SEMINAR OF ESM ORGANISATIONS
COL (Retd)) TN Raman
General
1. The present scenario of ESM Organisations pursuing their own courses of action in communicating & negotiating with the MOD or Secretary ESMW, has left a deep divide amongst the ESM as a community. This has been fully exploited by the UPA Govt. Even the so called Core demand of our OROP has been diluted not by the Bureaucrats but we ourselves. The Consensus Committee headed by our stalwarts, produced various tables which were in no way related to the issue of OROP, but a compromise formula, as required by the Buearocrats. They gave the name as Parity or Modified Parity & got it passed. The only ESM Organisation which spear headed the Movement had been kept out of the loop, stating that it was not a recognised outfit.
2. There are a number of unresolved issues apart from the OROP. The first & foremost is, whether all ESM are being paid as per their present entitlements? What about the widows of ESM? What about the ECHS facilities? What about the second career prospects of the ESM? Do the ESM have a say in the functioning of the DSS&A Board or even have the access to the enormous funds collected on behalf of Veterans during the Flag Day? Are the Welfare Committees for the Veterans & their dependents constituted by the Centre & the States having the representation of ESM as the members? The list can carry on.
Resolving the Problems
3. If any single ESM out fit can take on the magnitude of such diverse problems, both at the Centre & the States, it is most welcome. Unfortunately, we have none at present. Even the larger Organisations, which have been in existence for decades have not developed the wherewithal to execute such tasks. More unfortunate is the political alignment of many of these Organisations, which has precluded them from taking a serious stance against the Govt. The latest victim to such a posture is the IESM, which is branded, rightly or wrongly, as the stooge of BJP. The result is the negative reaction by the Govt, even to a reasonable cause, stating that it is engineered by the opposition party. Hence, recognition to the Organisation has been denied.
4. It will be crystal clear now to all ESM, that the immediate requirement for us is to first unite & pose a common front which cannot be easily dissipated, by external agencies. All the decades old ESM Organisations will not pack up their show & join any new out fit, where they may not even be recognised.
Federation of ESM Organisations
5. One of the ways to get over the trauma is to adopt a concept of Federation of the ESM Organisations. Here, all the existing ESM Organisations retain their own colours, Office Bearers, their own Constitutions & members. They will all pool their resources to create a Central Organisation which shall be responsible to guide the Movement & negotiate with the Govt. This Federation shall be absolutely APOLITICAL. Over a period of time, this Federation can build up enough strength to be considered as a Vote Bank of ESM, so that any political party would like to deal with it with respect. However, the concept of Federation is left for the Seminar to debate & resolve & in no way a precondition or an undertaking by the participants.
Seminar
6. The aim of the Seminar is not to attract new members to the IESM. I am a member of the IESM & am proud of the fact. I am not a member of any other ESM Organisation. The purpose of the Seminar, which was rightly pointed out by Maj Gen RN Radhakrishnan, is to provide a platform for all ESM Organisations & some leading ESM Personalities to hold a free & frank discussion on the options available for us. This shall include the legal option also.
7. I also wish to thank Maj Gen Inderjit Kashyap for his sane advice to the IESM. I cannot visualise a Seminar sans the presence of the representatives from IESM, which was instrumental in giving Nation wide publicity to the ESM cause.
8. The Seminar is being planned for the last week of October 09, provided we receive the assurance from the various ESM Organisations & personalities of their participation.
Conclusion
9. I request all ESM to kindly go through the paper. The Agenda will be prepared on the receipt of your inputs.
Best Wishes,
Veteran Raman
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
By Veteran Muthu Krishnan from Tirunelveli
On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 6:10 AM, Muthu Krishnan wrote:
Dear Sir,
Your Blog is going very fast. I am unable to to cope up with the speed because of some
family commitments. Please bear with me. However I am reading daily.
Now, please publish about a medical camp we have conducted at Tirunelveli on 25.7.09 (See my Blog) remembering the Kargil day. About 174 aged non-pensioners ex-servicemen & families attended the camp. We have helped 13 patients for cataract surgery with the support of Local Shifa Hospital. Please publish this information with photos in your Blog Sir.
What about the improved pension orders for the PBORs ?
Thanking you,
With good wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Sgt C.Muthukrishnan. - cm_krish@yahoo.co.in
Dear Sir,
Your Blog is going very fast. I am unable to to cope up with the speed because of some
family commitments. Please bear with me. However I am reading daily.
Now, please publish about a medical camp we have conducted at Tirunelveli on 25.7.09 (See my Blog) remembering the Kargil day. About 174 aged non-pensioners ex-servicemen & families attended the camp. We have helped 13 patients for cataract surgery with the support of Local Shifa Hospital. Please publish this information with photos in your Blog Sir.
What about the improved pension orders for the PBORs ?
Thanking you,
With good wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Sgt C.Muthukrishnan. - cm_krish@yahoo.co.in
Absence of spouses age hampers bankers from payment of enhanced family pension
Dear Veterans,
I wish to bring to your notice that in none of our PPOs issued by the CDA(P) the date of birth of the spouse is mentioned. You may like to have this checked by scrutinising your PPO. The problem arises where the pensioner passes away and is survived by the spouse and if she crosses the age of 80 she will not be able to get the extra 20% without proof of age. There is therefore an urgent need to take up case with the govt and CDA to resolve this issue. The best and easiest way is to to Show ECHS card where the date of birth of spouse is mentioned. Someone needs to take up the case.
Col N Viswanthan(Retd)
I wish to bring to your notice that in none of our PPOs issued by the CDA(P) the date of birth of the spouse is mentioned. You may like to have this checked by scrutinising your PPO. The problem arises where the pensioner passes away and is survived by the spouse and if she crosses the age of 80 she will not be able to get the extra 20% without proof of age. There is therefore an urgent need to take up case with the govt and CDA to resolve this issue. The best and easiest way is to to Show ECHS card where the date of birth of spouse is mentioned. Someone needs to take up the case.
Col N Viswanthan(Retd)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Hats Off to DD Bangalore
To: MilitaryVeterans@yahoogroups.com
From: cavmurthy1936@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 06:30:17 +0000
Subject: [MilitaryVeterans] Hats Off to DD Bangalore!
Hats off to DD Bangalore!. DD Bangalore in collaboration with Subramaniam Foundation, Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Govt of Karnataka, organised a music and dance programme titled 'SMARANANJALI' to pray tribute to martyrs, their sacrifices and the spirit of patriotism, and to honour the families of martyrs. The event at Gayathri Vihar (Palace grounds, Bangalore) was very largely attended and they were richly rewarded by some fine music by Pankaj Udhas, Kavita Krishna Murthy and excellent violin recital by Dr. L Subramaniam, and a dance by MEG jawans. Even the TOI has given a good coverage for the function!
From: cavmurthy1936@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 06:30:17 +0000
Subject: [MilitaryVeterans] Hats Off to DD Bangalore!
Hats off to DD Bangalore!. DD Bangalore in collaboration with Subramaniam Foundation, Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, Govt of Karnataka, organised a music and dance programme titled 'SMARANANJALI' to pray tribute to martyrs, their sacrifices and the spirit of patriotism, and to honour the families of martyrs. The event at Gayathri Vihar (Palace grounds, Bangalore) was very largely attended and they were richly rewarded by some fine music by Pankaj Udhas, Kavita Krishna Murthy and excellent violin recital by Dr. L Subramaniam, and a dance by MEG jawans. Even the TOI has given a good coverage for the function!
Kargil Day at Tirunelveli
Kargil Day: Medical Relief Camp for ESM- Photos
********************************************************************
********************************************************************
Director IDSA spews Venom on the Military- Most unkind cut ever
Anil Dalal's a civilian response given below is to my posting in "JATLAND" about the IDSA Director's comments has more relevance than Military rebuffs.......
Brig Lakhsman Singh (veteran)
Sir,
I agree it is quite a ridiculous argument. Indian armed forces have always shown exemplary behavior in not seeking a political role for themselves and deferring to the democratically chosen leaders even if they are crap. The danger to Indian democracy comes more from the politicians who time and again show contempt for the rule of law and would go to any extent to seek power. The only time democracy went for a toss in India was during emergency in 1975-77, and that was because of a politician, Indira Gandhi. In fact, the armed forces showed remarkable restraint even in that period.
Even the rationale used by Mr. Sisodia is quite weak. If his "inversely proportional" logic has to be taken at face value, then is he arguing that a strong democratic state is based on weak armed forces? That is counter-intuitive, as if you don't have strong (and disciplined) armed forces, then you run into a danger of having local militias, strongmen, insurgents and what not. Indeed, the problems seen locally in many parts of India like Naxalism, private armies or insurgency are in part due to the weak state police. Moreover, he discounts the diverse nature of Indian army itself. Most armed dictatorships can be traced back to a strong ethnic bias and/or homogenous nature of the dominant force- Pakistan has Army controlled by Punjabis, Saddam had Baathists who were Sunni Muslims, etc. Indian armed forces have regional, ethnic as well as institutional diversity. Apart from Army, Navy and Air Force, where it would be difficult to argue which one is supreme, there are also lots of paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, etc. And all these forces have ethinc/regional diversity in their ranks between and within themselves. It becomes very difficult for anyone to organize such a diverse force for an unconstitutional act like a coup. (of course making a leap of faith assumption that someone actually has that intention)
Anil Dalal
Dear Sir,
Please refer to the blog by Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM, Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement, captioned above. (Background- given below)
Perhaps the Director IDSA was partially correct in that undue use of the Armed Forces in aid of civil powers does weaken the Democratic set up of a country. Beyond that, the connotation of the passage is totally unacceptable. General Satbir Singh has outlined some action plan to counter it. I would suggest an alternative starting plan. Why can't the politicians be confronted with this statement directly & asked to either agree or disagree with the IDSA Director? If they agree, AF would know where they stand. If not, AF should demand sacking the IDSA Director, as a message to the Babus. That way our plan of action to have OROP implemented would assume more clarity.
Regards
MB Ghosh (Veteran)
Background
Mr N.S. Sisodia an IAS Officer said that if Defence Forces are given more powers, they will seize power like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Such statements by bureaucrats of the status of Director IDSA are highly objectionable and to say the least are totally unfair to the most patriotic Defence Forces who have very strongly held the flag of democracy flying high in our country. The relevant part of the written script of the Director IDSA is as under:
“Heavy reliance on armed forces weakens civilian authority. Their frequent use enhances their power and influence in the polity. This enhanced power can become a threat to democracy as we have seen in the cases of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries which have suffered military coups. The extent of democratic control is inversely proportionate to the democratic governments dependence on the armed forces.”
Tailpiece
What about corruption of IAS Officers which is daily news now? Who is involved in looting the wealth of the nation, benami transactions, hawala operations, hoarding illegal money in Swiss Bank accounts, FDI investments through back door, generation of black money? Only the IAS are using the Military like a spanner to set their mess in order! The Military is right now shod of honour and teeth. It cannot bite thanks to AV Singh- Upgrade to degrade command and control structure (fully implemented in all phases- in entirety). The IAS- ISDA Director and his folk and ilk can rest in peace! Bureaucrat's Maxim: "Truth shall never prevail in the Power Corridors of Bureaucracy". They should remain buried forever in the files like Henderson Brookes Report which depicts future outcome for India...repeat of 1962. Will the Nation learn lessons when the truth remains buried?
Posted by SIGNAL on Saturday, August 01, 2009 Links to this post
Brig Lakhsman Singh (veteran)
Sir,
I agree it is quite a ridiculous argument. Indian armed forces have always shown exemplary behavior in not seeking a political role for themselves and deferring to the democratically chosen leaders even if they are crap. The danger to Indian democracy comes more from the politicians who time and again show contempt for the rule of law and would go to any extent to seek power. The only time democracy went for a toss in India was during emergency in 1975-77, and that was because of a politician, Indira Gandhi. In fact, the armed forces showed remarkable restraint even in that period.
Even the rationale used by Mr. Sisodia is quite weak. If his "inversely proportional" logic has to be taken at face value, then is he arguing that a strong democratic state is based on weak armed forces? That is counter-intuitive, as if you don't have strong (and disciplined) armed forces, then you run into a danger of having local militias, strongmen, insurgents and what not. Indeed, the problems seen locally in many parts of India like Naxalism, private armies or insurgency are in part due to the weak state police. Moreover, he discounts the diverse nature of Indian army itself. Most armed dictatorships can be traced back to a strong ethnic bias and/or homogenous nature of the dominant force- Pakistan has Army controlled by Punjabis, Saddam had Baathists who were Sunni Muslims, etc. Indian armed forces have regional, ethnic as well as institutional diversity. Apart from Army, Navy and Air Force, where it would be difficult to argue which one is supreme, there are also lots of paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, ITBP, etc. And all these forces have ethinc/regional diversity in their ranks between and within themselves. It becomes very difficult for anyone to organize such a diverse force for an unconstitutional act like a coup. (of course making a leap of faith assumption that someone actually has that intention)
Anil Dalal
Dear Sir,
Please refer to the blog by Maj Gen (Retd) Satbir Singh, SM, Vice Chairman Indian ESM Movement, captioned above. (Background- given below)
Perhaps the Director IDSA was partially correct in that undue use of the Armed Forces in aid of civil powers does weaken the Democratic set up of a country. Beyond that, the connotation of the passage is totally unacceptable. General Satbir Singh has outlined some action plan to counter it. I would suggest an alternative starting plan. Why can't the politicians be confronted with this statement directly & asked to either agree or disagree with the IDSA Director? If they agree, AF would know where they stand. If not, AF should demand sacking the IDSA Director, as a message to the Babus. That way our plan of action to have OROP implemented would assume more clarity.
