New Delhi, May 16 (PTI) Virtually conceding defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP today said the trends were "disappointing" and not on expected lines.
"Trends are not on expected lines. It is little disappointing....We concede UPA is ahead," BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said as trends indicated that the UPA was racing ahead.
He said the party's parliamentary board will meet to analyse what went wrong.
Punj said the trends were also not expected lines in the states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for Third Front.
Admitting that Congress "seems to have the upper hand", another BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said "as of now UPA is leading. We are lagging behind." Asked what went wrong, Naidu said "that has to be analysed. It is disappointing, I do agree". PTI
BJP virtually concedes defeat
Showing posts with label Politicians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politicians. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Apolitical Military Fundamental to Democracy
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
CANBERRA, Australia, Feb. 23, 2008 – The idea that the military is an apolitical organization is fundamental to democracy, Navy Adm Mike Mullen told students at the Australian Defense College here yesterday. During a question and answer session, one of the students asked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff how he “manages the expectations of politicians.”
The chairman quickly told the students that it is not a process of managing expectations, but of education. The basics of national security transcend party, he said. In December, Australia changed administrations. But the support for the military remained strong, he said, and the transition was seamless. “I credit the military leadership with a significant part of that,” he said.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s job is to provide his “best military advice” to the president, defense secretary, National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. Best military advice is not contingent on party, he said, and he, of course, will carry out the lawful orders of the president no matter what party he or she is from.
“Clearly one of my goals is to educate... anybody who is in a position of responsibility politically and provide my best advice to every one of them about from the military’s perspective and what we should be doing, where we should be investing, where we should be operating,” he said.
“Early engagement” with politicians is important, the chairman said. He does not want to first speak with a political leader when there is a crisis. “Sometimes that happens, just because there are a lot of crises,” he said.
Speaking constantly with political leaders builds trust and confidence, Mullen said.
“I would put it in terms of trying to create an understanding of the reality of the military and security environment that we are operating in, the capabilities that we bring, the relationships that we have and what is the best way to apply them to the challenges that we have,” he said.
Apolitical Military Fundamental to Democracy, Chairman US Navy Adm Mike Mullen Says
Pertinent Questions
Comment: Does our Military have the freedom to advice Politicians on National Security aspects? Do our Politicians in power make Military a dumb force? Do our Politicians understand National Security? Politicians depend and seek advice from Bureaucrats- a great many of whom are unpatriotic and corrupt! Outcome GIGO...
American Forces Press Service
CANBERRA, Australia, Feb. 23, 2008 – The idea that the military is an apolitical organization is fundamental to democracy, Navy Adm Mike Mullen told students at the Australian Defense College here yesterday. During a question and answer session, one of the students asked the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff how he “manages the expectations of politicians.”
The chairman quickly told the students that it is not a process of managing expectations, but of education. The basics of national security transcend party, he said. In December, Australia changed administrations. But the support for the military remained strong, he said, and the transition was seamless. “I credit the military leadership with a significant part of that,” he said.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s job is to provide his “best military advice” to the president, defense secretary, National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. Best military advice is not contingent on party, he said, and he, of course, will carry out the lawful orders of the president no matter what party he or she is from.
“Clearly one of my goals is to educate... anybody who is in a position of responsibility politically and provide my best advice to every one of them about from the military’s perspective and what we should be doing, where we should be investing, where we should be operating,” he said.
“Early engagement” with politicians is important, the chairman said. He does not want to first speak with a political leader when there is a crisis. “Sometimes that happens, just because there are a lot of crises,” he said.
Speaking constantly with political leaders builds trust and confidence, Mullen said.
“I would put it in terms of trying to create an understanding of the reality of the military and security environment that we are operating in, the capabilities that we bring, the relationships that we have and what is the best way to apply them to the challenges that we have,” he said.
Apolitical Military Fundamental to Democracy, Chairman US Navy Adm Mike Mullen Says
Pertinent Questions
Comment: Does our Military have the freedom to advice Politicians on National Security aspects? Do our Politicians in power make Military a dumb force? Do our Politicians understand National Security? Politicians depend and seek advice from Bureaucrats- a great many of whom are unpatriotic and corrupt! Outcome GIGO...
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Firing from the other man's shoulder?
Dear Fauji Friends,
Last week Maj Gen Joshi called on me. He was an esteemed instructor during our Degree Course days, and EME officers would remember him as one of our finest engineers. Indeed, he spent most of his time with the DRDO. He was commissioned in Jun 1960 and was in the Eastern sector during the 1962 debacle. He has analyzed the event very systematically, and his study reveals the following :
Pt Nehru, the architect of modern India suffered a severe stroke of depression from which he never quite recovered. He died in May 1964 at the comparatively young age of 73.
VK Krishna Menon was removed from the post of Raksha Mantri for his incorrect assessment of the situation.
