Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, March 8

There was an incident of alleged firing at the Singhu border on Sunday night.

Four men came in a car and fled after firing three rounds on farmers. There was no casualty.

Those who fired drove a white-coloured Audi with a Chandigarh number.

The incident took place near the TDI mall when langar was being served.

Police suspect the men to be from Punjab.

Farm Laws: Half-baked policies can be counterproductive

The farmers complained to the Kundli police.

Sonepat SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said a case was registered against unidentified men and they were investigating the matter.

Hisar farmer ends life at Tikri

Photo for representation only. – File photo

London, March 7

The design for a sculpture of an early 20th century Sikh fighter pilot, cricketer and golfer from Oxford University has been approved for a new memorial to be erected at Southampton (England) in memory of the Indians who fought in the world wars.

‘Flying Sikh’

• Hardit Singh Malik was the world’s first Royal Flying Corps (now the Royal Air Force) Sikh fighter pilot
• As the first Indian and turbaned pilot with a specialised helmet,he became famous as ‘Flying Sikh’

Hardit Singh Malik first arrived in the UK in 1908 as a 14-year-old to Balliol College at the University of Oxford and went on to become a member of the Royal Flying Corps during the World War-I. As the first Indian and turbaned pilot with a specialised helmet, he became famous as ‘Flying Sikh’.

“As such, the statue of Hardit Singh Malik, the world’s first Royal Flying Corps (now the Royal Air Force) Sikh, turbaned fighter pilot, will be emblematic for the broader Sikh contribution in the British armed forces of World War I and II,” notes the One Community Hampshire & Dorset (OCHD) organisation behind the campaign for the memorial that was approved by the Southampton City Council last year.

Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman, British Sikh Association

Exceptional design

I am overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of the exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of the great RAF fighter pilot.

Malik also played cricket for Sussex and was also the Indian Ambassador to France after a long and distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service. But he is best known as a fighter pilot during 1917-19.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of the exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of this great RAF fighter pilot, Hardit Singh Malik, so well. It gives me great happiness to learn that the design is approved by the community,” said Lord Rami Ranger, Chairman of the British Sikh Association and Chief Patron of OCHD.

The memorial will be created by English sculptor Luke Perry. — PTI

‘Despite constraints, INS Vikrant and its aircraft played key part. It was my privilege to command White Tigers’

Rear Admiral Santosh

Kumar Gupta, MVC

I was fortunate to be a part of 300 Squadron (comprising the Sea Hawk fighters) during the 1971 war, having been in command since January 1970 as a Lieutenant Commander. Initially, it seemed that the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with her air squadrons would not see any action as both the ship and the aircraft were in a poor state of repair. Vikrant was non-operational with one of the four boilers requiring replacement, limiting the speed of the ship to 14 knots against the designed 24.5 knots.

Consequently, with no possibility of embarked flying, the frontline Sea Hawk squadron was allowed to run down. With no carrier to operate from, the squadron languished with scarcely any aircraft available for flying and with over 20 fresh pilots. In this situation, the squadron was ordered to move at the end of July 1971 to Madras with six aircraft for exercising with Vikrant, which had been sailed to the east coast to escape any attack in case of hostilities.

There was, however, an inevitable and genuine feeling of bonding with the mother-ship on board, with an accompanying sense of belonging. Motivation in the squadron was great all-round. Soon we broke all laid-down procedures and after a few rollers on the deck, we engaged the wire. Pilots were dropping their hook on ‘mother’ and honed their deck-landing skills.

It was conveyed to us that despite limitations in operating, Vikrant would form the nucleus of the Eastern Fleet in a potential war. Aircraft spares began arriving and with them the aircraft. The ships’movement was kept secret as it was appreciated that the adversary (submarine ‘Ghazi’) would be on the hunt for a juicy target. By mid-October, there were 18 Sea Hawks on board and intense training began.

Exercises included air-to-air interceptions, releasing of weapons on the splash target streamed by the carrier, pre-planned strike sorties against shore targets and recovery of aircraft from Carrier Controlled Approaches (CCA). Arrested landings and catapult launches in marginal conditions became the norm, with one inflexible rule: no landing on the deck with live ammunition.

