Gen Vijay Oberoi leads the Half Marathon

Dear All,
The War Wounded Foundation had participated in the Delhi Half-Marathon on Sunday 30 September 2012. A total of three officers, 1 JCO and 12 jawans, all disabled, ran in the Great Delhi Run, as a group and completed the full race. The distance was approximately seven km. The group of war disabled personnel was lead by me.
The NDTV had covered it. Clips were shown briefly a number of times in the news segments on 01 October 12.
The Chief Minister of Delhi had met our group before the commencement of the race.
A few photographs taken during the race are as above for your viewing.
Regards.
Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Comments: The RMS team and Readers congratulate Gen Vijay Oberoi and all the War Wounded Veterans who participated in the Half Marathon Run. Other ESM Organisations should popularise such events in all Metro Cities. These media events will enhance the prestige of the Military especially the Veterans. These positive events should replace protest rallies which are a waste of time. Let us run a Marathon for "One Rank One Pension".

Widow of war hero granted disputed land

Rahul Gandhi moved at plight of soldier's wife
Updated: Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 17:05 [IST]
Ranchi, Sept 26: The plight of Balamdin, wife of Albert Ekka, a soldier who died fighting in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, moved Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he came to know that the five-acre plot of land allotted to his family by the government turned out to be disputed.
"We apprised him of our plight, told him about the disputed land, now in a court, and urged him to help find a job for me. We are very happy to meet Rahul Gandhi," said Bhisent, who was nine-months-old when his father Lance Naik Albert died while fighting Pak troops at Ganga Sagar.
Albert was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. "He assured us to help in whatever way possible," Bhisent, who met Gandhi along with his mother here, said. Over two decades ago, the government had allotted the land to the family in Gumla district as a mark of respect to the soldier's sacrifice.
The land was, however, allotted without proper inquiry and later it was found out that it belonged to someone else. Gandhi, who placed a wreath at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Samadhisthal here this morning, left for Bokaro to finish with his two-day engagement in Jharkhand. PTI
Rahul Gandhi moved at plight of soldier's wife

Heros from the Hills

September 17, 2012
Heroes from the hills
MURALI N. KRISHNASWAMY: The Hindu

The Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington, is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army. Its history is chequered with battles won and lost, bravery, courage and endurance.
254 glorious years
click here for the complete article

One Rank One Pension: Babu's Spin the Government

Himachal ex-servicemen to honour Army Chief V K Singh
Press Trust of India / Dharamsala May 15, 2012, 00:05
The Himachal Pradesh ex-servicemen's league will honour Army Chief General V K Singh on May 25 here for his stand on the alleged corruption in the armed forces.
"The working and the retired band of soldiers in the state are impressed with the General, the way he has exposed the ugly underbelly of the corruption in the forces," Chairman of the state ex-servicemen's league, Major Vijay Singh Mankotia said.
Stating that Himachal Pradesh was the only state in the country to get four Param Vir Chakras, he said the families of soldiers who have given the supreme sacrifice will be honoured by the Army chief on the day.
The demand for 'One-Rank, One-Pension,' and other issues will also be raised at the rally on May 25, he said.
Himachal ex-servicemen to honour Army Chief V K Singh
Read more
Gen VK Singh to address ex-servicemen on May 25 Tribune News Service