Gen Thapar, the COAS was sacked. The careers of Lt Gen Kaul and scores of other military officers took a "U" turn.
A few thousand soldiers died; many more were wounded and some were taken prisoners.
The psyche of the country received a severe blow. It was considered a 'National Shame'
The question he asked me was, "Who was the Defence Secretary? And what was the punishment meted out to him?" I have asked several friends and also surfed the Internet but I am unable to find an answer. In all probability nothing was done to him, because he had no role in this!
Gen Joshi then took this discussion a step further. He observed that during the recent attack on Mumbai, dozens of soldiers and policemen have been killed. The whole nation is shaken. Mr Shivraj Patil has lost his prestigious job. The CM of Maharashtra has been axed and several heads in the government are likely to roll. Can some one tell us as to what action has been taken against the Union Home Secretary or the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra? (Thomas tells me that they will all be "promoted" soon though he does not know why).
Having spent many years in and around the South Block, I marvel at the way our government has been structured. The Civil Servants rule the roost. In terms of promotions and status they are ahead of every one else by miles. They are central in the Pay Commission and the Cabinet Secretary is involved in every major decision making process. Yet, when things go wrong, they wash their hands off so clean that one wonders how!
A slightly closer examination reveals the secret. I have figured it out this way:
They never do anything themselves. They always find some one else to be the head, and they know how to reduce him to be a 'figure head'. (In the Pay Commissions, they have a retired Judge). However they place themselves in a spot which has the maximum opportunity to influence matters.
After the event, they never face the Press or the Media. Their role is amorphous.
The senior amongst them rarely sign a letter or order. Our pension letter is signed by a Director, who is not directly recruited IAS officer. Only rarely do you find a paper signed by a Joint Secretary. Officers above that level do not sign any document.
They have a strong association. It protects the interests of its members dutifully and diligently.
So we have our Defence headquarters in which the postings, promotions, rewards and punishments of all senior officers are controlled by the civil servants; and they also have the final say in the process of procurement of weapons and eqpt, but they are not "responsible" if things go wrong! It is authority without responsibility. (For those who may not know, a lowly officer in the MoD can have a Deputy Chief posted out, but a Service Chief can not get even a Desk Officer moved)
When Gen Joshi left, I found myself perplexed. What sort of system have we evolved? And how has it survived all these years? It is a bit like a unit in which the clerks are running the unit and the CO is so dependent on the Head Clerk that he can not move without their help!
Can someone give a cogent answer to the questions raised by Gen Joshi?
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)
PS: Politicians wear the dress of the people they represent, to identify themselves with the masses. Soldiers and Policemen wear uniforms. Can some one tell what the Civil Servants wear? The answer came from the wag who said, "Civil servants wear thick skins".
IAS lobby Protects corrupt officials:
Bihar flood scam: Govt reinstates ailing IAS officer
The crumbling steel-frame of bureaucracy
Military, Bureaucracy and Political Leadership: Lessons
Public Accountability
Height of Prophesy
Winston Churchill had the following outburst on the eve of independence of India...
"Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues and freebooters. All Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles".
It has proven to be even worse than his prediction. May we, the people unite and start taking those rascals and rogues to task...
Jai Hind!
Col RP Chaturvedi (Retd)
Retired general chosen Veterans Affairs minister in Obama cabinet
US president-elect Barack Obama has chosen retired general Eric K Shinseki to be the next Veterans Affairs secretary, turning to a former Army chief of staff once vilified by the Bush administration for questioning its Iraq war strategy.
Shinseki is a recipient of two Purple Hearts for life-threatening injuries in Vietnam.
Upon leaving his post in June 2003, Shinseki in his farewell speech sternly warned against arrogance in leadership.
"You must love those you lead before you can be an effective leader," he said. "You can certainly command without that sense of commitment, but you cannot lead without it. And without leadership, command is a hollow experience, a vacuum often filled with mistrust and arrogance."
Shinseki also left with the warning: "Beware a 12-division strategy for a 10-division army".
Rumsfeld nemesis named in Obama Cabinet
Question: Can we not have an Ex- Serviceman or Soldier to head the ESM Welfare Deptt in the MoD? Do civil servants have the competence to comprehend the burning issues beseeching the ESM fraternity?
Last week Maj Gen Joshi called on me. He was an esteemed instructor during our Degree Course days, and EME officers would remember him as one of our finest engineers. Indeed, he spent most of his time with the DRDO. He was commissioned in Jun 1960 and was in the Eastern sector during the 1962 debacle. He has analyzed the event very systematically, and his study reveals the following :
The question he asked me was, "Who was the Defence Secretary? And what was the punishment meted out to him?" I have asked several friends and also surfed the Internet but I am unable to find an answer. In all probability nothing was done to him, because he had no role in this!
