers were decorated with PVCs posthumously.

DEFENCE-KARGIL-IESM ACTIVITIES BHOPAL
"The years since Independence have seen an ever-declining interest in matters military. Kargil happened just a decade plus back and was confined to history within 365 days! Our forces entering Dhaka in December '71 and the heroes of the Kargil conflict are oft forgotten," alleged IESM Member Colonel (Retd) Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi.
Rather than being confined to cantonment commemorations, IESM feels that participation by the citizenry would spread awareness a lot better. Starting on Wednesday, veterans will give lectures in schools. Taking the conflict as the backdrop, they will talk on inculcation of intrinsic qualities like values and camaraderie that characterise the Armed Forces fraternity.
On July 24, homage will be paid from 1100-1300 hrs to martyrs at the Shaheed Smarak in Sector 29, New Okhla Industrial Development Authority Area. Blood donation and organ-pledging are planned on site for those who volunteer. Over 500 persons are expected.
Several households -- both military and non-military ones -- have appreciatively adopted the poignant ceremony of lighting candles at home in the past two years. At 2000 hrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas, citizens across India are requested to light a candle each at their residences' entrances and lay a marigold each by its side after saying a prayer for those who did not come back. This may additionally be done at offices.
A university students' group will conduct a theatrical poetry performance at the Vivekananda International Foundation, Chanakyapuri, Delhi. IESM appeals to media and the people of India to join in commemorating Kargil Vijay Diwas in a befitting manner to generate the spirit of Bharat. UNI AC 0832

Kargil Diwas, Tuesday, 26 July 2011 at Bangalore

KARGIL DIWAS : TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2011
Respected Sir,
Jai Hind. I shall be obliged if you could please put out the following in REPORT MY SIGNAL.
Regards,
Col Rajan

COMMEMORATION CEREMONY ON KARGIL DIWAS AT BANGALORE: TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2011 Veteran Admiral OS Dawson, PVSM, AVSM (Former Chief of Naval Staff) Veteran Air Chief Marshal Fali H Major, PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM (Former Chief of Air Staff)
Veteran Lt Gen (Army Cdr) Ravi Eipe, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Former GOC-in-C Eastern Command)
Veteran Lt Gen NSI Narahari, PVSM( Former Corps Cdr and Comdt, Army War College, Mhow)
request the kind presence of Ex-Servicemen & Defence Family Pensioners at the Commemoration Ceremony on Kargil Diwas at 9.15 AM on Tuesday, 26 July 2011at the Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka, Bangalore, adjacent to Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain on Chowdiah Road,Opp. Nehru Planetarium, near Raj Bhawan, Bangalore.

PROGRAMME ON KARGIL DIWAS
TUESDAY, 26 JULY 2011
09.15 AM: Assembly at Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka.
09.30 AM: Laying of wreaths. 1
0.30 AM: Tea, kind courtesy Govt of Karnataka.
WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 2011
07.30 PM: KARGIL DIWAS MUSICAL NITE at RSI Bangalore for Officers & Families.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Ex-Servicemen may be dressed in suit/ combination with regimental tie or National Dress (bandh gala) or shirt & regimental tie or just open collar; with miniature or full medals. The head gear could be a beret, a cap (like the Thambi cap or a Nepali cap), a side cap, a hat, a turban or a turban with ‘thura’.
2. Defence Family Pensioners shall be suitably attired, befitting the solemn occasion.
3. Cars & vehicles will be parked only in the designated Car Park, at the rear of Rashtriya Sainika Smaraka, entry to which is from Asgar Ali Road.
4. The entire proceedings shall be conducted as a solemn event with dignity & decorum.
5. Ex-Servicemen & Defence Family Pensioners are requested to be in possession of their Identity Cards issued by the Defence Department

