Lt-Gen Jagbir Singh Cheema (retd) interacts with students on the IIM campus in Amritsar on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 24

Students of the IIM Amritsar campus got a firsthand account of how a leader should think, act and own responsibility during a special session conducted by one of the Army veterans, Lt-Gen Jagbir Singh Cheema (retd).He started his conversation citing the Battle of Saragarhi, one of the most courageous last stand battles in history and engaged students with various insights on leadership.“In Army, every soldier is subjected to grass-root level tasks to make them aware about how things are done. It is very important for a leader to be aware of his roles and functions of his team,” he said.A man of a strict demeanor and compassion, he shared excerpts from the 36 years of his life as a soldier in the defence forces. “I am averse to the idea of the people being born leaders. I believe you inculcate the qualities required in becoming a good leader. A good leader should have three highlighting qualities – knowledge, character and people skills. He must be brave, selfless and own responsibility of his actions,” he said.The meeting was conducted as a part of IIM’s industrial interaction programme and was followed by a question and answer session.

PANCHKULA: Police have arrested a German national and booked him for spying after he gained access to the Chandimandir military station in an unauthorised manner.

The Western Command headquarters — ringed with barbed wires — is located at the military station and entry without permission is prohibited.

Military personnel detained RJ Michael, 34, on Saturday morning. Michael claimed that he was in India on a tourist visa.

After questioning him, the Western Command officers handed him over to the local police in the evening.

“We have received a complaint from a Dogra unit that the German national had entered the prohibited area,” said inspector Harbhajan Singh, station house officer, Chandimandir.

Sources said Michael had shown his visa papers to the police.

The police added that he was being questioned on why he had entered the cantonment.

The theory that he could be a spy is also being looked into, although, no camera or sketch was found on him.

He has been booked under Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act used for acting against foreign spies. The relevant law says that if any person, for any purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state approaches, inspects or passes over a military area, he or she shall be prosecuted.

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 21

Lieutenant General KJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, visited the Vajra Corps today. He laid wreath at ‘Vajra Shaurya Sthal’ and paid tributes to the martyrs.Lieutenant General JS Cheema, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, along with senior veterans in the station and serving officers were also mpresent on the occasion. During his address, the General Officer appreciated the Western Command’s remarkable achievements in last two years and exhorted all the personnel to remain vigilant. He is on his farewell tour and arrived here after visiting Amritsar and Ferozepur where he addressed the troops, besides dedicating the ‘Shaheed Smarak’ located at Abdul Hamid Samadhi Sthal at Asal Uttar to the martyrs of 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

Ferozepur, July 17

An Air Force sergeant was allegedly thrashed by railway travelling ticket examiners (TTEs) on board the Mumbai-Ferozepur Punjab Mail here today.The victim identified as Sergeant SK Singh was travelling to Bathinda from Delhi when the incident took place. Though he was carrying a proper ticket, the erring TTEs allegedly confronted him over production of travel warrant. Later, the arguments turned ugly during which the sergeant was allegedly thrashed.The sergeant disembarked at the Bathinda railway station and reportedly informed the matter to his squadron officers at Bhisiana, who in turn communicated the matter to the Movement Control Officer (MCO) at Ferozepur.Senior Army officials at Ferozepur said the MCO deputed one JCO Naib Subedar Sushil Kumar and Havildar HL Prashad to inquire about the matter with the TTEs travelling on the train.When they asked the TTEs about the incident, they allegedly confronted the Army personnel too, following which the senior Army officials took up the matter with the DRM office. Military provost and intelligence officers also reached the station.Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (DSC) Shadan Zeb Khan confirmed the incident. Later after the intervention of senior Army and railway officials, the matter was sorted out amicably. — OC

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 12

The Army today paid rich tributes to Rifleman Arun Kumar Rai, who was killed in the frontier district of Kupwara on Monday.The Army claimed that Rai was hit by a bullet from across the Line of Control (LoC) in a ceasefire violation.“The martyr was deployed on the LoC in the Kupwara sector when he was hit by a bullet from across the LoC in a ceasefire violation which was befittingly retaliated by the troops on ground. He was evacuated to the nearest hospital after giving immediate first aid, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his grievous injury. In him, the Army has lost a brave, dedicated and highly motivated soldier,” an Army statement said.Rifleman Arun Kumar Rai, who hailed from Tinsukhia, Assam, is survived by his wife and parents.