Vikrant sailed on the midnight of December 3 when hostilities were declared, with Pakistan having attacked some Indian airfields in the north-west. The Sea Hawks provided the strike force by day, whilst the Alize could be used for reconnaissance duties day and night. Aerial bombing by the Alize on radar was also possible with limited success. It was intended to attack Cox Bazaar from 100 miles at first light. There was a three-hour delay as the escorting ships raised an alarm with a positive submarine contact on sonar.

At about 1000 hours, 14 armed Sea Hawks were ranged on the flight deck with four earmarked for air patrol against any possibility of in-coming enemy fighter, and 10 Sea Hawks were armed with 28 rockets (R/P), and four 20 mm cannon guns. Of these 10, eight Sea Hawks formed the strike force for Cox Bazaar. Transit was to be always at very low level skimming the sea to avoid detection. Complete R/T silence was observed. After the attack, the formation would proceed to the rendezvous point, whilst re-forming for the return flight to land on ‘mother’.

Six Sea Hawks were launched at 3 pm the same day at 90 miles with similar armament configuration. Two gun boats and river crafts were sunk. A third strike of 4 SHK successfully bombed Chittagong harbour, where a warehouse and three merchant ships adjacent were berthed alongside. These were set on fire by direct hits with eight 500-pound bombs — with the thick black smoke rising a few hundred feet becoming a landmark for Chittagong seen from 60 miles for three days!

The next day, attention shifted to attacking the river ports of Khulna, Changla and Mongla. The following day, despite marginal conditions, four Hawks armed with two 500-pound bombs attacked a large building in Chittagong city close to a civil hospital. It had been reported that it housed several Pakistani military personnel attending a meeting. Six bombs landed while one remained unexploded. Extensive damage was caused to the three-storey building. The adjacent hospital was left unscathed.

One challenging incident merits recall 50 years later. Whilst on a steep dive bombing attack (with two 500-pound bombs strapped) on Chittagong airfield installation, my aircraft was hit by ground fire, causing hydraulic failure at a speed of 420 knots. The flying controls of the Sea Hawk at this speed became heavy, making it difficult to maneuver the aircraft. The formation exited the scene after releasing their bombs on the target and then reducing the speed to 250 knots to transit back to the ‘mother-ship’, and I was the pilot with one unreleased 500-pound bomb.

It was a tense situation. The standard drill in peacetime in such an exigency is to land ashore as it can be dangerous for both the aircraft and more importantly, the ship to recover such an aircraft. Landing on board with an armed live 500-pound bomb could result in an explosion caused by the bomb’s inadvertent release on the deck with the jolt experienced on the arrested landing.

To his credit, Captain Swaraj Parkash (CO of Vikrant) took a calculated risk to permit the recovery with an armed bomb, rather than have me eject from the aircraft over the sea. I was the last to land after burning fuel to reduce the aircraft weight given the mild wind conditions. Those were long moments for me in the cockpit, but the gamble paid off. In violation of all rules, I hit the deck safely.

In all, about 300 strike sorties were flown by aircraft from Vikrant in 10 days. Eight Sea Hawks and a similar number of Alize were hit by ground fire. In retrospect, despite the many constraints, INS Vikrant and its aircraft played a crucial role in the liberation of Bangladesh. It was my privilege to command the White Tigers during this war.

About Maha Vir Chakra and recipients

Established: A draft royal warrant was prepared in October 1948 for the institution of Maha Vir Chakra in the name of the British sovereign as, during the dominion period, such a step would have been necessary to give the award status within the Commonwealth. On further consideration, this course was abandoned and the medal was created and instituted by the President of India on January 26, 1950, with the award effective from August 15, 1947.

Eligible: Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Indian military, paramilitary and members of the nursing services of the Armed Forces.

Awarded: For conspicuous act of bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air. The decoration may also be awarded posthumously.

The award of the decoration carries with it the right to use MVC as a post-nominal abbreviation of Maha Vir Chakra. Provision has also been made for the award of a Bar for second (or subsequent award) of the Maha Vir Chakra.

First recipient (in independent india): Brigadier Rajinder Singh of the Jammu & Kashmir State Forces.

Youngest recipient: Jemadar (later Colonel) Chewang Rinchen of Nubra Guards. He earned the MVC when he was just 17 years and 10 months old. He dared again and won the MVC the second time during the war with Pakistan in 1971.

Among 223 Maha Vir Chakra awardees till date, 76 bravehearts earned the coveted decoration during the war with Pakistan in 1971 on ground, at sea or in the air.

