President Patil’s granddaughter fails to identify United States on world map

President Patil’s granddaughter fails to identify United States on world map Published On: Fri, Jun 22nd, 2012
New Delhi. In a shocking development, outgoing President Mrs. Pratibha Patil’s granddaughter Divya failed to identify the United States of America on the world map. Her failure has shocked her teachers and the Presidential staff alike.
Her Geography teacher Mrs. Sonia Gupta was unable to control her surprise and disappointment, “Divya has been brilliant in Geography. She could otherwise identify even a rice grain-sized country on the world map and give complete description of its beautiful beaches geographical features having accompanied her grandmother President Patil to every known place on the world map. I don’t know what happened this time.”
Faking News spoke to some of her friends to get their reaction. “Divya often shared the taxpayers’ money souvenirs which she used to get from the countries she used to visit while accompanying her grandmother. She even gifted me exotic wines from France on my birthday! Seems like this time she lost her American goodies which could have reminded her of her visit to that country,” said Reeta, her bench-mate.
A pal of gloom descended inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan as soon as the news spread inside. Mr. Sifarishi Lal, Divya’s personal tutor was more candid in his views, “Whenever we accompanied Pratibha madam to her foreign vacations overseas diplomatic missions, I always made sure that I explained every detail of that country to Divya. She, in return was always eager to go on sightseeing expeditions learn more about the country’s geography. As a result she has always been a topper in Geography in her class. So it is beyond reason to my why she should fail to spot a particular country on the map.”
Similar views were echoed by other officials of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“Divya could even point to a country while blindfolded which was yet to feature on the world map. For instance we accompanied madam President to this island which was inhabited by only 100 people. It was a diplomatic mission where she signed the ‘hijack treaty’ to deny a safe haven to airplane hijackers on that island. We even got an airport constructed over there for madam’s jet to land as they did not have one! Ask Divya and she can provide you with every detail of that island’s geography be it the beaches or snow covered mountains,” said one of the officials.
President Patil could not be reached for her views as she was reportedly busy watching MasterChef India on TV, which is said to be her favorite show.
Unconfirmed reports say that Madam Patil is even preparing to file for a re-nomination to the President’s post as she is keen to go on space missions this time and teach Divya the intricacies of the outer space, as Divya wants to become a scientist like APJ Abdul Kalam when she grows up.
President Patil’s granddaughter fails to identify United States on world map

President Pratibha Patil goes on mercy overdrive

Himanshi DhawanHimanshi Dhawan, TNN | Jun 22, 2012, 05.55AM IST
NEW DELHI: Ahead of demitting office, President Pratibha Patil has scored a new record. She has commuted the death sentence of as many as 35 convicts to life — among them are those convicted of mass murder, kidnapping, rape and killing of children.
On June 2, Patil gave her pardon to four more — Bandu Baburao Tidke from Karnataka, Buntu from Uttar Pradesh and Lalchand alias Laliya Dhoom and Shiv Lal from Rajasthan. As a swami of Sadashiva Appana Math, Bagalkot, Tidke abducted a 16-year-old schoolgirl, raped and murdered her. UP's Bantu, on death row since July 2008, was convicted of raping and killing a five-year-old girl.
In fact, almost all the convicts pardoned are guilty of the most blood-curdling crimes. Piara Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Gurdev Singh and Satnam Singh had massacred 17 of a family at a marriage function. Gopi and Mohan (Tamil Nadu) and Molai Ram and Santosh (Madhya Pradesh) had raped and murdered little girls.
The large scale of presidential pardons is seen as surprising. That is because India has not yet abolished the death penalty.
Were these pardons diluting the legal provision through the backdoor? Archana Dutta, Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson, said the President was well aware of constitutional provisions as she was a lawyer herself. "The President only takes a decision to commute a death sentence or reject it after she is satisfied by the advice tendered by the government. The President ensures that the government has put in certain application of mind to give mitigating and extenuating circumstances for their advice,'' she said.
Notwithstanding Dutta's assertion, the speed with which Patil has granted pardons would indicate haste. Those shown clemency have been held guilty of barbaric crimes. These appear to have met the criterion of the "rarest of the rare" crimes that attract death penalty. While Patil has shown mercy to mass killers and rapists and killers of children, she has not given the same treatment to political assassins like the killers of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh or Rajiv Gandhi.
With the June 2 decision to grant four more pardons, the President boasts of a disposal rate of 200%. In recent times President K R Narayanan received 10 petitions and disposed of only one in his tenure. A P J Abdul Kalam inherited nine petitions with another 16 added in his term, taking the total to 25. He disposed of only two — rejecting one and pardoning the other.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/President-Pratibha-Patil-goes-on-mercy-overdrive/articleshow/14330594.cms

First President Vs Present President: Comparative Study

First President Deshratna Dr RAJENDRA PRASAD
He remained and lived in a thatched-roof house before he shifted to DELHI in 1946 & took to office as MINISTER, FOOD & AGRICULTURE, later as PRESIDENT of the CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY (1946-1949) & still later, as the FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA (1952-1962). After relinquishing the office of the PRESIDENT OF INDIA in MAY 1962, he returned to PATNA on 14th MAY 1962 and preferred to stay in the campus of BIHAR VIDYAPEETH rather than anywhere else. He lived for some months in the old house with thatched roof, which he had occupied earlier till 1946. This house was not at all suitable for his age and the state of health. Therefore LOKNAYAK JAYPRAKASH NARAYAN volunteered and collected some funds to get a small house constructed in a corner of BIHAR VIDYAPEETH'S MANGO-GROVE. DESHRATNA Dr. RAJENDRA PRASAD lived in this house until his passing away on 28th FEBRUARY, 1963.

Present President Her Highness Pratiba Patil
Contrast this with our (Madame) Present President Pratiba Patil
Pratibha Patil has been indulging in luxurious life. Since becoming the President, Pratibha Patil made twelve trips to foreign countries with her family to 22 countries. This has cost the government a whopping Rs.205 crore. Her last visit with her family members ended yesterday with trip to South Africa before her term ends. On all her foreign trips, a chartered Boeing 747-400 was kept ready for her entourage including her family members. She also made the government incur expenditure on her luxurious accommodation in five star hotels, local travel, miscellaneous expenses and daily allowances. A life of lavish royalty. Will she be forgotten for her misdeeds? She attempted to ursurp military lands at pune for her family and build a Palace worth Rs 5 crore ... she just failed! She moved in with a dozen boxes to Rashtrapati Bhavan and she will leave with a couple of container loads of artefacts and furniture... totally denude the Presidential House! A shameful present President indeed.... Watch out for more news in the media...
India's growth story is really continous history.... slaves, feudals, political criminals, intrigue, Indian bureaucracy, Swiss secret accounts, terror, black money, money laundering, hawala transancions, benami operations and exploitation of the weak.....
A Banana Republic-
New Avatar of Democracy.... India's Growth story is worth watching... The President leads the nation in morals and ethics!

