INDIAN ARMY FINALLY REVAMPS RETIREMENT DRILL FOR VETERANS

It is a matter of fact that the Defence organization in our country is probably the only government organization that truly takes care of its #veterans. From the continuance of their last ranks into the civilian fold, to medical facilities and close knit associations of various regiments and battalions, the veteran has an umbilical cord of sorts attached to the organization to which they have dedicated their ardous life of selflessness and sacrifice.

To add a milestone to this ethos of the men in uniform, new initiatives and trimmer procedures have been rolled out for officers before retiring. The present chief General #Bikram Singh took due cognizance of one of the most essential needs of the officer fraternity prior to their retirement and has initiated a novice system to counsel and guide them for their final documentation and resolution of observations. The new system would also incorporate talks / lectures on essential aspects like #pension entitlements, #ECHS, #AGIFbenefits, job opportunities and re-settlement avenues. This would go leaps and bounds in making the complex policies and rules easier to assimilate.

Retiring officers are entangled in traditional paper wars and red tapism and are required to submit multiple documents to various agencies just to receive their entitled pension and other allied benefits. Previously the veteran community was left in the lurch and made to fend for themselves with piles of archaic policies and complex documentation, which were not at all user friendly.

Having been isolated from the mainstream of civilian life, which shelters the Army personnel from the groping and shoveling of an endemic corrupt system, the military man is definitely found to be in need of some level of doctored guidance to acclimatize him well to the unfamiliar ‘babuji’ based culture and functioning. Lack of counseling and guidance at a very crucial juncture of their lives inadvertently has led to many officers not getting their legitimate dues and entitlements in time, thereby causing undue misgivings and resentment. 

This scheme has created the framework to provide the necessary information and guidance needed by veterans to enable them to settle well in their post retirement life. The establishment of the #Pensioncell at Adjutant General’s Branch also is a well thought out and much needed initiative which could become the core for addressing veteran’s grievances. The move will ensure that every officer gets an opportunity to clarify all doubts about pension complexities and other aspects of retired life thoroughly, before stepping out of the organization, besides catering to his esteem needs.

The next step for the Army should be creation of a user friendly online system for the veterans, where their personal issues can be voiced and addressed without having to come to Army Head Quarters. Or is it asking for too much?

AFSPA DEBATE : CAN THE ARMY FIGHT WITH ITS HANDS TIED

We have all been overloaded time and again by media zealots trumpeting the call for removal of the #AFSPA by the Kashmir fraternity, or the brutal media hype on the Manorama Devi fiasco by the Assam Rifles, which sent the entire north eastern state to unify for repeal of the so called ‘Draconian Act’. The image created by some sections of the media trumpeted sheer neglect of human rights by Army in these parts. But come to think of the way the media reacts to things that ‘SELL’, one starts to wonder as to what is the real story and as to why the Army needs the AFSPA act so much.

 To start, one needs to ask some very relevant questions in this crossroads of humanity and the arduous task of running a democracy.  Can the Soldiers continue maintaining a sway on the terrorists without the AFSPA? Is AFSPA a necessity as claimed by the Army for subduing the terrorists might or can some other milder measures be incorporated? And if yes then what measures? How will it affect the whole spectrum of Terrorism and Indian relations within the region of global politics, if the act is withdrawn?

The Chief of the Indian Army has rightly brought out that, ‘This decision (on AFSPA) has to be taken in the backdrop of violence profile, in the backdrop of what can happen in future, in the backdrop of futuristic contours. We have to be very confident that it does not relapse. We shall not be left in a position of disadvantage.’

            Let us remember as to when and why is the Army called out in the first place to combat insurgency or deteriorating law and order situations. It is only when the situation goes out of hand of the existing law and order machinery and the existing government agencies are not able to function independently, is the call made to requisition the help of Indian Army. Have the states crying hoarse for withdrawal of the act returned to a state of normalcy? I guess not, they sure have come a long way, but there is more work left to do.