Haryana women block the KMP expressway in Jhajjar district.

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 6

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana displayed a show of unity and bonhomie during the massive blockade at the KMP Expressway near Mandothi village in the district today. They worked in tandem in managing traffic and serving langar, while blocking both sides of the highway peacefully.

• Also read: Approach MLAs on no-trust motion: Samyukt Kisan Morcha
• Farmers raise concrete huts at Tikri border
• Kiran Choudhry’s resolution on farm laws rejected

Virender Hooda, farmer leader

Bonhomie & unity

Brotherhood between Punjab and Haryana farmers is the backbone of this stir. Punjab is discharging the duty of an elder brother, while Haryana is executing its directions properly.

They requested the drivers and cleaners of commercial vehicles stuck in the blockade to join the protesters on the expressway. Moved, many drivers parked their vehicles on the roadside and joined the protest in solidarity with the farmers.

It was the third such protest by the farmers in the past one month after “chakka jam” on February 6 and ‘rail roko’ on February 18 to mount pressure on the Central Government to get the three farm laws

Sudesh Goyat, activis

Women power

The presence of women is a proof that the protest is going strong. We have been supporting the stir from the beginning and will not return home until the laws are repealed.

The two protests in February were led by Haryana farmers, but today’s protest was led by farmers of both states. “Brotherhood between Punjab and Haryana farmers is the backbone of this agitation. Punjab is discharging the duty of an elder brother by leading the agitation, while Haryana is executing the elder brother’s directions and making all necessary arrangements,” said farmer leader Virender Hooda.

Among the protesters were women from Punjab and Haryana in large numbers. Those from Haryana wore black attires and carried black flags, while Punjab women donned yellow “dupattas”. They raised the slogan of “Kisan Ekta Zindabad”.

Sudesh Goyat, a woman activist from Hisar, said: “The presence of women from Punjab and Haryana is a proof that the protest is going strong. We have been supporting the agitation from the beginning and will not return home until the three farm laws are repealed. There is no let-up. We all are determined”.

Addressing Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat, PM Modi highlighted the need to develop the military into a ‘future force’ taking note of rapidly changing technological landscape.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat’s Kevadia on 6 March 2021 | PIBText Size: A- A+

New Delhi: Asking the armed forces to shed the legacy system and practices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday called for enhancing indigenisation in the national security system, not just in sourcing equipment and weapons but also in the doctrines, procedures and customs practised in the three services. 

Addressing the top commanders of the three services at the Combined Commanders Conference in Gujarat’s Kevadia, Modi also called for a holistic approach, focused on breaking down of civil-military silos and on expediting the speed of decision-making.

Taking note of the rapidly changing technological landscape, the PM highlighted the need to develop the Indian military into a “future force”, a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

The PM also advised the services to rid themselves of legacy systems and practices that have outlived their utility and relevance, it added.

The statement also said PM Modi particularly appreciated the inclusion of Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers in this year’onfernce.

Also read: PM Modi hands over indigenous Arjun tank to Army in Tamil Nadu

Indigenisation of military customs

It was not immediately clear what old practices and customs the PM spoke against as the forces draw their traditions from the British era.

Indigenisation of British practices has been a focus area over the past few years, especially since the Modi government came to power in 2014.

Military personnel now increasingly greet each other with ‘Jai Hind’ rather than with ‘Good Morning’, ‘Good Afternoon’ or ‘Good Evening’, an officer in one of the three services said.

Moreover, the marching tunes of the military has now become more or less based on Indian tradition, the officer added. 

There has also been an increasing demand among various quarters to do away with the Sahayak system in the armed forces, especially the Army.https://e913a1d655bbf0c6e1497ad3457bd771.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

The British officers used to get allotted at least one jawan to take care of their clothes, shoes and other items. It slowly took the turn of able-bodied jawans at peace stations getting posted for household chores.

The formal uniform of the armed forces are also drawn from the British era with brass belts and insignias, another officer said.

Modi appreciates armed forces

Meanwhile, speaking to the highest civilian and military leadership of the national defence system, the PM conveyed his strong appreciation for the resolute dedication shown by the armed forces over the past years, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenging situation on the northern border.

He emphasised the need to optimise manpower planning in both military and civilian parts of the national security architecture.