Madam President Pratiba Patilji- Blows her own Trumphet

Full transcript: President Pratibha Patil's interview to NDTV NDTV.com | Updated: May 07, 2012 01:21 IST
Amid controversy over her foreign trips, President Pratibha Patil, in an exclusive interview to NDTV's Rahul Shrivastava, says the visits go a long way in boosting India's image internationally. She has also made it clear that the President's travel plans are drawn up by the government.
Here's the full transcript of the interview:
NDTV: Hello and welcome. India has begun the process of choosing its next President. Some have chosen to call the post ceremonial, but in the 21st century managing the aspirations of over a billion people and the diktats of a Constitution is a tough job. How tough is the job? Who better to answer the question than Madam President Pratibha Patilji. Prathibhaji really nice of you to speak to us.
click here for the full transcript
Comment: Shakespeare sums up Pratiba's Pretence in a sonnet
Tired with all these, for restful death I cry, As to behold desert a beggar born,
And needy nothing trimm'd in jollity,
And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
And gilded honour shamefully misplaced,
And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
And right perfection wrongfully disgraced,,
And strength by limping sway disabled
And art made tongue-tied by authority,
And folly, doctor-like, controlling skill,
And simple truth miscalled simplicity,
And captive good attending captain ill:
Tired with all these, from these would I be gone,
Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.
The poet laments the corruption and dishonesty of the world, from which he desires to be released. This is a sonnet which strikes a chord in almost any age, for it tells the same old story, that graft and influence reign supreme, and that no inherent merit is ever a guarantee of success. For that depends on social structures and conditions already set in place long ago. As often as not they aid and promote the unworthy, the malicious, the wealthy, the incompetent and those who are just good at manipulation of the system.

President Pratibha Patil who serves and lives in Royal Style: Will she be remembered in History?

Pained at fallacious observations regarding post retirement home President of India decides to forego her accommodation
The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has been reading and watching the unfolding of some fallacious observations regarding the accommodation in Pune which she was to occupy after relinquishing the office of the President. She chose not to react as she has always held herself answerable to the Constitution of our country and her conscience. It was expected that once the facts were made public it would convince the concerned people. But despite clarifications given by the President's Secretariat, it is unfortunate that the misgivings continue to persist.
What has pained the President the most is the fact that she is now being portrayed by some people as one who, by agreeing to accept a defence accommodation for her post retirement home, is insensitive to the cause of war widows and ex-servicemen. But facts are to the contrary. She has always been proud of our brave jawans who are ever-ready to display their spirit of sacrifice while defending our borders. She has the highest regards for our war widows who have lost their dear ones for the sake of security and integrity of the nation. To express solidarity, boost their morale and to gain first hand experience of the hardships faced by our Defence Forces, she visited far flung army establishments like those in Tangdhar, Bhadarwah, Leh, to name a few, and several distant inhospitable forward areas in the North East. She would be the last person to ever think of dislocating or coming in the way of creating facilities for our war widows and ex-servicemen.
Women’s issues have always been her concern and those of war widows particularly occupy a very special place in her mind. She has worked relentlessly towards their welfare and would like people to know that as Governor of Rajasthan she personally wrote to 1192 war widows to help resolve their problems. Here is an article which appeared in the Hindustan Times a few years ago which said:
"Away from the media glare, Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil is quietly attending to problems of hundreds of war widows. She has asked the war widows to contact or see her personally. Over 1000 letters have been posted in the past one month as the Raj Bhavan gets deluged with responses. Now, Patil receives around two dozen letters every day while a number of widows of martyrs meet her personally with problems. Their letters are being forwarded to the concerned department in the State Government for suitable action." (Anjul Tomar, Jaipur May-2, 2005).
As Governor, she had instructed all the District Collectors of Rajasthan to inform her regularly about the progress in resolving the problems of war widows. Under her directions, a State Level Committee was constituted with the Director, Sainik Kalyan Board, Rajasthan as its Chairman to address the issues affecting the war widows on a priority. The District Collectors were also instructed to organize camps at Sub-Divisional level for hearing the war widows and to solve their grievances expeditiously.
She ensured that the newly constructed 'War Widows Hostel and Rehabilitation Centre' at Jaipur was allocated Rs. 2 crore from the Amalgamated Fund of the Governor to facilitate its smooth functioning. The District Sainik Kalyan Officers were invited to Raj Bhavan, Jaipur and were advised to make wide publicity about the Hostel and Rehabilitation Centre so that no war widow was denied the facility for want of information.
Once there was a news item in Dainik Bhaskar, Jaipur Edition of 9th March 2005 that the Headquarters of Western Army Command would be temporarily shifted to the War Widows Hostel & Rehabilitation Centre. She took up the matter with the Chief Minister of Rajasthan immediately. The then Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje promptly responded through her letter, that the headquarters of Western Army Command would be relocated elsewhere and that the War Widows Hostel & Rehabilitation Centre would not be utilized as Headquarters of Western Command or for any other purpose.
If as Governor she had pursued the matters of war widows with such passion and concern, and if she had objected to even the temporary shifting of the Western Command Headquarters to the War Widows Hostel and Rehabilitation Centre in Jaipur, would she ever think of dislocating or come in the way of creating accommodation for war widows or occupy a property allegedly meant for any such purpose as her post retirement home? The accommodation proposed to be allocated to her by the Ministry of Defence was never indicated as one earmarked for war widows. It was to be allotted to her for use as her post retirement residence only during her lifetime with no rights of ownership, transfer lease, etc. However, considering the fact that the issue has got linked with the issue of war widows accommodation by some people, the President has chosen to forego the aforesaid allotment of accommodation proposed to be made to her as her post retirement home in Pune.
Hope this will put an end to all misgivings in this regard.
PIB Release-click here
Comment: Honourable President trying to shed crocodile tears for the defence forces who still remain exploited by all the Polical Forces to downgrade them to a non- entity. Where is justice for the Patriotic Jawans who guard the nation 24x7? The Supreme Commander's response sadly has remained negative. Her luxurious style of living at tax payers expense is most disgusting and telling proof of her indifference.

How President and Politicians grab Military Land? A viscious cycle

National Security at Stake...
President’s office only sanctioned repairs to two bungalows; the President defied this, April 13, 2012 07:17 PM | Vinita Deshmukh

This bungalow in Khadki Cantonment area near Pune was taken over and later demolished

RTI documents reveal an official communication to President Pratibha Patil that new construction is “not the right option".