Blog by Col Ashok K Singh; Veteran

Rewards by 7th Pay Commission to defense forces and its acceptance by BJP Govt has send shock waves and disbelief among soldiers. On promise of Narendra Modi, Soldiers voted in mass for BJP govt hoping to get justice for a humiliating and unconstitutional treatment given to them by Cong Govt under Mrs Indra Gandhi just after a historic win in 1971 war with Pakistan.

Mrs Gandhi; instead of rewarding soldiers for their unparalleled historic victory gave them humiliating injustice in 1973 by reducing their status, pay and pension drastically. Mrs Gandhi not only gave shabby treatment to soldiers but she also tweaked promotion procedures of military to have better control to create a succession line for top military Generals and Chiefs. The arrangements put by her in place went much beyond keeping a justified constitutional loyalty check on senior leadership to create her personal team of loyalist Generals. Caste and religion factor also became important to her. Though detrimental to national security, she was successful to a large extent in subverting professional military leadership to create submissive line of loyalists. Her returns were immediate when top military leadership failed to oppose unconstitutional declaration of emergency. Though military leadership was nervous and they later advised her to lift it to restore democracy but the damage was already done. The submissive line of generals so created with personal loyalties failed to oppose her decision to attack Golden Temple. They also failed to oppose decision of Rajive Gandhi to launch “OP PAWAN” in Sri Lanka. They also failed in their constitutional duty to intervene to prevent Sikh genocide in Delhi. Army Chiefs and leadership were not even consulted for military fall outs when Bajpai Govt signed Lahore declaration, it resulted in Kargil War.  Now the situation is that political Govt refuses to even acknowledge presence of Military Chiefs and leadership in their decision making procedures thus debarring themselves from a professional military advice risking national security.

With above situation in existence yet another severe blow has been delivered by BJP’s Modi Govt to further crush the pride of soldiers. Acceptance of humiliating recommendations of 7th Pay Commission for defense forces by BJP Govt ignoring concerns of military leadership and veterans has put soldiers in state of shock. The situation now is that soldiers, who are backbone of national military and nuke power to protect national sovereignty, in terms of life time earnings, are now paid lesser than Forest Guards and Central Armed Police Force. Life Time earnings in eyes of HR professionals is a single most key parameter to judge how rewarding a career is?   Life Time Earnings of any career forms the base of creating a reward system in terms of compensations. With 7th Pay Commission recommendations in place a reward system has been created where soldier’s life time earnings are above home guards and below forest guards. The acceptance of humiliating recommendations of 7th Pay Commission for defense forces has no professional  justification and violates all established professional HR principles of creating a reward system for a career.

The ego based whims and fancies of insecure, corrupt and lustful political Govt establishment without any accountability, justifications and reasoning to over control military power of the nation might even crush the very defense apparatus which protects and provides space for democracy to function. Indian constitution under article 53 while giving out executive powers of the union, clearly recognizes executive military authority of the nation as vested in a civilian Supreme Commander  as distinct dimension and gives it a key executive role in support of democracy by creating loyalties of defense forces to the command authority of its supreme commander, military commanders, constitution and we the people. Military oaths of allegiance are accordingly structured. Article 53 of Indian constitution if read in conjunction with article 34 on martial law and military oath taken, establishes a well defined role for executive military authority of the nation to defend and protect constitutional rights and freedom of “We The People”. It is therefore constitutional duty of military leadership to stand up in defense of democracy if it is under threat from any corner. It may be from corrupt politicians controlled by crony capitalists with suspected loyalties creating caste and communal hate filled atmosphere for political power and which may also trigger civil wars.  With such distinct provisions in constitution about roles of executive military authority,  article 109-113 therefore accept distinct military service conditions and demands separate laws for their service conditions including distinct compensation  packages for them.