Regards
MB Ghosh (Veteran)
Background
Mr N.S. Sisodia an IAS Officer said that if Defence Forces are given more powers, they will seize power like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Such statements by bureaucrats of the status of Director IDSA are highly objectionable and to say the least are totally unfair to the most patriotic Defence Forces who have very strongly held the flag of democracy flying high in our country. The relevant part of the written script of the Director IDSA is as under:
“Heavy reliance on armed forces weakens civilian authority. Their frequent use enhances their power and influence in the polity. This enhanced power can become a threat to democracy as we have seen in the cases of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries which have suffered military coups. The extent of democratic control is inversely proportionate to the democratic governments dependence on the armed forces.”
Tailpiece
What about corruption of IAS Officers which is daily news now? Who is involved in looting the wealth of the nation, benami transactions, hawala operations, hoarding illegal money in Swiss Bank accounts, FDI investments through back door, generation of black money? Only the IAS are using the Military like a spanner to set their mess in order! The Military is right now shod of honour and teeth. It cannot bite thanks to AV Singh- Upgrade to degrade command and control structure (fully implemented in all phases- in entirety). The IAS- ISDA Director and his folk and ilk can rest in peace! Bureaucrat's Maxim: "Truth shall never prevail in the Power Corridors of Bureaucracy". They should remain buried forever in the files like Henderson Brookes Report which depicts future outcome for India...repeat of 1962. Will the Nation learn lessons when the truth remains buried?
Posted by SIGNAL on Saturday, August 01, 2009 Links to this post
Colour of a martyr’s blood- Vikram Batra by Maj Gen Raj Mehta
Dear Sir,
The recent desecration and belittling of the sacrifices made by our martyrs at Kargil, by a standing MP has upset the soldiering fraternity as well as their dependents and the nation at large. Using Vikram Batra as a point of reference, I had written an article for publication on the oped page of The Tribune; not as a middle; in the belief that rather more number of readers browse the oped page than they do browsing middles.
The article has been published today and the link to original post click me will take the reader to it. Also reproduced below for easy reading.
May I request you to allow its replication in RMS and perhaps in the RMS blog that Col Kanagaraj runs so well as a key member of your team. The aim is to let your readership know that we care, each in his own way. I speak for the ESM fraternity at large.
Warm regards,
Maj Gen Raj Mehta (Retd)
Colour of a martyr’s blood by Maj Gen (retd) Raj Mehta
It is July 26, 2009 — another hot, humid, rainless day in the tricity. I am back home after a round of golf, followed by attendance with my better-half at a moving, well-conducted public function at the imposing Major Sandeep Sankhla memorial at Panchkula, by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, to pay homage to the Kargil dead and injured.
Restless, my thoughts wander... unaffected by the stifling heat, to the chill winds, the icy fastnesses of the brooding, gaunt mountains that overlook Dras, Kargil and Batalik.
Ten years ago, 527 soldiers died in those unforgiving mountains; another 1,334 were wounded; some reduced to mortifying stumps; caricatures of once erect, alert, combative, dignified soldiers — all because they swore deathless allegiance to the idea of India; of upholding the sovereignty of their country at the cost of death or permanent maiming.
They swore allegiance with passion, at times with prescience and quiet acceptance of grim reality, of either planting the tricolour on their objective; or returning with their bodies wrapped in it.
The TV channels have been going ballistic covering the 10th anniversary of the famous victory. The newspapers speak of the need to learn lessons from the mistakes of 1999.
This is intelligent, thoughtful stuff. What rankles the rank and file, numbs the nation are the comments of a member of Parliament, who opines that that “Kargil isn’t a thing to be celebrated. The war was fought within our territory. We didn’t even come to know when the Pakistani army crossed over and built bunkers inside our territory...”
My thoughts are overtaken by the darkness that surrounds me. I light a candle and hold vigil over its flickering flame, as ex-servicemen and citizens are doing all over India, in honour of those who died in those trying days when Kargil happened. Yet again, my mind returns to memories of the past...
It was past the witching hour. My time was up. Though still in uniform, I had just retired after 38 years in uniform; had ‘hung up my spurs’ with a heavy heart. With the majestic Dhauladhars as a backdrop, I stood outside the just refurbished War Memorial in Yol Cantonment, near Dharamsala, addressing an audience of serving and retired soldiers, their ladies and a few, distinguished gentry.
Amongst them were the parents of the late Capt Vikram Batra, PVC, the brother of late Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first PVC and himself the ex Army Chief, Gen VN Sharma, along with his wife.
Days earlier, I had visited the Batra’s at Palampur, to pay homage to Vikram, seek permission to borrow for display a few of his artifacts at the Yol museum and request his dignified yet grieving parents to join us for the ceremony.
The Batra home, set beyond a tea garden in the low hills surrounding Palampur, is a far cry from the mountains that claimed him. Yet, his parental home exudes his passion, his fervour, his commitment to the pledge he took on becoming a soldier; the country first, always and every time.
I showed a nine-minute TV clip on Vikram, on that hugely moving last day, at Yol. It was the Barkha Dutt recording of his now iconic ‘Yeh Dil Mange More’ and ‘fly the tricolour or come back wrapped in it’ sound bytes. Barkha stated very recently that she had intuitively sensed he would not return.
So had his father, Mr GL Batra, as he watched that last, touching interview. They were both right. She had unknowingly essayed her first obituary. Mr Batra had lost a son, and Vishal, who resembles him so heart breakingly, his extraordinarily brave twin brother.
Recalling Vikram’s sacrifice, Vishal broke down inconsolably, during the TV interview with Barkha, conducted under the shadows of Point 4875 where he died. We, the nation, broke down too. I wonder, though, how our honorable MP must have reacted.
He needs to be reminded that the colour of a martyr’s blood across the continuum of time, era, history, country, location, is always red. Blood red. It is never daubed in the colours of political parties. May God, Allah Talah, forgive this MP his trespasses as the ESM fraternity and perhaps the nation at large are certainly going to have a problem doing that.
Colour of a martyr’s blood by Maj Gen (retd) Raj Mehta
The recent desecration and belittling of the sacrifices made by our martyrs at Kargil, by a standing MP has upset the soldiering fraternity as well as their dependents and the nation at large. Using Vikram Batra as a point of reference, I had written an article for publication on the oped page of The Tribune; not as a middle; in the belief that rather more number of readers browse the oped page than they do browsing middles.
The article has been published today and the link to original post click me will take the reader to it. Also reproduced below for easy reading.
May I request you to allow its replication in RMS and perhaps in the RMS blog that Col Kanagaraj runs so well as a key member of your team. The aim is to let your readership know that we care, each in his own way. I speak for the ESM fraternity at large.
Warm regards,
Maj Gen Raj Mehta (Retd)
Colour of a martyr’s blood by Maj Gen (retd) Raj Mehta
It is July 26, 2009 — another hot, humid, rainless day in the tricity. I am back home after a round of golf, followed by attendance with my better-half at a moving, well-conducted public function at the imposing Major Sandeep Sankhla memorial at Panchkula, by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement, to pay homage to the Kargil dead and injured.
Restless, my thoughts wander... unaffected by the stifling heat, to the chill winds, the icy fastnesses of the brooding, gaunt mountains that overlook Dras, Kargil and Batalik.
Ten years ago, 527 soldiers died in those unforgiving mountains; another 1,334 were wounded; some reduced to mortifying stumps; caricatures of once erect, alert, combative, dignified soldiers — all because they swore deathless allegiance to the idea of India; of upholding the sovereignty of their country at the cost of death or permanent maiming.
They swore allegiance with passion, at times with prescience and quiet acceptance of grim reality, of either planting the tricolour on their objective; or returning with their bodies wrapped in it.
The TV channels have been going ballistic covering the 10th anniversary of the famous victory. The newspapers speak of the need to learn lessons from the mistakes of 1999.
This is intelligent, thoughtful stuff. What rankles the rank and file, numbs the nation are the comments of a member of Parliament, who opines that that “Kargil isn’t a thing to be celebrated. The war was fought within our territory. We didn’t even come to know when the Pakistani army crossed over and built bunkers inside our territory...”
My thoughts are overtaken by the darkness that surrounds me. I light a candle and hold vigil over its flickering flame, as ex-servicemen and citizens are doing all over India, in honour of those who died in those trying days when Kargil happened. Yet again, my mind returns to memories of the past...
It was past the witching hour. My time was up. Though still in uniform, I had just retired after 38 years in uniform; had ‘hung up my spurs’ with a heavy heart. With the majestic Dhauladhars as a backdrop, I stood outside the just refurbished War Memorial in Yol Cantonment, near Dharamsala, addressing an audience of serving and retired soldiers, their ladies and a few, distinguished gentry.
Amongst them were the parents of the late Capt Vikram Batra, PVC, the brother of late Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first PVC and himself the ex Army Chief, Gen VN Sharma, along with his wife.
Days earlier, I had visited the Batra’s at Palampur, to pay homage to Vikram, seek permission to borrow for display a few of his artifacts at the Yol museum and request his dignified yet grieving parents to join us for the ceremony.
The Batra home, set beyond a tea garden in the low hills surrounding Palampur, is a far cry from the mountains that claimed him. Yet, his parental home exudes his passion, his fervour, his commitment to the pledge he took on becoming a soldier; the country first, always and every time.
I showed a nine-minute TV clip on Vikram, on that hugely moving last day, at Yol. It was the Barkha Dutt recording of his now iconic ‘Yeh Dil Mange More’ and ‘fly the tricolour or come back wrapped in it’ sound bytes. Barkha stated very recently that she had intuitively sensed he would not return.
So had his father, Mr GL Batra, as he watched that last, touching interview. They were both right. She had unknowingly essayed her first obituary. Mr Batra had lost a son, and Vishal, who resembles him so heart breakingly, his extraordinarily brave twin brother.
Recalling Vikram’s sacrifice, Vishal broke down inconsolably, during the TV interview with Barkha, conducted under the shadows of Point 4875 where he died. We, the nation, broke down too. I wonder, though, how our honorable MP must have reacted.
He needs to be reminded that the colour of a martyr’s blood across the continuum of time, era, history, country, location, is always red. Blood red. It is never daubed in the colours of political parties. May God, Allah Talah, forgive this MP his trespasses as the ESM fraternity and perhaps the nation at large are certainly going to have a problem doing that.
Colour of a martyr’s blood by Maj Gen (retd) Raj Mehta
medical camp we have conducted at Tirunelveli on 25.7.09 by Veteran Muthu Krishnan
Muthu Krishnan wrote:
Dear Sir,
Your Blog is going very fast. I am unable to to cope up with the speed because of some
family commitments. Please bear with me. However I am reading daily.
Now, please publish about a medical camp we have conducted at Tirunelveli on 25.7.09 (See my Blog) remembering the Kargil day. About 174 aged non-pensioners ex-servicemen & families attended the camp. We have helped 13 patients for cataract surgery with the support of Local Shifa Hospital. Please publish this information with photos in your Blog Sir.
What about the improved pension orders for the PBORs ?
Thanking you,
With good wishes.
Yours sincerely,
C.Muthukrishnan.
Dear Sir,
Your Blog is going very fast. I am unable to to cope up with the speed because of some
family commitments. Please bear with me. However I am reading daily.
Now, please publish about a medical camp we have conducted at Tirunelveli on 25.7.09 (See my Blog) remembering the Kargil day. About 174 aged non-pensioners ex-servicemen & families attended the camp. We have helped 13 patients for cataract surgery with the support of Local Shifa Hospital. Please publish this information with photos in your Blog Sir.
What about the improved pension orders for the PBORs ?
Thanking you,
With good wishes.
Yours sincerely,
C.Muthukrishnan.
Mail By Cdr Prem Batra...interesting ???
From: premparkashbatra
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 11:43 PM
Remains of pilot missing 18 years in Iraq found Michael "Scott" Speicher.
Brig CS Kamboj
Dear Sir,
1. Cdr Harpreet has forwarded an excerpt to show to what length Veterans in USA can go for their Veterans. That is why they have their own Ministry with the Secretary of Veterans. And no peace deal can be concluded without all the demands of the Veterans, including bones of the dead.
2. A few days back a notification was issued establishing few Cells.
Perhaps IESM needs to establish full range of measures for the Welfare of the Ex-Servicemen.
3. It should not just be question of War Memorial not withstanding flip flops by the Government. POWs and accounting of missing in action should also be equally important. GOI is never well disposed towards Defence personnel, serving or retired. They have only given in when war is on. IESM should force GOI not only for suitable War Memorial in Delhi but Composite Dialogue with Pakistan should also have comprehensive Agreement for exchange of all POWs and Accounting of all Missing in Action under the Supervision of UNO and/or ICRC.
4. One Appreciation is unanimous. Hot Encounters with Pakistan would be per manant feature in the foreseeable future. Therefore full rehabilitation's of War Disabled should not be limited to Gratuities and Jaipur Foot/Arms. Countries spend funds on future research in particular on space for spin offs for adopting and exploitation for the benefit of their peoples , more so far rehabilitation of War injured. Last President being SA to Defence Minister and later to PM had asked R&Ds on space to be used for giving near normal life to War Disabled. But GOI has stopped that. They are not only doing taking limbs from Dead to be re fixed but also arms with almost full control as good as born with.
5. Both these subjects are very dear to the heart of Maj Gen Cardozo. He should agree to help.
Please do forward to the IESM Core Committee.
With best regards,
Prem Batra
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009 11:43 PM
Remains of pilot missing 18 years in Iraq found Michael "Scott" Speicher.
Brig CS Kamboj
Dear Sir,
1. Cdr Harpreet has forwarded an excerpt to show to what length Veterans in USA can go for their Veterans. That is why they have their own Ministry with the Secretary of Veterans. And no peace deal can be concluded without all the demands of the Veterans, including bones of the dead.
2. A few days back a notification was issued establishing few Cells.
Perhaps IESM needs to establish full range of measures for the Welfare of the Ex-Servicemen.