This is rightly not the time for the act to go, what with beheadings and bomb blasts happening frequently in Kashmir and our neighbour Pakistan still “religiously” (pun intended) pushing infiltrators all across the Line of Control conveniently labeling them as freedom fighters. The day the CRPF, local police and state government is able to take over the reins of operations from the Army and effectively handle the internal security issues, should be the day to remove the AFSPA, and not before that.

Any Change in the act at this stage when the security forces have only started bringing normalcy in the valley and the east would be a blunder with disastrous effect. The terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (#LoC) is still intact. After the US and NATO exit from Afghanistan this threat will loom larger as Islamabad and the ISI puppets-aka Taliban/ Jihaadi groups will focus their efforts and attention completely on Kashmir.  The surplus Taliban is bound to flow into ‘HINDU’ Kashmir to ‘LIBERATE’ it- ofcourse with political diplomatic and material support of Pakistan who would be more than glad to rid themselves of this menace.

            Today the Indian Army has a mature demeanour in a media centric world where every action of theirs is analyzed and made available to the public en masse. The Indian Soldier fights the government’s battles, without a thought to own safety and in complete good faith that they are fighting the war for the nations eventual good. The Army well aware that  good public reach and relations also provide good and timely intelligence without which security force operations can seldom succeed. AFSPA therefore has not made the Army lose sight of its obligation towards upholding the essence of Human Rights and has in fact created more awareness in handling the situation better.

The Army has been losing numerous soldiers in its several decades old Counter Terrorism operations in the valley and North East and would be more than comfortable with no insurgency or proxy war to fight. Without AFSPA an Army Soldier would inevitably get shackled to cumbersome and frequent Court appearances just because when bullets were flying he did what was absolutely necessary as per his mandate to protect the Nations Interest.

This aspect needs to be analysed in the light of the fact that our Indian Military has always maintained a sublime stature above the grime of politics and has never been pushy with the Government like our neighbours Pakistan or even America. Nor has the Army done a counterinsurgency campaign with attack Helicopters, tanks and machine guns  like the Americans in Iraq, (which was opened like a can of worms by wiki leaks) or even encourage a military abetted genocide like many other nations fighting similar insurgencies in Asia. Thankfully the Indian Army still holds on to high ideals and has quite a fairly clean record for a nation ensconced in corruption and underhand dealings. The soldier won’t be fighting his case for arming him with the basic necessity of #AFSPA. It is us the public which needs to be proactive in working out a amicable solution to the issue without fore thought and in a politicized manner. 

THE COUNTER MAOIST STRATEGY

NEED OF THE HOUR TO ADDRESS THE RED CORRIDOR

 “Only through the Protracted People’s War, with people’s army as the highest weapon, the Party will carry out the task of seizure of political power by overthrowing the present reactionary state power which represents the interests of imperialism, feudalism and comprador big bourgeoisie and thereby establish a new democratic state.” - Article 54 of the constitution of the #CPI (M)

This #Maoists ideology, propagates through the adoption of violent means with a complete disregard to human life, which has resulted in inhuman attacks and causing serious loss of lives to political and government workers, security forces and innocent civilians. Presently, thirteen states in the country have seen the rise of the red revolution ensconced by unabated violence and sabotage of the authority of the Government of India.

Somehow, the haphazard and hasty policies favouring economic liberalisation have not catered to the ordinary people and have inadvertently allowed the corporate leeches to make monstrous profits thereby giving the Maoist struggle added legitimacy as a “Gandhians with a gun” movement by fledgling “Arundhati Roys” in the making and self proclaimed “Humanitarian messiahs”.

Alright, so we do have a problem gnawing at the very fabric of democracy and development. And with the tenacity and audaciousness of the brazen attack in #Chhattisgarh, which left more than 30 dead in its wake, wiping out the complete top brass of the congress regime, it wouldn’t be too far from the truth to state that our governments half hearted measures to plug the red menace have failed miserably.

So what measures does a nation, at the threshold of global recognition as an emerging economic giant with immense potential, adopt to frustrate all efforts by such negative forces trying to sap the essence of a great democracy that India is? I have a few suggestions and options which could be a workable recipe for countering the Maoist menace.

 Good Governance.           It goes without saying that the Maoists often occupy remote and backward areas with an absolute administrative vacuum and as evident in history, degradation of democratic politics plagued by poor governance has always preceded the rise of Left or #fascist forces.