Centre in agreement with principle of ‘One Rank One Pension’
The Ministry of Defence is in agreement with the principle of ‘One Rank One Pension’ demand of the ex-servicemen, said Chief of Army staff General V K Singh.
Addressing a rally of the ex-servicemen here, he said the implementation of the One Rank One Pension involved an expenditure of Rs 1300 crore.
He added that the implementation could not be made time bound as such decisions had to pass through several levels of the government before becoming a reality.
The government had, however, agreed to the demand, he added.
Gen Singh also said that he had introduced several plans to bridge the gap between the veterans and the serving army officials.
To sort out their demands he had set up a ‘Veteran Cell’ in the Army two years ago. He conceded that it was the duty of the Army to ensure that the rights of the ex-servicemen were taken care of.
Assuring the ex-servicemen “You will certainly get your rights and will not have to ask for it”, the Chief of Army staff said, 20 more centres would soon be set up in Punjab under the ex-servicemen contributory health scheme.
The army chief further said that he had written to the government to restore the old system of Canteen Store Departments (CSD) to the Army as the current system was not working to the satisfaction of the defence personnel.
Later talking to media persons, Gen Singh when asked about his letters to the Government on the issues of corruption and the inadequate stores in the armaments, Gen Singh said that the ball was now in the court of the government.
“I have done my duty, now it is for the government to act”, he added.
Centre in agreement with principle of ‘One Rank One Pension’

Quantum hike in cash awards- PVC magnifies sixtyfold

The Hindu- The State government has increased manifold, the quantum of cash awards given to recipients of gallantry awards.

Considering the fact that the previous increase in the quantum was carried out 17 years ago, the government has decided that the recipients of the Param Vir Chakra would be given Rs.15 lakh against the existing Rs.22,500.

Those given the Maha Vir Chakra would get Rs.10 lakh (Rs.15,000); Ashok Chakra Rs.12 lakh (Rs.20,000); Kirti Chakra Rs.8 lakh (Rs.12,000); Vir Chakra Rs.7.5 lakh (Rs.7,000) and Shaurya Chakra Rs.5 lakh (Rs.5,000).

An announcement in this regard was made in the Assembly last week. — Special Correspondent
Quantum hike in cash awards

Are gallant veterans respected in India?

Monday, August 1, 2011- Sir, may I have the privilege of shaking hand with the Victoria Cross
The excerpt below is a passage from the pages 110 & 111 of the book `Toward Resurgent India' written by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M. M. Lakhera, PVSM,AVSM,VSM, one time Lt.Gov. of Pondicherry and now the Governor of Mizoram.
"I had gone to UK in 1995 as Deputy Leader of the Indian Delegatio n to take part in the 50th Anniversa ry celebrati ons of the victory in Europe during the Second World War. I along with four other Army officers, had just stepped out after attending the inaugural session and were waiting on the roadside for the traffic to ease so as to walk across the road to the vehicle park. Among those with me was Honorary Captain Umrao Singh, a Victorian Cross winner (unfortuna tely, I have received the sad news of his expiry just two days back). All of a sudden a car moving on the road came to a halt in front of us and a well dressed gentleman stepped out. He approache d Umrao Singh and said, "Sir, may I have the privilege of shaking hand with the Victoria Cross (winner)?" He shook hands with him. Evidently he had spotted Umrao Singh's medal from his car and had stopped his car to pay his respect to a winner of the highest gallantry medal of his country. Then he looked at me and said, "General, you are from Indian Army." When I replied in affirmati ve, he gave out his name, saying that he was Maichile Hailstine . I was absolutel y astounded as the recogniti on dawned on me that he was the Deputy Prime Minister of UK I was totally overawed by such courtesy shown by a dignitary of the second highest status in the British Governmen t and humbly thanked him for having invited our delegatio n for the VE Day function. Again his reply was typical of his sagacity, "General, it is we the British, who should be grateful to your country and your Armed Forces, who had helped us win both the first and the second World wars. How can we be ever so ungratefu l to forget your country's great contribut ion?" Suddenly I became conscious that all the traffic behind his car had come to stand still. I hurried to thank him and politely requested him to move along to relieve the traffic hold-up. He stated, "Sir, how dare I drive off when Victoria Cross has to cross the road." Realizing his genuine feeling I and my colleague s quickly crossed the road. Reaching the other side I looked back and saw that Mr. Hailstine was still standing waiting for the Victoria Cross to be safely across.” That is the type of regard they have for their decorated soldiers. I wish that similar respect could be shown to the bravehearts & gallantry award winners by the leaders and prominent figures in our country.
Sir, may I have the privilege of shaking hand with the Victoria Cross (winner)
Related Reading: India Demystified
Dangers of al-Faeda by Gopalkrishna Gandhi
July 29, 2011