3. It should not just be question of War Memorial not withstanding flip flops by the Government. POWs and accounting of missing in action should also be equally important. GOI is never well disposed towards Defence personnel, serving or retired. They have only given in when war is on. IESM should force GOI not only for suitable War Memorial in Delhi but Composite Dialogue with Pakistan should also have comprehensive Agreement for exchange of all POWs and Accounting of all Missing in Action under the Supervision of UNO and/or ICRC.
4. One Appreciation is unanimous. Hot Encounters with Pakistan would be per manant feature in the foreseeable future. Therefore full rehabilitation's of War Disabled should not be limited to Gratuities and Jaipur Foot/Arms. Countries spend funds on future research in particular on space for spin offs for adopting and exploitation for the benefit of their peoples , more so far rehabilitation of War injured. Last President being SA to Defence Minister and later to PM had asked R&Ds on space to be used for giving near normal life to War Disabled. But GOI has stopped that. They are not only doing taking limbs from Dead to be re fixed but also arms with almost full control as good as born with.
5. Both these subjects are very dear to the heart of Maj Gen Cardozo. He should agree to help.
Please do forward to the IESM Core Committee.
With best regards,
Prem Batra
volunteers for the Pension Cell by V Adm Barin Ghose
Dear Sir
The mails below show the efforts of IESM to start tackling the problems of Pension.V Adm Barin Ghose is alone and needs people to join him as volunteers to work on pension issues.
Anyone with adequate knowledge of pension matters pls communicate with him bag1944@yahoo.co.in directly.
Let us act rather than merely sit with a drink and be verbose.
Brgds
R W Pathak
Dear Raghubir,
You may rest assured that IESM Pension Cell will continue its efforts. I am overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill blessings and what have you especially PBOR who respond to even my interim reply. I must live up to their expectations. But the Pension Cell consists of only one ESM, namely Barin Ghose. Even the ECHS Cell has three members and no one minds
I therefore seek volunteers for the Pension Cell and look forward to some ESM who are familiar with pensions, an extremely complex subject and have a penchant for social service
Regards
Vice Admiral Barin Ghose (Retired)
B 449 Sushant Lok I
Gurgaon 122002 Haryana
The mails below show the efforts of IESM to start tackling the problems of Pension.V Adm Barin Ghose is alone and needs people to join him as volunteers to work on pension issues.
Anyone with adequate knowledge of pension matters pls communicate with him bag1944@yahoo.co.in directly.
Let us act rather than merely sit with a drink and be verbose.
Brgds
R W Pathak
Dear Raghubir,
You may rest assured that IESM Pension Cell will continue its efforts. I am overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill blessings and what have you especially PBOR who respond to even my interim reply. I must live up to their expectations. But the Pension Cell consists of only one ESM, namely Barin Ghose. Even the ECHS Cell has three members and no one minds
I therefore seek volunteers for the Pension Cell and look forward to some ESM who are familiar with pensions, an extremely complex subject and have a penchant for social service
Regards
Vice Admiral Barin Ghose (Retired)
B 449 Sushant Lok I
Gurgaon 122002 Haryana
ECHS COLLAPSING? By Carl Gomes
From: Carl Gomes
Date: 2009/8/2
Subject: ECHS COLLAPSING?
To: carlgomes_2000@yahoo.com
Hello Folks,
The ECHS has been operational for quite a few years now. The satisfaction level varies from “disgusted and frustrated” to “OK, but there is room for improvement.” The scheme was meant to bring quality medical care to veterans which the overloaded service hospitals were finding it difficult to deliver for various reasons. The reality is otherwise and there is even a clamour to shut it down – but that is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. ECHS is years behind for OTC (over the counter) & specially prescribed medicines. One is forced to accept alternative medication / formulations from unheard pharmaceutical manufacturers. ECHS is also Delhi - centric, uncomfortably close to the powers that be, besides, catering for an unusually high numbers of retired "Generals".
It will be good to know the views of Navy and Air Force on ARMY CENTRIC character of ECHS. Many ruling /policy letters issued from the Files bearing ARMY HQs ( AG / DGMS -Army ) lack jurisdiction and legal force for enforcement. If you have adequate knowledge of the ECHS and are keen on exchanging notes etc on that subject, you may like to join a new Group that has just been started which is dedicated PURELY to Ex Servicemen Health Services. The salient features of the group are as follows:
1. An interactive group comprising of Veteran ESM of Indian Armed Forces in receipt of any type of pension or compensation which entitles them and their dependents for HEALTH CARE FACILITIES through appropriate Health Care Delivery Apparatus put into place by Govt of India.
2. The membership is also open to dependents of above mentioned group as well as those serving personnel of Armed Forces of India who feel that sooner or later they will join the que and it is in their own interest to develop a fitting Health Care Delivery System for veterans as well as support it from within the service.
You will soon be receiving (or already received) an invitation to join the group (esmhs). Please sign up and check it out – you can always leave if dissatisfied.
See you there soon.
Carl H Gomes.
Date: 2009/8/2
Subject: ECHS COLLAPSING?
To: carlgomes_2000@yahoo.com
Hello Folks,
The ECHS has been operational for quite a few years now. The satisfaction level varies from “disgusted and frustrated” to “OK, but there is room for improvement.” The scheme was meant to bring quality medical care to veterans which the overloaded service hospitals were finding it difficult to deliver for various reasons. The reality is otherwise and there is even a clamour to shut it down – but that is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. ECHS is years behind for OTC (over the counter) & specially prescribed medicines. One is forced to accept alternative medication / formulations from unheard pharmaceutical manufacturers. ECHS is also Delhi - centric, uncomfortably close to the powers that be, besides, catering for an unusually high numbers of retired "Generals".
It will be good to know the views of Navy and Air Force on ARMY CENTRIC character of ECHS. Many ruling /policy letters issued from the Files bearing ARMY HQs ( AG / DGMS -Army ) lack jurisdiction and legal force for enforcement. If you have adequate knowledge of the ECHS and are keen on exchanging notes etc on that subject, you may like to join a new Group that has just been started which is dedicated PURELY to Ex Servicemen Health Services. The salient features of the group are as follows:
1. An interactive group comprising of Veteran ESM of Indian Armed Forces in receipt of any type of pension or compensation which entitles them and their dependents for HEALTH CARE FACILITIES through appropriate Health Care Delivery Apparatus put into place by Govt of India.
2. The membership is also open to dependents of above mentioned group as well as those serving personnel of Armed Forces of India who feel that sooner or later they will join the que and it is in their own interest to develop a fitting Health Care Delivery System for veterans as well as support it from within the service.
You will soon be receiving (or already received) an invitation to join the group (esmhs). Please sign up and check it out – you can always leave if dissatisfied.
See you there soon.
Carl H Gomes.
Views By Col Raman on future course..
Dear Veterans,
Kindly go through the in line mails from various personalities.
Without even trying to evolve a consensus, we cannot arrive at a conclusion that the Unity amongst various ESM Organisations is not achievable.
When I proposed the idea of a Seminar, many ESM from various organisations were for it, since it will provide a forum for open discussion & iron out the existing differences. The differences existing today, are basically about the approach to be adopted by us & not on the veracity of our claims as such.
Let us all be clear about what we are going to demand & the methods to be adopted. If it is the legal course, let us pursue it only as a last resort. Creating a favourable condition through the Media, the Public & other Pensioners Associations, are all inherent in any of the course we decide to follow. To enable us to achieve a concerted effort in all these activities, UNITY amongst us will be the guiding principle.
I am prepared to Organise a Seminar of all ESM Organisations in Chennai, in the last week of October 09 or the first week of Nov 09. Gen RN Radhakrishnan has been kind enough to suggest me a broad time schedule for the same, covering four sessions in two days.
If the leading ESM Organisations, including IESL, IESM, Navy Foundation & AF Association, War Wounded Organisation, FIESA & those headed by various other Personalities like Col Tyagi, Col SS Sohi, Col Inderjit Singh etc are prepared to be represented, then the Seminar would be worth the while.
I have given myself & our team in Chennai, till 15 August 09, to wait for the reaction from various ESM Organisations & Personalities, who have guided our efforts so far, before issuing the confirmation about the Seminar & dates.
Therefore, I earnestly request all of you to respond to this mail. Since I am not in the loop of Core Group IESM & Military Veterans group, may I request Cdr Sharan Ahuja to transmit this mail to the members of those groups.
Best Wishes,
Veteran Raman
colram40@yahoo.com
Kindly go through the in line mails from various personalities.
Without even trying to evolve a consensus, we cannot arrive at a conclusion that the Unity amongst various ESM Organisations is not achievable.
When I proposed the idea of a Seminar, many ESM from various organisations were for it, since it will provide a forum for open discussion & iron out the existing differences. The differences existing today, are basically about the approach to be adopted by us & not on the veracity of our claims as such.
Let us all be clear about what we are going to demand & the methods to be adopted. If it is the legal course, let us pursue it only as a last resort. Creating a favourable condition through the Media, the Public & other Pensioners Associations, are all inherent in any of the course we decide to follow. To enable us to achieve a concerted effort in all these activities, UNITY amongst us will be the guiding principle.
I am prepared to Organise a Seminar of all ESM Organisations in Chennai, in the last week of October 09 or the first week of Nov 09. Gen RN Radhakrishnan has been kind enough to suggest me a broad time schedule for the same, covering four sessions in two days.
If the leading ESM Organisations, including IESL, IESM, Navy Foundation & AF Association, War Wounded Organisation, FIESA & those headed by various other Personalities like Col Tyagi, Col SS Sohi, Col Inderjit Singh etc are prepared to be represented, then the Seminar would be worth the while.
I have given myself & our team in Chennai, till 15 August 09, to wait for the reaction from various ESM Organisations & Personalities, who have guided our efforts so far, before issuing the confirmation about the Seminar & dates.
Therefore, I earnestly request all of you to respond to this mail. Since I am not in the loop of Core Group IESM & Military Veterans group, may I request Cdr Sharan Ahuja to transmit this mail to the members of those groups.
Best Wishes,
Veteran Raman
colram40@yahoo.com
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tax Time for Gallantry Awardees by maj Navdeep
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
(1) It’s tax time : Gallantry Awardees and Disability Pensioners should RELAX (2) GoI clarifies NPA not to be added into min of pay band for pension
It’s that time of the year again – time to pay income tax. But as mentioned earlier on this blog, gallantry awardees and disabled retirees are exempted from Income Tax on the entire pension. It would be worthwhile for such retirees to go through this earlier post for complete understanding of the requisite law and for downloading the requisite notifications if required.
Secondly, there was a controversy whether the NPA is to be added as an element in the minimum of the new pay bands for computing the new pension of pre-06 AMC retirees. The govt has clarified that NPA is not to be added into the pay band for computing pension of pre-06 AMC retirees as well as civil doctors. The directions of the govt are based on the 2006 decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Col B J Akkara (Retd) Vs UOI. The clarification of the govt can be accessed by clicking here.
(1) It’s tax time : Gallantry Awardees and Disability Pensioners should RELAX (2) GoI clarifies NPA not to be added into min of pay band for pension
It’s that time of the year again – time to pay income tax. But as mentioned earlier on this blog, gallantry awardees and disabled retirees are exempted from Income Tax on the entire pension. It would be worthwhile for such retirees to go through this earlier post for complete understanding of the requisite law and for downloading the requisite notifications if required.
Secondly, there was a controversy whether the NPA is to be added as an element in the minimum of the new pay bands for computing the new pension of pre-06 AMC retirees. The govt has clarified that NPA is not to be added into the pay band for computing pension of pre-06 AMC retirees as well as civil doctors. The directions of the govt are based on the 2006 decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Col B J Akkara (Retd) Vs UOI. The clarification of the govt can be accessed by clicking here.
Main features of the accepted report of the Committee on OROPby Maj Navdeep
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Main features of the accepted report of the Committee on OROP / PIP
The govt has accepted the recommendations of the committee on defence pension anomalies headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The govt sanction letters dealing with the subject would be published and notified in the (very) near future.
The major accepted and soon to be implemented recommendations are :
(a) Pensions of pre-2006 PBOR to be computed by taking into account the top end of 5th CPC scales and notionally (through fitment formula) configuring it within the 6th CPC pay bands instead of basing the same on the minimum of the new scales. Practically speaking, a pre-06 Sepoy who was placed at about Rs 3700 basic pension after the 6th CPC would now be granted a basic pension of appx Rs 5500, a jump of almost Rs 1800. There may now emerge some cases wherein the pension of pre-06 retirees may turn out to be more than those of post-06 retirees at certain levels. It may be recalled that prior to the 6th CPC, pensions of PBOR were calculated by taking into account the end of scale whereas for civilian employees and officers the start of scale was taken into consideration. However the 6th CPC had blurred this edge because of the introduction of running pay bands and abolition of separate pay scales for each rank.
(b) Pensions of pre-06 Lieutenant Generals to be upgraded to Rs 36,500 per month. The figure of Rs 36,500 is arrived at by taking into account 50% of the minimum of new HAG scale (Rs 67000-79000) and adding an MSP fitment of Rs 3000 (50% of MSP @6000).
(c) No further improvement or OROP for commissioned officers.
(d) Ceiling on war injury pension (that the total of service element and war injury element of war injury pension should not exceed the last drawn pay) has been removed.
(e) Anomalies in other casualty pensionary awards to be deliberated upon by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) at MoD.
(Note : Readers are requested not to email me case-specific queries on the above since although I try my best to reply to individual mails, my profession does not allow me such fortune of time. Placing your queries as comments to blogposts would be a better idea. Thanks.)
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 12:30 AM 19 comments
Labels: Disability Pension, Pay Commission, Pension
Main features of the accepted report of the Committee on OROP / PIP
The govt has accepted the recommendations of the committee on defence pension anomalies headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The govt sanction letters dealing with the subject would be published and notified in the (very) near future.