In reaction to our report on how President Pratibha Patil has grabbed defence land, far in excess of her entitlement to build a palatial post-retirement residence, we now have further documents and photographs to show how two bungalows was commandeered for the President for demolition and reconstruction.

Things began moving when Pratibha Patil opted for Pune as her home after retirement. “The president has expressed her desire to settle down in Pune, Maharashtra on completion of her tenure on 25 July 2012. Keeping that in mind, Bungalow no 38 and 26A which are contagiously located within the Defence Cantonment area on Bombay-Pune Road have been identified.’’

Interestingly, the President’s office in that letter had taken the line that the bungalows should be only repaired and not demolished for construction of a new one, as recently February 1, 2011. However, almost in the same breath it also finds a specious way to justify allocation of property in excess of the eligibility of house accommodation for a President, post-retirement, when the intention was apparently quite different.

A letter written by Dr Christy Fernandez, secretary to the President of India, to home secretary GK Pillai on 11 February 2011 (obtained by activists), states that any new construction is “not the right option as it would not operationally be convenient and aesthetically acceptable.” Hence, the letter suggested that the next bungalow no 26A be used for office purposes.

This bungalow in Khadki Cantonment area near Pune was taken over and later demolished

RTI documents reveal an official communication to President Pratibha Patil that new construction is “not the right option’’

In reaction to our report on how President Pratibha Patil has grabbed defence land, far in excess of her entitlement to build a palatial post-retirement residence, we now have further documents and photographs to show how two bungalows was commandeered for the President for demolition and reconstruction.

Things began moving when Pratibha Patil opted for Pune as her home after retirement. “The president has expressed her desire to settle down in Pune, Maharashtra on completion of her tenure on 25 July 2012. Keeping that in mind, Bungalow no 38 and 26A which are contagiously located within the Defence Cantonment area on Bombay-Pune Road have been identified.’’

Interestingly, the President’s office in that letter had taken the line that the bungalows should be only repaired and not demolished for construction of a new one, as recently February 1, 2011. However, almost in the same breath it also finds a specious way to justify allocation of property in excess of the eligibility of house accommodation for a President, post-retirement, when the intention was apparently quite different.

A letter written by Dr Christy Fernandez, secretary to the President of India, to home secretary GK Pillai on 11 February 2011 (obtained by activists), states that any new construction is “not the right option as it would not operationally be convenient and aesthetically acceptable.” Hence, the letter suggested that the next bungalow no 26A be used for office purposes.

As per the inspection site report of the Defence Estate Office done on 23 and 24 June 2011, bungalow No 38, which has been acquired, itself has open space of around 3.40 acres which amount to 1.48 lakh odd sq ft. This by itself exceeds the eligibility criteria of house accommodation for a retired President. According to the home ministry’s rulebook, this should not exceed 4,498 sq ft. Nevertheless, bungalow No 26A was also requisitioned on the claim that it would be required for office purposes, if No 38 were not demolished. That bungalow, as per the site inspection reports rests on 2.10 acres of land. So the total area allocated to the President is 5.5 acres, which is 2.42 lakh sq ft. That is official now, thanks to documents procured under the RTI Act, from the President's office and the Defence Estate Office in Pune.

Mr Fernandez, a loyal official, makes a case for the President needing more space in the letter to the Mr Pillai with this argument, “The bungalow No 38 does not have adequate space to set up the office and the related facilities required to be provided to a former President. Creating this extra facility in Bungalow No 38 would amount to additional construction to the existing building, which may not be the right option as it would not be operationally convenient and aesthetically acceptable. Hence, the request for using the adjacent vacant building for the purpose of setting up office, etc.

The letter continues to reiterate the aspect of repairs. It states, "Special repairs required prior to occupancy of the building and its subsequent regular maintenance and upkeep will have to be undertaken by the Defence establishment itself, as it would be administratively and operationally convenient to do so... It is necessary to take up the matter straightaway since the civil work involved will be time consuming as the building require heavy repairs particularly the one which remains unoccupied."

Bungalow No 38 was, until a few months being used as an official accommodation for a military officer. There is nothing wrong if this is given to the President as she or he is entitled to an existing government accommodation. However, it is a mystery how the argument made against demolition of an existing bungalow is used to usurp another one and then both are demolished to start a brand new construction. The letter from the President’s office, clearly seeks that the bungalow be vacated for repairs: "It is understood that Bungalow No 38 is presently occupied by the Commandant Works, Bombay Engineering Group and Centre (The Bombay Sappers) while Bungalow No 26A is presently lying unoccupied."

The matter was informally discussed with the Defence authorities who are inclined to allow the use of these buildings for the suggested purpose without any change of their ownership. Hence the matter may please be taken up with the Ministry of Defence for timely vacation of the premises to carry out requisite repairs to render them befitting for occupation on completion of the tenure of the President.

And so the mystery of the new construction has still to be unravelled. The ownership of one of the two bungalows is also a separate story.
Click here for the original post

President and her extended family eyes for grabbing A1 defence land

President had eyes set on classified A1 defence land
Saturday, 14 April 2012 00:22 TN Raghunatha | Mumbai
If new revelations are anything to go by, there is more than what meets the eye behind the allotment of two bungalows for the construction of President Pratibha Patil’s post-retirement home at Khadki in Pune.
First, informed sources in the Defence Estate Office of the Pune-based Southern Command, have revealed that the two plots where bungalows
number 38 and 26-A were located, are on plots of land which have been classified as “A1 defence land” which should be “in active occupation of the forces and allied services” and the where civilians should not be allowed to undertake construction.
In essence, it is surprising why Army Commander of the Southern Command Lt Gen AK Singh, under whose jurisdiction the Military Engineering Services (MES) undertook the construction of the President’s new bungalow on two plots of land, did not raise any objection to locating the civilian residential structure on plots of land classified as “A1 defence land”.
Click here fo the complete story: President had eyes set on classified A1 defence land

President's retirement home or resort?

The President is the commander of the armed forces. The first woman President of India Pratibha Patil's extravagant plans have landed her into yet another controversy. An RTI application, that TIMES NOW has accessed has revealed how the President was alloted a massive chunk of land, many times more than what she is officially eligible for. This is presumed to be her retirement home. While the President's office, has denied having had any role in the massive size of the allotment. the revelation has sparked off a massive debate. The question - Is isn't the President setting a poor example by her show of extravagance?

