Manmohan Singh

New Delhi, November 11

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu has nominated former Prime Minister and senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh to the parliamentary standing committee on finance in place of party colleague Digvijaya Singh.

Digvijaya Singh has now been nominated to the parliamentary standing committee on urban development by the Chairman of the Upper House, according to a Rajya Sabha bulletin.

“The Rajya Sabha chairman has nominated Manmohan Singh to be a member of the committee on finance in place of Digvijaya Singh. The chairman has also nominated Digvijaya Singh to be a member of the committee on urban development,” the bulletin reads.

According to sources, Digvijay Singh resigned from the parliamentary standing committee on finance to make way for the former PM.

Manmohan Singh, who was the country’s Finance Minister between 1991 and 1996, was a member of the panel from September 2014 to May 2019 before his tenure in the Upper House ended in June this year. In August, he was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

In the previous tenure, the panel took up various contentious issues such as demonetisation and GST for deliberations, during which Manmohan Singh played very active role. — PTI

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Dera Baba Nanak, November 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Kartarpur corridor, flagging off the first batch of over 500 Indian pilgrims here, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in this Punjab district.

Modi flagged off the first batch of pilgrims led by Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the corridor, which was thrown open days ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev on November 12.

The prime minister inaugurated the passenger terminal building of the corridor on the Indian side, also known as the Integrated Check Post, where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the newly-built 4.5 km-long corridor.

India had signed an agreement with the neighbouring nation on October 24 on the modalities for operationalisation of the corridor at ‘Zero Point’ of the international boundary at Dera Baba Nanak.

The first batch of pilgrims included Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Navjot Singh Sidhu.

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Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee members and all the 117 MLAs and MPs from Punjab were also part of the ‘jatha’ (delegation).

Before dedicating the corridor to the nation, Modi partook langar (community kitchen) along with Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore, Amarinder Singh and state Congress president Sunil Jakhar.

Donning a saffron coloured turban (head gear), Modi watched a video on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. The prime minister was also shown a model of the Kartarpur corridor.

At the time of flagging off the jatha, Modi met Manmohan Singh, who was accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, and had a brief chat with him.

The state-of-the-art passenger terminal building, with a design inspired by ‘Khanda’- a symbol of faith in Sikh community, has been constructed on 15 acres of land.

The fully air-conditioned building, akin to an airport, has over 50 immigration counters for facilitating about 5,000 pilgrims a day.

It has all necessary public amenities such as kiosks, washrooms, child care and first-aid facilities, prayer rooms and snacks counters.

The project was executed by the central government agency Land Ports Authority of India.

On November 22 last year, the Union Cabinet had passed a resolution to celebrate the historic occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in a “grand and befitting manner” throughout the country and across the globe.

The Cabinet had also approved the building and development of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the international boundary to facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib round the year in a smooth and easy manner. PTI

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6

A former disabled Lieutenant Colonel has sent a legal notice for defamation to a Lieutenant General, who retired on October 31, over views expressed by the latter on disabled soldiers and other military veterans demanding Rs 1 crore compensation for damages to reputation caused thereof.

In his notice sent through his lawyer, Lt Col Nijar Bakshi of Noida averred that in an interview given to a private news channel, Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar, who was the Adjutant General at Army Headquarters before hanging up his boots, spoke in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner” about various service subjects that were outside his purview and expressed views that were against the statements of the Defence Minister, statutory provisions and judgments of the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

The Adjutant General (AG), one of the principal staff officers to the Chief of Army Staff, is responsible for conditions of service, welfare, manpower, discipline, morale, legal affairs and fiscal matters.

Pointing out that the Lt General, on the eve of his retirement, spoke “disparagingly” about military pensioners and persons with disabilities conveying as if many such pensioners did not deserve disability benefits, the notice contends that his statements had breached the bar by contravening and challenging the authority of the Defence Minister as some of the issues were sub-judice or already being looked into by the Defence Minister.

‘Insult to veterans’

This has not only put disabled veterans to ridicule, but has also shamed the Government of India, which gives disability pension on its own as per its rules and has also been contemptuous of court orders. — Lt Col Nijar Bakshi 

Disability pension row may take a legal turn

new delhi : An army veteran has threatened to sue recently retired Adjutant General Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar for the latter’s comments on disability pension received by retired soldiers.

Lieutenant Colonel Niraj Bakshi (retd), who has threatened to sue General Kumar for a sum of ₹1 crore, has claimed the comments of the former Adjutant General has caused “irreparable damage” to his reputation as a disabled soldier, a disability pensioner and an upright military veteran and model citizen.

Bakshi has sought an“unconditional apology” from Kumar for speaking in an “irresponsible and abandoned manner”.

On the day Kumar retired, he spoke to media on disability pension paid to veterans and the proposed Code of Conduct for veterans to prevent misuse which he claimed was high.

Kumar did not respond to requests for comment.

The Silver Spitfire at Sonegaon Air Force Station near Nagpur.