The major accepted and soon to be implemented recommendations are :
(a) Pensions of pre-2006 PBOR to be computed by taking into account the top end of 5th CPC scales and notionally (through fitment formula) configuring it within the 6th CPC pay bands instead of basing the same on the minimum of the new scales. Practically speaking, a pre-06 Sepoy who was placed at about Rs 3700 basic pension after the 6th CPC would now be granted a basic pension of appx Rs 5500, a jump of almost Rs 1800. There may now emerge some cases wherein the pension of pre-06 retirees may turn out to be more than those of post-06 retirees at certain levels. It may be recalled that prior to the 6th CPC, pensions of PBOR were calculated by taking into account the end of scale whereas for civilian employees and officers the start of scale was taken into consideration. However the 6th CPC had blurred this edge because of the introduction of running pay bands and abolition of separate pay scales for each rank.
(b) Pensions of pre-06 Lieutenant Generals to be upgraded to Rs 36,500 per month. The figure of Rs 36,500 is arrived at by taking into account 50% of the minimum of new HAG scale (Rs 67000-79000) and adding an MSP fitment of Rs 3000 (50% of MSP @6000).
(c) No further improvement or OROP for commissioned officers.
(d) Ceiling on war injury pension (that the total of service element and war injury element of war injury pension should not exceed the last drawn pay) has been removed.
(e) Anomalies in other casualty pensionary awards to be deliberated upon by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW) at MoD.
(Note : Readers are requested not to email me case-specific queries on the above since although I try my best to reply to individual mails, my profession does not allow me such fortune of time. Placing your queries as comments to blogposts would be a better idea. Thanks.)
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 12:30 AM 19 comments
Labels: Disability Pension, Pay Commission, Pension
Clarifications by Maj Navdeep on Report of COS
Friday, July 31, 2009
Two clarifications on the new pensionary modalities post-acceptance of the report of Committee of Secretaries
Two lingering queries of veterans remained unanswered in my previous post. So I’ll clarify them :
In case of officers, will abolition of linkage of 33 years’ service for earning full pension be made applicable wef 1-1-06 instead of September 2008 ?
Yes, the abolition of requirement of serving for 33 years to earn full pension will now be made applicable wef 01 January 2006 instead of September 2008. Hence, officers who retired with 20 years of qualifying service after 1-1-06 would be entitled to full pension and their pension shall not be reduced on a pro-rata basis. Take this as 100% only once the govt letter is issued in black and white though.
50% of minimum of the new pay band (Rs 67000-79000) for Lieutenant Generals is Rs 33500, will pre-06 Lieutenant Generals be placed at a basic pension of Rs 33500 or 36500 as articulated in the previous post ?
Lt Gens who retired prior to 1-1-06 would be granted a basic pension of Rs 36,500 since an element of Rs 3000 in the form of 50% of the MSP fitment shall be added into the basic pension of Lt Gens. Take it for granted that Lt Gens shall be placed at a basic pension of Rs 36,500. Post-06 Lt Generals would be granted a pension @ 50% of last drawn emoluments depending upon their pay scale, that is, Rs 67000-79000 for Lt Gens in HAG and Rs 75500-80000 for Lt Gens in HAG+. Army Commanders and selected Corps Commanders in the Apex Grade (Rs 80000 fixed) shall continue to receive Rs 40,000 fixed basic pension. Pre-06 Army Commanders shall also continue to receive Rs 40,000 as fixed basic pension.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 8:08 AM 16 comments
Labels: Pay Commission, Pension
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Two clarifications on the new pensionary modalities post-acceptance of the report of Committee of Secretaries
Two lingering queries of veterans remained unanswered in my previous post. So I’ll clarify them :
In case of officers, will abolition of linkage of 33 years’ service for earning full pension be made applicable wef 1-1-06 instead of September 2008 ?
Yes, the abolition of requirement of serving for 33 years to earn full pension will now be made applicable wef 01 January 2006 instead of September 2008. Hence, officers who retired with 20 years of qualifying service after 1-1-06 would be entitled to full pension and their pension shall not be reduced on a pro-rata basis. Take this as 100% only once the govt letter is issued in black and white though.
50% of minimum of the new pay band (Rs 67000-79000) for Lieutenant Generals is Rs 33500, will pre-06 Lieutenant Generals be placed at a basic pension of Rs 33500 or 36500 as articulated in the previous post ?
Lt Gens who retired prior to 1-1-06 would be granted a basic pension of Rs 36,500 since an element of Rs 3000 in the form of 50% of the MSP fitment shall be added into the basic pension of Lt Gens. Take it for granted that Lt Gens shall be placed at a basic pension of Rs 36,500. Post-06 Lt Generals would be granted a pension @ 50% of last drawn emoluments depending upon their pay scale, that is, Rs 67000-79000 for Lt Gens in HAG and Rs 75500-80000 for Lt Gens in HAG+. Army Commanders and selected Corps Commanders in the Apex Grade (Rs 80000 fixed) shall continue to receive Rs 40,000 fixed basic pension. Pre-06 Army Commanders shall also continue to receive Rs 40,000 as fixed basic pension.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 8:08 AM 16 comments
Labels: Pay Commission, Pension
Thursday, July 30, 2009
This or that ? appeasement or independence ? by Maj Navdeep
Sunday, August 2, 2009
This or that ? appeasement or independence ?
“What good is the mind of a man if it’s run by another ?” : Prince (Cybersingle, 1996)
Some officers of the AMC took it on themselves when this blogpost highlighted the fact how Govt orders authorising medical facilities to non-pensioners were being flouted with impunity by some elements at M-Block. A section took it as an anti-AMC stance.
I or any other person who has served in uniform need not be reminded of the magnificent and difficult job being performed by the Army Medical Corps. And not only the uniformed community but even the society at large holds the military medicos in very high esteem.
However, why be so touchy that pointing out of a patently wrong action is taken as a slur on the entire medical military community ? Just because the AMC is performing a laudatory task would not ipso-facto mean that their officers cannot commit a wrong in an administrative capacity. Surprising were the comments of some officers who stated that I was bringing up this matter since I was an SSCO. To put the record straight, I am neither an SSCO nor affected / benefitted by the issue. If bringing to light some defects in our system is to be taken as an affront, then just as the ibid posts are being labelled anti-AMC, the banking community should call this blogpost as anti-banker for highlighting the incorrect deduction of tax from the pensions of disability pensioners and gallantry awardees, the PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad should take this blogpost as an anti-IDAS stance, Justice Srikrishna should be livid about this post here, state governments should be mightily unhappy about this one, Abhinav Kumar and Saikat Dutta should be cursing me about this post and this one here and the JAG Branch should have been terming this blogpost as anti-JAG. Then just about everything that you may see on paper, on the net, in the media would be anti-something.
Which brings us to the basic question whether we want to have a goody-goody exchange or a meaningful banter leading to improvement in the system? This blog, as a policy, does not believe in promoting or inciting controversy but that would not mean that as law abiding citizens we do not bring to light the slips in the mechanism. Being a lawyer, performing this role becomes even more pronounced in my case. Also the opinion expressed here may be dissimilar (or at times less popular) than the one which may be articulated by me in any of my official or advisory engagements or associations. Taking the instant subject as a backdrop, comments on various blogposts have been quite interesting and mottled, ranging from this blog being labelled a ‘mouthpiece of the government’ and ‘too pro-military’ to an array of other things on the other side of the spectrum.
I would hence like to discern whether you want views expressed on this blog to remain independent and autonomous or follow a policy of appeasement. Since the blog exists for you - the readers, I would like you to decide and comment.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 5:15 AM 28 comments
Labels: Misc
Friday, July 31, 2009
This or that ? appeasement or independence ?
“What good is the mind of a man if it’s run by another ?” : Prince (Cybersingle, 1996)
Some officers of the AMC took it on themselves when this blogpost highlighted the fact how Govt orders authorising medical facilities to non-pensioners were being flouted with impunity by some elements at M-Block. A section took it as an anti-AMC stance.
I or any other person who has served in uniform need not be reminded of the magnificent and difficult job being performed by the Army Medical Corps. And not only the uniformed community but even the society at large holds the military medicos in very high esteem.
However, why be so touchy that pointing out of a patently wrong action is taken as a slur on the entire medical military community ? Just because the AMC is performing a laudatory task would not ipso-facto mean that their officers cannot commit a wrong in an administrative capacity. Surprising were the comments of some officers who stated that I was bringing up this matter since I was an SSCO. To put the record straight, I am neither an SSCO nor affected / benefitted by the issue. If bringing to light some defects in our system is to be taken as an affront, then just as the ibid posts are being labelled anti-AMC, the banking community should call this blogpost as anti-banker for highlighting the incorrect deduction of tax from the pensions of disability pensioners and gallantry awardees, the PCDA (Pensions) Allahabad should take this blogpost as an anti-IDAS stance, Justice Srikrishna should be livid about this post here, state governments should be mightily unhappy about this one, Abhinav Kumar and Saikat Dutta should be cursing me about this post and this one here and the JAG Branch should have been terming this blogpost as anti-JAG. Then just about everything that you may see on paper, on the net, in the media would be anti-something.
Which brings us to the basic question whether we want to have a goody-goody exchange or a meaningful banter leading to improvement in the system? This blog, as a policy, does not believe in promoting or inciting controversy but that would not mean that as law abiding citizens we do not bring to light the slips in the mechanism. Being a lawyer, performing this role becomes even more pronounced in my case. Also the opinion expressed here may be dissimilar (or at times less popular) than the one which may be articulated by me in any of my official or advisory engagements or associations. Taking the instant subject as a backdrop, comments on various blogposts have been quite interesting and mottled, ranging from this blog being labelled a ‘mouthpiece of the government’ and ‘too pro-military’ to an array of other things on the other side of the spectrum.
I would hence like to discern whether you want views expressed on this blog to remain independent and autonomous or follow a policy of appeasement. Since the blog exists for you - the readers, I would like you to decide and comment.
Posted by Navdeep / Maj Navdeep Singh at 5:15 AM 28 comments
Labels: Misc
Friday, July 31, 2009
Kargil Divas- Activities at Rohini by Col Gurbinder Singh
Sir,
I got 1000 leaflet printed and purchase 600 candles. These were distributed as follows.
(a) Leaflet and candles were distributed in the residential area of Sector 7, 8, 9 of Rohini. My students went from house to house distributing the leaflets and candles. They informed the people of the house about the Kargil Divas requesting them to say a prayer and light a candle at 8 PM on 26 July.
(b) 100 leaflets and candles were distributed in New Mahavir Nagar and Dwarka Sector 22.
(c) Soft copy of the leaflet was circulated to all the employees of three MNCs.
In six schools in Rohini my students spoke about the Kargil Divas in the morning school assembly. They spoke from the leaflet followed by a poem I had written. The leaflet send by you was also given to the teachers and displayed on the school notice board. The leaflet and poem are forwarded as attachaments.
I received 20 tele calls/ mail from civilians on my effort.
Sorry for the delay in forwarding this information.
With Regards
Lt Col (retd ) Gurbinder Singh
I got 1000 leaflet printed and purchase 600 candles. These were distributed as follows.
(a) Leaflet and candles were distributed in the residential area of Sector 7, 8, 9 of Rohini. My students went from house to house distributing the leaflets and candles. They informed the people of the house about the Kargil Divas requesting them to say a prayer and light a candle at 8 PM on 26 July.
(b) 100 leaflets and candles were distributed in New Mahavir Nagar and Dwarka Sector 22.
(c) Soft copy of the leaflet was circulated to all the employees of three MNCs.
In six schools in Rohini my students spoke about the Kargil Divas in the morning school assembly. They spoke from the leaflet followed by a poem I had written. The leaflet send by you was also given to the teachers and displayed on the school notice board. The leaflet and poem are forwarded as attachaments.
I received 20 tele calls/ mail from civilians on my effort.
Sorry for the delay in forwarding this information.
With Regards
Lt Col (retd ) Gurbinder Singh
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Views on OROP by Maj Gen RN Radhakrishnan
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:09 PM
Dear Veterans,
Now that the cat is out of the bag and we know the principle, thanks to Admiral B Ghose, behind the pension revision by the very clever CS, we get a clear idea that fighting against the Bureaucrats is much trickier than an enemy at war. It is a different game altogether.
When Vth CPC recommended the so-called modified parity creating more than one class of pensioners - contrary to the opinions of the SC Judges - they did so, taking into account that each rank had a separate pay scale and thereby a separate minimum. The minimum is obviously higher than that of the junior rank. This recommendation was conveniently not accepted by the Government then. Not even immediately after the 6th CPC!
Now, after lot of representations of various forms, with magnanimity they have accepted the recommendation and apply it to the minimum of the pay band on the plea that Lt Col to Maj Gen is covered under one pay band, PB4. Cunningly they have brought out a new scale for Lt Gen, all of sudden increasing minimum of the pay from 37400 of PB 4 to 67000 of the new scale and eliminated the Rank Pay.
I am sure that they expect us to throw tantrums and make representations that the minimum of the pay of the rank in the pay band according to the fitment table of SAI 2/S/2008, as for the ranks of Lt Col to Maj Gen. Once again the Government shall show magnanimity and accept our representation - with a smirk of course - and we shall get what we demanded way back by way of individual representations to the Secy ESW. The fact that we pointed out the incorrect interpretation of the Pension Policy of 11 Sep 2008 is likely to be conveniently forgotten. And our demand of absolute parity is not logical, they seem to say. Let us put our heads and strength together, pitch a battle of wits and win what we want.
Regards,
RN Radhakrishnan
Date: Thursday, 30 July, 2009, 7:17 PM
Dear Veterans,
When the finance minister mentioned the figure 2144 crores, it become obvious that the Government intends to improve the pension not accede to our demand of full parity among pensioners of same rank and same length of total service.