The local administration and elected representatives in these tribal belts do not accommodate the voices and aspirations of people which would thwart any fascist tendencies and end their exploitation and misery at the hands of corrupt local State Police, Corporate bigwigs, forest contractors and who have pillaged local resources and deprived ordinary people of their livelihood.

  What the Government needs to do is to find ways and means to revive the sagging political process in these parts and empower them to provide tangible results in terms of civic amenities, development and employment.It is thus obvious that the real answer lies in having elected, well-funded panchayats in tribal areas and stop alienation of tribal people.

Infrastructure Development- Increase Reach.           One of the solutions to countering the spread of Maoist leanings in these remote densely forested areas is to bring about speedy infrastructure development to enable the tenets of civilisation and good governance to seep into the lives of such people.

The setting up of an intensive road network in these jungles, of the four worst-affected districts, will help security forces dominate presently inaccessible areas and bring about some semblance of law and order and go a long way in maintaining political sway over the jungle belt.

These roads will not just help sprout new police stations, but aid in establishing the full range of government offices and services including irrigation, schools and health clinics, and welfare services. A well established local government kept safe by a strong security cover will give locals the confidence that the state government is there to fight with them to the finish.

NGOs: Sowing Seeds of Self Help Small Scale Business and Handicrafts.      The role of NGOs focusing in economic aid and development of small business and handicraft industries will go a long way in providing gainful employment opportunities as well as increasing the income bracket of the population. Such self reliant projects will rake in the tenets of money based economy and bolster overall growth, education and development. The efforts to encourage such participation by indigenous and international agencies need to be done on a sincere and concerted way to bring about some tangible results in adequate time.

Centralised Strategy Rather Than State Vs Centre. The central government controls the Paramilitary forces while the state government controls the Police. This disparate interest and clash of entities groveling on petty issues like interstate rivalry and “not my jurisdiction” attitude have crippled the overall effort in combating the Maoists.  The Central Government cannot banter on that law and order is a state subject and needs to contribute sincere efforts to address the issue as unified problem- sans borders, so as to proliferate development plans and execute coordinated operational thrusts of varied security forces operating in multiple state jurisdictions.

Empowering the Security Forces.         Success can be surely achieved, through a well-trained and empowered Police Force coupled with intelligent diplomacy. This would essentially call for additional staff in the police forces, superior tactical training, specialised arms/ vehicles and robust communications.

Also, training at various esteemed training institutes of the Army like the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, Meghalaya could help train the central/ state police forces in Jungle Warfare drills and give their bite the much needed fangs.

#Ceasefire- But Who First?  Again, one needs to coerce the Maoists to sit on the negotiating table for any meaningful discussion to take place and to work out any frame work for peaceful solution to the menace. This would be a feasible possibility only when the killings on both sides come to an end.

As such, it is imperative that the Home Ministry trumpets a call for ceasefire from both sides in all the affected areas till a workable forum for peaceful dialogue with the “Red Regime”  think tanks is mutually created.

Military Action? To Be or Not To Be.    Hot blooded factions suggest an all-out, at-any-cost fight to the finish by employing the army to crush left-wing rebels. One has to essentially understand that the problem is not military, and has no military solutions. Although Military action may be necessary to subjugate those who raise the banner of armed revolt against the State, any Military action in internal conflict zones will drastically affect the population on the whole and further escalate the alienation of the locals from mainstream governance.

Though the air force has already deployed its choppers in the ‘Red Zone’ for surveillance and logistics based sorties for catering to ground forces, any further Military ambitions in this area would be short sighted and will wean away our military might from our conventional tasks into another protracted #insurgency.

Fortunately, it is good news that sense has prevailed with the army very prudently staying away from being drawn into this murky internal war over fundamental rights and livelihoods.

Covering the whole state with good infrastructure and services will take time. So will getting complete domination of the Maoist movement. But a start in time in the right direction in all earnest should pave the way for a final solution to the “Red Menace”.

