Is the Army physically fit for warfare?

Unfit Army? Survey finds 30% overweight
Durgesh Nandan Jha, TNN Sep 5, 2011, 01.07am IST
NEW DELHI: A study on the health of Indian Army personnel has thrown up worrying results. Four out of five personnel surveyed, including officers, were found suffering from pre-hypertension, about a third were overweight and two-thirds had low levels of good cholesterol (HDL), caused by lack of exercise.
The sample survey was conducted by the defence ministry and Indian Council of Medical Research on 767 'healthy' personnel including 130 officers. Their ages ranged from 18 to 50 years.
The study also found a majority of the personnel had bad eating habits. Most of them added salt or pickle to their food and used ghee/butter regularly.
Unfit Army

Letter to Times of India by Brig Lakshman Singh (Retd)
UNFIT ARMY –screamed the headline from the front page of the Monday Times of India.
The second or the third larges standing Army in the World discredited based on a sample survey of 767. How many of the sample were from Arms and how many from Services, how many of the surveyed were deployed in field and how many in peace stations how many married and staying with the family, was the ethnic background also taken into consideration.
I retired long back from the army, there used to tests for physical fitness like BPET and PPT, annual medical examinations both for officers and the men. The nature of job, as such, created stress and to relieve it that were regular games and sports, music on radio and magazines newspapers, books and also Sanik Sammelans, where the Commanding Officer addressed the unit personnel once a month.
Has everything changed in the present day army, I do wonder: not possible to my mind.
If Army is unfit, the reason has to be found some where else. In September of 1962 we, of Seven Brigade ocated at Tawang, ill-equipped and ill clothed for winter, with no snow clothing available, in woollen jersey and angora shirt, for fighting at the heights of 16000 feet plus, for personal arms the troops had the, World War Two, 303 Le-Enfield rifle with 50 rounds of ammunition and the units without digging tools, barbed -wire, mines and no Artillery support, were told to take on the Chinese.
Possibly equipment wise with modernising lagging behind for one reason or other, things are no batter even now. If Army is unfit one has to seek the reason somewhere else.
I would also suggest your copywriter to be slightly more discreet ‘Eye Catching’ head lines look good but can be damaging to the institutions in the eyes of the Nation,

National Security: Enhancing synergy among tri- services

The Hindu: Thursday, Jun 17, 2010 by special correspondent
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik (centre), Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma (left) and Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh release books on operational doctrines in New Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: Seeking to build greater synergy among the tri-services and enhancing its joint fighting capabilities, the armed forces on Wednesday released two doctrines, one for perception management and psychological operations and the other for air and land operations.

Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik released the two joint operational doctrines, formulated by the Doctrine Directorate of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS). The IDS was set up after the 1999 Kargil war to bring about synergy among the three services.

The Joint Doctrine for Air-Land Operations will serve as the keystone doctrinal document for employment of military power in a joint operation scenario. It establishes the framework of concepts and principles to understand the approach to planning and conduct of air-land operation in a conventional war scenario. It lays down organisations and procedures that will leverage the available technology towards synergistic application of air power, a Defence Ministry release said.

Military psychological operations constitute a planned process of conveying a message to select target audiences, to promote particular themes that result in desired attitudes and behaviour which affect the achievement of political and military objectives.

It said that given the potential benefit of psychological operations as an effective force multiplier, its use in support of military aims and objectives is considerable. The doctrine also provides guidelines for activities related to perception management in sub-conventional operations, especially in an internal environment wherein misguided population may have to be brought into the mainstream.
Two doctrines for greater synergy among tri-services

CLAWS invites research papers and commentaries on Military Modernisation

Dear All,
As Managing Editor, it gives me immense pleasure to announce that the Summer 2010 issue of the CLAWS Journal is going to be published shortly. We shall send out details regarding that soon after. Meanwhile, we now call for research-based articles (3,500 words) and commentaries (1,500 words) for the Winter 2010 issue of the Journal which is a theme- based one focusing on various facets of military modernisation, including defence industry and efforts at indigenisation. The deadline for submission of articles/ commentaries is September 15, 2010.
Warm regards
CLAWS Journal Winter 2010 - Call for Papers
Dr. Monika Chansoria
Managing Editor