Indian Army's 'Adopt a Hero' project

Indian Army's 'Adopt a Hero' project launched in Mumbai- Mumbai/ July 25, 2011
Lt Gen Sanjeev Chopra, GOC, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat Area launched a programme ‘Adopt A Hero’ by releasing posters of our war heroes who fought valiantly for the country and have been decorated with the highest Gallantry Award ‘Param Vir Chakra (PVC)’.
These posters- clcik here are brought out by an NGO ‘NCC Alumni and National Welfare Trust’. The concept of this programme is that schools and colleges who would like to participate will be provided these posters free of cost, for display at prominent places in their Institution.
Keeping the contemporary situation in view it is important that the youth are made aware of the importance of being ever vigilant and are given a fair idea about our heroes who have ‘Given their today for our better tomorrow’.
This project has now been launched in Mumbai in order to inculcate a sense of patriotism and awareness among the students.
NCC Alumni and Welfare Trust has been carrying out the activities of inculcating a sense of patriotism and service to the country and encouraging the youth specially the NCC Cadets and erstwhile NCC Cadets to the Armed Forces.
PIB Release/MH/121
ADOPT A HERO’ PROJECT LAUNCHED AT MUMBAI

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

Monetary allowance for gallantry awardees enhanced

Monetary allowance for gallantry awardees enhanced 19 April 2011 | 1:41 PM
The Ministry of Defence has enhanced the rates of monthly allowance for gallantry awardees.
The new rates shall be applicable with effect from 30 March 2011. Following are the enhanced monthly amounts
PVC Rs 10,000
AC Rs 6,000
MVC Rs 5,000
KC Rs 4,500
VrC Rs 3,500
SC Rs 3,000
SM / NM / VM (G) Rs 1,000
The MoD has already forwarded the letter to Services HQrs.
Monetary allowance for gallantry awardees enhanced

Previous Gallantry Allowances
Particular of Gallantry Award rate of monetary allowance
(Rupees per month)
Param Vir Chakra 3000
Ashok Chakra 2800/-
Maha Vir Chakra 2400/-
Kirti Chakra 2100/-
Vir Chakra 1700/-
Saurya Chakra 1500/-
Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal awardees Rs 500/-
Comment: The enhancement for PVC is 333% and others less than 250%. Salaries and Pensions have increased over 300% by the Sixth Central Pay Commission. Why this measly enhancements for the Gallant Jawans?

Gallantry Awards - sans bravery

This years’ Republic Day awards have diluted and corrupted the system. We are being carried away by the media. I am confident that none of the defence personnel both serving and retired would approve dishing out these to policemen. We have forgotten the Defence Services Regulation.

How about the men of Border Roads Organisation who worked under the constant threat of Taliban and completed one of the most challenging tasks in Afghanistan? Every day soldiers are doing some of the most challenging tasks which a normal human being will never even think of attempting because of the risk involved. A patrol in mountains during a blizzard, demining, removal of blind bombs, clearance of landslides, rescue of flood marooned- the list goes on. The system has done great injustice to all those people who have displayed courage.

In Mumbai, a NSG commando to clear a terrorist enters the hotel room knowing fully well that he is going to be shot at. When he is faster than the terrorist and shoots him down, his courage as per the system is less than the one who gets shot in a similar situation. How can one compare? One fails to understand! The martyred gets the highest award and the courageous and fast commando will have to wait for the next opportunity to be martyred to receive such an award posthumously.