Thai PM Shinawatra exudes Indian Generation Gap

Friday, January 27, 2012 Bureaucrats, diplomats enjoyed President Patil’s high tea party at Mughal Garden

Thai PM Shinawatra with India's Supreme Commander

IT was Thursday afternoon. The 63rd Republic day parade was over by then. Country’s top bureaucrats, diplomats, armed forces officials along with their spouses reached the backyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan to join the high tea party hosted by President Pratibha Patil. The menu of the President’s “At Home” party included samocha, pakora, fish fries and sweets. And of course tea and coffee!
President Patil who is completing her five-year term in July this year seated at the VVIP enclosure along with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Chief Justice of India SH Kapadia among others.
But the bureaucrats and diplomats enjoyed the moment by roaming around the sprawling and elegantly manicured Mughal Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It was a sunny afternoon, and none of the 1000 guests was in a hurry to go back home. Chief Vigilance Commissioner Pradeep Kumar and his wife were greeted by many officials present there. Ex-US ambassador Meera Shankar and her husband Ajay Shankar, a former industry secretary, were also spotted chatting with their friends in the corridors. Montek Singh Ahluwalia's adviser Gajendra Haldea, ex-CBDT chairman PK Mishra and minority affairs secretary Surajit Mitra were among those seen chatting with friends and colleagues. A number of secretaries, former governors and political leaders were also present during the occasion.
None of the officials and armed forces bigwigs probably had any idea that 44-year-old Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was by then one of the top 10 Twitter trends in India. But Shinawatra wearing a cream skirt and jacket was the cynosure of all eyes during the high tea party. Those who were present near the VVIP enclosure said woh! when Thai PM said: Namaste India.
Young Thai PM in contrast with ageing Bureaucracy, Diplomats, President and PM of India

Ageing Ministers and Bureaucrats for Governance?
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the country needs more youth leaders to infuse creativity, energy and dynamism in different fields of national endeavour.
India needs youth leaders for nation building: PM

Supreme Commander Lauds Ex Servicemen

10/01/2012
Contribution of ex-servicemen will always be remembered: Patil
Diver (Raj), Jan 10 (PTI) President Pratibha Patil today said the country should respect and not forget the services of its retired soldiers who had staked their lives for the security and well being of the country.
"Our soldiers guard our borders and even after retirement contribute in the progress of the society. They will always be respected for their courage and sacrifice. Hence, it is our responsibility to take appropriate care of our brave soldiers who have retired or were injured in wars," Patil said after unveiling a statue of legendary Rajput patriot Maharana Pratap here, a village in Rajsamand district.
Patil, who is on a two-day tour of the state, said that ex-servicemen and soldiers should also take up the mantle of educating the people against social evils like female foeticide, drug abuse, dowry and child marriage.
Calling Rajasthan the land of the "brave", Patil recollected how she, as the then Governor of the state, had taken up various measures for the welfare of war widows and retired soldiers.
Located about 50 km from the district headquarters, Diver, holds a special place in history as Maharana Pratap and his son Amar Singh had defeated hostile forces about 415 years ago. The region also boasts of sending a large number of recruits to the Indian armed forces.
Contribution of ex-servicemen will always be remembered: Patil

Comment: Services of Ex Servicemen will be remembered is all that the Supreme Commander has to say to assuage the hurt feelings of those who have surrendered the Gallantry awards alongwith a blood signed petition for sanction of One Rank One Pension. Sad commentary on the welfare measures that the Government puts on paper but in ground reality nothing concrete happens!

Appeal to President not to annexe war widows land for her retirement home

Anna takes up Khadki land issue
By: Vivek Sabnis Date: 2011-12-06 Place: Pune
Activist promises to join fight to get back land for those injured in war or jawans' widows; ex-servicemen say issue will reach logical conclusion soon
Being an ex-serviceman himself, anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare yesterday promised the ex-servicemen that he would join the fight to get back the Khadki land, which has been allotted to President Pratibha Patil for her retirement home.

For a cause: Lt Col Suresh Patil hands over the information about
Khadki land to Anna Hazare in Ralegansiddhi. Pic/Krunal Gosavi

Lt Col Suresh Patil (Retd), managing trustee of Green Thumb Environmental Group, had long discussions with Hazare at Ralegansiddhi yesterday morning. Patil told Hazare about their agitation since September 2011.
Patil said, "Anna has completely agreed with the cause and is officially backing us." He added that the land should be given either to the war casualties or widows of the jawans. Patil was accompanied by the state head of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement Commander Ravi Pathak, trustee of Green Thumb Environmental Group Jahangir Mulla and a member of Justice for Jawans Prakash Sawant.
Patil said that Hazare had agreed that over 60,000 ex-servicemen in the district were living in bad conditions, while many were living in slums. "Being the head of all defence services of the country, President Patil should set an example by not using the land for her personal benefit. Anna has agreed to these points and is wholeheartedly backing this cause," Patil added.
According to Patil, Hazare is one of the trustees of Green Thumb Environmental Group and was attending some of its programs since the past 20 years. "Anna's support has given us a morale boost and the fight to get back the Khadki land shall reach to its logical conclusion, soon he added.
Anna Hazare on Saturday had said that the 75 per cent of the taxpayers' money was being spent on a purchasing new cars and sophisticated air-conditioning equipment. "This is a total waste and government should stop the misuse of the tax-payers money," he had added.
Referring to Hazare's statement, Sawant said, "If the same is happening with the President's post, we demand that the post come under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal Bill. We are not against the President madam or her wish to possess a retiring home. In fact, the state government should give her land at any hill station in Lonawala, Khandala, Mahableshwar or Matheran."
Appeal to President
The Green Thumb Environmental Group submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil on December 2, appealing to donate the Khadki land to the army widows or the Jawans injured in the war. "I am expecting an invitation from the President to discuss the issue in Delhi," Lt Col Patil said.
click here to read Mid Day Report

IESM: Letter to Supreme Commander

IESM/Medals/2011
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman
17 March 2011

Excellency,
You would be aware that we have made five trips to Rashtrapati Bhavan with a view to depositing medals directly with the Supreme Commander. Each time we have had to bring these back as Her Excellency was pre-occupied on other engagements and was not able to receive these personally. Consequently, vide our letter of even number dated 2 February 2011 (copy attached), we requested that a date and time convenient and suitable to the Supreme Commander may kindly be intimated so that we can recast our programme accordingly. Reply from Rashtrapati Bhavan to this request is still awaited. May I request that your availability/convenience be conveyed to us at an early date?
In the mean time do allow me to apprise you that the disenchantment of veterans with the government for not acceding to their basic demand of ‘one rank one pension’ as well as for not implementing several judgments taken by the Supreme Court, is further growing and spreading. Admittedly, this kind of negative sentiment taking root among the most loyal and dedicated section of the society cannot be said to be a healthy development.
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman. IESM

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Hon’ble President of India & Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi – 110 004
Copy to:
Dr Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister
Shri AK Antony, Hon’ble Defence Minister