Address
Dr. Monika Chansoria
Research Fellow/ Managing Editor
Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)
Indian Army, RPSO Complex, Parade Road, New Delhi - 110010
CLAWS

What is our greatest weakness?
The greatest weakness is the absence of a National strategy. Manmohan Singh administration not only has not put forward a clear strategic view of the Nation but it is hostile to the very idea of strategy. The PM's national security adviser has an inkling that strategy is merely an after thought and akin to– "it’s what you say you had after you have acted." That is truly revealing and frightening to be actually practised. India has one of the largest, expensive, best educated, reasonably equipped military in the world, but it is strategically brainless at the top because the Bureaucrats who drive the Government and their advisers think that agility is a substitute for strategy. Agility is necessary, but it is reactive. If you have no strategy, you are very likely to become part of someone else’s strategy. The Military Think Tank are only tigers on paper and GOI does neither heed their advice nor take them into confidence. Take the example of tackling Pakistan, Terrorists, Maoists, Naxalites, including the Himalayan border resolution- a flood of papers by eminent Military Leaders just gathering dust in the corridors of power!
Moderator

President Address to Parliament- Armed Forces

New Delhi, 4th June, 2009
Our armed forces are the nation's pride, a symbol of our values of sacrifice, valour and the spirit of national integration. India's defence forces stand committed to the task of defending the territorial integrity of the country. They will be fully enabled with modern technology to repel any threat from land, sea or air. To enhance combat efficiency as also to address the requirements of modern day warfare, a number of steps are under way. The welfare of ex-servicemen will continue to be accorded high priority. The Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, to look into the issue of One Rank One Pension has already commenced its work and expects to complete it by the end of June 2009.
ADDRESS BY THE HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, TO PARLIAMENT

Veterans express discontent with political system

Date: Saturday, 16 May, 2009, 6:34 PM
Dear All,
For information.
This report was released by the United News of India on May 14. The same has been translated into Hindi and released by UNIVarta also.
Vijay Oberoi
(Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Former VCOAS)

Veterans express discontent with political system
Bhopal | Wednesday, May 13 2009 IST
Even as the nation awaits with bated breath the outcome of the 15th general elections, veterans have struck a strident note of discontent with regard to the present political system and the leadership's non-comprehension of the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.

"Perhaps a presidential system will suit us better. It need not be exactly like that of the United States, but we can evolve our own system," former Vice-Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General (Retd) Vijay Oberoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM told UNI.

The veteran, who is also President of the War Wounded Foundation, pointed out that the greatest benefit of a presidential system would be that the elected president would be able to choose the best brains in the country to assist him in governance while elected representatives would still be there.

"We have a large number of illiterate people who do not understand the nuances of elections. We are an emotional people, easily swayed by cosmetics and pay little attention to substance. We are a federal country, but have not given adequate autonomy to the states," Lt Gen Oberoi felt.

The ex-director of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies alleged that the political leadership neither understood nor made any effort to comprehend the requirements of the military.

"At present, there is no formalised system of having the military in the policy formulation loop. Unless this comes about we will continue to treat security with indifference and the military would continue to get marginalised. The effect on the security of the nation would be catastrophic," Lt Gen Oberoi warned.
-- (UNI) --
Veterans express discontent with political system
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Force divider by Gen VP Malik

250 years of glory and sacrifice : The Madras Regiment

‘Uphold the regiment’s high traditions and always be prepared’
— Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy
Good start: The Colonel of the Madras Regiment, Major General P.G. Kamath, displaying a coffee table book on the regiment at Wellington, near Udhagamandalam, on Monday. The Hindu Click here for report
The 250th Anniversary of one of the oldest regiment of the Indian Army, the Madras Regiment was organized at Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington from 04 – 06 May 09. The origin of the regiment dates back to 04 Dec 1758 when two battalions were raised by Sir Robert Clive. Madras Battalions were among the first to be deployed during World War I and II where they made a significant contribution. The Madras Regiment Centre was first raised as 36 Madras Battalion at Thanjavur in 1794. It moved to Wellington in Feb 1947 and occupied Wellington barracks which were subsequently renamed Shrinagesh Barracks in 1964 in honour of Gen S M Shrinagesh who was the first Indian Col of the Regiment.