National Military Memorial Bangalore

KIND PRESENCE OF VETERANS REQUESTED AT BANGALORE ON 16 & 17 DEC 2011 INAUGURATION OF NATIONAL MILITARY MEMORIAL AT BANGALORE ON FRIDAY, 16 DEC 2011 AND SEMINAR ON MATTERS RELATING TO MILITARY VETERANS ON SATURDAY, 17 DEC 2011
Respected Mentors, Seniors & Peers,
Jai Hind & my salute to you all. It is thanks to the stupendous efforts of Veteran Air Cmde MK Chandrasekhar, VM, VSM and his noble son- Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and kind courtesy, Govt of Karnataka, that a grand National Military Memorial is under construction at Bangalore, that would be a cynosure of all eyes and envy of other States in the Country. The foundation stone for the National Military Memorial at Bangalore was laid on 9 Feb 2009, by Shri TN Chaturvedi, the then Governor of Karntaka; and two service chiefs, viz. the CAS & the CNS and the Adjt Gen, representing the COAS, attended the Foundation laying ceremony. God willing & with the best wishes of one & all, the National Military Memorial at Bangalore would be ready by 30 Nov 2011; and shall be inaugurated with due solemnity & decorum, with Military Bands playing martial tunes, on Vijay Diwas, Friday, 16 Dec 2011.
In order to make the event a truly memorable one; the Military Veterans of Bangalore shall feel honored & privileged if you could please grace the occasion; if need be, by rescheduling your engagements & appointments during that period; and, book your tickets now itself.
On Saturday, 17 Dec 2011, a Seminar on matters relating to Military Veterans, viz. Military Pensions and Meaningful resettlement of Ex-Servicemen, is scheduled from 9 AM to 5 PM; and we the Military Veterans of Bangalore shall feel honored & privileged if you could please make it convenient to attend the Seminar. A Musical Nite is also being planned to be held either in the evening of Friday, 16 Dec or on Saturday, 17 Dec 2011. I am now eagerly looking forward to a positive response from you all.
Regards,
Col SS Rajan (Retd)

12th Anniversay of the Kargil Vijay Divas

For the Tricity Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula, and Dist Panchkula, it has been resolved to commemorate the 12th Anniversay of the Kargil Vijay Divas on Sunday, July 24 at Panchkula under arrangements of the IESM Panchkula Branch as per programme below:

Homage Ceremony 1030 – 1130H Including Tea and Refreshments.

Candle Light Vigil 2000 ­– 2045H.

Place Major Shankla War Memorial, Sector – 2, Panchkula (Opposite Bella Vista Mall)
You are all requested to participate in the functions with family and friends. The Ex-Servicemen community must use this occasion to bond together. With Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Brig Kiran Krishan, SM (Retd)
Convener, IESM Panchkula Branch

Memorial for Indian Soldiers in Belgium

Retrieved from http://www.indiandiplomacy.in [MARCH 21, 2011]





India lost about 8500 Indian soldiers in World War I in Flanders and adjoining regions of Belgium and France during World War I. To commemorate the sacrifice of these soldiers an Indian Memorial was constructed in 2002 on the lawns of the ‘Menin Gate Memorial’. In 2011 this Memorial has been replaced with a newer one. A ceremony was held on 12th March 2011 in Ypres to unveil this new Memorial.
Memorial for Indian Soldiers in Belgium

Visit to War Memorial

Dear Brig,
I had gone to Washington D C and visited the Lincoln Memorial. I have taken some photographs of the inscriptions there. There is a whole wall giving the names of those who died or were missing in the Viernam War. I thought I would share some of these with you.
Regards,
Nautiyal
(IC-19071 Brig RP Nautiyal, Bihar Regt, settled at Dehra Dun)

Valour is their forte

The Hindu 27 January 2011, by G. Nagaraja
It is a legacy to respond to the call of duty in defence of the motherland that is handed down from generation to generation in this village.

DESERVING HONOUR: The memorial built in commemoration of war heroes killed in World War I and II at Military Madhavaram in West Godavari district.

MILITARY MADHAVARAM (W.G. DT.): The very prefix of this nondescript village, 12 km from Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district, speaks volumes about its key role in the armed forces.

The term ‘military' has become a household name in the village. The imposing war memorial built in commemoration of the ‘sons of the soil' who laid down their lives in the World War I and II in the heart of the village generates an indomitable spirit of bravery that wafts through the ambience.

It is a legacy to respond to the call of duty in defence of the motherland that is handed down from generation to generation in this village. Take the case of 78-year-old Vempali Markhendeyulu for instance.

