How many of you know that ..

Q: Partition of India was done how many times ?

Answer- SEVEN times in 61 years by the British rule.

Afghanistan was separated from India in 1876,

Nepal in 1904,

Bhutan in 1906,

Tibet in 1907,

Sri Lanka in 1935,

Myanmar (Burma) in 1937

and…

Pakistan in 1947.

India’s Partition of Akhanda Bharat

Unbroken India extended from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean and from Iran to Indonesia. India’s area in 1857 was 83 lakh square kilometers, which is currently 33 lakh square kilometers.

Sri Lanka
The British separated Sri Lanka from India in 1935. The old name of Sri Lanka was Sinhaldeep. The name Sinhaldeep was later renamed Ceylon. Sri Lanka’s name was Tamraparni during the reign of Emperor Ashoka. Mahendra, son of Emperor Ashoka and daughter Sanghamitra went to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism. Sri Lanka is a part of united India.

Afghanistan
The ancient name of Afghanistan was Upganasthan and Kandahar’s was Gandhara. Afghanistan was a Shaivite country. The Gandhara described in the Mahabharata is in Afghanistan from where the Kauravas’ mother was Gandhari and maternal uncle Shakuni. The description of Kandahar i.e. Gandhara is found till the reign of Shah Jahan. It was a part of India. In 1876 Gandamak treaty was signed between Russia and Britain. After the treaty, Afghanistan was accepted as a separate country.

Myanmar (Burma)
The ancient name of Myanmar (Burma) was Brahmadesh. In 1937, the recognition of a separate country to Myanmar i.e. Burma was given by the British. In ancient times, the Hindu king Anandavrata ruled here.

Nepal
Nepal was known as Deodhar in ancient times. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini and mother Sita was born in Janakpur which is in Nepal today. Nepal was made a separate country in 1904 by the British. Nepal was called the Hindu nation of Nepal. Nepal was called as Hindu Rashtra Nepal. Until a few years ago, the king of Nepal was called Nepal Naresh. Nepal has 81 percent Hindus and 9% Buddhists. Nepal was an integral part of India during the reigns of Emperor Ashoka and Samudragupta. In 1951, Maharaja Tribhuvan Singh of Nepal appealed to the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to merge Nepal with India, but Jawaharlal Nehru rejected the proposal.

Thailand
Thailand was known as Syam until 1939. The major cities were Ayodhya, Shri Vijay etc. The construction of Buddhist temples in Syam began in the third century. Even today many Shiva temples are there in this country. The capital of Thailand Bangkok also has hundreds of Hindu temples.

Cambodia
Cambodia is derived from the Sanskrit name Kamboj, was part of unbroken India. The Kaundinya dynasty of Indian origin ruled here from the first century itself. People here used to worship Shiva, Vishnu and Buddha. The national language was Sanskrit. Even today in Cambodia, the names of Indian months such as Chet, Visakh, Asadha are used. The world famous Ankorwat temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which was built by the Hindu king Suryadev Varman. The walls of the temple have paintings related to the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The ancient name of Ankorwat is Yashodharpur.

Vietnam
The ancient name of Vietnam is Champadesh and its principal cities were Indrapur, Amravati and Vijay. Many Shiva, Lakshmi, Parvati and Saraswati temples will still be found here. Shivling was also worshiped here. The people were called Cham who were originally Shaivites.

Malaysia
The ancient name of Malaysia was Malay Desh which is a Sanskrit word which means the land of mountains. Malaysia is also described in Ramayana and Raghuvansham. Shaivism was practiced in Malay. Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha were worshiped. The main script here was Brahmi and Sanskrit was the main language.

Indonesia
The ancient name of Indonesia is Dipantar Bharat which is also mentioned in the Puranas. Deepantar Bharat means the ocean across India. It was the kingdom of Hindu kings. The largest Shiva temple was in the island of Java. The temples were mainly carved with Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. The Bhuvanakosh is the oldest book containing 525 verses of Sanskrit.

The names or motos of the leading institutions of Indonesia are still in Sanskrit :

Indonesian Police Academy – Dharma Bijaksana Kshatriya

Indonesia National Armed Forces – Tri Dharma Ek Karma

Indonesia Airlines – Garuda Airlines

Indonesia Ministry of Home Affairs – Charak Bhuvan

Indonesia Ministry of Finance – Nagar Dhan Raksha

Indonesia Supreme Court – Dharma Yukti

Tibet
The ancient name of Tibet was Trivishtam which was divided into two parts. One part was given to China and the other to Lama after an agreement between the Chinese and the British in 1907. In 1954, India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru accepted Tibet as part of China to show his solidarity to Chinese people.