सुप्रीम कमांडर को पत्र
IESM/Medals/2011
लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज कादयान, पीवीएसएम, एवीएसएम, वीएसएम
अध्यक्ष
17 मार्च 2011

महामहिम,
तुम्हें पता होना चाहिए कि हम पदक सुप्रीम कमांडर के साथ सीधे जमा करने के उद्देश्य से राष्ट्रपति भवन से पांच यात्राएं बना दिया जाएगा. हर बार हम पड़ा है इन वापस लाने के लिए के रूप में उनकी महामहिम पूर्व अन्य कार्यों पर कब्जा कर लिया था और इन व्यक्तिगत रूप से प्राप्त करने में सक्षम नहीं था. नतीजतन, भी 2 फ़रवरी 2011 (संलग्न प्रतिलिपि) दिनांक संख्या के बारे में हमारी पत्र देखिये, हम अनुरोध किया है कि एक तारीख और सुविधाजनक और सुप्रीम कमांडर के लिए उपयुक्त समय कृपया सूचित इतना है कि हम अपने कार्यक्रम के अनुसार मरम्मत कर सकते हैं हो सकता है. राष्ट्रपति भवन से इस अनुरोध के जवाब अभी भी इंतजार है. क्या मैं आपसे अनुरोध है कि अपनी उपलब्धता / सुविधा एक प्रारंभिक तिथि पर हमें अवगत करा दिया हो?
मतलब समय में मैं आपको बतलाना करने की अनुमति है कि सरकार के साथ दिग्गजों के साथ ही कई को लागू करने के सुप्रीम कोर्ट द्वारा लिया गया निर्णय नहीं करने के लिए के रूप में उनकी 'एक रैंक एक पेंशन' की मांग के बुनियादी acceding नहीं करने के लिए, मोहभंग आगे बढ़ रहा है और करना फैल गया. बेशक, नकारात्मक भावना के इस तरह के समाज के सबसे वफादार और समर्पित अनुभाग में रूट लेने के लिए एक स्वस्थ विकास नहीं कहा जा सकता है.
के साथ सबसे अच्छा संबंध है,
सादर
लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल राज कादयान, पीवीएसएम, एवीएसएम, वीएसएम
अध्यक्ष. IESM

श्रीमती. राष्ट्रपति श्रीमती प्रतिभा देवीसिंह पाटिल, भारत और सशस्त्र बलों, राष्ट्रपति भवन, के सुप्रीम कमांडर के माननीय राष्ट्रपति नई दिल्ली - 110 004
पर प्रतिलिपि बनाएँ:
डा. मनमोहन सिंह, माननीय प्रधानमंत्री
श्री ए के एंटनी, माननीय रक्षा मंत्री

IESM: Letter to President of India

Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman
IESM/OROP/President 30 Sep 2010
To,
Smt Pratibha Devi Singh Patil,
Her Excellency the President of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi 110001

Excellency,
It is submitted that we were greatly disappointed when we visited the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 22 August 2010 to deposit medals. Her Excellency had not found time to meet us in person. As our Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, you are our last port of call to resolve all our just problems. As you would be aware, the Ex-Servicemen have been demanding ‘one rank one pension’ for the last 30 years and the Government have not yet acceded to our request. When all our pleadings and entreaties failed to convince the Government, then, after due notice to the authorities, we were compelled to go public with our demand. We are resolved to pursue the matter till we get justice.

We next plan to send a delegation to the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Sunday, 28 November 2010 at 14.30 hours to deposit more medals. We will again request Her Excellency to make it convenient to meet the delegation, hear them out and accept the medals in person. Failing this, we will have no choice but to bring the medals back. The environment will of course remain abreast of the development.

We again assure you that whatever form of protest we adopt, it will remain within the law and tenets of military discipline.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

LETTER TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DELHI
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman
IESM/OROP/Police 30 Sep 2010

Shri Y S Dadwal, IPS,
Commissioner of Police
M S O Building
New Delhi – 110 002

Dear Sir,
This is to inform you that 5,000 Ex-Servicemen will be holding a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar from 10.00 hours to 15.00 hours on Sunday, 28 November 2010. At 14.30 hours, they will also be handing over their medals at Rashtrapati Bhawan. You are requested to kindly provide necessary security cover. You are also requested that vehicles and police escort for a delegation of ten members may kindly be provided at 1400 hours at Jantar Mantar for proceeding to Rashtrapati Bhawan for depositing medals.
With best regards
Yours sincerely
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan

President's Tribute to the Armed Forces who are admired by all citizens

click Hindi text for readable version

Speech by her Excellency the President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil Addressing the Defence Personnel- Leh, 01 Sep 2010 PIB
My dear soldiers,
I have just visited a site affected by the cloudburst and the resultant flash floods in Ladakh, in which many lives were lost, many suffered injuries and a number of people went missing. There has been extensive damage to property. In this difficult hour all of us are with the people of Ladakh. My deepest sympathies go out to those who have lost their loved ones and to those including the uniformed personnel who have suffered during this calamity. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh was here a few days earlier. I join him in assuring that no effort will be spared in relief and rehabilitation work.

Natural calamities and disasters are a reminder of the forces of nature. I am proud that during these difficult times the Armed Forces acquitted themselves commendably and gave an account of unprecedented courage, selfless devotion and unparalleled dedication involving themselves in relief, rescue and re-construction efforts. My appreciation goes out to the doctors from the Army who responded whole heartedly, and treated casualties much beyond the normal handling capacity in the Army Hospital. I also commend the special efforts made to locate missing personnel and rescue of the stranded, including foreign tourists. Your hardwork and sustained efforts, undertaken in co-ordination with local authorities, have helped in the restoration of road and signal communications, electricity, water supply and other essential services. Every call for help by the locals was answered positively and admirably by our brave soldiers. You must continue with this work, as the damage has been widespread and, moreover before the onset of winter, much work needs to be done to help rebuild the homes and lives of the people of Ladakh.

It gives me great satisfaction to see the confidence exuding in your faces, despite braving the fury of nature. Seeing your spirit, I am impressed with your determination and courage. It is commendable that under such trying circumstances, you have been able to maintain a high degree of morale and unblemished professionalism. All of you braving the extreme odds of nature, facing the vagaries of hostile weather and terrain conditions, are the sentinels of our country. The climatic and topographic conditions in this region are the most demanding in the world. However, you all brave soldiers have never dithered. The lofty heights in some places of 21,000 feet may appear daunting to the most daring mountaineers, but you are deployed in these high altitudes for prolonged periods without any fear, braving the hypoxic conditions and bearing physical, mental and psychological hardships.