Lt Gen (Retd)KS Rao,PVSM,SC,SM
Arjuna Awardee
Controversy hits awards for 26/11 cops

Death is humbling but not synonymous with bravery

Date: Wednesday, 4 February, 2009, 5:22 PM
Dear All,
My article relating to the largesse in awarding Ashoka Chakras this year, titled "BRAVERY AND DEATH" is attached.

I had sent this article to the Indian Express on 26 Jan 09, but they did not publish it. I then sent it to the Hindustan Times last week and it has been published today (04 Feb 2009) in the Chandigarh Edition. Last para and a half of my piece has not been published. My original article is appended below.

The analyst I have quoted is Col Kharab, who had written a piece soon after the Mumbai Mahem.

Regards,
Vijay Oberoi

DEATH IS HUMBLING BUT NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH BRAVERY
By
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
An unprecedented eleven Ashoka Chakras were presented by the Rashtrapati on the 60th anniversary of the Republic. That the numbers are exceptionally high may not be an issue, as bravery of the most exceptional order cannot and must not be constrained by numbers. However, the highest peace-time award must only be bestowed for exceptional bravery and for no other reason. There is a question mark on whether the awards this year were given only to the exceptionally brave.

In writing this piece I am aware that I am touching a sensitive issue, especially as it is about the death of four highly regarded police officers. To that extent, I am guilty of being politically incorrect, but there are times when one has to speak one’s mind, however unpalatable it may be. This is one of those exceptional occasions. My aim in doing so is not to denigrate the sacrifices made by these officers but to caution the national leadership not to succumb to political expediency when considering such weighty issues as conferring of the highest bravery awards.

We Indians are highly emotional when it comes to death, but emotions have no place when it is a question of recognising valour. The highest recognition for exceptional bravery is the award of Ashoka Chakra in peace time and that of the Param Vir Chakra in the face of the enemy during war. These are the only two awards that are bestowed publicly at the Republic Day Parade and for good reason, so that the bravery of the awardees is fully appreciated by the entire nation. All other awards, for bravery as well as for distinguished service, are presented by the Rashtrapati on investiture parades held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In accordance with the official website, Ashoka Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery, or some act of daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy. All ranks of the army, the navy and the air force, members of the nursing services of the armed forces or of any of the reserve forces, the territorial army, militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces are eligible to receive this medal. Civilian citizens of either sex in all walks of life, other than members of police forces and of recognised fire services are also eligible.

Soon after the terrorist attack in Mumbai, where a number of senior police officers had lost their lives within a few hours of the terrorist strike, an analyst had termed them “Innocent Casualties”. In amplification he had stated that these three officers, along with a few policemen had been surprised, waylaid and butchered without getting a chance to use their weapons. Perhaps their lack of training did not permit them to anticipate and react with operational swiftness. Their dear ones do deserve our deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences, as well as care and compassion, but do they meet the criteria of “the most conspicuous bravery”? The same applies to another police officer who was unfortunately killed in an earlier incident in Delhi.

By all accounts, all four police officers were highly efficient, dedicated and exemplary officers. Their devotion to duty needs to be recognised and honoured, but this is not the way of doing so. There is a vast difference between gallantry awards and awards for distinguished service. A large number of military personnel, especially from the army, lay down their lives or lose limbs fighting terrorists in various parts of the country, nearly on a daily basis. Their sacrifices are for the country. Yet most of them do not qualify for earning gallantry awards, even of a lesser category. Let me cite my own example. I lost my leg during the 1965 Indo-Pak War and became permanently disabled, but I did not get any award. Neither did I ever think that I should have been given one. The same is the case with the large number of soldiers and officers who are killed or disabled in wars or warlike situations. That is how it should be.

In the army, grant of gallantry awards is an elaborate process, where commanders at successive levels give their recommendations after evaluating all facts. Eventually, a committee presided over by the Vice Chief takes the final decision. During this process, the operational staff briefs the committee about all facets of the relevant operations. It is only when all members of the committee are fully satisfied that the award is approved. In the case of higher level of awards, the cases also need the Chief’s approval and later that of the Minister of Defence.