The regiment was actively engaged in the 1947-48 J&K Operations and earned the Battle Honours of Tithwal and Poonch. The regiment also saw action in the Indo – Pak conflict of 1965 and 1971 where its battalions played a stellar role. Today the Madras Regiment stands proudly with 44 Battle honours, 14 Theatre honours, 7 COAS and 14 GOC-in-C appreciations to its credit. The Regiment has also done exceedingly well in sports winning the Durand Cup in 1955 and 1958, two bronze medals in the World Military Games and many medals in other national and international events.

Maj Gen PG Kamath, Colonel of the Madras Regiment released a logo for the celebrations.
250 years of glory and sacrifice : The Madras Regiment

Imperative to make military service attractive

18 Course Reunion
Later this month, my alma mater, the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), will commence celebrating its diamond jubilee. It was the New Year’s Day of 1949 when the fledgling Inter Services Wing (later renamed the Joint Services Wing) was set up at Dehradun.

The coming New Year’s Day will, therefore, be a proud day not only for those who have passed out of the Academy over the last 60 years, but also for all military persons and indeed for the entire nation.

The officer cadets who have passed out from the portals of this hallowed institution later led the defence forces of the country through wars and conflicts, which the nation had to fight and is still fighting and did so from the front, setting examples of courage and professionalism rarely seen.

When I joined the NDA in June 1957, the reins of the Academy were in the capable hands of Major Gen E. Habibullah, a versatile and lovable General officer of the old school. I use the words “reins”, both figuratively and metaphorically, for he was also an accomplished horseman, besides commanding this fine institution, which converted gawky adolescent boys into gentlemen and later officers of the defence forces.

We were also privileged to train under the guidance of two commandants, as midway during our course, Rear Admiral B.A. Samson, a smart and dynamic Flag officer of the Indian Navy, took over command of the Academy and presided over our passing-out parade in June, 1960.

I did visit the NDA on a few occasions thereafter, but the defining moment for me was in June, 2001, when I was given the exceptional honour of reviewing the passing-out parade, exactly 41 years after I had marched out past the quarter deck, hopefully smartly, and said goodbye to the Academy, which had turned me round from a boy to a man! By happenstance, it was my erstwhile Golf squadron, which had earned the championship trophy that year, making me doubly proud!

Let me share another nostalgic moment with this Academy of excellence. I was back at the NDA in June last year along with a number of course mates for celebrating yet another milestone in our lives. This was to celebrate the golden jubilee of the day, 50 years back, when our course had entered the precincts of this fine institution, which embraced us with love and care, taught us discipline and the appreciation of the good things of life, set us on the road to military professionalism and built our character for the vicissitudes of life that would follow.

Thanks to the current commandant, Air Marshal T.S. Randhawa, and his dedicated and efficient team of instructors, our brief sojourn can only be termed as momentous. We relived the life we had led as cadets and appreciated all the changes for the better, which successive commandants had instituted to ensure that the Academy continued to be the apex institution of learning in our country.

While the country, the Indian military and especially the alumni of this institution of excellence would rejoice and celebrate this remarkable and unique journey, we also need to take time out to ponder on the future.

Will India be able to sustain and excel the achievements of this exceptional institution in the face of diminishing numbers joining the Academy and the defence forces, as well as the vast shortage of officers in all the three services?

It is important to reflect on the reasons why young men are shying away from joining the defence forces, including this famed institution.

I do not subscribe to the view that in today’s consumer-oriented society, there is a paucity of patriots and warriors in our nation. Even a cursory look at our long history of wars and sacrifices by our soldiers and their leaders of yore should convince us that there is no dearth of valour amongst our countrymen. Neither can the reason be a perceived decline in the standards of the defence forces or of the NDA.

The truth is that over the years, despite many centrifugal forces working against the defence forces, they continue to serve the nation with dedication and resolve; I need not remind the readers of their sterling efforts in the successful resolution of a highly explosive situation at Mumbai only a few days back, where in the best traditions of the Army two young lads, Major Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajendra Singh, sacrificed their lives for the nation.