He joined the military and served the country from 1960-87, drawing inspiration from his grandfather Vempali Venkatachalam Subedar Bahadur, who served in the British army in World War I. “My elder son is an ex-serviceman and my grandson joined the Army recently,” says Markhendeyulu with a sense of pride.

Markhendeyulu fought in the China War in 1962, Indo-Pak war in 1965 and in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Jamedar Bandaru Venkata Satyanarayana (90), the lone survivor among all those who took part in World War II from the village recalls, “The British conducted an army recruitment camp in our village in the run up to World War II and I got selected in that camp.” He served the country on the Burma and China borders, besides fighting in the World War II from 1940 to 1942. As per inscriptions on the war memorial, 90 persons from the village fought in the World War I and 1,110 in the World War II. Eleven personnel were killed in World War II. According to Markandeyulu, the village with a population of 10,000 has 2,400 ex-servicemen and 1,200 serving the military in different capacities. There are 68 in-service men in the village who retired in the rank of ‘Subedar'.

Minister to visit
Impressed by the lofty history of the village, Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju is planning to visit it on February 6 for an interaction with the ‘patriots.'
Patriotism: Valour is their forte

Air Force Band entralls spectators

Air Force Band playing for the gather public at India Gate in New Delhi on December 26, 2010. Photo no.CNR - 35762

Air Force Bands to Perform at India Gate on Sunday

Saturday, December 25, 2010 Ministry of Defence
PIB 17:39 IST
A 30-member IAF Band will enthrall audiences and visitors to Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate on Sunday, December 26. With a combination of Jazz and Military Brass musical instruments, the air warriors will play western, Indian classical, martial, patriotic and popular Hindi tunes during a ninety-minute performance. The free display will commence at 4 p.m. TKS/-
Air Force Bands to Perform at India Gate on Sunday

Vijay Diwas- Report from various cities

Click here to read report from various cities
Vijay Diwas is commemorated every 16 December in India as it marks the decisive military victory over Arch-rival Pakistan achieved on 16 December, 1971. The anniversary of Vijay Divas is observed across India by paying rich tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation. Most important celebration is held in nation's capital New Delhi where Defense Minister and head of all three wings of the armed forces pays homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.

BANGALORE: Thursday is Vijay Diwas. The National Military Memorial (NMM) park in the Indira Gandhi musical park premises originally scheduled to be completed by this day is still under construction. Though work is going on at a brisk pace, the memorial will be delayed by atleast a month. Which means it will not be ready even by Republic Day, the second deadline. Work on this Rs 15-cr memorial park started in August first week. More than a month was lost on legal issues. When work resumed, rainy days followed.

"There is some delay due to the rains. The pits dug up for the underground motivation hall were inundated. It's a nine-month contract that's on till May, 2011. But we had planned to finish it by January 26. But now, it might extend to February end,'' a BDA engineer told TOI. According to BDA estimates, 30% of the project is completed.

"We are sure not happy with the delay. We still hope to dedicate the memorial to the martyrs and their families on the Republic Day,'' Rajeev Chandrasekhar, chairman, National Military Memorial Committee, said.
Read more: The Times of India War memorial may open only after R-Day

Honour the soldier: India must never forget its armed forces

The Tribune Saturday, December 18, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Thirtynine years ago, India recorded a spectacular military victory over Pakistan which has since been closely studied and analysed by several military forces the world over. The military victory, which involved considerable planning, evoked the largest surrender after World War-II, a record that was later broken by Saddam Hussein’s mother of all surrenders during the 1991 Gulf war. The most significant consequence of India’s military victory was that it rendered irrelevant Jinnah’s two-nation theory – East Pakistan broke away from West Pakistan to build a national identity based on (Bengali) ethnicity and language rather than on the commonality of religion.

Indeed, the record of the Indian soldier has been among the most glorious. From conducting nation-consolidation operations starting with Junagadh, Kashmir, Hyderabad and later Goa to nation-preservation against attacks from Pakistan and China, the Indian military has also been wantonly misused if not abused as evident from its involvement in Operation Bluestar in Punjab, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka and internal security operations in Kashmir and in the Northeast due to a long history of gross political and administrative mismanagement.