I feel proud to say that you have faced all wars in a commendable manner. Your acts of gallantry, courage and fortitude in Chushul, Rezangia, Siachen, Kargil and other areas are a testimony to the indomitable spirit of the brave Indian solider. I have no doubt that the security of the nation is safe in your capable hands, and you will guard the nation's frontiers under the most daunting conditions.

The Armed Forces have always assured the citizens of their safety and security against internal as well as external threats. I wish to compliment each one of you and all of you for your sincerity, dedication, selflessness and enthusiasm shown each time you are called upon to do so by the nation. I exhort each one of you to always remain ready to deal with any challenge. Your work, your discipline and your high level of commitment are admired by all citizens of this country. I bring to you their good wishes as well as my own. I wish all of you and your families - happiness, well-being and the very best in life. *** AD/SKS
Speech by her Excellency the President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil Addressing the Defence Personnel

IESM: Fortune Favours the Brave

Photos taken on 22 Aug 2010 at Janpath by Col TN Baba (Veteran)





22 August 2010 06:53
Subject: JANTAR MANTAR 22 AUG 10
I had planned this opening line as I answered queries from some veterans and some civil sympathizers on Saturday, as to whether the medal deposit scheduled for Sunday 22nd was STILL ON, despite the heavy downpour that the NCR had been expecting. Intuition told me it won't rain Sunday forenoon, as even God would be looking down appreciatively at the IESM event.

Sure. It did not. Cloudy. Nearly there. But not really. It was a pleasant day... some poetic sorts even sang 'kitna haseen hai mausam' as part of their speech. Rally commenced bang on at 1100, preceded by some warm up speeches by early arrivals.

Attended by 1500-1800 veterans from Punjab, Haryana, HP and Delhi, A total of 30 speakers addressed the rally in addition to the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Their angst at the insensitivity of the GOI and the President- the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces was all too visible and audible. Also the disgust,about the GOI on the one hand manipulating a three fold increase in the legislators salaries in three days of parliamentary disruptions, and on the other offering paucity of funds as an excuse against granting OROP. Yes, disgusting indeed.

Approximately 100 veterans signed up as members during the rally. Other interesting developments are- The IESL Yamuna Nagar joining IESM enmasse with 3500 members has joined IESM. The All India ESM Association JCO/OR led by Hav Pyara Singh, with 15000 members has joined IESM. Eleven Hundred Signatures in Blood were taken on site. Such signatures also came from other parts of the country, including one lac from Punjab. A total of 1.25 lac signatures in blood were thus available to take to the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The event was covered by media. TV Today has covered the event well. Including 500 medals collected during the rally, and the medals carried forward since last rally, 6000 medals were taken to the Rashtrapati Bhavan by a delegation led by the Chairman Gen Raj Kadyan, and including the Vice Chairman Gen Satbir Singh. Disappointingly, the President once again did not grant an audience.

It is surprising that while tenets of leadership, even in corporate demand of leaders that they maintain a contact with their team/ subordinates/ people dependent on them for support, such empathy and leadership is unfortunately not displayed in the highest office in the country.

Not one to take it JUST lying down, the Vice Chairman gave out his mind to the (poor) SO Mr Jai Ram, in attendance at the President's office. I wonder how much of that the latter could convey to Madam Prez, even after sugar coating.

Due to vendor problem we had a situation that Lunch packets were not available for attendees, at reasonable cost till Saturday morning. With a crisis brewing, Mrs Satbir Singh organized the cooking and provisioning personally from home. Those of us who can visualize 1500 packets, each of six poories and sabzi, would gasp in appreciation. And tasty ones. We all loved the food. Thanks Maa'm.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi (Retd)
(Member IESM Governing Body)

IESL: Issues taken up with the Supreme Commander

MEMORANDUM FROM THE INDIAN EXSERVICES LEAGUE AND SOLDIER’S WIDOWS TO HER EXCELLENCY PRATIBHA DEVI SINGH PATIL, PRESIDENT OF INDIA AND SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE ARMED FORCES
ESM issues
1. Over the years the Indian Ex-Services League, an apex body to articulate concerns of all Ex-Servicemen and widows of country duly recognised by Govt of India, has been highlighting the continuous lowering of their status vis-à-vis equivalent Central Govt Officials. Due to the neglect of successive Pay Commissions, service in the Armed Forces has become unattractive and the right talent is no longer being attracted for a career in the military. Unfortunately, we have not achieved success in our endeavours. The 6th Central Pay Commission has also failed to address this issue and has ignored demand of “One Rank One Pension” alongwith other related issues, causing despondency amongst the ex-servicemen community. Due to this indifferent attitude of the authorities this massive Rally on 7th May 08 is being held.

2. One Rank One Pension. This demand by the Ex-Servicemen has been raised over and over again since the 1980s. It implies that all retirees get the same pension irrespective of their date of retirement. Increase in pension should be applicable to all pensioners. A soldier and an officer gives his entire life, suffering hardships and domestic life disturbance, facing danger to life and limb expects that he would be paid adequate pension to enable him to lead a life of dignity. In the volatile economic scenario, he expects that his pension would be enhanced periodically to meet inflation. Two defence employees retiring in the same rank, after same length of service should get equal pension irrespective of their date of retirement. Inspite of solemn declarations in and outside Parliament by United Front Government on 05 Sep 91 and NDA Government on 14 Apr 99 and the successive Governments, they have not implemented their promises. The Central Pay Commission has again ignored this demand. The demand of “One Rank One Pension” is the core grievance which is agitating the veterans.

3. Ex-Servicemen Welfare to be a part of the Concurrent List. There is a vide disparity between the facilities/ concessions accorded to the Defence Pensioners in various States. They are on Concurrent list while in service but disparity starts after retirement e.g. exemption of VAT, House Tax (applicable only in some States) and wide variance of monetary grant for Gallantry Awards winners from State to State. There is a need to enact an Act of parliament whereby the laid down quota of vacancies reserved for the defence pensioners is constitutionally enforced on the Central and State Governments. Equally, there is a need to constitute an Ex-Servicemen Commission on the lines of similar commissions to have constitutional authority. The existing Department of Welfare in the Ministry of Defence is ill equipped to meet the aspirations of the Ex-Servicemen as it has no statutory powers.

4. Guaranteed Second Lateral Employment upto 60 Years. Imperative of keeping the armed forces young, necessitates that a soldier retires at the age of 35 years, Junior Commission Officer at 45 years and bulk of Officers at 54-56 years. There is no effective system whereby they can work till the age of 60 years like other Government employees. The Directorate General of Resettlement, a Ministry of Defence Organization can secure employment to only a miniscule numbers of retirees. There has to be a Central Govt provision to ensure that all retirees from the Armed Forces are compulsorily absorbed in PMFs/PSUs/Other such agencies for an assured career upto 60 years of age.