As far as the NDA is concerned, not only has it lived up to its glorious past but has vastly improved its academics, military training and most importantly building the highest level of character qualities.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd)
Former Vice Chief of Army Staff and alumni of the famed 18th course of the NDA
Imperative to make military service attractive
First step in and out of the NDA by Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh
18 Course reunion
National Defence Academy
National Defence Academy 60 Glorious Years

A Veteran Soldier

Born on 28 January 1900 in Sanivara Santhai (Coorg), Late Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, OBE received his formal education at the Central High School of Virajpet and Medikeri (Coorg) and Presidency College, Madras. He was among the first group of Indian Cadets to receive the King's Commission in 1919 after passing out from the Daly College, Indore. He was the first Indian Officer to enter the Staff College, Quetta (Baluchistan) in 1933 and the first to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1942 when he raised 17th Battalion The Rajput Regiment.

After being elevated as the first Indian Brigadier, he went to the United States of America and Canada for a conference with high-ranking officers of the respective armies as a member of the Army Reorganisation Committee to evaluate training methods for the future Indian Army. He went to the United Kingdom as one of the first two Indian Students at the Imperial Defence College. With transfer of power and partition of the country, Brigadier Cariappa was recalled from the United Kingdom to serve as a member of the Army Sub Committee of the Forces Reconstitution Committee which achieved an amicable settlement of the division of the Army between India and Pakistan. In July 1947, he was promoted to the rank of Major General.

Immediately after Independence, there was rapid Indianisation of the Army. On 21st November, 1947, Maj. Gen., Cariappa took over from Lieutenant General Sir Francies Tuker as the Army Commander, Eastern Command, in the rank of Lieutenant General. Soon after, on 20th January 1948, he succeeded Lieutenant General D. Rissell as the Army Commander, Delhi and East Punjab (now Western Command), responsible for conducting the operation in Kashmir. On 15th January 1949, General Roy Bucher, handed over the office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army to General K.M.Cariappa. He was the only Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army.

A Veteran soldier, he had served in Mesopotamia from 1920 to 1922, as Adjutant of the 2/125 Napier Rifles. He also served in Waziristan, with the 1/17 Dogras and the 1/7th Rajputs from 1922 to 1925.

Serving with the 10th Division, he campaigned in Iraq, Syria and Iran from April 1941 to March 1942. In July 1943, he went to the Arakans as the Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, 26th Indian Division, where he won the award of Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1945. He also commanded the Banu Frontier. A man of crystal-clear character with courage of his convictions, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa is fondly remembered by his comrades-in- arms as 'Kipper'.

Though he relinquished the office of Chief of the Army Staff on 14th January, 1953, he had kept himself active in public life and represented the country as its High Commissioner to Australia for two and half years. He evinced a keen interest in physical education of the youth and extensively lectured on national integration and discipline. As founder of the Indian Ex-servicemen League, he has done yeoman service for the welfare of ex-servicemen.

His exemplary services to the Army were recognised in 1986 when the rank of Field Marshal was conferred upon him.

Apart from the OBE, the other best-known honours conferred on the Late Field Marshal were the Legion of Merit in the order of Chief Commander of the United States of America, Honorary General of the Nepalese Army and Doctor of Science by University of Agra.

He breathed his last on 16th May 1993. Late Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa was in letter and spirit an exceptional captain of his team. He always held the ‘Jawan’ in his highest esteem and often said ‘Our jawans are absolute gems’.

His hobby was stamp collection.

The Department of Posts was privileged to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.
Credits
Stamp: Based on the material made available by The Rajput Regimental Centre, Fategarh
F.D.C. & Cancellation: Addl. Directorate General of APS
Date of Issue: 15 Jan 1995

Indian Military Academy

"The safety, honour and welfare of your country Come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, Always and every time."



The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh salutes while reviewing the Passing Out Parade at the Platinum Jubilee Course of Indian Military Academy, in Dehradun, on December 10, 2007.

Indian Military Academy (IMA) is where the bodies and minds of the trainees are moulded to have the tensility of the finest tempered steel together with qualities such as camaraderie, team-spirit, critical appreciation of a given or emerging instinct with an inbuilt urge never to give-up. The Academy became functional from 01 October 1932 with a course strength of 40 Gentlemen Cadets. Brigadier L P Collins, DSO, OBE was the first Commandant. The first course had on its rolls Sam Manekshaw, Smith Dun and Mohd Musa. All of them later became the Chiefs of the armies of their respective countries namely India, Burma and Pakistan. In 1934, even before the first course had passed out, his Excellency Lord Willingdon the Viceroy of India, presented the Colours to the Academy on behalf of His Majesty the King-Emperor, as not merely a mark of royal favour but also as acknowledgement of sacrifice and common endeavour. The parade was commanded by Under-Officer GC Smith Dun.