Yet, the stoic and apolitical Indian soldier has performed uncomplainingly and with aplomb even as some governments in our neighbourhood succumbed to military interference or coups. His sacrifice remains mostly unheralded. In April this year the Supreme Court observed that our soldiers were being shabbily treated by the government. Disgustingly, successive governments have failed even to build a national war memorial. The India Gate, where our President ritualistically lays a wreath every Republic Day and which we treat as a war memorial, was, ironically, built by the British colonialists to commemorate the 90,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting in World War-I and in the Third Anglo-Afghan war. It is a national shame that ex-servicemen have been returning their gallantry medals to the indifference of our politicians. Unlike the US where successive presidents starting from US Army Colonel Harry Truman to Air Force First Lieutenant George W. Bush or the present British Royal family starting from Queen Elizabeth-II to her grandson, Royal Army Lieutenant Prince Harry, all of who have a distinguished record of military service and of seeing action in wars, the Indian politician ranks among the most corrupt and self-seeking with rare examples of either he or his son serving in the military. India cannot afford to forget that all books of statecraft starting with Sun Tzu’s Art of War, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Niccolo Machiavelli’s Prince warn against neglecting the soldier. We can risk this only to our own peril.
Honour the soldier: India must never forget its armed forces

When will we honour our soldiers?

Thursday, December 16, 2010, Chandigarh, India
Today is the 39th anniversary of the greatest victory India has won, not just since Independence but also in the last hundreds of years. It was on this day in 1971 that the Indian Military won resounding victories in all theatres of that war, with the crowning glory being the capture of East Pakistan; the birth of Bangladesh; and taking more than 93,000 Pakistani soldiers as prisoners of war. It is on this date that the victory is celebrated as Vijay Diwas, but sadly only by our armed forces.

On this day, in military stations, onboard ships and at airbases, military personnel remember the officers and jawans who had fought wars for the nation, some sacrificing themselves and others their limbs. It is a day of rejoicing and jubilation, as also of reflection and remembrance. Yet only 1.3 million souls who don the uniform, nearly three million veterans and their families commemorate this important day. The rest, comprising over a billion Indians, are not even aware of it, thanks to the government that has no time to even commend the soldiers for their sacrifices. What a monumental shame!

Most European and Commonwealth countries, celebrate November 11 as Remembrance Day, while in the US it is Veterans Day. On November 11, 1918, an armistice (truce) was signed that ended World War I. On this day these countries honour their men and women in uniform. Grateful nations, led by the governing elite, recall the gallantry, sacrifices and the selfless spirit of their soldiers.

Similarly, most nations have days or weeks earmarked for felicitating their soldiers and veterans. All military personnel who had fought, died and lost limbs in wars and battles for their nations are honoured. It is a treat to see how proudly nations place their military men and women on pedestals, recall their exploits and honour them. There are parades with heads of states presiding, where the populace cheer and express their gratitude for the soldiers of yore. There are memorial services; visits to the sites where great battles were fought; escorted tours for the veterans still living, where much is made of them; and speeches extolling the bravery of soldiers and how the nation is beholden to them.

What do we do in India? Practically nothing, because our leaders are not bothered with such niceties as honour, sacrifice and national pride as it distracts them from their favourite pastimes, which are too well known to be reiterated. The Commander-in-Chief of our republic, the President, remains ensconced in the hallowed precincts of Rashtrapati Bhawan, instead of meeting a selection of military personnel at an "At Home"; the Prime Minister does not visit jawans guarding our inhospitable borders, or meets and discuss the problems of the war disabled; and governors and chief ministers do not even know it is a special day for the nation, not just for the military. A few years ago, political leaders stooped to the lowest levels possible when they dubbed the two recent wars as the "Congress War" and the "BJP War"!

Then there are the bureaucrats, the intimate advisors to political leaders. They are past masters at ignoring or playing down sentiments and coming up with ingenious arguments as to why there is nothing to celebrate! At one stage, they stated that any such celebration may upset the dialogue we were then having with Pakistan. They also had the temerity to question the need to celebrate something that happened decades back!

On Vijay Diwas, the defence minister makes an appearance at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to lay a wreath. He does so oblivious of the fact that he is laying a wreath at a place constructed by the British when India was a colony. He does not even feel the incongruity of having no war memorial for soldiers who have made sacrifices in the wars fought bitterly in the post-Independence era, even after six decades of Independence. What a monumental shame!