The principle hitherto unknown to us has been made known. There shall be two classes of pensioners at any time. One class comprises of the pensioners of the vintage prior to the date of implementation of the latest pay commission and the other those who retire after the date. This is against the principle of the Constitution Bench of SC enunciated during the delivery of the Judgment in the well known case of Nakra Vs UoI, based on which recently a decision was given in favor of major generals. Does the Government expects us to go to the court to seek similar judgment now?
Quite cleverly the issue of two classes within those retiring after 10-01-2006 has been evaded, the ones retiring between 01-01-2006 and 01-08-2006 draw different pensions those of the same rank retiring with the same length of service subsequently. Let us mull over this and plan our future course of action.
Regards,
RN Radhakrishnan
Dear Veterans,
Now that the cat is out of the bag and we know the principle, thanks to Admiral B Ghose, behind the pension revision by the very clever CS, we get a clear idea that fighting against the Bureaucrats is much trickier than an enemy at war. It is a different game altogether.
When Vth CPC recommended the so-called modified parity creating more than one class of pensioners - contrary to the opinions of the SC Judges - they did so, taking into account that each rank had a separate pay scale and thereby a separate minimum. The minimum is obviously higher than that of the junior rank. This recommendation was conveniently not accepted by the Government then. Not even immediately after the 6th CPC!
Now, after lot of representations of various forms, with magnanimity they have accepted the recommendation and apply it to the minimum of the pay band on the plea that Lt Col to Maj Gen is covered under one pay band, PB4. Cunningly they have brought out a new scale for Lt Gen, all of sudden increasing minimum of the pay from 37400 of PB 4 to 67000 of the new scale and eliminated the Rank Pay.
I am sure that they expect us to throw tantrums and make representations that the minimum of the pay of the rank in the pay band according to the fitment table of SAI 2/S/2008, as for the ranks of Lt Col to Maj Gen. Once again the Government shall show magnanimity and accept our representation - with a smirk of course - and we shall get what we demanded way back by way of individual representations to the Secy ESW. The fact that we pointed out the incorrect interpretation of the Pension Policy of 11 Sep 2008 is likely to be conveniently forgotten. And our demand of absolute parity is not logical, they seem to say. Let us put our heads and strength together, pitch a battle of wits and win what we want.
Regards,
RN Radhakrishnan
Date: Thursday, 30 July, 2009, 7:17 PM
Dear Veterans,
When the finance minister mentioned the figure 2144 crores, it become obvious that the Government intends to improve the pension not accede to our demand of full parity among pensioners of same rank and same length of total service.
The principle hitherto unknown to us has been made known. There shall be two classes of pensioners at any time. One class comprises of the pensioners of the vintage prior to the date of implementation of the latest pay commission and the other those who retire after the date. This is against the principle of the Constitution Bench of SC enunciated during the delivery of the Judgment in the well known case of Nakra Vs UoI, based on which recently a decision was given in favor of major generals. Does the Government expects us to go to the court to seek similar judgment now?
Quite cleverly the issue of two classes within those retiring after 10-01-2006 has been evaded, the ones retiring between 01-01-2006 and 01-08-2006 draw different pensions those of the same rank retiring with the same length of service subsequently. Let us mull over this and plan our future course of action.
Regards,
RN Radhakrishnan
Friday, July 31, 2009
No OROP says Tribune news service 30 Jul 2009
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090730/nation.htm#7
The Tribune
30 July 2009
‘No one rank, one pension for officers’
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 29
There would be no one rank-one pension (OROP) scheme for retired commissioned officers of the armed forces. Nor would there be any further improvement in the pension of officers after some recent modifications.
The recommendations of the high-level committee led by the cabinet secretary that looked into the disparities in pension of ex-servicemen that have been forwarded to and accepted by the government, do not include OROP for officers, highly placed Defence ministry sources revealed.
This revelation is contradictory to Defence Minister AK Anthony’s recent statement reported in certain sections of the media that the recommendation of OROP for officers, too, had been accepted.
Modifications carried out in pension regulations post Sixth Pay Commission (SPC) implementation have brought in parity in the pension of personnel below officer rank (PBOR), but officers have been left out. The government letter notifying the recommendations of the committee is expected to be issued shortly.
Pensions of pre-2006 PBOR will now be computed by taking into account the top end of Fifth Pay Commission scales and notionally configuring it within the SPC pay bands instead of basing the same on the minimum of the new scales.
This implies that a jawan who retired before 2006 and was getting a basic pension of Rs 3,700 would now be granted a basic pension of approximately Rs 5,500.
Upgrading the pensions of pre-06 lieutenant generals to Rs 36,500 per month is also among the accepted recommendations.
The Tribune
30 July 2009
‘No one rank, one pension for officers’
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 29
There would be no one rank-one pension (OROP) scheme for retired commissioned officers of the armed forces. Nor would there be any further improvement in the pension of officers after some recent modifications.
The recommendations of the high-level committee led by the cabinet secretary that looked into the disparities in pension of ex-servicemen that have been forwarded to and accepted by the government, do not include OROP for officers, highly placed Defence ministry sources revealed.
This revelation is contradictory to Defence Minister AK Anthony’s recent statement reported in certain sections of the media that the recommendation of OROP for officers, too, had been accepted.
Modifications carried out in pension regulations post Sixth Pay Commission (SPC) implementation have brought in parity in the pension of personnel below officer rank (PBOR), but officers have been left out. The government letter notifying the recommendations of the committee is expected to be issued shortly.
Pensions of pre-2006 PBOR will now be computed by taking into account the top end of Fifth Pay Commission scales and notionally configuring it within the SPC pay bands instead of basing the same on the minimum of the new scales.
This implies that a jawan who retired before 2006 and was getting a basic pension of Rs 3,700 would now be granted a basic pension of approximately Rs 5,500.
Upgrading the pensions of pre-06 lieutenant generals to Rs 36,500 per month is also among the accepted recommendations.
Kargil Divas at Pune by Ms Vinita
Dear Friends,
While the government decided to ignore the supreme sacrifice of our soldiers and officers of the Indian Armed Forces on the occassion of the 10th anniversary of the Kargil War - with even Pratibha Patil, President of India and supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces not having time to pay her homage to the war martyrs, we in Pune commemorated the historic day with utmost dignity and solemnity. More than 400 citizens were present on this citizen initiative undertaken by the Intelligent Pune weekly tabloid and members of the Kargil Action Committee. Pl wait for a few seconds for the photopgraphs to be visible. Also enclosed in attachemnt are photo captions as i could not attach them to the pics but they are in order of the pics.
I have also enclosed the cover story which we are carrying in Intelligent Pune of July 31-Aug 4 issue. Pl see it online from tommorow on www.intelligentpune.org as this issue will be uploaded tommorow.
Please forward to as many and pl upload on ur blogs/discussion groups
cheers and warm rgds
vinita
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Kargil Divas Tricity by Brig Kiran Krishan
_Brig_Kiran_Krishan,_Lt_Gen_Harcharan_Singh,_Sh_Shyam_Chand_Former_minister,_Col_SS_Kalia.jpg)
_Krishna_H__Singh_inaugurating_Medical_%26_Dental_Camp_at_Satluj_Public_School,_On_July_26,_2009.jpg)
The 10th Anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas was commemorated in the Tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali & Chandigarh) on Sunday, JULY 26, 2009 as per programme below:
(a) Homage Ceremony 10.30 to 11.30 a.m. At Major Shankla Memorial, Sector-2, Panchkula
(b) Lighting of Candles 8 p.m. At Major Shankla Memorial, Sector-2, Panchkula
(c) Medical & Dental Camp 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At Satluj Public School, Sector-2, Panchkula
About 350 ex- servicemen, and civilians participated in the homage ceremony which was led by Lt Col JS Kanwar, father of the late Major Sandeep Shankla, Ashok Chakra, three Kargil war widows, and Brig Sant Singh, MVC and Bar, President of the War Decorated India. Poet laureate Padma Bhushan Sardar Anjum recited a poem in honour of the Kargil martyrs. Many civil dignitaries, and, local municipal councillors were present. Many senior retired service officers including former Army Commanders, Lt Gen PN Hoon, Lt Gen Depinder Singh, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Air Marshal GS Punia, and Capt (IN) AS Johar graced the occasion, in addition to a large number of ex- servicemen who had come from far off villages.
The evening Candle Lighting Ceremony was started off with reading of odes to the martyrs. Shri Shyam Chand, a former Haryana minister was present alongwith many patriotic civilian friends.
The Medical & Dental Camp was led by ex AMC husband & wife duo Lt Gen Harcharan Singh, PVSM, PHS (Retd.) and Mrs Krishna H Singh. They had put together a team of seven retired AMC doctors. In addition, a fully equipped dental van complete with doctors, staff, and medicines was made available, kind courtesy National Dental College & Hospital, Dera Bassi (Punjab) being run by Lt Col GS Sandhu (Retd from AOC in 1997). Approx 300 patients utilised the camp. Mohali Brigade was present in strength, and lent full support. A few of the photos taken are attached.
Brig Kiran Krishan, SM (Retd)
Coordinator, IESM
Panchkula
Capt Vikram batra by his younger twin Kush
When I talk about Luv, I don’t know where to begin. Capt. Vikram Batra PVC (posthumous) is Luv, and I, his younger twin, Kush. His identical twin. Ours was a childhood spent in the hills of Palampur making the most of our identical looks—playing pranks, filling in for each other and at times even getting punished for one another’s mistakes. The similarity ran deeper than looks. We also had the same interests. Both of us started playing table tennis at the age of ten. It’s another story that Vikram went on to become the school champion for five consecutive years. But I’d like to believe that I had a big hand in that. After all, I chose to lose to him in the semi-finals in the fifth year so that he could make the school record. But deep in my heart, I know that my brother—Shershah of Kargil—was a winner right from the start.
Shershah of Kargil. That’s what the enemy too called Vikram. That’s the mark he made on them on those unforgiving mountains of Kargil. I don’t know at what stage Vikram marched on way ahead of all of us. We’d grown up as regular kids, making our choices as we went along. The first different choice that I remember is when our father started giving us Rs 50 a month for the school bus fare. I chose to travel to school by bus. Vikram opted to walk it and instead spend those rupees in the canteen. As we grew up, Vikram opted for the Army, and I, rejected thrice by the Services Selection Board, settled for business administration. How thrilled he was when he made it to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
It was 6 December 1997. Vikram Batra’s dream came true. He took the oath as an Officer of the Indian Army:
The Safety, Honour and Welfare of your country comes first, always and every time / The Honour, Welfare and Comfort of the men you command comes next / Your own Ease, Comfort and Safety comes last, always and every time. /
Mom and Dad pinned up the stars on his shoulder. He stood there smiling from ear to ear in his crew cut and several kilos thinner after the rigorous training. It was a grand moment. But it wasn’t going to be an easy life and Vikram knew that.
When he’d come home on annual leave, we would talk for hours about the challenges he faced in Sopore—the strife-torn town in Jammu & Kashmir’s Baramulla district—which was his first posting. He had been commissioned into 13 JAK Rif.
We would dream of the day he would command his regiment and I would get a chance to attend some of the regimental functions with his family and children. That dream is lost now.
Never could I have imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that the stories we saw in the famous TV serial, Param Vir Chakra, which we watched at a neighbour’s house in 1985 (we didn’t have a TV at home back then) would one day become so real for me. And Vikram would be the hero. Vikram was awarded the country’s highest gallantry award, posthumously. He was only 24. His famous words from the height of 18,000 feet: “Yeh Dil Maange More,” after victory over the enemy, still ring in my ears.
It’s been ten years. A lot has changed. And a lot has remained the same. I have many more grey strands in my hair. Vikram is as youthful as ever. Time cannot touch him. In these last ten years, I have longed to visit those mountains that he conquered. And then suddenly, out of the blue, I got a call to travel to Kargil and Drass. It was as if Vikram was calling me to have a chat with him. I didn’t look back, packed my bags and set out to meet him.
I landed in Leh at 10:30 in the morning on 2 July, five days before Vikram’s tenth death anniversary. The valley was more beautiful than it is made out to be in books. From the snow-capped hills surrounding it, I could almost sense Vikram looking at me. I then began the road trip to Drass to meet him. The mountain wind blew faster than the speed of the car and in my mind there was just one picture—of the bearded young man who had become a legend for pushing the enemy back at insurmountable heights where even life does not exist.
A little outside Leh, we reached Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. I said a prayer for Vikram and for all those great soldiers guarding those mountains and our motherland. I recalled what Vikram had written in one of his last letters before the attack: ‘Life is at total risk. Anything can happen here. Take care of yourself and Mom and Dad… My picture has appeared in The Times Of India. Keep a copy for me. I want to see it once I’m back.’ The picture had appeared on the front page of The Times of India on 2 July 1999. It showed him standing with an anti-aircraft gun and weapons he had captured from Pakistani soldiers. This was after the first ferocious attack on Peak 5140 launched after they performed pooja at the Ghumri Base Camp with the call of “Durga Mata Ki Jai”.
Vikram and his men captured point 5140 on 20 June 1999, and two weeks later, when his company launched the attack on point 4875 on 5 July, Vikram was fatally wounded—hit by sniper fire. The company captured the peak, but after 11 casualties. Vikram was one of them.
It was months later, at the Western Command headquarters, when I met the junior commissioned officer (JCO) who was with Vikram the day he was fatally wounded. He was the last man to speak with Vikram. Sub Major Raghunath Singh started wailing when he saw me. He solved the mystery of my twin’s death for me: a young officer, Vikram’s junior, was hit and crying for help. The JCO wanted to go out to help but Vikram stopped him. “The enemy was firing heavily. ‘You have a family and children back home, I will do this,’ saahab said. He stopped me with these words and went out,” Raghunath Singh told me as he wept like a baby, inconsolably. But Vikram was hit by sniper fire. Having realised that, the charged company went berserk, mad with rage at their leader being hit, and killed the enemy soldiers. The tricolour was planted atop point 4875—they call it Batra Top now. Vikram reached Palampur before the sun rose on 11 July 1999. He was wrapped in the tricolour, lying calm almost as if he was trying to catch up on sleep he had lost during these arduous assaults on those treacherous peaks.