In consonance with national aspirations, the Indian Military Academy was redesignated as the National Defence Academy in January 1950.
The duration of training is one year except for the Direct Entry Scheme, for which it is one and a half years. Direct Entry is to be made through a written examination conducted by the UPSC and the final selection is by the Services Selection Board. The age limits for them is from 19 to 24 yrs at the time of entry. Ex-NDA and ex-ACC cadets join after completing a three year degree course. The former enter NDA through UPSC examination and SSB whereas the ACC cadets join through the ranks after qualifying an examination conducted by Army Headquarters and facing the SSB. The technical graduates, who are engineering graduates, do not have to take a written examination but pass through SSB.

Candidates selected for 10+2 Technical entry scheme are inducted for one years' Basic Military Training at IMA. This is followed by a four years' degree course in Engineering from College of Military Engineering, Pune / Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow / Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad. The total duration of training is five years. On completion of four years of training, commission in the rank of a Lieutenant is granted. For a degree in Engineering, there is a need to complete the stipulated five years of training.

At IMA GCs are trained in all aspects of combat and tactics using computers and other modern training tools. This coupled with exciting adventure sports like River rafting, Para jumping, Rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering ensures all round development. A GC is commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army.

Antedate seniority of two years is given to Engineering / Technical Graduates inducted through technical entries. This is to compensate for the extra time and energy spent to earn the Engineering Degree before training. With the antedate seniority, there are opportunities for faster promotions, in addition to pay benefits.

Foreign Cadets
Ever since 1948, cadets from friendly Afro-Asian countries have been joining IMA for pre-commission training. Up to 1987, 568 foreign gentlemen cadets from 18 countries received training at the Academy. These are Angola, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Iraq, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, Tonga, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia.

TRIVIA
Leadership is an essential requirement in all fields of life. What distinguishes the military leadership from other kinds is that it is a leadership of a kind that demands tapping of the last ounce of individual's physical and psychic resources on the battle field. It has only compounded the criticality of the crisis in all its aspects - physical, mental, moral and emotional.

Those who come to the Academy as Gentlemen Cadets are groomed to develop and acquire the character that will enable them in the near or distant future to assume responsibility to see the country through the crisis.

Some of these foreign alumni of the Academy have done exceptionally well. In June 1966 GC Lokot Zamani of Nigeria was appointed Academy Cadet Adjutant who later went on to win the Gold Medal. GC, YB Tun Hussain Bin Onn, rose to the position of Prime Minister of Malaysia. Another Malaysian, Ibrahim bin Ismail, rose to the rank of General. Three Nepalese alumni namely Arjun Narsing Rana, Bharat Kesar Singh and Rishi Kumar Pandey, rose to the rank of General in the Royal Nepalese Army.

CONTACT INFO
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
Dehradun
Uttaranchal
India
Indian Military Academy

Digby Lall writes:
I have just read the blog on the IMA and it came to my mind that one of the most important 'raison d'etre' of an Indian Army Officer, which used to be emblazoned on the walls of the revered Chetwode Hall and which has inspired generations of army officers and which I still live up to in a modified form in my civilian life in positions of responsibility.
"The safety, honour and welfare of your country Come first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, Always and every time."
I feel that it is certainly worth including the correct words as they appear in Chetwode Hall in the blog about the IMA. I was commissioned in to the Corps of Signals as IC 4771 along with Aniles Basu, R P Singh, Ranbir Mohan and 12 other illustrious officers. All my regimental service was carried out on the J & K and Chinese Borders where I did my best to emulate the Chetwode Hall Motto.

With best wishes
Digby Lall
Date: 31 Dec 2007

SIGNAL: Thanks Digby Lall. We have included the Motto of our Alma Mater just below the aerial Photograph of Chetwode Building. Truly All- Inspiring Indeed.

A Soldier's Song

Warrior-turned peacemaker General Indar Jit Rikhye passed away in the US on May 21, 2007. As a young boy, he was blessed, and instructed, by Mahatma Gandhi to join the army. Rabindranath Tagore offered him a scholarship to study at Shantiniketan. Zia-ul Haq (who later became one of Pakistan's military rulers) was his junior officer in the pre-independent Indian Army.