Our constitution recognizes three pillars of democracy and not two as is taught or perceived.  First pillar is the executive political authority of the nation exercised by elected President through democratically elected parliament and government and assisted by civil servants. Second pillar of democracy is national judiciary. It is the prime duty of  Chief Justice of India to defend constitution by giving right interpretation of the constitutional provisions and laws to the govt and people thereby helping govt in establishing rule of law. Third pillar is executive military authority of the nation which is exercised by a civilian Supreme Commander of defense forces and military commanders under authority of command given to them under provisions of warrants or commission. Each Officer and JCO of the Indian military is therefore given authority of command by a parchment of commission after he/her takes oath of allegiance. Such parchment of commission are signed by an authorized military officer (not by PM or any minister or IAS) under a warrant signed by Supreme commander that is President. Constitution recognizes distinct status of these commissioned officers and therefore gives them the privilege of using their ranks as titles prefixing these before their names under constitution article 18.

With structure of these three pillars, our constitution ensures that a healthy and socialist democracy protects the freedom, respect and dignity of we the people. The military authority which is third pillar of democracy remains in silent but observant mode beyond public visibility during peace times wherein democratically elected government is given complete space to exercise their authority interpreted by second pillar of Judiciary. Though in national wars or disturbed areas military predominantly becomes active and visible but under emergency and special legal provisions of the constitution, it still remains under political directions of the elected civil govt. It is only when there are direct threats to civil political authorities and judiciary where in these institutions are unable to function due to any reasons or threat, Military Authorities under article 34 of the constitution are duty bound to take command of situation to restore civilian authority to protect democracy, dignity and freedom of we the people. During peace and war times it is duty of each military commissioned officer to remain politically observant and that is the reason in their oaths word “OBSERVE” finds the place.

No govt of the day shall defy constitution and its spirit to serve people. In relation to military authority and service condition of the soldiers, every govt is legally bound to respect constitutional provisions. On eve of national independence the question of how to compensate soldiers as per their constitutional roles, was faced by members of constituent assembly elected to draft constitution. J L Nehru then formed a committee to recommend compensation structure for soldiers of independent India. It was first time then the principle of parity only for compensation of soldiers was accepted. These principle of parity of soldiers only for compensation were in line with constitution being framed. Major salient point of these principles were:

1. Length of the service of the military officers and soldiers will be key detrimental factor to create parity of status and compensation with IAS and civil servants.

2. Life time earnings of soldiers will have an marginal edge over others civilian govt staff.

3. To ensure above 75% pension will be given to soldiers and 50% to military officers who retire young as against only 25 or 30% to the civilians. Though the same is subject to change but fundamentally such change shall not violate principles as given in points 1 and 2 above.

The above principles of parity for status and compensation of soldiers were fundamentally based on sound established professional HR practices which are even so relevant today.

It was Mrs Gandhi, who after gaining political victory over Pakistan based on a landslide military victory given by soldiers, started treating herself as goddess and developed dictatorial attributes and aspirations. A forthright professional military advice coming from true military leaders loyal to democracy like FM Sam Manekshaw, was taken as threat to her aspirations to become master of political power of India and become immortal. In 1973 accordingly, to serve her personal interests and dictatorial aspirations, she tweaked military promotion system and also delivered a blow to their status and compensation packages to make them weak and helpless. Idea was to cut military leaders below knees of politicians and civilian babus to eliminate any obstacle in their unconstitutional aspirations and corrupt deeds.  Allahabad HC judgement came as a shock to Mrs Gandhi and directly attacked her ulterior motives. She declared emergency. Her design to cut military leaders below knees paid off when none of them actually stood against unconstitutional declaration of emergency though three services chiefs politely refused to involve soldiers actively in enforcement of emergency. Later three services chiefs advised PM to lift emergency and call for elections. Mrs Gandhi then attacked independence of Judiciary and created a system of inserting loyalists as judges. Two pillars of democracy were attacked by Mrs Gandhi and  weakened. Nation has paid and still paying a heavy price for it. Justice system in the country has collapsed, professional military advice has no significance to political leadership leading them to commit more and more foreign policy and security blunders.

In any democracy due to sensitivity of moral of serving soldiers and risks of national security associated with it, military veterans take the lead as citizens soldiers to create a voice in favor of people. They help in creating public opinion which in return keeps politicians under check. In India unfortunately military veterans till 15 years back, have kept quite and lived an ignored and isolated lives. It is only now military veterans are creating visible voices using power of social media and connecting with people. It is a welcome and healthy sign for the democracy. Military Veterans have stakes of blood and life in democracy. Military veterans, as citizen soldiers shall therefore express independent issue based political voices with people without any bias to any political leader or political party. Military Veterans undertook OROP agitation for justice to soldiers to the streets. The agitation became visible and touched the nerves of people. BJP and Narendra Modi finding a political opportunity, created an hype of nationalism and promised to undo injustice done by Mrs Gandhi with soldiers.