Was I really so close to those peaks that I could almost see him fighting there? I wanted to reach up there as fast as possible, but the track was treacherous—the rocky mountain on one side and the sheer fall on the other. In some time, we had left the Indus River behind.
It was a breathtaking journey. A place so beautiful and yet caught in the crossfire of war a decade ago. Midway, at one of the military posts, we had lunch with the commanding officer of 4 JAK Rif. I also met an officer six months senior to Vikram—now a major—and a JCO, both of whom had fought the war together with Vikram. “You look so much like Vikram Sir,” the JCO said and hugged me. I’ve been told that a billion times in the last ten years. There are people now who know me as Captain Vikram Batra’s brother. Many of them even walk into my office at ICICI Bank in Delhi and stare at me as if they know me. Some of them even say, “We’ve seen you somewhere.” When I tell them I’m Captain Batra’s twin, they say, “Oh, ‘Yeh Dil Mange More,’” and shake my hand.
My dream of visiting Vikram as a commanding officer of a regiment couldn’t come true. But Vikram still commands. He’s there in the hearts of the soldiers posted in Kargil and Drass. In that mountain named after him (the Batra Top). And in the transit camp in Drass, called Capt Batra Transit Camp, where weary soldiers break their journey in the call of duty.
‘Call of duty’, the mention of these words takes me back to the days he was to be commissioned as an officer. When he was in the IMA, the footnote of Vikram’s letter pad read, ‘If Death comes to me before I prove my blood, I promise I’ll kill Death.’ You kept your word, Vikram. My Brother, My Twin, I salute you.
An article by Maj Gen surjit singh
Dear Brig Kamboj and Friends,
I recently did a bit of research on the life and times of Chetwode. What I find is contained in a brief note, attached with this mail. I feel that we often quote Chetwode out of context.
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh
REMEMBERING CHETWODE
I owe a personal debt of gratitude to Chetwode. His credo guided me throughout my service. Early during my military career I learnt that the more I cared for the quality of life of the troops placed under my command the greater was the loyalty and willing obedience of my orders which I received in return. I find that his message has made deep inroads into our psyche and I do not know any army officer who has forgotten what he read on the Chetwode building at the time of passing out of the Indian Military Academy.
In an idle reverie, I decided to find out a bit more about the man who wrote those three sentences and what he did to translate them into action during his own service. A quick search of the Internet revealed that Field Marshal Philip Walhouse Chetwode was the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army during 1930-35. The IMA was raised during this period and the C-in-C inaugurated the Academy in 1932. This eternal advice was contained in his address to the cadets, and that has given to him his name and fame. But I could find nothing in his biography to substantiate any of his actions to improve the ‘safety and welfare’ of men whom he commanded during his service. He was the second most powerful man in India, next only to the Viceroy. And so his word meant a lot. Specifically in terms of the salaries of the soldiers under his command, I observe that what we have done can put his creed to shame.
By a quirk of fate, I discovered a booklet entitled “Regulations for the Pay and Allowances for the Army in India” in my father’s collection. It is published in 1932 and all amendments up to 1942 are inscribed in manuscript on the first few pages. The pay at the cardinal points are as follows:
Lt Gen (in command) Rs 4,500
2nd Lieut(married) Rs 490
2nd Lieut (unmarried) Rs 405
Subedar Major Rs 250-15-310
Sepoy (Infantry) Rs 16 (fixed)
There is no mention of the pay of the C-in-C, but I have read somewhere that he was given an annual salary of Rs 100,000 during that period. My father used to tell me that getting a man enrolled in the army was easy. The spoken word of a Subedar Sahib or a letter of recommendation from an officer was all that a man needed to become a recruit. The soldiers were enlisted for seven years with the colors and a ‘reserve’ liability of eight years. To earn a pension the soldiers had to rise to the rank of a Naik, and that was not easy. They had to undergo a stiff ‘umeedwar’ cadre and only those who qualified on this course could rise to NCO ranks. The army did not grant pension to all the men, and so the pensioners could be well looked after. Thus, getting in was easy but climbing up in the hierarchy was tough. And as far as I could see, Chetwode did nothing to change this format. Incidentally, the officers who passed out of the Academy which he inaugurated were called ICOs and they did not get the KCIO rates of pay. An ICO 2nd Lieut started was granted Rs 300 only.
In sharp contrast to the above competitive format, we now start a Sepoy on Rs 10,250 with a DA @22% and give him 3% compounding increments with three assured career progressions, and every entrant is entitled to a pension, hedged against inflation. Is it a surprise that there was a virtual stampede at a recruiting center in Rajasthan and the crowd of military service aspirants had to be fired upon in UP a few months ago? I myself have been approached by men from our village to help them get their wards recruited. They are willing to pay as much as 1.5 lac rupees if they can be assured that the job will be done.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the personality of Field Marshal PW Chetwode, kindly turn to the web pages. To me it seems that he was a blue blooded soldier whose performance was mediocre as a young officer and average as a middle level officer. His rise to the apex ranks is due more to his lineage than anything else. In the British social order he is referred to as 1st Baron & 7th Baronet of Oakley. As for the matters related with determination of wages and salaries, the British depended on the principles enunciated by Lord Islington.
I strongly urge my friends to quote Chetwode only after getting to know more about the man and his work. Three clever sentences do not tell the whole story!
Field Marshal Philip Walhouse Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode, 7th Baronet of Oakley GCB OM GCSI KCMG DSO (21 September 1869 – 6 July 1950) was a British cavalry officer who became Commander in Chief in India. Read more:
Philip Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode
I recently did a bit of research on the life and times of Chetwode. What I find is contained in a brief note, attached with this mail. I feel that we often quote Chetwode out of context.
Regards,
Maj Gen Surjit Singh
REMEMBERING CHETWODE
I owe a personal debt of gratitude to Chetwode. His credo guided me throughout my service. Early during my military career I learnt that the more I cared for the quality of life of the troops placed under my command the greater was the loyalty and willing obedience of my orders which I received in return. I find that his message has made deep inroads into our psyche and I do not know any army officer who has forgotten what he read on the Chetwode building at the time of passing out of the Indian Military Academy.
In an idle reverie, I decided to find out a bit more about the man who wrote those three sentences and what he did to translate them into action during his own service. A quick search of the Internet revealed that Field Marshal Philip Walhouse Chetwode was the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army during 1930-35. The IMA was raised during this period and the C-in-C inaugurated the Academy in 1932. This eternal advice was contained in his address to the cadets, and that has given to him his name and fame. But I could find nothing in his biography to substantiate any of his actions to improve the ‘safety and welfare’ of men whom he commanded during his service. He was the second most powerful man in India, next only to the Viceroy. And so his word meant a lot. Specifically in terms of the salaries of the soldiers under his command, I observe that what we have done can put his creed to shame.
By a quirk of fate, I discovered a booklet entitled “Regulations for the Pay and Allowances for the Army in India” in my father’s collection. It is published in 1932 and all amendments up to 1942 are inscribed in manuscript on the first few pages. The pay at the cardinal points are as follows:
Lt Gen (in command) Rs 4,500
2nd Lieut(married) Rs 490
2nd Lieut (unmarried) Rs 405
Subedar Major Rs 250-15-310
Sepoy (Infantry) Rs 16 (fixed)
There is no mention of the pay of the C-in-C, but I have read somewhere that he was given an annual salary of Rs 100,000 during that period. My father used to tell me that getting a man enrolled in the army was easy. The spoken word of a Subedar Sahib or a letter of recommendation from an officer was all that a man needed to become a recruit. The soldiers were enlisted for seven years with the colors and a ‘reserve’ liability of eight years. To earn a pension the soldiers had to rise to the rank of a Naik, and that was not easy. They had to undergo a stiff ‘umeedwar’ cadre and only those who qualified on this course could rise to NCO ranks. The army did not grant pension to all the men, and so the pensioners could be well looked after. Thus, getting in was easy but climbing up in the hierarchy was tough. And as far as I could see, Chetwode did nothing to change this format. Incidentally, the officers who passed out of the Academy which he inaugurated were called ICOs and they did not get the KCIO rates of pay. An ICO 2nd Lieut started was granted Rs 300 only.
In sharp contrast to the above competitive format, we now start a Sepoy on Rs 10,250 with a DA @22% and give him 3% compounding increments with three assured career progressions, and every entrant is entitled to a pension, hedged against inflation. Is it a surprise that there was a virtual stampede at a recruiting center in Rajasthan and the crowd of military service aspirants had to be fired upon in UP a few months ago? I myself have been approached by men from our village to help them get their wards recruited. They are willing to pay as much as 1.5 lac rupees if they can be assured that the job will be done.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the personality of Field Marshal PW Chetwode, kindly turn to the web pages. To me it seems that he was a blue blooded soldier whose performance was mediocre as a young officer and average as a middle level officer. His rise to the apex ranks is due more to his lineage than anything else. In the British social order he is referred to as 1st Baron & 7th Baronet of Oakley. As for the matters related with determination of wages and salaries, the British depended on the principles enunciated by Lord Islington.
I strongly urge my friends to quote Chetwode only after getting to know more about the man and his work. Three clever sentences do not tell the whole story!
Field Marshal Philip Walhouse Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode, 7th Baronet of Oakley GCB OM GCSI KCMG DSO (21 September 1869 – 6 July 1950) was a British cavalry officer who became Commander in Chief in India. Read more:
Philip Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode
Ex-servicemen denied entry into memorial
Ex-servicemen staging a protest near the Martyrs Memorial in Secunderabad on Sunday.
Express News Service Published: 27 Jul 2009 10:27:59 AM IST
HYDERABAD: AT a time when the nation paid its homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war, exservicemen in the city were denied the privilege. They were stopped from entering the Kargil Martyrs Memorial at Parade Grounds to pay their respects to those who laid their lives fighting the enemy in the hostile terrains of Kargil.
The nation celebrated the 10th year anniversary of the victory of Indian soldiers over their Pakistani counterparts in the Kargil war, on Sunday. Members of the AP Ex-servicemen Welfare Association on Sunday morning arrived at the Parade Grounds to pay their respects to the martyrs who laid their lives down for the country. Army authorities, however, did not allow them to enter the premises.
With the Army authorities unrelenting, the ex-servicemen laid wreaths on the fencing opposite the Martyrs Memorial and squatted on the pavement for sometime. Association president, A Rangaiah Goud, deplored the adamant attitude of the Army authorities and said they were ill-treated by the authorities.
He demanded that the government sack the director of Sainik Welfare Board and appoint an IAS or IPS officer who would work for their welfare.
Ex-servicemen denied entry into memorial
Kargil divas Sec'bad and Hyd'bad by Lt Gen KS Rao
Dear Brig Kamboj,
Please find below a short coverage of some activities at Twin Cities.
Regards
Lt Gen KS Rao (Retd)
KARGIL DIWAS- TWIN CITIES-HYD & SEC’BAD
A solemn function at Basantar War Memorial at Mehdipatam Garrison was organised by 54 Inf Div, where a large number of soldiers (Army, Navy & Air Force), both serving and veterans paid their tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the security of our Motherland. The Division had also invited the NOK of the Kargil Heroes and some gallant soldiers who were killed during CI Operations. The ceremony was followed by Tea. Present amongst the NOKs was Mrs Acharya, wife of Maj Acharya MVC (Posthomus) of 2 Raj Rif and also his Father Wg Cdr Acharya. Col PR Rao, SM and self were there.
ISB Pays Tributes to Kargil Heroes
Class 2010 of Indian School of Business organised the function at their Campus Auditorium. The function commenced with the screening of a film on Kargil and was followed by a lecture on Leadership, the Army way. LT Gen SRR Aiyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM who was commandant DSSC and NDC was the Chief Guest, delivered the Talk. The Audience Comprising of Dean, Faculty Members and students of ISB, Commandant, Faculty Members and some students( including three officers who participated in Kargil ops) of CDM besides a few others like me were exposed to one of the most enthralling lectures on Leadership. The General, besides quoting examples also touched upon Nation Building. The Dean thanked General for the captivating talk and the audience gave a standing ovation, not common at ISB.
Later during the informal interaction, members of the audience, the majority of ISB were quite convinced that money was not the only thing in life and our Armed Forces had been doing and are doing a magnificent job of keeping the Nation Secure. The class of 2010 interacted with CDM students.
Please find below a short coverage of some activities at Twin Cities.
Regards
Lt Gen KS Rao (Retd)
KARGIL DIWAS- TWIN CITIES-HYD & SEC’BAD
A solemn function at Basantar War Memorial at Mehdipatam Garrison was organised by 54 Inf Div, where a large number of soldiers (Army, Navy & Air Force), both serving and veterans paid their tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the security of our Motherland. The Division had also invited the NOK of the Kargil Heroes and some gallant soldiers who were killed during CI Operations. The ceremony was followed by Tea. Present amongst the NOKs was Mrs Acharya, wife of Maj Acharya MVC (Posthomus) of 2 Raj Rif and also his Father Wg Cdr Acharya. Col PR Rao, SM and self were there.
ISB Pays Tributes to Kargil Heroes
Class 2010 of Indian School of Business organised the function at their Campus Auditorium. The function commenced with the screening of a film on Kargil and was followed by a lecture on Leadership, the Army way. LT Gen SRR Aiyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM who was commandant DSSC and NDC was the Chief Guest, delivered the Talk. The Audience Comprising of Dean, Faculty Members and students of ISB, Commandant, Faculty Members and some students( including three officers who participated in Kargil ops) of CDM besides a few others like me were exposed to one of the most enthralling lectures on Leadership. The General, besides quoting examples also touched upon Nation Building. The Dean thanked General for the captivating talk and the audience gave a standing ovation, not common at ISB.