Born in July 1920 in Lahore, now a city in Pakistan, Indar Jit Rikhye was the son of a former medical officer in the British Indian Army. After he graduated from the Indian Military Academy in 1939, he was commissioned by King George VI to serve in the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers, also known as the Bengal Lancers.
Later, as a young squadron commander, he led the first armoured elements to roll into the defence of Kashmir from the 'raiders' in 1947. In the 'middle innings' of his career, as he called it, he underwent a transformation from a war-fighter to a peacemaker, serving with the United Nations in Gaza, Congo and in other parts of world. It was during this time that he first began thinking about the futility and then the paradoxical inevitability of war.

This was the general I knew -- full of stories about legendary, near mythical, figure of stature; a man with an old school charm and a peculiar 'Eastern-Western' philosophy. I first met Major General Rikhye when I came to the United States in 2003 to get a graduate education. He was president of the Indian Veterans Organisation, IVOANA, and I was its youngest member- a former Indian army officer with just nine years of service.

In the beginning I was slightly sceptical of the general, a notion that comes easily to most soldiers. Blame it on my perspective, but most of the generals I had met, or served under, were not exactly visionary-leaders, though they were good bureaucratic-managers, receiving and passing on orders. Moreover, I was in my early 30s, and it seemed improbable that I could strike up a friendship with man of my grandfather's generation.

But General Rikhye was a special man, and over the last few years I had the pleasure to meet him a number of times, and to speak with him often. His formative and defining years read like a recounting of the historical events of a bygone era. He served during the Second World War in places that have assumed contemporary significance for altogether different reasons today -- Basra, Baghdad and Mosul, the Italian front. At the time of Partition/Independence, the general was posted in a unit that went to Pakistan, and he witnessed the dismemberment of the British Indian Army. Immediately afterwards, he led the first armoured squadron that was rushed to the defence of Kashmir from Pakistani raiders in 1947. Ironically, these raiders were being given logistical support from the same troops that General Rikhye was commanding as part of the undivided Indian Army.

Major General Indar Jit Rikhye, President of the International Peace Academy. General Rikhye was a former military advisor to UN Secretaries-General Dag Hammarskjöld and U Thant, and Commander of the United Nations Emergency Force in Gaza. As military advisor, he was responsible for operations in the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, West Iran, Yemen, and Cyprus. Special assignments included advisor to the secretary-general during the Cuban Missile Crisis, chief of the UN observer mission to the Dominican Republic, and participant in the Spinelli-Rikhye Mission to Jordan and Israel in 1965. General Rikhye is the author of numerous publications including The Thin Blue Line: International Peacekeeping and its Future.

Tribute by Anit Mukherjee who is a PhD candidate at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC.
Photographs: Courtesy the Rikhye family.
Visit
http://www.ivoana.org
IVOANA Blog

Colonel Virendra Swarup

Known as Viru Swarup, a former Commandant of the Roaring Fours’, the 44 Armored Regiment, former Director Planning, QMG’s (Quartermaster General’s) Branch, Army Headquarters, former Colonel Administration, Mountain Corps and Colonel Military Secretary of a desert Corps, of the great Indian Army, India is leading an active retired life traveling between India and the United States of America.
The sudden outbreak of the Sino-Indian war in 1962 fired the patriotic zeal in many young men to volunteer to serve in the armed forces. Viru to his friends opted for a commission in the Indian Army. He was selected and sent to the most prestigious Indian Military Academy. From here he passed out as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the country’s most highly decorated tank regiment – the Poona Horse in August, 1964. He participated in both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars. In the 1965 war, he was a tank troop leader. In one of the fiercest tank engagements in Phillaura, Pakistan, his tank was hit. His operator-cum-loader was killed on the spot and he himself was severely wounded losing his right eye and had earned apart from many war medals, a wound medal (Purple Heart). Notwithstanding this serious disability he followed his profession with resilience, grit, positive attitude he never looked back and forged ahead fighting all the odds for a good twenty eight years and risen to the rank of Colonel. He was not destined to command the regiment into which he was first posted (a cherished desire of all officers).