The trend of bestowing gallantry awards merely because officers had lost their lives in terror-related incidents goes back to the death of two senior officers in Afghanistan in a terrorist incident, who were awarded Kirti Chakras, the second highest gallantry award not in the face of the enemy. The two, one a brigadier from the army and the other an officer of the foreign service, lost their lives as they were driving in when an explosive device was exploded by terrorists at the embassy gate. Surely there was no bravery there. The government must take all actions to help the next of kin monetarily and for subsequent rehabilitation, but it must not be done by bestowing high level gallantry awards. Such hasty and irrational decisions taken by the Government devalue the awards, besides creating embarrassment.

My concern in this piece is that if we persist in this type of populous largesse, the sanctity and aura attached to these highest level gallantry awards that the nation bestows on the bravest of the brave would disappear. Surely, the nation does not want this, even if some political leaders desire it for extraneous reasons.

Do we need a common yardstick to evaluate valour for grant of gallantry awards?

“Honors and awards distinguish the mediocre. While the superior are embarrassed by them, the decoration itself gets devalued when awarded forlesser deeds”

Let the Figures Speak for Themselves
The Param Vir Chakra(PVC) and the Ashok Chakra (AC) are the highest gallantry medals awarded in India. The essential wording for both these decorations is the same; they are granted for “most conspicuous bravery or act of daring or pre-eminent valor or self- sacrifice...” The essential difference between these two supreme decorations is that while the PVC is granted for acts against the enemy the AC is for similar acts in the peace time. The investiture of both these medals is done on the Republic Day parade and the monetary compensation admissible is of the same order. It is learnt that till date about 40 brave hearts have received this medal, though we do not have a comprehensive list of their names or deeds on the Internet. The PVC awards are well documented, and only 21 soldiers have been awarded the highest decoration till date:

From 1947 to 61: Six (including one in Congo)

The 1962 Indo-China Conflict: Three

The 1965 Indo-Pakistan War: Two

The 1971 Indo-Pakistan war: Four

Clashes with Pakistan in Siachen and Kargil: Six

Statistically speaking, during the 61 years since our independence, exactly sixty one men have qualified for the highest honor, making it one per year. Now, if eleven persons receive it in 2009, there sure has been a significant departure from the norm!

Norms for Evaluating Courage and Valour
Those who have dealt with the Pay Commissions know about the systematic manner in which jobs are evaluated and functional relativities are established to assign pay scales to the different posts. No such exercise has been conducted for measuring or estimating bravery or courage. Perhaps it is not possible to do it either. But over the years, the military has evolved some kind of general norms for grant of medals and decorations which has found general acceptance. These decorations are granted to individuals, but it is well known that the award recognizes the action of the unit and the regiment to which the soldier belongs. Thus when some is granted a medal, the whole unit is proud of it, since no one fights the battle alone. The overall number is kept within limits to retain the sanctity of the award. Thus, if four PVCs were awarded in 1971, it roughly signifies the importance attached to that war. Notice that the above pattern reveals a balanced picture. Now, if we choose to give eleven ACs in a single year, it seems to convey the impression that during the last year the threat to our national integrity was three times more than what we faced in the 1971 war. Would any one buy that story?

The Tyranny of the Printed word and Television
The Mumbai episode got blown out of proportion because of two reasons: one that those two hotels entertain high profile guests and two, because of the media coverage it received. The general public was led to believe that something of great significance had happened. The ten odd irregulars were able to instill fear of a greater magnitude than the entire armed forces of our adversary! And then the politics took over. The results are there for every one to see. We have created an imbalance, the ripples of which will take quite some time to fade.