DOES SCI FI HAVE A WINDOW OF POSSIBILITY HERE

DRDO sure is miles away from hitting the same niche that DARPA enjoys in the American Army. What is amazing about DARPA is that a couple of years back when i was scrolling over its site for some passerby knowledge...I ran into a wishlist which had been picked out of sci fi movies and comics to say the least....silent soldiers with telepathy for communication, biological agents being modified for surveillance and exo skeleton and sorts.

what i saw in the same site years later was their prototypes.... HULC exo skeleton, Hummingbird UAV, a beetle with its flight controlled by electric pulses, airborne laser, the rail gun. When ever will the DRDO grow up beyond the orange plastic toy called INSAS and give our dreams their rightful wings. I guess the government should let some serious introspection on this white elephant that has as much velocity towards efficacy as a pregnant snail.

Recruiting established scientists, outsourcing R & D to reputed companies like L & T and Tata Defence Industries based on ground tactical requirements, working on the concept of islands of excellence at the national level to create high profile projects under the umbrella of an efficient, well funded semi- independent agency which takes the DRDO tab only for names sake. The list of ideas is as endless as the possibilities of nurturing a more professional atmosphere at #DRDO where most projects are behind schedule and just an eyewash with no quality or world class technological standards.

where the #DARPA gave the world the Internet and a generation of stealth fighters, DRDO has been only been able to only come up with a few projects from the controversial #INSAS, Arjun to the  indigenous bhut jolokia grenades and Agni series (which just happens to be basically ex import technology with an Indian Tag). If India means business in geopolitics of this dog eat dog world it might as well start by giving some serious priority and finance to this sleeping giant.

PML (N) VICTORY BRINGS HOPE IN INDO PAK RELATIONS

Since #Nawaz Sharif's decisive victory in the 11 May 2013  Pakistan elections, he and Dr #Manmohan Singh, have conversed amicably by phone and have invited each other for visits and interactions. #Indo-Pak relations, which has been fraught with tension, mistrust and hostility for decades, appears to have received a positive boost from this stunning electoral comeback. Going by Pakistan’s track record, of playing the “victim” while sponsoring an “open secret” proxy war against India, critics will be quick to highlight that Mr Sharif has once had a reputation for being soft on militants as he was one of the world's only political leaders to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan eight months after the Islamist group seized power. 

 

However, there are two areas which make Nawaz Sharif stand out as a pacifist: his continued emphasis on need to have better ties with India; During his last stint as Prime Minister, from 1997 to 1999, he talked with his Indian counterpart, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, about possible solutions to the #Kashmir dispute and inaugurated a "friendship" bus line from the Indian border to Lahore. Secondly Mr Sharif has nurtured a hard stance towards Pakistan Army. Sharif has been "punished" in the past by the Pak Army for his soft stand towards Kashmir and India.

Cognizant of the fact that any growth in #Indo -Pak #friendship will actually render Pakistan’s overly high defence expenditure as unnecessary, the Pak army has always tried to sabotage such noble efforts, especially those from the civil polity. Will these hopes be a false alarm with the Pak Army trying to cripple the Political setup in Pakistan once again or stall any peace initiatives with aggressive posture at the borders/ line of control with India similar to the #beheadings.

Fortunately, what is of interest in the #Pak Military and Political nexus is that in reality, The Pak Army’s strength is relative. It will be able to wield greater power only if the civilian setup under Sharif shows incompetence. Strengthening the hope towards a better governance is the indication that there was very little influence or interference of the Pak Army in the recently concluded elections in Pakistan. Perhaps for the first time, improving relations with India was a positive issue in the Pakistan elections with the Kashmir issue taking a back seat. 

The book “between mosque and military” by Hussein #Haqqani bluntly brings out the truth about Pak politics out of the cupboard and highlights the role of the #ISI and the Pak Military in steering Pak internal Politics in their favour. What needs to be seen is whether an army which has been at the helm of power and decision making waits and watches or seeks an opportunity to ambush the new government using the islamist card.

Mr Sharif, being a wealthy steel magnate, understands the importance of opening Pakistan's crippled economy to trade with India, a South Asian economic powerhouse and one of the world's leading emerging markets. Dr Manmohan also being an economist first understands the benefits of increasing trade with Pakistan as a pathway towards improving relations on the whole ambit of Indo Pak relations.