He, however, commanded a new outfit – 44 Armored Regiment – with the raising of which he was associated as its Second-in-Command. In 1992, he lost the other eye while still in harness in one of the freak accident and, was rendered blind, thus, medically boarded out of military service.

Viru was not the one to sit idle in his retirement, the loss of sights has propelled him to fight his severe disabilities to incorporate an ex-servicemen Coal Transport Company undertaking transportation of coal from coal mine face to the railway siding in one of the collieries in India braving through different kind of experience. This experience, however, proved to be a gross disappointment as people took undue advantage of his disability. This led him to involve his wife Sabita to join him as one of the active Director in the company, the only women perhaps in the industry. Together, they worked hard to bail themselves out of the loosing venture honorably.

He traveled extensively both in India and abroad including the Republic of South Africa and with his keen eye (the inner one), savored the culture of this beautiful world.

He has two children, daughter and the son, both physicians and five grand children, Nikhita, 10 years’ old, Somya, Shray, both 4 years’, Ayush and Akshay, both just 20 months’ old.

He is author of a unique true story "The Memoir of a War Veteran Across Seven Seas", and is currently busy writing yet another book, this time a fiction, about “A Mysterious Woman”. He stays with his family most of his time in Arizona, USA.

This is the amazing life story of a remarkable man, who despite the loss of one eye in battle still rose to the rank of Colonel in the Indian Army before becoming totally blinded with the loss of his second eye. His story is told against the historic backdrop of the partition of India, the creation of Pakistan, the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971 that created new countries out of pre-independence India. Colonel Virendra Swarup, fondly known as Viru to his friends and family, won the Wound Medal (equivalent to the US Purple Heart), commanded two saber squadrons of most famous regiment the Poona Horse (17th Queen Victoria’s Own Cavalry) and the Roaring Fours (The Forty-Four Armored Regiment), and witnessed the creation of a new world. His is a poignant and courageous story and a celebration of life. This is not just a book for those interested in military history, the history of India and of the British role abroad but for anyone who applauds survival against the odds.

Melissa Lumley, London, UK

First, let me say what an incredible life you’ve led. Sounds like a blockbuster movie with love, tragedy, war, passion, and overcoming obstacles.” Encouraging indeed...

Debbie, USA

I am excited by your book; you have a natural talent for telling a story and you have many to tell in here.

Ed Munson, Canada

This is the story of a down-to-earth soldier of the Indian Army, who on learning of the outbreak of war, cuts short his leave and hotfoots it to join his regiment; barely escaping death in action loses an eye; attains professional competence to command an armored regiment; while still in service loses his second eye. How with a never-say-die attitude, he tackled life’s problems and even indulged in playing golf. He traveled all over the world and finally reached the US; his exposure to the American way of life is interesting. - Worth reading by active and enterprising persons.

Colonel (Retired) Devinder Singh Grewal

Chandigarh, India

To Order Copy of the Book: http://www.colonelviruswarup.com/index.html

War in Ancient India

The Mahabharata War
Dharmayuddha is war carried on the principles of Dharma, meaning here the Ksatradharma or the law of Kings and Warriors. The Hindu laws of war are very chivalrous and humane, and prohibit the slaying of the unarmed, of women, of the old, and of the conquered. Megasthenes noticed a peculiar trait of Indian warfare they never ravage an enemy's land with fire, nor cut down its trees. (Artwork courtesy of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. http://www.krishna.com/).

The Bhagavad Gita has influenced great Americans from Thoreau to Oppenheimer. Its message of letting go of the fruits of one’s actions is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written more than two millennia ago. The history of ancient India is largely a history of Hindu culture and progress. Hindu culture has a distinct claim to a higher antiquity than Assyrian schools would claim for Sargon I and as much or even higher antiquity than Egyptian scholars would claim for the commencement of the first dynasty of Kings. One aspect of this culture consists in India's political institutions which were almost modern.

Modern warfare has developed on mechanical lines, giving less scope for the qualities of courage and individual leadership. The value and importance of the army were realized very early in the history of India, and this led to the maintenance of a permanent militia to put down dissent within and arrest aggression from without. This gave rise to the Ksatriya warrior caste, and the ksatram dharmam came to mean the primary duty of war. To serve the country by participating in war became the svadharma of this warrior community.