7th Pay Commission was formed by UPA govt with its Chairman who had known disliking for military soldiers. Then army chief, Gen Bikarm Singh who is said to be related to then PM Manmohan Singh, as Chairman of Chiefs of staff committee, wrote a letter to Govt asking them not constitute a separate pay commission for military. He dumped the age old well justified demand of soldiers to have a separate pay commission. It was a betrayal of soldiers by their own chief. Driven by desire to further cut down soldiers and also hurt by soldiers agitation and views in social media, naturally 7th Pay Commission gave a very humiliating recommendations for the military soldiers. Taking lead from the word ‘Parity’ as given  in the terms of references of the govt letter which constituted 7th Pay Commission, the commission ignored the spirit of parity as established by Nehru Govt ( as explained above) and followed the line of ulterior motives of  Mrs Gandhi and further reduced the compensation package of soldiers.  OROP demand of soldiers has been extended to all others and their life time earning packages have been comparatively reduced further.

Soldiers had last hope from proclaimed nationalist govt of BJP and Narendra Modi. Three services chiefs wrote a letter to govt expressing discontentment. They also met PM to appraise him. retired military chiefs wrote a letter to PM which has not even been acknowledged by his office. Govt ignoring concerns of soldiers, went ahead and has notified humiliating and unjustified recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission with minor modifications in military pay matrix.

Conceptually why are govt notification on 7th Pay Commission for soldiers humiliating?

1. It doesn’t respect distinct constitutional identity, role and status of the soldiers. When the MP is paid like MP, A judge like judge, an IAS like IAS then why a soldier is not paid like soldier?

2. It doesn’t follow the concept of parity as established after much debate when the Indian Constitution was framed by the constituent assembly. The concept actually has been killed when in name of parity Life Time Earnings of military soldiers have been fixed lesser than a forest guard and constables of CAPF and Police and just above home guards.

3.  Compensation packages given doesn’t match with the job profile of the military soldiers. The users of Nukes and state of art technologies to fight modern hybrid wars which can wipe of nations, are paid lesser than managers of forests who cant even extinguish forest fires without help of soldiers.

4. Primary role of military is to operate in international environment. Wars are fought between/ among nations. Thus the status and compensation packages to soldiers shall follow international best practices and protocols. Though (surprisingly and shockingly) India has not notified civil military parity list as required under Geneva convention for wars but it doesn’t mean Indian govt will expose and humiliate their own soldiers in international environment and specially so in face of enemies. 7th Pay Commission has cited the US compensation packages. As per US Civil Military Parity notification under Geneva Convention a US Brigadier is clubbed with their highest pay grade of the civil servant. That means the highest pay grade of US civil servant is equal to HAG/ Apex Grade of IAS in India. That means a US Brigadier as per Geneva convention and US notification is equal in status of HAG/ APEX Grade of IAS officers of India? But than what is the status of Indian Brigadier? An IAS officer/ DM of 5 years of service boasts to be senior to a Brigadier? How will you maintain international protocols ensuring respect to your own Brigadier? Isn’t it humiliating for military to operate in their primary roles? Why has India not notified Civil Military Parity List as required under Geneva convention to which India is a signatory? Pak can not be held accountable for violating Geneva Convention in case of Capt Kalia as India has not notified such list?

5. JCOs of India military are commissioned and gazetted officers and they are paid non gazetted salaries?  Technically and legally a JCO can be nominated as members of the Court of Inquiry?As commanders, NCOs of Indian army carry the authority to order fire and arrest like sub inspectors of Police but they are paid like Head Constables who have no legal powers? Are not these compensation packages to JCOs and NCO humiliating?

6. A Captain and equivalent  and above of Indian Military can under Summary General Court Martial not only give death sentences but also confirm and execute same without reference to any court or president. In CI operations an Inspector of Police or CAPF behave much superior to him? Isn’t it humiliating?

Govt and babus may argue that they are well within their rights and authority to fix compensation packages of soldiers? Yes agreed but can they, while doing so, show total disregard to established HR principles accepted by govt while framing the constitution, constitutional status and job profile of the soldiers?   Worst can they do it without giving any reason or justification to flaunt unconstitutional authority and that is what is happening when Political leadership and Babus are giving no reasons and justifications and maintaining a mysterious, insulting and ignoring silence?