Later during the informal interaction, members of the audience, the majority of ISB were quite convinced that money was not the only thing in life and our Armed Forces had been doing and are doing a magnificent job of keeping the Nation Secure. The class of 2010 interacted with CDM students.
Kargil Divas at Raipur by Col Siddhartha Bose
JAB SHAHEED KI CHITA JALI THI
SARA GAON WANHI THA
SEENE PAR THE GHAO SABHI
PEETH PAR EK BHI NA THA
EK GHAO MATHE PAR BHI THA
JO ANTIM GOLI THI
JISEY DEKH SHAHEED KI MATA BOLI
GHAO MAT KAHO ISE
TILAK HIMGIRI NE LAGA DIYA
SOYA MERA LAL HAI LEKIN
SARE BHARAT KO JAGA DIYA
This is what was recited by a person during the Kargil Diwas function organised at Raipur. Many luminaries spoke on the Saga of Bravery shown by Indian Soldiers at various operations. The Rotary club honoured the Widows and dependants of Soldiers who laid down their lives.
At 1830 hrs, a silent march with lighted candles started and reached "JAI STAMBH", in the heart of the city and placed the candles with flower petals at the pedestal. Thereafter, a convention was held followed by dinner. Both parties, viz BJP and Congress were represented. Seven e- media and most print media covered it but with the political tint.
Pamphlets were printed and distributed to all and sundry through various means. However, it was a beginning worth the effort. The Rotary Club is now keen to hold many more such events. We must make efforts to have at least one day in the year recognised as "Veteran Day".
Jai Hind
Col Siddhartha Bose
CG State Convener
SARA GAON WANHI THA
SEENE PAR THE GHAO SABHI
PEETH PAR EK BHI NA THA
EK GHAO MATHE PAR BHI THA
JO ANTIM GOLI THI
JISEY DEKH SHAHEED KI MATA BOLI
GHAO MAT KAHO ISE
TILAK HIMGIRI NE LAGA DIYA
SOYA MERA LAL HAI LEKIN
SARE BHARAT KO JAGA DIYA
This is what was recited by a person during the Kargil Diwas function organised at Raipur. Many luminaries spoke on the Saga of Bravery shown by Indian Soldiers at various operations. The Rotary club honoured the Widows and dependants of Soldiers who laid down their lives.
At 1830 hrs, a silent march with lighted candles started and reached "JAI STAMBH", in the heart of the city and placed the candles with flower petals at the pedestal. Thereafter, a convention was held followed by dinner. Both parties, viz BJP and Congress were represented. Seven e- media and most print media covered it but with the political tint.
Pamphlets were printed and distributed to all and sundry through various means. However, it was a beginning worth the effort. The Rotary Club is now keen to hold many more such events. We must make efforts to have at least one day in the year recognised as "Veteran Day".
Jai Hind
Col Siddhartha Bose
CG State Convener
Kargil Divas at Raipur by Col Siddhartha Bose
JAB SHAHEED KI CHITA JALI THI
SARA GAON WANHI THA
SEENE PAR THE GHAO SABHI
PEETH PAR EK BHI NA THA
EK GHAO MATHE PAR BHI THA
JO ANTIM GOLI THI
JISEY DEKH SHAHEED KI MATA BOLI
GHAO MAT KAHO ISE
TILAK HIMGIRI NE LAGA DIYA
SOYA MERA LAL HAI LEKIN
SARE BHARAT KO JAGA DIYA
This is what was recited by a person during the Kargil Diwas function organised at Raipur. Many luminaries spoke on the Saga of Bravery shown by Indian Soldiers at various operations. The Rotary club honoured the Widows and dependants of Soldiers who laid down their lives.
At 1830 hrs, a silent march with lighted candles started and reached "JAI STAMBH", in the heart of the city and placed the candles with flower petals at the pedestal. Thereafter, a convention was held followed by dinner. Both parties, viz BJP and Congress were represented. Seven e- media and most print media covered it but with the political tint.
Pamphlets were printed and distributed to all and sundry through various means. However, it was a beginning worth the effort. The Rotary Club is now keen to hold many more such events. We must make efforts to have at least one day in the year recognised as "Veteran Day".
Jai Hind
Col Siddhartha Bose
CG State Convener
SARA GAON WANHI THA
SEENE PAR THE GHAO SABHI
PEETH PAR EK BHI NA THA
EK GHAO MATHE PAR BHI THA
JO ANTIM GOLI THI
JISEY DEKH SHAHEED KI MATA BOLI
GHAO MAT KAHO ISE
TILAK HIMGIRI NE LAGA DIYA
SOYA MERA LAL HAI LEKIN
SARE BHARAT KO JAGA DIYA
This is what was recited by a person during the Kargil Diwas function organised at Raipur. Many luminaries spoke on the Saga of Bravery shown by Indian Soldiers at various operations. The Rotary club honoured the Widows and dependants of Soldiers who laid down their lives.
At 1830 hrs, a silent march with lighted candles started and reached "JAI STAMBH", in the heart of the city and placed the candles with flower petals at the pedestal. Thereafter, a convention was held followed by dinner. Both parties, viz BJP and Congress were represented. Seven e- media and most print media covered it but with the political tint.
Pamphlets were printed and distributed to all and sundry through various means. However, it was a beginning worth the effort. The Rotary Club is now keen to hold many more such events. We must make efforts to have at least one day in the year recognised as "Veteran Day".
Jai Hind
Col Siddhartha Bose
CG State Convener
KARGIL DIVAS REPORT Palakkad by Maj Ravindran
KARGIL DIVAS REPORT
PALAKKAD
From: Ravindran Major majorravi@gmail.com
Subject: Kargil-10th anniversary
To:
Date: Sunday, 26 July, 2009, 2:56 PM
A commemoration parade was held at the Martyrs' Column at Fort Maidan today, on the 10th anniversary of the Kargil war, in honour of those who had laid down their lives for protecting the integrity and honour of the nation. The function was held under the aegies of the District Committee of the Indian Exsevicemen League (IESL), Palakkad. A wreath was laid at the memorial by M P Chandramohan, President of the District Committee.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Indain Exservicemen Movement (IESM) by Maj Gen (Dr) P Subhas, VSM and on behalf of the Defence Service Officers' Institute, Palakkad by Brig M P G Menon, AVSM. Satbir Singh laid a wreath on behalf of Palakkad Vividh Bharathi. Thereafter, Chandramohan narrated the issues related to Op Vijay and said that 527 brave sons of the nation had sacrificed their lives and 1000s had become handicapped. Unfortunately both the authorties and majority of the people have forgotton those sacrifices.
Brig Menon and Gen Subhas also recollected the peculiar conditions under which the operation was conducted where the armed forces were not allowed to cross the border as in an all out conventional war and the price we had to pay for it had been heavy. Both the veterans highlighted the fact that 'men and God people adore in times of crisis, crisis over, God is forgotten and soldier slighted'. This they said is not good for the country and people should be encouraged to serve the country through its armed forces which, like the national flag, is a symbol of honour and privilege.
Maj P M Ravindran requested the gathering to light a lamp/candle in front of their houses at 8 pm today in honour of those who had sacrificed their
lives so that their countrymen could sleep in peace.
Jai Hind !
P M Ravindran
PS:Photograph of Maj Gen P Subhas, VSM laying the wreath is attached.
Kargil divas at Dehra Dun by Lt Col Brij Thapa
From: Brij Thapa col_thapa_engrs@hotmail.com
Subject: HOMAGE TO MARTYRS OF KARGIL WAR BY DEHRADUN EX-SERVICES LEAGUE ON 26 JUL 09
To: "Brig C S Kamboj" kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Date: Monday, 27 July, 2009, 6:04 PM
HOMAGE TO MARTYRS -KARGIL HEROES
ON TENTH ANNIVERSSARY OF KARGIL WAR BY DEHRADUN EX-SERVICES LEAGUE
As per the scheduled programme on 26 Jul 09, Lt Gen M S Gosain , PVSM,AVSM,VSM,, Brig K G Behl, President Dehradun Ex-Services League, Brig P S Gurung,YSM, Lt Col B M Thapa, Gen Secy DESL, Dr B K Nautiyal,PRO,Lt Col R P Jairath, Treasurer DESL, Lt Col S S Thapa Lt Col P S Bisht, Lt Col S B S Thapa,Col P D Kudiyal, Lt Col U S Thakur, H/Capt B S Thapa, H/Capt K B Thapa,Hav B P Sharma and many others paid floral homage to martyrs of Kargil War and laid wreath and flowers on Kargil War Memorial at Gandhi Park Dehradun along with large number of Ex-Servicemen.
Keeping the back ground song as ” Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon--” function started. First of all two minutes silence was observed by all.
Speaking on the occasion Brig K G Behl, President Ex Services League said that Kargil War known as “Operation Vijay” was fought by Indian Soldiers on most difficult terrain, having peak heights from 12000 to 18000 ft with heavy boulders and steep slopes. Indian soldiers showed great bravery and pushed the enemy out of occupied Indian territory showing great bravery and valour. Doon Valley lost 18 soldiers and Uttarakhand lost 75 soldiers and country lost 533 soldiers where more than 3000 soldiers were wounded in Kargil War. Nation is proud of such heroic sacrifice. The Uttarakhand State Govt. has recently raised the emoluments for all the Gallantry Awards winners which has become the highest in the Country and we are thankful to them.
Brig Behl said that the Kargil war was unique and a saga of bravery and courage, not only by few but practically all of them, especially the younger lot who showed their mettle. To fight and recapture those hills under the enemy fire in that difficult terrain is a real hard task which our heroes performed at the stake of their lives to bring honour to the country. Bofor Guns showed their mettle and they not only destroyed the enemy locations but provided suitable cover to troops to march forward. The honour given to these heroes too was onerous and set tradition for the others to follow. Earlier the bodies of the dead, mostly, used to be cremated in field itself and the kith and kin were informed but now onwards bodies of all were sent to their homes and were cremated with full military honours. It was a big change,satisfaction and honour which all appreciated and thanked Govt. and authorities for that. Another important decision was to give pension to the old parents and dependents in addition to the widow and provide job to one of the members where ever possible.
In this war 533 lost their lives and about 3000 were injured. Some of them were honoured with different Gallantry awards which included four PARAM VIR Chakras, 9 Mahavir Chakras and many Kirti Chakras, Vir Chakras and other medals and awards and decorations. It is an occasion to remember them and pay our homage.
Air Force played a big role in this war and gave support to destroy enemy positions especially when they had the limitations not too cross LOC. We salute their bravery and courage.
The Media too played a big role in this war and took courage to move with troops to forward areas and transmit live action pictures on TV screens at home for all to watch, realise and appreciate how difficult the areas and assaults were. We are really thankful to all those involved and sufferings they faced. We thank Print and Electronic Media who kept us informed of all activities.
The President said that we pay homage to our war Heroes and pledge to look after their families and try to solve their problems to the extent possible.
Before the programme of Dehradun Ex-Services League started, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” Chief Minister Uttrakhand also paid homage to the Martyrs of Kargil War at Kargil War Memorial at Ghandhi Park which was attended by Lt Gen M S Gosain, Brig K G Behl, Brig P S Gurung, Lt Col B M Thapa and many other Ex-Servicemen of Doon valley. C M said that the Government will give all possible help to the families of soldiers who had lost their life in Kargil war and also all problems of Ex-Servicemen of Uttarakhand will be solved.
In Put By Lt Col B M Thapa
General Secretary
Dehradun Ex-Services league
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
kargil diwas at calicut kerala
From: prem menon
To: Kamboj Chander
Cc: Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 5:25 PM
Subject: Re: kargil diwas at calicut kerala
Dear Sir
I had a keen intrest in celeberating this function.
I was in contact with Col RP Chaturvedi and before conducting i had taken all suggestion.
MY profile is : EX-NK From AMC and at present working as Asst Manager in a Pvt Ltd Coy
Any more if required pl do scrap
thanks
Kargil Divas Expenses at Noida on 26 Jul 2009 by IESM...Zero Budget
KARGIL DIVAS CELEBRATIONS AT NOIDA
EXPENSES REPORT FOR KARGIL DIVAS ON 26 JUL 09
BY
IESM KARGIL DIVAS CELEBRATIONS CO-ORDINATOR
COLONEL RP CHATURVEDI, MEMBER IESM STEERING COMMITTEE
From: Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi rpchaturvedi@gmail.com
Subject: Kargil Divas- Statement of Expenses and Sponsorships
To: "REPORT MY SIGNAL CS Kamboj" kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wednesday, 29 July, 2009, 6:33 AM
Sir,
Details of expenses incurred and sponsorship received for the Kargil Divas activities in NCR are given below.
Thanks to the voluntary and positive assistance of 19 NDA/ 28 IMA course and that of M/s Brijbasi Hi Tech Udyog Ltd, I am delighted to report it IS zero budget !
Part 1. Expenses.
· Banners. 6. Rs 1051.
· Backdrop for 26th. Rs 666.
· Leaflets. 5000. Rs 1300.
· Stationary/ courier etc Rs 170
· Photographer Rs 1400
· Flowers Rs 1200
· Catering, Tentage etc Rs 17800.
· Backgrounders (Pamphlets)
Sponsored by M/s Brijbasi HI Tech Udyog Ltd.
Part 2. Sponsorship.
· Printing of 5000 Kargil Backgrounders-glossy pamphlets. Courtesy BRIJBASI HI-TECH UDYOG LTD.
· Other Expenditure - Courtesy 19thNDA/ 28 IMA Course.
Part 3. Details of Contributions made by Sponsors of 19thNDA/ 28 IMA course. We gratefully acknowledge the voluntary contributions of following officers of the course.