5. Separate Pay Commission for the Armed Forces. This a long outstanding issue has been accepted by the Government.

6. All Concessions including MSP/ Pension to be with Retrospective with effect from 01 Jan 2006. Existing pensioners should also be entitled to get all benefits that accrue to pensioners who retire now. When all other government employees are getting their pay and pension arrears from 1.1.2006, to deny it to the defence personnel by recommending that the MSP be paid only prospectively is discriminatory. The arrears should be paid from 1.1.2006.

7. Only macro issues have been raised which affect 4.5 million Ex-Servicemen and widows. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and our Grand Patron-in-Chief we appeal to you to please ensure justice for the selfless spirit and sacrifices of the veterans who have devoted prime of their lives in the service of their motherland. The nation and the government are morally bound to take care of its soldiers while they are in service and after retirement.
Brig RKS Gulia (Retd)
President
Indian Ex-Service League
Memo to President
IESL Under Construction
Related reading
Pay Commission Anomalies LET’S NOT DEMORALISE DEFENCE FORCES By Col (Dr) PK Vasudeva (Retd)

Mahatma is Obama’s hero

Power Profiles showcase successful people who you can learn from. If there is any golden rule to follow, take advice from people who are already there.
The Hindu: Thursday, Sep 10, 2009
WASHINGTON: United States President Barack Obama has said if given a chance he would like to have a meal with his “real hero” Mahatma Gandhi, although the apostle of peace did not eat a lot.

Mr. Obama’s response came to a question from a ninth grade student at the Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, who asked him if he could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who it would be.

“Dinner with anyone dead or alive? Well, you know, dead or alive, that’s a pretty big list,” he said amidst laughter. “You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine,” Mr. Obama said. “Now, it would probably be a really small meal because he didn’t eat a lot.”

He said Gandhiji was someone who has inspired people across the world for the past several generations. “He [Gandhiji] is somebody whom I find a lot of inspiration in. He inspired Dr. King [Martin Luther], so if it hadn’t been for the non-violent movement in India, you might not have seen the same non-violent movement for civil rights here in the United States,” he said. — PTI
Mahatma is Obama's hero

E Governance- Will ESM Grieviences Get the C-in-C attention?

Now, your complaint will reach President at the click of a mouse by Smriti Kak Ramachandran: : The Hindu
Rashtrapati Bhavan gets over 400 mails every day
— Photo: PTI GOVERNANCE: President Pratibha Patil inaugurates the helpline portal at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: With the click of a few buttons, complaints, petitions and prayers will now swiftly reach the President’s Office, find their way to the departments concerned, get tracked as they are processed and the information stored for later use.

With the launch of a new website http://helpline.rb.nic.in on Friday, reaching out to the President has become easier. Launched by President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the website has been designed to simplify the process of grievance redress.

“The Rashtrapati Bhavan mail box receives over 400 mails every day. The portal is expected to reduce the time taken to dispatch the mail to the Central and State government departments concerned, following up on the action taken and finally maintaining the record,” said Secretary to the President Cristy Fernandes.

“We hope to process the applications within seven days of receiving them. And everybody who sends us a mail will be provided a unique registration number (URN), which will help them keep track of their application,” he said.

The portal, Mr. Fernandes said, was the President’s idea. “On assuming office, the President expressed the wish to modernise everything possible, from infrastructure to the style of working.”

The portal offers citizens a platform to voice their grievances. Of the total applications that the President’s Office receives, 70 per cent are through snail mail and the rest electronically.

“People who are left with no options write to the President. There are some limitations that the office faces as far as keeping track of these applications, updating their status and preserving these applications is concerned. But with the launch of this portal, we hope to address these issues,” said Mr. Fernandes.

The new system is being integrated with the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System which will monitor the progress of the petition.

The portal, currently available in English, will gradually be available in Indian languages as well. It will allow lodging of lengthy e-petitions and enable supplementary attachment of scanned documents.
Now, your complaint will reach President at the click of a mouse
President Helpline: click me

PM’s reply to the debate on the President’s Address (Provisional Transcript)

Tuesday, June 09, 2009
I would, however, like to inform the House about the several steps that have been taken since November 2008 to further tighten the vigil against future terrorist attacks of this nature. As Members are aware, the perpetrators of the November 26 attack came by sea. We were all aware of our vulnerability to such attacks from this quarter and had taken already a number of steps, but obviously these were inadequate. A massive effort has hence been taken to streamline our maritime security which included the setting up of a Maritime Command under the Coast Guard with overall responsibility vested with our Navy.

We have increased the number of Marine Police Stations to supplement the efforts of the Coast Guard and the Navy. There have been several other steps that have been taken. But I shall enumerate only a few. Improvements in intelligence sharing is one. The Multi Agency Centre has been fully energised and Subsidiary Multi Agency Centres constituted in more States. The process will be completed shortly. The Net-Centric Information Command structure is being put in place to achieve online transfer of all actionable intelligence in a streamlined manner. Generation of actionable intelligence has simultaneously been given priority and measures put in place for this purpose. Technical innovation and technical support to intelligence production has been given the highest priority. Steps have also been taken to improve the quality of intelligence analysis. Investigation into serious terrorist offences will, from now on, be the responsibility of the newly-constituted National Investigation Agency.

Additional legal measures taken include - apart from the new NIA Act - significant amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Home Minister is in constant dialogue with Chief Ministers of States keeping them informed of the specific aspects of the two new pieces of legislation.

Madam, following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai on 26th November, 2008, the imperative necessity to have dedicated counter terrorist forces has been further reinforced. The National Security Guard is the principal counter terrorist force in the country. A major effort has been made to improve its capability, improving better mobility and state-of-the-art equipment. At least, four new NSG hubs have been set up in different parts of the country. In addition, certain other dedicated counter terrorist forces are sought to be created.

Madam, it goes without saying that both the challenges of the troubled times that we live in terms of security of our nation and the unique opportunities within our reach for the well being of our people, enjoin us to work together for common goals. I am grateful to the hon. leaders of the Opposition who offered their support on both these counts. I consider it the duty of my Government to build further unity of purpose. I have always felt that our differences will melt away when we consider the overwhelming nature of the challenge that our country faces.