General VP Malik, Ex Army Chief was right to say on TV, that soldiers are being taken for granted. Their mature obedient silence keeping national security in mind is being misconstrued. Should a situation be allowed to explode by pushing soldiers beyond their thresholds of tolerance or patience? Very wrong signals are going from Govt to soldiers when PM  has all times to fly to Lahore to meet PM of Pakistan but has no ears to listen to his own military chiefs or time to meet military veterans in-spite of various requests?

Political Govt of BJP and Narendra Modi must act within established democratic norms under constitution and talk with reasons and justifications. Govt shall not be managed with whims and fancies of politicians and babus. Soldiers are most mature lots. They have been more loyal to democracy and constitution than politicians and babus who have bad records of corruption and one de-fecto coup of declaring emergency. Not trusting soldiers and ignoring them in a humiliating manners will surely add fuel to fire.

BJP in their manifesto did promise a Military Commission to manage all problems of soldiers, best way forward is:

1. Constitute Military Commission of two, jointly under an Ex Military Chief and a SC Judge with an IAS secretory to manage all problems of soldiers including their pay and packages and post service settlements.

2. Let Govt publish a Comparative Table of Life Time Earnings including pensions of all govt services and soldiers and then see how best can the established principle of parity at time of independence be put in effect and if the govt is not in the position to pay financial benefits then how best soldiers be compensated by other means ? The issue can then be managed by Military Commission.

Let us not play with national security. Fortunately soldiers are not asking moon and are talking reason. So why not talk reason and justification with them. Keeping discontentment simmering may prove to be highly disastrous. Soldiers are last resort of the nation and third pillar of the constitution. Let us not take any chance. Rising above egos, administer their status and compensation in just manner.

Let good sense prevail.

Was addressing the Lok Sabha. PTI

New Delhi, July 28

Rubbishing reports of Chinese incursion in Uttarakhand, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said it was just a transgression which was settled, adding that there was a well-defined mechanism to settle such transgressions.“The India-China border is not formally demarcated. There are areas where both sides have differing perceptions of LAC. Barhoti (Uttarakhand) is one such area. There was no incursion, just transgression which has been settled. There is a well-defined mechanism to settle such transgressions,” Parrikar said in the Lok Sabha.The Centre has downplayed the Chinese incursion, saying it was not a very serious issue and they will resolve it on ground level.“The briefing that we have received from DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), according to that some incident of incursion has been witnessed there. But that is not a very serious issue,” said Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju.Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Wednesday confirmed an incursion by the Chinese troops into Chamoli district.Rawat, however, made a somersault later in the day and said there is an increase in the number of Chinese troops along the Indian border, but ruled out any incursion into the Indian territory.Uttarakhand shares a 350-kilometre-long boundary with China and similar attempts at Chinese incursions have been reported in the past.The last reported Chinese incursion in the state was when the word ‘China’ was inscribed on rocks near Mana Pass in Chamoli district. ANI

Officers of the Punjab Regiment pay tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti during Vijay Diwas celebrations at Sriganganagar on Tuesday. A Tribune Photograph

Our Correspondent

Abohar, July 26

Eight Army soldiers, who had participated in the 1999 Kargil War and 24 veer naris (war widows) were honoured during Vijay Diwas function at Ramlila Ground in neighbouring Sriganganagar today.The function was organised jointly by the All-India Ex-servicemen Council, Sanskar Bharati and the MR Jindal Charitable Trust.Col Amit Kumar Sharma, Commanding Officer, 17 Punjab Regiment, was the first to lay a wreath on Amar Jawan Jyoti ceremonially.MR Jindal Charitable Trust chairman BD Aggarwal and his wife Bimla presented shawl and Rs 21,000 each to ex-servicemen Ashok Kumar, Mohammad Khan, Durga Ram, Prahlad Singh, Rohtash, Ram Niwas and Moman Singh.Ashok Kumar of Haryana was in the contingent which hoisted the Tricolor at Kargil after the Indian Army’s victory over the enemy.Sixteen youths who had got “C” certificate or “A” grade in National Cadets Corps (NCC) were awarded Rs 11,000 each on the occasion.