· Col KD Bagga. Rs 10000.
· Brig Arvinder Singh Rs 2500.
· Brig MM Dewan. Rs 2500.
· Maj Gen AJRSB Bhalla Rs 2500.
· Maj Gen RK Batra. Rs 1000.
· Maj Gen Inderjeet Kashyap Rs 2500.
· Brig LK Ahuja Rs 500.
--
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,
Noida 201303.
Mob: +919891279035
EXPENSES REPORT FOR KARGIL DIVAS ON 26 JUL 09
BY
IESM KARGIL DIVAS CELEBRATIONS CO-ORDINATOR
COLONEL RP CHATURVEDI, MEMBER IESM STEERING COMMITTEE
From: Rakesh Prasad Chaturvedi rpchaturvedi@gmail.com
Subject: Kargil Divas- Statement of Expenses and Sponsorships
To: "REPORT MY SIGNAL CS Kamboj" kamboj_cs@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wednesday, 29 July, 2009, 6:33 AM
Sir,
Details of expenses incurred and sponsorship received for the Kargil Divas activities in NCR are given below.
Thanks to the voluntary and positive assistance of 19 NDA/ 28 IMA course and that of M/s Brijbasi Hi Tech Udyog Ltd, I am delighted to report it IS zero budget !
Part 1. Expenses.
· Banners. 6. Rs 1051.
· Backdrop for 26th. Rs 666.
· Leaflets. 5000. Rs 1300.
· Stationary/ courier etc Rs 170
· Photographer Rs 1400
· Flowers Rs 1200
· Catering, Tentage etc Rs 17800.
· Backgrounders (Pamphlets)
Sponsored by M/s Brijbasi HI Tech Udyog Ltd.
Part 2. Sponsorship.
· Printing of 5000 Kargil Backgrounders-glossy pamphlets. Courtesy BRIJBASI HI-TECH UDYOG LTD.
· Other Expenditure - Courtesy 19thNDA/ 28 IMA Course.
Part 3. Details of Contributions made by Sponsors of 19thNDA/ 28 IMA course. We gratefully acknowledge the voluntary contributions of following officers of the course.
· Col KD Bagga. Rs 10000.
· Brig Arvinder Singh Rs 2500.
· Brig MM Dewan. Rs 2500.
· Maj Gen AJRSB Bhalla Rs 2500.
· Maj Gen RK Batra. Rs 1000.
· Maj Gen Inderjeet Kashyap Rs 2500.
· Brig LK Ahuja Rs 500.
--
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi,
A-35, Sector 36,
Noida 201303.
Mob: +919891279035
Monday, July 27, 2009
Kargil diwas at Dehra Dun by Lt Gen KK Khanna
From: kamal khanna
To: Kamboj Chander
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 7:37 PM
Subject: Kargil Divas Activities
Dear Brig Kamboj,
I thought I will share with you my little contribution on the Day.
The first part of my article 'Remembering Kargil - Essentials of OP VIJAY' was published in Garhwal Post, Dehradun this morning. Other portions will be published over the next two days.
Gave a power point Presentation on Kargil to about four hundred children at the Police lines this morning. Two mins silence was observed, thereafter.
In a seminar organised by the Institution of Engineers (India) and The Indian Association of Teacher Educators I presented the Kargil War again. Since the Chief Secy was present I requested him to ask the audience to observe a two min silence. 'Push ki abilasha' and 'Ae mere watan ke logon' were sung.
My intention was to make maximum civs aware and to make them remember our heroes of Kargil.
Wishing you all the best.
KKK
Lt Gen KK Khanna, PVSM, AVSM** (Former Commandant IMA)
To: Kamboj Chander
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2009 7:37 PM
Subject: Kargil Divas Activities
Dear Brig Kamboj,
I thought I will share with you my little contribution on the Day.
The first part of my article 'Remembering Kargil - Essentials of OP VIJAY' was published in Garhwal Post, Dehradun this morning. Other portions will be published over the next two days.
Gave a power point Presentation on Kargil to about four hundred children at the Police lines this morning. Two mins silence was observed, thereafter.
In a seminar organised by the Institution of Engineers (India) and The Indian Association of Teacher Educators I presented the Kargil War again. Since the Chief Secy was present I requested him to ask the audience to observe a two min silence. 'Push ki abilasha' and 'Ae mere watan ke logon' were sung.
My intention was to make maximum civs aware and to make them remember our heroes of Kargil.
Wishing you all the best.
KKK
Lt Gen KK Khanna, PVSM, AVSM** (Former Commandant IMA)
Kargil Diwas by Lt Gen VijayOberoi
(Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, Former VCOAS)
(Due to heavy email load, this email from Gen Oberoi was missed out earlier)
...
KARGIL DIWAS - TENTH ANNIVERSARY
The Government Remains Unconcerned
By
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
This year’s Kargil Diwas, on 26 July, is special as it is the 10th anniversary of the day when the last of the Pakistani intruders were killed or chased out of the Kargil Sector, by the doughty brave hearts of the Indian Army and Air Force. The Kargil Sector is actually a swathe of real estate along the Line of Control (LC) in J&K, stretching north east from the steep glaciated heights north of Drass and extending to the general area of Turtok, just short of the Siachin Glacier.
I do not intend to cover the factual details of the various battles fought in the sector, but will highlight some nuances. Kargil had caught the imagination of every citizen of our country during those tumultuous summer months of 1999, from the time the intrusion was first discovered in early May, till the last of the Pakistani soldiers were neutralized and the entire area on our side of the LC was sanitized by 26 July.
The various battles fought in the sector were a series of tactical level offensive operations, conducted at battalion and brigade levels. These were essentially marked by two important features - the formidable nature of the terrain and the sheer bravery of the officers and men of the Indian Army, who scaled those formidable and razor sharp sheer heights, unmindful of their lives and limbs. They did so in many a hand to hand battle and won victories on the high peaks, where the defenders-the Pakistani troops, had all the advantages. The nation lost 527 valuable lives, all brave young men, who sacrificed themselves, with grit written large on their determined visages and a fierce fire burning strong in their bellies.
Why is such unparalleled bravery forgotten by our countrymen within a span of a mere 10 years? Have our nationalistic feelings atrophied that we have no time to remember the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and airmen, who fought so valiantly to restore the sanctity of the motherland? Is it the government, which needs to be reminded to take the lead, or the military or the people?
I recall, with a great deal of nostalgia, the Vijay Diwas of 2000, one year after the Kargil operations. It was an event to remember. I was then commanding the Western Army at Chandimandir. At my instance, an extremely well attended remembrance cum homage function was organized by the army at Chandigarh. Governors and Chief Ministers of both Punjab and Haryana had led the people in paying tributes to the Kargil warriors. The inhabitants of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali came in their thousands to pay homage and to remember the warriors, who had fought and conquered both the hazardous terrain and the well-entrenched enemy. As the ceremony ended, thousands of candles lit the entire ground; it was a sight that set the adrenalin pumping. Sadly, in the years that followed, Kargil disappeared from the radar screens of the government, the people and sadly even the media. Only the military remembered their comrades and held ceremonies and commemoration events, but only within the confines of their cantonments!
The media and the ex-servicemen (ESM) have taken a lead this time in generating enthusiasm for the 10th anniversary of the Kargil Diwas, but alas there is not even a squeak from the government so far. On 26 July, a ritual and token ceremony will no doubt be held at the India Gate, with the Raksha Mantri and the three service chiefs laying wreaths and only a few media cameras in attendance. In our democratic country, the ‘Aam Aadmi’, whose paeans we sing these days, is not even permitted to come within 100 metres of such ceremonies. At best, they can view them on TV, but only fleetingly as the electronic media is stingy in airing such bytes! This must change, not only in the case of the Kargil Diwas, but on the few commemorative military events we still observe, even perfunctorily.
Ours must be the only country in the world where decisions to commemorate military events are based on which political party is in power! One national political party celebrates Kargil Diwas because that military victory took place when theirs was the ruling party. The other does not, but celebrates Vijay Diwas instead, as it was their party which was in power when the Indian Military did the country proud by their resounding victory over Pakistan in 1971. A third category popular with the government is when no event is celebrated on the specious plea that it may adversely affect the peace process with a particular country! The end result of such a lackadaisical attitude on the part of the government is that the military, which is proud of its brave military heritage, is forced to have such celebrations and remembrances in the confines of their military stations and cantonments, with no participation by the civil populace, the political leaders or the government. What a dismal and farcical situation?
The present government, in accordance with their party’s election pledge, had carved out the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare from within the Ministry of Defence in 2004. It is this Department that should take a lead in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Kargil victory in a befitting manner, but it seems to be wallowing in indecision, waiting for a cue from the political leaders. Despite its existence for almost five years now, no worthwhile welfare measures have been instituted by this organization. The reason is simple. This organization, from its inception, should have been manned by military officers who understand the problems of serving personnel and ESM, as well as their ethos and culture. The result of such pusillanimous behaviour by this organization is further disillusionment of the military.
The government would do well to keep in mind what the famous military strategist, Carl von Clausewitz, had expounded on the remarkable ‘trinity’ of the government, the military and the people, that is essential for victory for a nation. It is equally applicable to the nation even in non-war situations. Will the government take a lead and bring them together?
------------
(Due to heavy email load, this email from Gen Oberoi was missed out earlier)
...
KARGIL DIWAS - TENTH ANNIVERSARY
The Government Remains Unconcerned
By
Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi
This year’s Kargil Diwas, on 26 July, is special as it is the 10th anniversary of the day when the last of the Pakistani intruders were killed or chased out of the Kargil Sector, by the doughty brave hearts of the Indian Army and Air Force. The Kargil Sector is actually a swathe of real estate along the Line of Control (LC) in J&K, stretching north east from the steep glaciated heights north of Drass and extending to the general area of Turtok, just short of the Siachin Glacier.
I do not intend to cover the factual details of the various battles fought in the sector, but will highlight some nuances. Kargil had caught the imagination of every citizen of our country during those tumultuous summer months of 1999, from the time the intrusion was first discovered in early May, till the last of the Pakistani soldiers were neutralized and the entire area on our side of the LC was sanitized by 26 July.
The various battles fought in the sector were a series of tactical level offensive operations, conducted at battalion and brigade levels. These were essentially marked by two important features - the formidable nature of the terrain and the sheer bravery of the officers and men of the Indian Army, who scaled those formidable and razor sharp sheer heights, unmindful of their lives and limbs. They did so in many a hand to hand battle and won victories on the high peaks, where the defenders-the Pakistani troops, had all the advantages. The nation lost 527 valuable lives, all brave young men, who sacrificed themselves, with grit written large on their determined visages and a fierce fire burning strong in their bellies.
Why is such unparalleled bravery forgotten by our countrymen within a span of a mere 10 years? Have our nationalistic feelings atrophied that we have no time to remember the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and airmen, who fought so valiantly to restore the sanctity of the motherland? Is it the government, which needs to be reminded to take the lead, or the military or the people?
I recall, with a great deal of nostalgia, the Vijay Diwas of 2000, one year after the Kargil operations. It was an event to remember. I was then commanding the Western Army at Chandimandir. At my instance, an extremely well attended remembrance cum homage function was organized by the army at Chandigarh. Governors and Chief Ministers of both Punjab and Haryana had led the people in paying tributes to the Kargil warriors. The inhabitants of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali came in their thousands to pay homage and to remember the warriors, who had fought and conquered both the hazardous terrain and the well-entrenched enemy. As the ceremony ended, thousands of candles lit the entire ground; it was a sight that set the adrenalin pumping. Sadly, in the years that followed, Kargil disappeared from the radar screens of the government, the people and sadly even the media. Only the military remembered their comrades and held ceremonies and commemoration events, but only within the confines of their cantonments!
The media and the ex-servicemen (ESM) have taken a lead this time in generating enthusiasm for the 10th anniversary of the Kargil Diwas, but alas there is not even a squeak from the government so far. On 26 July, a ritual and token ceremony will no doubt be held at the India Gate, with the Raksha Mantri and the three service chiefs laying wreaths and only a few media cameras in attendance. In our democratic country, the ‘Aam Aadmi’, whose paeans we sing these days, is not even permitted to come within 100 metres of such ceremonies. At best, they can view them on TV, but only fleetingly as the electronic media is stingy in airing such bytes! This must change, not only in the case of the Kargil Diwas, but on the few commemorative military events we still observe, even perfunctorily.
Ours must be the only country in the world where decisions to commemorate military events are based on which political party is in power! One national political party celebrates Kargil Diwas because that military victory took place when theirs was the ruling party. The other does not, but celebrates Vijay Diwas instead, as it was their party which was in power when the Indian Military did the country proud by their resounding victory over Pakistan in 1971. A third category popular with the government is when no event is celebrated on the specious plea that it may adversely affect the peace process with a particular country! The end result of such a lackadaisical attitude on the part of the government is that the military, which is proud of its brave military heritage, is forced to have such celebrations and remembrances in the confines of their military stations and cantonments, with no participation by the civil populace, the political leaders or the government. What a dismal and farcical situation?
The present government, in accordance with their party’s election pledge, had carved out the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare from within the Ministry of Defence in 2004. It is this Department that should take a lead in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Kargil victory in a befitting manner, but it seems to be wallowing in indecision, waiting for a cue from the political leaders. Despite its existence for almost five years now, no worthwhile welfare measures have been instituted by this organization. The reason is simple. This organization, from its inception, should have been manned by military officers who understand the problems of serving personnel and ESM, as well as their ethos and culture. The result of such pusillanimous behaviour by this organization is further disillusionment of the military.
The government would do well to keep in mind what the famous military strategist, Carl von Clausewitz, had expounded on the remarkable ‘trinity’ of the government, the military and the people, that is essential for victory for a nation. It is equally applicable to the nation even in non-war situations. Will the government take a lead and bring them together?
------------
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