Gen Joshi then took this discussion a step further. He observed that during the recent attack on Mumbai, dozens of soldiers and policemen have been killed. The whole nation is shaken. Mr Shivraj Patil has lost his prestigious job. The CM of Maharashtra has been axed and several heads in the government are likely to roll. Can some one tell us as to what action has been taken against the Union Home Secretary or the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra? (Thomas tells me that they will all be "promoted" soon though he does not know why).
Having spent many years in and around the South Block, I marvel at the way our government has been structured. The Civil Servants rule the roost. In terms of promotions and status they are ahead of every one else by miles. They are central in the Pay Commission and the Cabinet Secretary is involved in every major decision making process. Yet, when things go wrong, they wash their hands off so clean that one wonders how!
A slightly closer examination reveals the secret. I have figured it out this way:
So we have our Defence headquarters in which the postings, promotions, rewards and punishments of all senior officers are controlled by the civil servants; and they also have the final say in the process of procurement of weapons and eqpt, but they are not "responsible" if things go wrong! It is authority without responsibility. (For those who may not know, a lowly officer in the MoD can have a Deputy Chief posted out, but a Service Chief can not get even a Desk Officer moved)
When Gen Joshi left, I found myself perplexed. What sort of system have we evolved? And how has it survived all these years? It is a bit like a unit in which the clerks are running the unit and the CO is so dependent on the Head Clerk that he can not move without their help!
Can someone give a cogent answer to the questions raised by Gen Joshi?
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh (Retd)
PS: Politicians wear the dress of the people they represent, to identify themselves with the masses. Soldiers and Policemen wear uniforms. Can some one tell what the Civil Servants wear? The answer came from the wag who said, "Civil servants wear thick skins".
IAS lobby Protects corrupt officials:
Bihar flood scam: Govt reinstates ailing IAS officer
The crumbling steel-frame of bureaucracy
Military, Bureaucracy and Political Leadership: Lessons
Public Accountability
Height of Prophesy
Winston Churchill had the following outburst on the eve of independence of India...
"Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues and freebooters. All Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles".
It has proven to be even worse than his prediction. May we, the people unite and start taking those rascals and rogues to task...
Jai Hind!
Col RP Chaturvedi (Retd)
Retired general chosen Veterans Affairs minister in Obama cabinet
US president-elect Barack Obama has chosen retired general Eric K Shinseki to be the next Veterans Affairs secretary, turning to a former Army chief of staff once vilified by the Bush administration for questioning its Iraq war strategy.
Shinseki is a recipient of two Purple Hearts for life-threatening injuries in Vietnam.
Upon leaving his post in June 2003, Shinseki in his farewell speech sternly warned against arrogance in leadership.
"You must love those you lead before you can be an effective leader," he said. "You can certainly command without that sense of commitment, but you cannot lead without it. And without leadership, command is a hollow experience, a vacuum often filled with mistrust and arrogance."
Shinseki also left with the warning: "Beware a 12-division strategy for a 10-division army".
Rumsfeld nemesis named in Obama Cabinet
Question: Can we not have an Ex- Serviceman or Soldier to head the ESM Welfare Deptt in the MoD? Do civil servants have the competence to comprehend the burning issues beseeching the ESM fraternity?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Contradiction in Accountability: Armed Forces, Civil Servants and Politicians
Army act 1951 Section 34 (k) stipulates that any person subject to the act is punishable by death for sleeping on his post when detailed as a sentry during war. Similarly, under section 36 (c) of the same Act, on active service he is punishable upto 14 years of imprisonment.
The question arises what punishment does a politician or a civil servant get for neglecting to protect the people or property of the nation. Is simply resigning the ministry by a politician or transfer of a civil servant sufficient?
IT IS HIGH TIME FOR EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN TO ASK THE POLITICIANS AND THE CIVIL SERVANTS TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR ACTION OR INACTION BEFORE THE NATION GOES FURTHER DOWN THE DRAIN!
Rajinder Modgil, citizen veteran
Comment: The need of the hour is to enforce the RTI Act. The civil servants wield power in the secrecy of their work they perform, which really is Power of Arrogance. They are not accountable to anyone. Citizens need to be proactive and ensure the tax payers money is well spent in employing a civil servant.
The question arises what punishment does a politician or a civil servant get for neglecting to protect the people or property of the nation. Is simply resigning the ministry by a politician or transfer of a civil servant sufficient?
IT IS HIGH TIME FOR EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN TO ASK THE POLITICIANS AND THE CIVIL SERVANTS TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR ACTION OR INACTION BEFORE THE NATION GOES FURTHER DOWN THE DRAIN!
Rajinder Modgil, citizen veteran
Comment: The need of the hour is to enforce the RTI Act. The civil servants wield power in the secrecy of their work they perform, which really is Power of Arrogance. They are not accountable to anyone. Citizens need to be proactive and ensure the tax payers money is well spent in employing a civil servant.
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