Kargil Diwas celebrated

Amritsar, July 26

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, a wreath-laying ceremony was organised today at Panther Inspiration Park. General Officer Commanding, Panther Division, along with Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks (OR) laid wreaths to pay homage to Kargil martyrs. Veterans from Amritsar also attended the function and laid wreaths to pay homage to the martyrs of Kargil.Similar functions were also organised at Dera Baba Nanak War Memorial and Batala War Memorial. — TNS

Tributes paid to martyrs on Kargil War anniversary

Lt Gen KJ Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, along with other Army officers and veterans, salutes martyrs on the 17th anniversary of Kargil War at Chandimandir on Tuesday. A Tribune photograph

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 26

The 17th anniversary of the Kargil War was observed at Headquarters Western Command, Chandimandir, today. It was on this day in 1999 that the last of the Pakistani infiltrators were evicted from the Indian territory.To pay homage to the martyrs, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Veer Smriti War Memorial in Chandimandir.Lt Gen KJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, paid floral tributes at the memorial. Serving officers and junior commissioned officers of some of the units that had participated in the conflict, also known as Operation Vijay, were also present.General VP Malik, who was the Army Chief during the conflict, led senior veterans in paying homage and also laid a wreath to commemorate the sacrifices of soldiers.The next of kin of martyrs of Operation Vijay and gallantry award winners also attended the function and were felicitated on the occasion.

Homage paid to Kargil War martyrs

Army officials salute the martyrs during the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at a war memorial in Patiala on Tuesday. Tribune photos: Rajesh Sachar

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 26

The nation is celebrating the 17th Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate the victory over Pakistan in the war that ended  on July 26, 1999. The Indian Army was successful in pushing back Pakistani forces from 16,000-18,000 ft of rough heights in Kargil and the adjoining areas.The week-long celebrations got over on July 26 and were marked by commemorative functions across the country.Kargil Vijay Diwas is a day of remembrance for, and tribute to, our armed forces and the martyrs whose determined efforts saved our country from the enemy on this day in 1999 during the ‘Operation Vijay’.In Patiala, the Army commemorated the victory in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph led by the General Officer Commanding of the Black Elephant Division and also paid homage to the Kargil war martyrs.Intrusion from Pakistani forces in the areas of Kargil and Dras was aimed at taking control of heights dominating the Srinagar-Leh road with the aim of blocking our supply lines and making the maintenance of our positions in Siachen even more difficult. Our soldiers regained the heights by climbing near the vertical rough peaks over totally exposed rocky terrain against forces firing and bombarding from well-prepared and entrenched positions.Stories of leadership and sacrifice brave soldiers were also documented to pay homage to them. A total of 527 Armymen from the country died and 1,367 got injured in the war.Four Param Vir Chakras, Nine Maha Vir Chakras and 50 Vir chakras, battle honours and unit citations will serve as evidences of guts, bravery and professionalism of our Navy, Air force and Armymen who are ever ready to serve and make sacrifices to protect our motherland.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

• Kargil Vijay Diwas is a day of remembrance for, and tribute to, our armed forces and the martyrs whose determined efforts saved our country from the enemy on this day in 1999 during the ‘Operation Vijay’.

FROM SCHOOLS

Kargil Vijay Diwas

Students perform a nukkad natak during an awareness programme on

Patiala: DAV Patiala witnessed patriotic fervour as 16th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) was celebrated with amalgamated feelings of proud and pain. The martyrs of Kargil were offered floral tributes amidst singing of song ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ and raising of slogans ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ leaving everyone teary-eyed. A special hawan was solemnised in the memory of the martyrs. A special screening of a documentary was arranged for 250 students of class VI followed by a quiz based on the same. The students participated enthusiastically in the quiz. Monika Gupta, NCC in-charge, made the students aware of the significance of the day and told them how the soldiers braving the chill at Kargil-Dras sector defeated Pakistani intruders and hoisted our National Flag. She said as many as 530 soldiers laid their lives in the operation. Principal SR Prabhakar said: “Kargil Victory Day was something really to celebrate in honour of those brave soldiers and their families, who sacrificed their lives or a life of their loved ones for India. We must thank those brave people who lost their lives for saving and protecting us and should be ready for any kind of sacrifice for our country”.