Indian Military Science recognizes two kinds of warfare - the dharmayuddha and the kutayuddha. Dharmayuddha is war carried on the principles of dharma, meaning here the Ksatradharma or the law of Kings and Warriors. In other words, it was a just and righteous war which had the approval of society. On the other hand, kuttayuddha was unrighteous war. It was a crafty fight carried on in secret. The Hindu science of warfare values both niti and saurya i.e. ethical principles and valor. It was therefore realized that the waging of war without regard to moral standards degraded the institution into mere animal ferocity. A monarch desirous of dharma vijaya should conform to the code of ethics enjoined upon warriors.

The principles regulating the two kinds of warfare are elaborately described in the Dharmasutras and Dharmasastras, the epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata), the Arthasastra treatises of Kautalya, Kamandaka, and Sukra. Hindu India possessed the classical fourfold force of chariots, elephants, horsemen, and infantry, collectively known as the Caturangabala. Students also know that the old game of chess also goes by the name of Caturanga. From the references to this game in the Rig Veda and the Atharva Veda and in the Buddhists and Jaina books, it must have been very popular in ancient India. The Persian term Chatrang and the Arabic Shatrang are forms of the Sanskrit Caturanga.

When a conqueror felt that he was in a position to invade the foreigner's country, he sent an ambassador with the message: 'Fight or submit.' More than 5000 years ago India recognized that the person of the ambassador was inviolable. This was a great service that ancient Hinduism rendered to the cause of international law.

Credit: http://www.hinduwisdom.info/War_in_Ancient_India.htm

Queen's Gurkha Signals History

The Origins

The Gurkha Signals Holding and Training Wing

British Army signalling can find it origins in the Royal Corps of Engineers in 1870, when the first Telegraph Battalion was formed. Signalling remained the prerogative of the Engineers for 58 years until the formation of the Corps of Signals in 1921. It is hardly surprising therefore that the initial employment of Gurkha signallers be in the three Indian Corps of Sappers and Miners (Bombay, Bengal, and Madras) in 1911. This development was rather haphazard and it wasn't until the First World War that whole companies of Gurkha signallers existed within these three Corps.

In 1920 these companies were formed into the Indian Signal Service and each 'Line and Wireless' companies within the service were given a letter designation. In 1921 'G' Divisional Signals, which was approximately regimental size, was based in Rawalpindi and included British and Gurkha soldiers. 'G' Divisional Signals had a small Regimental Headquarters (RHQ), No 1 Company and No 2 Company, the latter incorporating three Infantry Brigade Signal Sections and three Royal Artillery Brigade Signal Sections. It was this No 2 Company which was totally Gurkha in composition and which grew to such a size that by necessity it had to be eventually split into two. These Gurkha signallers distinguished themselves in the Waziristan troubles in 1923 and during the state visit to Nepal in 1921 of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on a hunting trip. But it was eventually decided in 1928 that there was an insufficient trained reserve of Gurkha signallers and that they should be allowed to waste out of the army.

When India gained independence from Britain in 1947 only 4 Regiments of Gurkhas, each of two battalions, were transferred from the Indian Army to the British Army. The 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 10th Gurkha Rifle Regiments moved to Malaya and Hong Kong in 1948. The impending Malayan Emergency provided the impetus in June 1948 for the formation of the 17th Gurkha Infantry Division and it was decided that the signals units for this new division should be Gurkha in composition. In July 1948 the training cadre, from which this new division's brigade signals units would eventually be drawn, was formed and initially consisted only of a handful of British Non Commissioned Officers (NCO) and other ranks. An establishment was created at the Command Headquarters site, in Kuala Lumpur, called X Brigade Signal Squadron and it was to this Squadron that Major A G C Cox MBE R SIGNALS was posted in October 1948. The X was used because no-one knew quite what to call them, but it was intended that this would be the first instalment towards a Gurkha Division Signal Regiment. The remainder of 1948 was used in forming the training cadre from experienced British and Gurkha instructors, and with gaining the approval of establishments for a Training wing and an Independent Brigade Signal Squadron from General Headquarters (GHQ) Far East Land Forces (FARELF). Although it had been envisaged that the first group of 110 trainees would arrive on 1 Jan 1949 the approval for the establishments was not given until May 1950.

Credit: http://www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/qgs/index.html