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 5

Over 74 years after a squadron of the Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF), named after Bombay, came to India, a vintage aircraft that had served with the outfit during the Second World War has arrived in India as part of a 43,000-km circumnavigation expedition, bringing alive a historic link between the Indian Air Force and the RAF.

It has also revived nostalgia among aviators of what was perhaps the most iconic fighter of that era.

The aircraft, a Supermarine Spitfire fighter that was widely used during and after the war, touched down at Jodhpur airbase today after having traversed through Kolkata and Nagpur, where the flying machine and its crew are being hosted by the IAF.

Christened the ‘Silver Spitfire’ due to its gleaming all aluminum-toned airframe, this particular aircraft bearing the number MJ271 had entered RAF service in 1943. Though it served with various RAF units, it had, for a brief period, formed part of RAF’s No. 132 ‘Bombay’ Squadron that had come to the city in January 1945 and then moved on to Celyon (now Sri Lanka).

During its military service, the aircraft had flown a total of 51 combat missions. After having donned service colours, including that of the Netherlands, for over 70 years before being “de-militarised” and having its guns removed, it was restored to its present configuration with the call-sign G-IRTY. Touted as the longest flight expedition, launched in the 75th year of the D-Day landings at Normandy during WW-II, the spitfire, flown by Steve Brook and Matt Jones, will fly to 29 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America in its attempt to bring together nations in which the aircraft had flown.

It is after about 30 years that a Spitfire has taken to the skies in India. The erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force and thereafter the IAF operated this aircraft from 1943 to 1959 in the fighter and reconnaissance roles with 15 squadrons. The Spitfire also saw action during the defence of the Kashmir Valley in 1947.

The last flight of the Spitfire in India was at the Air Force Day parade in 1989 by an aircraft from the IAF’s Vintage Flight based at Palam Air Force Station in Delhi, which maintains several old aircraft in flying condition. Bearing tail number NH-631, this aircraft is presently on display at the IAF Museum there and the Air Force is looking at restoring it to make it airworthy for flying displays. Its sister aircraft that was among a lot sold as scrap by the Indian government is now flying in private hands in the US.

In February 2003, a near-intact Spitfire that had crashed in May 1947 was recovered from a river bed near the Ambala airbase during digging work. The airframe was reconstructed and it has been on static display at the base.

The Army remains steadfast that it will not tolerate homosex ..or adultery in its ranks despite Supreme Court judgements de ..

BEFOre invoking the avuncular responsibilities of the neighbouring CMs, Capt Amarinder Singh and ML Khattar, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal must check his own house for air quality and ensure that it is good enough to inhale for the children of his state. Distributing lakhs of masks among schoolchildren serves no purpose other than offering a cheap political gimmick. It is the duty and obligation of ‘uncle Kejriwal’ to tackle the problem of air pollution. For that, he must focus on addressing the main culprits that are present in abundance throughout the year in Delhi: construction dust and vehicle emissions. Kejriwal’s convenient shifting of the blame wholly on to the farm fires of Punjab and Haryana for the aggravated toxic fumes that the hapless Delhiites have been enduring since Diwali exposes the hollowness of his government’s intent and ability to combat extreme air pollution.

It’s true stubble fires in Punjab have become a health hazard for the state and Chandigarh and it’s also that the Westerlies blowing towards the Capital carry noxious fumes of stubble-burning in the post-harvest season. Add the Diwali fireworks and the smoky concoction wreaks misery on the residents as micro-particles fester in their lungs and bloodstream. According priority to health, the Delhi Government would do well to focus on regulating the never-ending construction business and banning coal-based units, as also strictly adopting eco-friendly transport modes.

Taking note of the debilitating gas chamber that the NCR has become, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has declared a public health emergency in the region and banned crackers and construction at night for some time. Though this temporary directive will help tide over the immediate crisis, a permanent and sustainable solution is the key for clean air. While comprehensive environmental laws are in place, their enforcement is hindered by lack of political will. Is ‘uncle Kejriwal’ listening? Of course, the ‘nieces and nephews’ too need to chip in for ensuring a clear horizon. If Beijing can do it, so should Delhi.

The opening of the Kartarpur corridor connecting devotees to their cherished shrine marks a new beginning. Another man-made border has fallen, albeit only for a narrow passage and specific purpose, on the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan inaugurated their end of the facilities. The former saw off the first batch of devotees that included former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, ministers and others. The latter received them. The twain, expectedly, did not meet, but worked in coordination.

The tremendous enthusiasm among the devotees has left great goodwill, which could well be used as political capital to bridge the vast chasm that exists between India and Pakistan. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Imran Khan both spoke on the occasion. The momentum of the occasion, coming as it does on the eve of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, was not enough to set aside differences and discord for the moment, even as Imran Khan raked up the Kashmir issue. In focus was the vast infrastructure built at break-neck speed to facilitate the pilgrimage, and the spirit of the people who were getting a chance to visit the land of their prayers.