Q-biz Competition

Budha Dal Public School here organised a Q-biz competition for the students of classes XI and XII. The basic vision of Q-biz was to test the cognisance skills of the students. It aspires to engage all those students who believe in applied and holistic learning to identify all those mavericks, who consistently learn, innovate and improvise.

Tiger Week

‘Tiger Week’ was inaugurated at The Millennium School, Patiala, in view of the observation of ‘World Tiger Day’ on Monday. With the main aim of bringing awareness among the people about saving wild animals, especially the tiger, a nukkad natak was presented. Students and teachers of the school took part in a rally to highlight the importance of saving the animals from extinction. Sukhdarshan Singh, director, Markfed, gave the green signal and appreciated the endeavour of the school. Sally Andotra, principal of The Millennium School, Patiala, thanked the guests and conveyed her distress at the decreasing number of tigers and how it will affect our environment. She impressed upon all to contribute individually in doing so. She said the school would conduct various activities such as poster-making, debate etc, throughout the week. At the end, she highlighted that the school keeps observing such activities for the all-round development of students. — TNS

Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated in city

Vajra Corps pays tributes to the Kargil martyrs in Jalandhar on Tuesday. A Tribune Photograph

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 26

A special function was organised by the Kashyap Naujwan Dharmik Sabha where families of martyrs of the Kargil war and martyrs of other Army operations were honoured here today.Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav was the guest of honour at the function.Pawan Kumar, president of the Sabha, said they had been organising this function for the past 16 years to salute the great soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Over 20 families belonging to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh of martyrs of the Kargil war and other operations took part in the function in honour of the war heroes.Several speakers said such functions should also be organised at the government level also. They also said that many memorials of martyrs in the region were lying in a shambles and the district administration was not paying heed to their upkeep. On this, DC KK Yadav assured the gathering to hold a meeting with the organisers of this function and promised that enough would be done to keep the memorials in a good shape.Vajra Corps remembers its braveheartsOn the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the Kargil war, Lieutenant General JS Cheema, General Officer Commanding Vajra Corps, offered floral tributes to Kargil martyrs at a solemn ceremony at the Vajra War Memorial in Jalandhar Cantonment. This was followed by a pledge taken by all present at the ceremony to dedicate themselves to the cause of the nation. A large number of veterans also attended the event and paid tributes to the martyrs.Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated in honour of the Kargil War heroes for the success of Operation Vijay. On this day, July 26 1999, the Indian Army successfully took command of the high outposts which had been illegally occupied by the Pakistani intruders. 527 soldiers from the Indian Armed Forces laid down their lives for the cause of the motherland during the war. The event is celebrated with full military decorum and solemnity.

Remembering the heroes

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated in honour of the Kargil War heroes for the success of Operation Vijay. On this day, July 26 1999, the Indian Army successfully took command of the high outposts which had been illegally occupied by the Pakistani intruders. 527 soldiers from the Indian Armed Forces laid down their lives for the cause of the motherland during the war. The event is celebrated with full military decorum and solemnity.

42 martyrs and the flame is still bright!

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 26

Forty two personnel of Jalandhar district from the military and paramilitary forces have sacrificed their lives in four operations launched in various parts of the country since Independence.With 11 officers, one junior commissioned officer, eight from various paramilitary forces and remaining from other ranks of the Indian Army, a majority of these bravehearts sacrificed their lives in Operation Rakshak.While 27 personnel were killed in Operation Rakshak that commenced on November 15 in 1989 and is going on till date in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, three were killed in Operation Rhino that is going on in the entire state of Assam since September 15, 1991. Three more causalities were reported in the district in Operation Meghdoot that is going on in the Siachen area since April 1, 1984. While three more were killed in Operation Parakaram that ran in the entire country from December 14, 2001, to March 31 in 2004.While four Jawans were killed in various encounters with terrorists in J&K areas, one was killed in a counter insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir and another one was killed in an IED blast on a BSF bus in 2004.While the whole nation remembered its martyrs of the Kargil war, the families of these bravehearts, too, shed tears in solace to remember their sons who laid down their lives while safeguarding the nation.While remembering his son Major Kanwal Gulzar Singh of 5/9 GR who died during Operation Rakshak in 1999, his emotional mother Simar Kaur said he was known as ‘Yudhister’ (the eldest of Pandava brother) amongst his unit officers for his upright, caring and sombre nature.“He used to stand by the truth all the time. He always used to tell me that I should not get worried about him. Even though he called me a few hours before going out on the fateful operation on the night of July 4, he did not reveal anything,” said Kaur. She further added that he was very fond of reading and had a huge collection of books. The mother has preserved his books as her priced possession.Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, Sukhwinder Kaur, sister of martyr Sepoy Sodhi Ram, burst into tears and said that since the death of her brother Sodhi Ram during Operation Rakshak in 2004, she along with her younger sister, was staying with her old parents. “There is no one to take care of our parents. Our in-laws started beating us after his death for various reasons. I, along with my sister, left their houses and began staying with our parents only,” said Kaur. Sodhi Ram was killed in a terrorist action in 2004 in J&K.Sukhwinder further said that there should be a provision in the army also to provide jobs to the next of kin or a family member of other ranks as well.Sonu, son of martyr L/NK Tirath Ram of 53 Battalion of the BSF, said that though there were reports that his father was killed in a terrorist encounter in the Sambha sector, the family was informed that he lost balance and accidentally fell from a bunker.“Though we demanded a martyr’s status for our father from the BSF, they refused to do so and only recorded it as an accident,” said Sonu.