Disregarding the Courage of Valiant Survivors
There is one more serious imbalance in this list. All the eleven medals have been awarded posthumously. Was there not a single man who showed courage and survived to tell the tale? There seems to have been a definite bias towards the ‘martyrs’ while preparing the lists. It may be noticed, that of the 21 PVCs awarded so far six were granted to soldiers who were not killed in action. (One of the six survivors succumbed to frost bite in Chinese captivity) Similar is the case with the Victoria Crosses (VC) awarded by the British. More than one-third went to living soldiers. In fact three of them went on to win a second VC. It needs to be noted that it needs greater skill to survive in the midst of fire than to fall a victim to the fire. At the Academy they taught us, “A good soldier does not die for his country. He makes the enemy die for his!”

The Imperative Need to Evolve a Common Standard for Gallantry Awards
Courage can not be measured, weighed or counted. That much is certain. Awards are, and will forever remain the exclusive preserve of the personages who sit on the awards committees. But just as we have, as a nation, evolved grades for jobs and posts, and also created a ceremonial table of precedence for apex ranks, it is imperative that some standards be created for determining gallantry awards. I do not know whether military officers form part of the committee that determines the winners, but if they are not represented on the awards committees, there is a serious lacuna. Getting killed or wounded in an ‘operation’ can not be the sole determinant of valor or courage. It must not be allowed to become a dominant factor for granting the supreme gallantry awards. And if media coverage is allowed to sway the awards committees then the soldiers who perform similar feats under the following kinds of situations will remain unrewarded, for exactly similar acts of ‘conspicuous’ bravery:

Counter insurgency in remote areas where a low-intensity war has been continuously raging for the last four decades and several hundred soldiers are killed or wounded every year. The press and the media give them scant coverage. A soldier getting killed in the Valley gets less than two column centimeters in our national newspapers.

Pilots of service aircraft perform heroic actions as a routine. On an average, ten to twenty of them make the ‘supreme sacrifice’ every year. The fighter pilots have the option to ‘eject’ and save themselves, but many of them die in an effort to save the aircraft or prevent it from crashing in populated areas to save civilian casualties. Many others make miraculous landings on damaged aircraft. I think each one of them deserves an Ashok Chakra.

Officers and men who live and operate in high altitude areas face avalanches and landslides as a routine. In a single incident in Sikkim in 1982, a whole company was washed away in a flash flood. Several vehicles fell into ravines. Soldiers performed heroic acts to save the victims and salvage war-like equipment. But there was no one; not even birds and animals to see and recognize their acts of valor. And so, they shall remain unsung.

Naval divers go deep into the water on rescue missions. But that is considered to be a part of their duties.

Care and Consideration for the Living
It is my belief that, during the last few years, the balance has tilted in favor of those killed in action or otherwise. There was a time when we used to raise money for the widows of soldiers who died of illness or were killed in accidents, since there was no provision of ‘family’ pension. The pendulum has swung the other way now. The State now bends backwards to look after the widows. Their numbers are small, and so the government can afford it. But when it comes to the living veterans, our government holds back. The past pensioners get crumbs. The government neither has jobs for them nor proper pension. And when the soldiers die of mal-nutrition the family pension is even lower. The families could be justifiably envious of those who died or were killed in the field areas. The need of the hour is to do something for those “jo laut ke ghar aa gaye” The present situation is relates to the old saying, “Haathi zinda laakh ka; mara sawa lakh ka” (When artifacts were carved out of elephant tusks, the living one was cheaper than the dead beast)

The Summing Up
Life is a series of waves. Events swing from one extreme to the other. A few years ago the “Padma” awards went berserk. The list of the “Bharat Ratnas” was verily drawn from the political party in power. Then some one went to the court, and the award itself got discontinued. Now it has been restored, but it has lost its sheen. Neither the press nor the public takes any notice of a “Padma Shri” It is my fond hope that the gallantry awards do not meet the same fate. The marching columns in the Republic Day Parade this year were reduced to create space for the award of the 11 Ashok Chakras. Now, if all States and political parties start demanding their share in the largesse based on the current norms, we might have no parade next year. Since the “investiture ceremony” will take up all the time. If I am allowed to offer a solution, it is, “Please involve military officers in all decisions related with security of our country” This is far more important than “One Rank One Pension” and resolution of pay anomalies. In fact non-inclusion of a service member is the root cause of much that ails our system.