After Independence the government decided that instead of following the Commonwealth, India will have its own day for commending soldiers. On August 28, 1949, a committee chose December 7 and christened it as the Armed Forces Flag Day. However, the significance of the day, viz. "commemorating the sacrifices of the soldiers" was soon forgotten. It became just a day for collecting funds, ostensibly for the welfare of the soldiers. The status today is that state governments are unable to collect even the small targets laid down and the bulk of the funds are contributed by soldiers, seemingly for their own welfare! How ironical in an era when nine percent rate of growth of the GDP is announced with much fanfare every other day. Is the nation still in penury that collections are needed to provide some welfare to the soldiers?

Over six years ago, a Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) was created to give focused attention to welfare programmes for ex-servicemen and their dependants. In reality it was a cosmetic exercise as three existing entities of the Ministry of Defence merely started reporting to another set of bureaucrats. Even after six years, except for garnering additional vacancies for their cadre, the department is yet to come out with a single programme for the welfare of veterans. They also commenced looking after the pensions of veterans and the mess they have made post--Sixth Pay Commission is too well known.

Here is a department tailor-made to make much of the soldiers' sacrifices by conceiving a comprehensive and long-term plan to commemorate their valiant deeds, not only on Vijay Diwas, but also on other such occasions. The need is for vision, empathy and dedication, which requires staffing this department by military personnel. They know what soldiers want and how best to meet their needs. The incongruity of welfare of soldiers by the bureaucracy needs immediate burial. Let us do so without delay and start honouring our soldiers.
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
The writer is a former Vice Chief of the Indian Army
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101216/edit.htm#7

India has no war memorial even 6 decades after independence

Respected Sir/Madam,
The following report -- released by the United News of India news agency on December 16, 2010 -- is for your kind perusal. I request you to further publicise the issue.
With regards,
Abhi

India has no war memorial even 6 decades after freedom: IESM
Bhopal, Dec 16 (UNI) As the nation observes the anniversary of the 1971 Bangladesh War, the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) today described as "a monumental shame" the fact that -- even six decades after Independence -- the country does not have a war memorial in honour of those who made the supreme sacrifice in bitter conflicts since 1947.
"It is a day of rejoicing and jubilation, as also reflection and remembrance. Yet only 1.3 million souls who don the uniform, nearly three million veterans and their families commemorate this day. The rest, comprising over a billion Indians, are not even aware of it, thanks to the Government that has no time to even commend the soldiers for their sacrifices," IESM Vice-Chairman Major-General (Retd) Satbir Singh, Sena Medal, said in a release.
Most nations have days or weeks earmarked for felicitating their soldiers and veterans.
"What do we do in India? Not only we do nothing but also our governments continue to be oblivious to the need and welfare of soldiers. In the name of civilian control of defence forces, which really means control by elected representatives, the bureaucrats continue to ill-treat the military," the veteran alleged.
"Two years back, political leaders stooped to the lowest level possible when they dubbed two conflicts as the Congress war and the Bharatiya Janata Party war. There is a need for people to join in creating ethos and traditions to give due respect and honour to soldiers," the release said.
On Vijay Diwas, the Defence Minister makes an appearance at the India Gate's Amar Jawan Jyoti to lay a wreath 'oblivious' of the fact that he is laying a wreath at a place constructed by the British when India was a colony. An IESM delegation laid a wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti at noon today.
On this day in 1971 the Indian military won resounding victories in all theatres of that war with the crowning glory being the capture of East Pakistan; the birth of Bangladesh and taking more than 93,000 Pakistani soldiers as prisoners of war. At 1631 hrs, Lt-Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Naizi signed the surrender document offered by Indian Lt-Gen Jagjit Singh Arora. He also surrendered his pistol in a symbolic gesture.
This great victory was achieved at a price. A total of 68 officers, 60 junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and 1,293 other ranks sacrificed their lives. As many as 211 officers, 160 JCOs and more than 3,500 other ranks were wounded. The Indian Armed Forces took merely 14 days to liberate Bangladesh, in a lighting campaign to the surprise of the entire world.