Students pay homage to Kargil War martyrs

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Students of Green Land School celebrate Kargil Vijay Diwas

Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, July 26

In today’s busy world when people have become too materialistic and have no time even for near and dear ones, there are brave soldiers on the borders who safeguard the country. Hundreds of soldiers have sacrificed their lives to ensure a secure environment for the countrymen.To remember and honour such soldiers, many schools in the city paid a floral tribute to the martyrs in commemoration of Kargil Vijay Diwas. To instill patriotism among the youth, the schools held various competitions and activities depicting patriotic feelings.

Shamrock School

A special assembly was conducted at Shamrock Christian Senior Secondary School, Hambran Road, wherein the students sang patriotic songs in remembrance of war heroes. A two-minute silence was marked as a respect to the departed souls. An inter-house speech competition was also held.

BVM, Kitchlu Nagar

A patriotic song competition was held at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar, in commemoration of the day. The staff and students paid homage to the brave soldiers. The students pledged to serve the nation in their best capacity. A documentary on Kargil War was also shown.

BVM, Udham Singh Nagar

A special assembly was held, wherein Sheetal Sharma, a school teacher, gave a speech in praise of Kargil soldiers. A patriotic song was presented by Raghu Gulati of Class XII. A documentary film was shown to the students.

Green Land School

NCC cadets of Green Land Senior Secondary Public School paid homage to the martyrs of Kargil War. An inter-house declamation contest was also organised.

The Unirise World School

Jagraon: A special assembly was organised on the campus of The Unirise World School and a cultural programme was held, wherein students of classes III and VI presented patriotic poems. Assembly in-Students put up badges depicting the National Flag on their shirts.

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July23

Two Army jawans were killed while one was injured and another missing when the Army truck they were returning from Ghastoli fell into a deep gorge near Mana village near the China border in Chamoli district today. The accident took place after the driver of the truck lost control over it and it fell in a deep gorge.The services of a helicopter was called for but was not available due to an inclement weather. However, a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) team working tirelessly was able to open the road near Badrinath so that injured could be brought to a hospital in Joshimath.Meanwhile, a search was on for the missing jawan. Chamoli SP Priti Priyadarshini said the truck was returning from Ghastoli towards Mana village in Chamoli district when it met with the accident.She said the Chamoli District Magistrate had directed use of a helicopter to rescue the injured and rush him to hospital but the helicopter did not reach there due to the inclement weather.Meanwhile, the BRO team is working to open the road at Lambagad and only after that the injured would be taken to hospital, said the SP.Two killed in road accidentDehradun: Two persons were killed while three seriously injured when the utility vehicle they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge here yesterday. The injured were admitted to a hospital.The accident occurred when the driver of the utility vehicle was trying to avoid boulders, rolling down from a mountain top on the Kalsi-Chakrata road. Villagers called the police and with the help of villagers, they rescued and admitted them to the hospital.The deceased have been identified as Bagiram and Tara Dutt. The injured passengers have been identified as Surat Ram, Rameshwar Dimri and driver of the utility vehicle Ravi Kumar. The bodies have been sent for autopsy.