The prime minister pointed out that the country would be celebrating 75 years of its independence next year, and called upon the armed forces to use the occasion to undertake activities and initiatives that would inspire the youth of the country, the PMO statement said. 

Also read: Modi dares China, tells Indian Army ‘our enemies have seen your fire and fury’

For representation. Photo credit: iStock

Beijing, March 7

China and India should stop “undercutting” each other, shed mutual “suspicion” and create “enabling conditions” by expanding bilateral cooperation to resolve the border issue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Calling the boundary dispute as not the “whole story” of the China-India relationship, Wang said that both countries were friends and partners but they should shed their suspicion of each other.

Answering a question at his annual press conference on the current state of India-China relations following the tense standoff in eastern Ladakh since May last year and how Beijing viewed the relationship going forward, he said it is important that both countries manage their disputes properly and expand bilateral cooperation.

“The boundary dispute, an issue left from history, is not the whole story of the China-India relationship.  It is important that the two sides manage disputes properly and at the same time expand and enhance cooperation to create enabling conditions for the settlement of the issue,” Wang said at the virtual press conference held on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People’s Congress, China’s Parliament.

In his lengthy answer, Wang, who is also a State Councillor, did not touch upon the recent disengagement of troops from the most contentious north and south banks of the Pangong Lake area in eastern Ladakh after the 10th round of military-level talks between the two sides.

Wang’s comments on the border issue came days after he held a 75-minute telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during which the latter emphasised that the disengagement of troops at all friction points is necessary to bring peace and tranquillity on the border and for the development of bilateral relations.

Also on Friday, India’s Ambassador to China Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui and called for completing the disengagement of troops from all areas in eastern Ladakh, saying that it would help restore peace and tranquillity at the border and provide conditions for progress in bilateral ties.

In his remarks, Wang pointed out that the world expects both China and India to safeguard the common interests of the developing countries and advance multipolarity in the world.

“On many important issues, our positions are the same or close due to similar national realties, therefore China and India are each other’s friends and partners, not threats or rivals,” the foreign minister said.

“The two sides need to help each other to succeed instead of undercutting each other. We should intensify cooperation instead of harbouring suspicion at each other,” he said.

Without directly referring to the eastern Ladakh standoff, Wang said, “the right and wrongs at what happened at the border area last year are clear, so are the stakes

 “We are committed to settling the boundary dispute through dialogue and consultation. At the same time we are resolved to safeguard our sovereign rights”, he said, reiterating China’s stance on the border standoff.

Wang said it falls on both sides to solidify the existing consensus, strengthen dialogue and communication and improve the various management mechanisms to jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

On how China looks to move forward its relations with India after the border standoff, Wang said, “In the year ahead we hope India will work with China to truly deliver on the important common understanding reached by our leaders that the two countries are not threats to each other but opportunities for each other’s development”.          

“Together we can bring greater benefits to the 2.7 billion people in China and India, make greater contributions to the advent of the Asian Century” he said.

He said the China-India relationship is essentially about how the world’s two largest countries get along and pursue development and rejuvenation together.

“As two ancient civilisations, next door to each other and as two major emerging economies with each over one billion people, we have broad common interests and tremendous potential for cooperation”, he said.

At home, both countries face the “historic mission” of bettering lives, accelerating growth, Wang added.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

Subsequently, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in fierce hand-to-hand combat on June 15 in Galwan Valley, an incident that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in over four decades. Eight months after the confrontation, China admitted that its four soldiers were killed in the fight. — P

Tribune News Service
Jhajjar, March 7

A 48-year-old farmer died by suicide as he hung himself from a tree at the Tikri-Bahadurgarh border on Sunday. He left a note blaming the three contentious farm laws for the extreme step.

The deceased, who was actively participating in the farmers’ agitation, has been identified as Rajbir from Hisar district.

A suicide note recovered from the spot said the three farm laws were responsible for him taking the extreme step.https://81106ecaeb53f4cc369906d20d23c9db.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

The incident came to light when fellow farmers spotted his body hanging from the tree near the Kasar village turn and informed the police.

In a suicide note, Rajbir called upon the farmers to go back home only after the three farm laws are repealed and the minimum support price (MSP) is guaranteed. He also demanded the Union Government fulfil his last wish and repeal the laws.

“The government demands sacrifice hence I sacrifice on behalf of farmers,” stated the suicide note.