Pakistan is experiencing democracy on a new level with even the Judiciary openly challenging the authority of the country’s leaders and the military. With the ex Pakistan President Musharraf scuttling from court room to Advocates after returning to his homeland, things definitely seem to be improving in the right direction accross our western borders. Surely the change of Premiership to Mr Sharif’s hands would only add to the chances of fostering a better tranquil atmosphere among the two enemy states.

But I Guess for the UPA, any desires of better relations can only be a reality, if Mr Sharif lays out a clear and strong policy on export of #mujahedeen’s and terrorist organizations. All said, India should definitely rake in this opportunity and work out an environment for progress towards better relations. I for one am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a sunset to the age old tiff between two nations which were once one.

THE SAHAYAKS DEBATE

The sahayak system in the Indian Army has a long and intricate history. It’s a story just waiting to be told, but essentially it’s all about a unique system that only members of the Armed Forces would comprehend. Individual interpretations and misinterpretations of the so called ‘demeaning’ and ‘unbecoming’ work by Sahayaks and their treatment has been distorted, with prejudiced or little understanding. The media, twitterrati, Government, armchair activists, hidden whistle blowers and many more have targeted this aspect as a convenient scapegoat.

The #batman, #attendant, #orderly, #bearer, “#flunky”, #helper, #sewadar, #sahayak and #buddy have been an integral part of any military system since times immemorial just like there have always been helpers or attendants for other Government functionaries. #Orderlies were used as far back in time as the Greeks, in the Roman Senate and even during the times of #Chanakya and Emperor Ashoka.

The concept of the sahayak has been perceived by many as akin to that of a domestic servant. This is not the case and as per my knowledge the army has very clearly laid guidelines which are adhered to while dealing with buddies. Buddies being combatants by nature are not employed for demeaning or tasks which is not in conformity with the dignity and self respect of a soldier. Let me also reiterate that in today’s modern military the sahayak has no role to play in the family life of the officer.

The Army has a unique system and is organized with view to be effective in war. A #combatbuddy is inherent to the operational requirements of the organization and is a time tested system which helped foster camaraderie and esprit -de -corps which is vital during conflict as well as peace. A sahayak, is an intrinsic fallout of the Buddy System. He serves as an assistant to the officer, primarily to enable him to function more effectively as a leader (by taking care of mundane day to day requirements, thus allowing him to focus on important issues). An officer in nearly most deployments, by virtue of his appointment, does not really have any support! He needs his buddy to relieve him of basic duties. The unique bond of camaraderie that an officer shares with his buddy, forms a very important part of officer men relationship and gives him a clearer understanding of the soldiers he commands.

But what about the soldiers? Do they feel a sense of pride in serving their officers or do they find it below their dignity and an affront to their self-esteem? The modern Indian soldier is educated and is an aware person. He has his own aspirations and concepts about soldiering. Instances of misuse and fear of wounding the soldier’s self-esteem have made the parliamentary standing committee on defense to call for its abolition. The story goes to say that 30,000 combatants, more than an Army Corps strength are believed to be deployed to assist serving officers as part of the “Sahayak’’ system. There are aberrations in every organization. What is prudent is to catch the individual officers who default and take corrective departmental action against them. The current logic making the rounds in the self proclaimed human right activists is like saying that if one walks, he can fall - so let’s cut off both his legs!

As a post script, I would like to relate to a true incident from the early 90’s, when my fauji uncle, who had been retired for 11 years then, fixed his daughter’s wedding with most of the wedding function planned at home. Four days before the final wedding date, my uncles old sahayak ( now a portly 55-60 year old mustachioed Jaat) unexpectedly landed up. On being questioned how and where, he said “I came to know that ‘Shipra baby’ is getting married. Thought you would need my help!’

 The old man thereafter supervised all the wedding arrangements putting even youngsters to shame with his unrelenting energy. The most touching image was during the "pheras". The old man stood respectfully behind my uncle and aunt throughout the ceremony, blessing the couple like a family elder.