Acknowledgement
I was struck by the imbalance when I saw the parade, and wanted to write something. But when I saw the mails sent by Brig PT Gangadharan, that urge turned into this paper.

Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)

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

UPA's death blow to the morale of Indian Military

I am presenting below the list of great PVC Awardees: It is not possible for me to present the photographs of all the PVC Awardees

1. IC—521, Major Somnath Sharma, 4 Kumaon, 03 November 1947, Kashmir (posthumous).
2. 27373, Naik Jadunath Singh, 4 Guards (former 1 Rajput), 06 February 1948, Kashmir (posthumous).
3. SS-14246, 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane, Corps of Engineers, 08 April 1948, Kashmir.
4. 2831592, Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, 6 Rajputana Rifles, 18 July 1948, Kashmir (posthumous).
5. IC-22356, Lance Naik Karam Singh, 1 Sikh, 13 October 1948, Kashmir.
6. IC-8497, Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, 3/1 Gurkha Rifles, 05 December 1961, Congo (posthumous).
7. IC-7990, Major Dhan Singh Thapa, 1/8 Gurkha Rifles, 21 October 1962, Ladakh.
8. JC-4547, Subedar Joginder Singh, 1 Sikh, 23 October 1962, North-East Frontier Agency (posthumous).
9. IC-7990 Major Shaitan Singh, 13 Kumaon, 18 November 1962, Rezang La (posthumous).
10. 2639885, Company Havildar Major Abdul Hamid, 4 Grenadiers, 10 September 1965, Khem-Karan (posthumous).
11. IC-5565, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, 17 Poona Horse, 16 September 1965, Pakistan (posthumous).
12. 4239746, Lance Naik Albert Ekka, 14 Guards, 04 December 1971, Gangasagar (posthumous).
13. 10877 (P), Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, No.18 Squadron, 14 December 1971, Kashmir (posthumous).
14. IC-25067, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, 17 Poona Horse, 16 December 1971, Shakargarh, (posthumous).
15. IC-14608, Major Hoshiar Singh, 3 Grenadiers, 17 December 1971, Basantar River, Shakargarh.
16. JC-155825, Naik Subedar Bana Singh, 8 JAK LI, 26 June 1987, Siachen Glacier, Jammu & Kashmir.
17. IC-32907 Major Ramaswamy Parmeshwaran, 8 Mahar, 25 November 1987, Sri Lanka (posthumous).
18. IC-56959, Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, 03 July 1999, Kargil (posthumous).
19. 2690572, Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, 04 July 1999, Kargil.
20. IC-57556, Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, 07 July 1999, Kargil (posthumous).
21. 13760533, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, 04 July 1999, Flat Area Top, Kargil.

There must be a separate Hall of Fame for the Armed Forces of India inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The photographs of all the PVC Awardees (with full details relating to their deeds of valour) should be displayed there. This Hall of Fame should be maintained by the Chief's of Staff Committee. The present UPA government is totally incapable of this kind of selfless national vision.

V Sundaram
Retired IAS Officer

Comment: Please read the full five part gripping articles (links to which are given below) of the "Services and Sacrifices" rendered by the Defence Forces to preserve the integrity of the nation. The fourth episode dwells on the contributions of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. This well written series is authored by passionate patriot V Sundaram. We thank him for placing the Defence Forces in the true perspective and also for the wonderful photographs.

UPA's death blow to the morale of Indian Military-IV
UPA's death blow to the morale of Indian Military-III
UPA's death blow to the morale of Indian Military-II
UPA's death blow to the morale of Indian Military-I
UPA's death blow to the morale of Indian military-V