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) Haryana has expressed a deep sense of grief on the tragic incident.

“The note left behind by the deceased shows the extent of anguish among the protesting farmers as a result of utter insensitivity of the Modi government,” said Inderjeet Singh, a leader of the SKM.

He claimed these sacrifices shall not go to waste and the people would “severely punish the BJP and JJP”.

Last month, a farmer from Jind in Haryana who was also supporting the agitation against the Centre’s farm laws had allegedly hanged himself from a tree, merely two kilometres from the Tikri border protest site.

Earlier, another farmer from Haryana had allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at the Tikri border. He had died during treatment at a Delhi hospital later.

In December last, a lawyer from Punjab had allegedly killed himself by consuming poison a few kilometres away from the protest site at the Tikri border.

Earlier, Sikh preacher Sant Ram Singh had also allegedly ended his life near the Singhu border protest site, claiming that he was “unable to bear the pain of the farmers”.

Thousands of farmers have been protesting since November last year at Delhi borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, demanding a rollback of the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price (MSP) system, leaving them at the “mercy” of big corporations.

However, the Centre has maintained that the new laws will bring better opportunities to farmers and introduce new technologies in agriculture. —with PTI

Women raise slogans before leaving for the Tikri border, in Sangrur on Sunday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, March 7

Under the banner of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), women here have left in large numbers for New Delhi to participate in International Women’s Day function at the Tikri border against the central farm laws.

“The agitation at Delhi borders has been continuing for past more than 100 days, but the central government is not ready even to listen to our demands. With our participation, the agitation would definitely be strengthed,” said Balwinder Kaur of Kalajhar village.

Since the start of the anti-farm laws protest, the rural women have not only taken up all responsibilities of daily household chores, but have also lent support to the movement when called for.

“My son and husband have been part of various protests since it all began. I, along with my daughter-in-law, have also been participating in protests. I will reach the Tikri border and join my husband who is already there. My daughter-in-law is alone at home along with my grandson. Same is the situation of many families in our village” said Mukhtiar Kaur from Gharachon village.

“A majority of women have been leaving for Delhi from our area. The March 8 function would be an eye-opener for the central government,” said Jagir Kaur, an elderly woman from Bhawanigarh.

The vessel was virtually flagged off by the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister on March 6; this is the first time in the world maritime history that a ship is being sailed by all women officers

his is the first time in the world maritime history that a ship is being sailed by all women officers. Photo credit: Twitter/shipmin_india

New Delhi, March 7

In an attempt to acknowledge the efforts of women in breaking down the stereotypes in erstwhile male-dominated maritime sector, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has flagged off an all-women crew onboard Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) vessel MT Swarna Krishna, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Sunday.

The vessel was virtually flagged off by the Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister on March 6, it said.

“The Shipping Corporation of India, as a part of its ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations and also to commemorate the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2021, achieved another feat when Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, virtually flagged off the ‘All Women Officers’ Sailing’ on MT Swarna Krishna — SCI’s product carrier from JNPT Liquid Berth Jetty on March 6, 2021,” the Ministry statement

भारतीय नारी शक्ति सदैव इतिहास बनाती है! विश्व इतिहास में पहली बार एक ‘कार्गो-जहाज’ (एमटी स्वर्ण कृष्णा) को महिला कप्तान और केवल महिला अधिकारियों की टीम के साथ समुद्री यात्रा पर रवाना किया गया इस #InternationalWomensDay समुद्री क्षेत्र में कार्यरत महिला नेतृत्व के ज़ज्बे को सलाम

This was the first time in the world maritime history that a ship was being sailed by all women officers, it added.

Secretary Shipping Sanjeev Ranjan; chairman JNPT Sanjay Sethi; Rajiv Jalota, chairman, Mumbai Port Trust; and DG Shipping Amitabh Kumar attended the ceremony virtually and commended the efforts of the women seafarers.https://54effd04122b00bdc1d7a4fec79d194e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html

“The move demonstrated the gradual shift in the perception of seafaring as a male-oriented profession and the principles of Diversity & Inclusion that SCI upholds. SCI has been a pioneer in employing women seafarers onboard its vessels and has implemented various initiatives, including age relaxations and fee concessions to aspiring female cadets through its Maritime Training Institute to promote their integration into the maritime sector,” the statement said.