Madam, I would like to say a few words about our relations with our neighbours. We are living in a neighbourhood of great turbulence. I have believed India cannot realize its ambitions unless there is peace and prosperity in South Asia as a whole and if our neighbourhood is suffering from instability, turbulence that has direct bearing on our own evolution as a democratic polity committed to sustained growth and development. I have, therefore, a vision for a transformed South Asia where, with the cooperation of all our neighbours, we move from poverty to prosperity, from ignorance to a knowledge society and from insecurity to lasting peace. What is at stake is the future of one-and-a-half billion people living in South Asia. I sincerely believe it is in our vital interest therefore to try again to make peace with Pakistan. I recognise, it takes two hands to clap. There are some disturbing trends, but I do hope that the Government of Pakistan will create an atmosphere in which we can realize this vision. I expect the Government of Pakistan to take strong, effective and sustained action to prevent the use of their territory for the commission of acts of terrorism in India, or against Indian interests, and use every means at their disposal to bring to justice those who have committed these crimes in the past, including the attack on Mumbai. I believe that such actions will be welcomed by the people of both countries.

If the leaders of Pakistan have the courage, the determination and the statesmanship to take this road to peace, I wish to assure them that we will meet them more than half way.

I should say a few words about Sri Lanka. We have centuries-old ties with the people of Sri Lanka and we have a deep and abiding interest in the well-being of the Tamil people in that country. The Tamil problem is larger than the LTTE and I sincerely hope that the Sri Lankan Government will show imagination and courage in meeting the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the Tamil people to live their lives as equal citizens and with dignity and self-respect. We have been taking an active part in the relief and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons in Sri Lanka and I have already earmarked Rs.500 crore for this purpose. We are willing to do more to restore normalcy and to return such people to their rightful homes and occupations.

In this House as well as in the other House, Members have expressed concern about the developments in Australia. Madam, Australia has emerged as a major destination for Indian students. Like many other Members who have spoken in this House, I have been appalled by the senseless violence and crime, some of it racially motivated against our students in Australia. I propose to engage the authorities in Australia in a high level dialogue with a view to taking stock of the situation and to providing adequate security for Indian students.

Madam, I have already spoken to Prime Minister Rudd of Australia on this subject. He assured me that any racist attacks on Indian students would be strongly dealt with. He made a Statement in Parliament in which he condemned and deplored the attacks and said that they were unacceptable. He emphasised that Australia is a multi-cultural nation which respects and embraces diversity. He said that these would be countered with the full force of the law.

Madam, I do not wish to under-play the anxiety of the parents of our students, but I wish to request the media to be mindful of the fact that there are over 200,000 Australian citizens of Indian origin. We should be mindful of their interests and avoid willy-nilly creating a situation where these citizens of Australia of Indian origin become the targets of racist intolerance. India and Australia have very good relations and it has been our effort to widen and deepen these ties in the last five years.

Madam, I should say a few words about our relations with China. Hon. Members have raised the issue of our relations with China and I should say that China is our strategic partner. We have a multi-faceted relationship with China. There is enough space – I have said so often – for both China and India to develop and contribute to global peace, stability and prosperity. We do not see our relations with China in antagonistic terms. We have a large trading relationship, we consult each other on global issues, whether in the G-20 process on climate change or terrorism, and we share a common commitment to maintain peace and tranquillity on our border.

There are, of course, issues which are complex such as the boundary question. But we have agreed upon a mechanism to address this matter. We wish to build a strong and stable relationship with China. This is in the mutual interest of both our countries. I have been assured by the Chinese leadership – I have interacted with them extensively in the last five years – that they also subscribe to the views I have expressed just now. But whether it is China or any country, we will ensure the territorial integrity and unity of our country and protect the security in every manner necessary. The House should have no misgiving on that score.

Madam, the President's Address has covered a vast territory. I could not do justice to all the points that have been raised. But as I listened to the debate, I was struck by an underlying sense of unity on all sides that India should move forward as a united nation to achieve its coveted place in the comity of nations. That is the mandate, a mandate for change, a mandate for inclusive development, a mandate to strengthen the secular foundations of our magnificent republic. It is to these tasks that I commit our Government and I invite all hon. Members to join me in passing this Motion of Thanks unanimously.”
***
AD/SH/SKS
click me for the full address by Prime Minister

IESM: Surrender of Medals- Bureaucracy shrouded in mystery and secrecy

Having been one of the three people who had done the job of putting addresses and name slips in the plastic bags, bagging the medals being returned and logging the name and address of the veteran in a register, I was asked to be one of the eight persons asked to escort the Medals Carton to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

We loaded the carton in a Police Gypsy and the eight of us nominated to escort the carton got in the two Gypsies that were to take us there, unfortunately, one Veteran – name unknown, but who had identified himself as being ex-Bombay Sappers – also got into the Gypsy when his name was not there! It took a considerable amount of cajoling, requesting and persuasion to convince him that only those so nominated would be allowed inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Once that was sorted out, we proceeded to Gate No 2 of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. After the carton had been removed from the Gypsy, we were told that it would need to be Security checked and cleared. We informed the Security people there that it was, obviously, full of metals since all the medals were there! So, they promptly summoned a 'sniffer' who carried a rather sophisticated looking sensing machine on his shoulder. The gentleman rubbed a small round piece of paper on the sides of the carton and then offered it for a 'sniff' to the machine. Almost instantly, he declared that the carton was 'safe' and did not carry any explosives. My mutter "Just some explosive emotions" did not elicit a smile, unfortunately!

We then trooped into the Reception, where we were duly met by the Deputy Secretary to the President, Mr Rana, his assistant and the person Incharge of Security. We requested this latter gentleman permission to take a photograph or two of the handing over of the medals. This was firmly refused. I then requested that we be allowed to take a picture of the eight escorts with the carton outside the reception, at least. This permission too was refused, with the Security gent unwittingly telling me that he has clear instructions to not let that happen. We then requested them to kindly call their in-house security cleared photographer so that we could request him for a picture or two. At this, we were informed that as today was a Sunday, there was no photographer available. Mind you, this when there were at the very least about fifteen other Rashtrapati Bhavan staff floating about!

We were then offered a cup of tea and some snacks – which we courteously refused to partake, informing Mr Rana that this was not a moment of celebration for us Veterans but rather a very solemn and unhappy moment, akin to us being at the Nigambodh Ghats for our last rites as that is how much these medals mean to a Veteran or a serving person!

We all sipped a glass of water that was then offered to us and after making a detailed list of the eight escorts, we were ferried back to the Jantar Mantar site by the Police Gypsies. The people who escorted the Medals Carton were:
1. Mrs Shiksha Bhardwaj, mother of Shaheed Capt Umang Bhardwaj, Shaurya Chakra
2. Col Kirit Joshi
3. Wg Cdr CK Sharma
4. Col Kanwar Bhardwaj, SM
5. Lt Col AK Saxena, Vice President IESM
6. Capt Om Prakash
7. CPO RS Chauhan
8. Cpl Jaswant Singh Kumbra

Warm Regards
CK Sharma
Wg Cdr CK Sharma, Member Steering Committee, IESM