The road to the Kartarpur corridor has gone through many twists and turns. It has somehow survived the vicissitudes of Indo-Pak relations. However, the danger of the hijacking of what has become a bridge between two peoples will remain. The security agencies have flagged a number of concerns, and due attention has to be paid to them. The piety of the devotees should be allowed to be a balm that heals the rifts, not be exploited, or allowed to be exploited. Due care will have to be taken by the security agencies, and any attempt to subvert the spirit of Kartarpur would have to be nipped in the bud. The 4-km journey to Kartarpur has taken 72 years to traverse. In consonance with the teachings of Guru Nanak, let it showcase the triumph of hope and goodwill between fellow beings.

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Tribune News Service
Gurdaspur, November 9

On Kartarpur stage, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday warmed Pakistan asking the neighbouring country to stop interfering in Kashmir and Punjab.

He said: “We will retaliate. We are not wearing bangles.”

Capt had on Wednesday also stuck to his stand that India needed to be cautious of the hidden agenda of the Pakistan Army.

Referring to the official song released by the Pakistan government, welcoming Sikh pilgrims, which have posters of Sikh separatist leaders like Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale and Amrik Singh Khalsa, besides Maj Gen Shabeg Singh, in the background, the Chief Minister said: “On one hand Pakistan shows love and on the other they do this. This is very inappropriate.”

A video song, which was on Wednesday released by Pakistan government prior to the opening of the Kartarpur corridor, has run into a controversy as it showed Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale amongst other leaders.

The video song had been released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on November 4.

As the video of ex- Adjutant General, Lt Gen Ashwani Kumar’s recent interview to a private news channel was being repeatedly shared on social media, a disgruntled viewer commented if it is the worst time to be a soldier or rather a veteran. AG’s statements have not gone down too well within the fraternity. The last couple of years have been tough for the soldiers of the Indian Army, serving and retired both, for the reasons we all are well aware of. The AHQ seems highly insecure and has ended being up and against its very own soldiers. Why?

Nothing justifies treacherously targeting their brother officers and taking away their hard-earned honour. With seemingly strong leadership, we expected the Indian Army to further strengthen the force to reckon with! An army that believed in itself and its soldiers.

An army where every family felt secure and well cared for! An army where the trust in the organization ran several notches higher than the God himself! But what we get to see is a deeply resentful army. Peeved at the way some decisions have been taken, restrictions issued, without taking into consideration that it would impact the morale of the soldier on the ground; many soldiers have taken to social media to express their disappointments. From demonizing the disabled soldiers to intemperate statements in media to the down gradation of our soldiers who defended the sovereignty of the nation to unfounded allegations to having a code of conduct for our veterans, demeaning our men in Olive greens seems to be the flavor of the season.

In the name of restructuring the army, the soldiers are being hit where it hurts the most. A deep divide is being made between the serving and the retired, the top brass and the junior ranks. Indian army is no longer one big happy family, it used to be. And that is where the biggest damage lies. In times when the country is facing threats from in and outside, shouldn’t it be our priority to be well prepared and comprehensively improve the morale of our soldiers to ensure they come back as winners whenever; whatever the situation is! For this, greater involvement of veterans will come handy. Imagine a group of highly skilled workforce deeply rooted in the military ethos, mutual respect and their commitment towards the organization which goes beyond any financial gain. Shunning them will certainly not help.

No, it is not the worst time to be a soldier. It cannot be. We should not let views of a select few deter us. We cannot. And I will quote the famous Urdu poet Rahat Indori Sahab, here- 

“Jo aaj saahibe masnad hain kal nahin honge

Kiraaydaar hain zaati makaan thodi hai”

We should aim to become a major global military power. Enhancing Defence capabilities should be our focus area.

Soldiers are trained to be a part of something greater than themselves and for them, nothing is greater than their country. The onus lies on the top brass of our coveted organization to stop sending such adverse messages and treat the entire fraternity as a family.

Concerns regarding the honour and dignity of soldiers can certainly not be resolved until the officers in the higher ranks of the Indian Army remain indifferent and apathetic. Together we can and we will become the best military power in the world. Othering each other will only strengthen the enemies of the organization, address the soldiers, address the issue, don’t let it simmer. Let the country before self, be our cementing factor.

Best is yet to be.

Jai Hind.

Image only for representational purposes

Srinagar, November 19

Four associates of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who were responsible for carrying out a blast in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, have been arrested, police said on Tuesday.

While investigating the terror attack that took place in the Arihal area of Pulwama in July, police learnt about the involvement of a person, Sharik Ahmad, who had been constantly communicating with a foreign militant and making plans to carry out attacks in the area, a police spokesman said.

“Accordingly, Ahmad with the help of three other JeM associates, identified as Aqib Ahmad, Adil Ahmad Mir and Owais Ahmad, conspired and executed the terror attack in Airhal area,” he said.

On Monday, the module was busted with the arrest of the all four persons, the spokesman said.

He said the investigation into the case revealed that all the four persons are linked to JeM and played their active part in conspiring and executing the terror attack in Arihal area.

Incriminating material was recovered from their possession and it has been taken into records for the purpose of investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes, the spokesman said, adding further investigation in the case is in progress. —PTI