Bhutan
Bhutan was separated from India by the British in 1906 and recognized as a separate country. Bhutan is derived from the Sanskrit word Bhu Utthan which means high ground.

Pakistan
There was partition of India on August 14, 1947 by the British and Pakistan came into existence as East Pakistan and West Pakistan. Mohammad Ali Jinnah had been demanding a separate country on the basis of religion since 1940 which later became Pakistan. In 1971 with the cooperation of India Pakistan was divided again and Bangladesh came into existence. Pakistan and Bangladesh are parts of India.*

How many of you are aware of this history?

MUST READ TO KNOW THE HISTORY AND SHARE….

Dear Esteemed Members,
Now that FAQ is around our necks, we better try to educate ourselves about SPARSH (I have no idea of this devil SPARSH as SBI, Trimulgherry, Secunderabad is giving me excellent service).
Read the FAQs sent by Maj SK Jain, a one man Army fighting for our rights.
This is attached.
Warm regards,
Brig CS Vidyasagar (Retd)

FAQ SPARSH

(NOTE: All Bank Branches are expected to be Common Service Centers)

(ह िंदी में जानकारी के हिए हनम्नहिखित हििंक पर जाएँ)  

Videos of SPARSH PCDA – Bing video

SPARSH RELATED QUIERIES

• How can I change or update my login password?

You can update your password as applicable.

Go to: My Profile > Change Password, and update as applicable.

• I have forgotten my login password. What should I do ?
  • You can change your forgotten password. Click on Forgot Password on the

Login Screen, and update as applicable

• You can call the SPARSH Helpline, provide necessary details and access using temporary password provided
  • You can visit the nearest Service Center, provide necessary details and access using temporary password provided
• Will login in portal available 24*7 hours ?

Yes. You can access the SPARSH portal anytime & anywhere

• Where can I find out the list of service centers in my area ?

The list of active Service Centers is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Contact & Support > SPARSH near You > Service Center Locator

• How can I avail services through Service Center ?

You can visit your nearest Service Center & request for services to be availed by providing necessary identification data for verification.

Verify yourself using OTP sent to your Registered Mobile Number (RMN), or answer a set of Security Questions

• Can I be entertained at a Service Center if I visit there without my phone?

To avail services at a Service Center, you need to verify yourself using OTP sent to your Registered Mobile Number (RMN), or answer a set of Security Questions

• Are the services provided at service centre different from pensioner’s portal?

All services available on SPARSH can be availed via Pensioner Portal as well as Service Centers without any charges.

• What are the timings of Service Centers ?

Working Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday to Friday)

• What should I do if I am facing troubles while availing services on SPARSH Portal?
  • Check internet connection
  • Check browser compatibility

You can alternatively reach out to us via SPARSH Helpline or visit the nearest Service Center to avail services

• What should I do if an error message is displayed for ‘Services Temporary Unavailable’ while using SPARSH Portal?
  • Check internet connection
  • Check browser compatibility

You can alternatively reach out to us via SPARSH Helpline or visit the nearest Service Center to avail services

PENSION RELATED QUERIES

• How can I view my pension details? (Basic Pension, Disability Element, Gratuity, Other Entitlements etc.) ?

You can view your pension details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Entitlements alternatively, you can access your PPO via My Documents > PPO

• How can I view & download a copy of my monthly pension slips?

You can view & download your pension slip in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Pension Slip

• How can I view & download a copy of my Pension Payment Order (PPO)?

You can view & download your pension payment order (PPO) in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Pension Slip

• Where can I find the current & previous rates of DR applicable?

The table of Dearness Relief (DR) rates applicable till date is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Pension Orders & Information > Common Problems > Dearness Relief

• How can I view the deduction of commutation amount from my pension?

You can view & download your monthly pension payments & deductions in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Pension Slip

• How can I view the date of restoration of the deduction of commutation amount?

You can view your commutation details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Entitlements Alternatively, you can access your PPO via My Documents > PPO

• What to do if I am not getting correct rate of disability element?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Elements of Pension

• How can I view that benefit of broadbanding has been given to me?

You can view your pension details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Documents > Entitlements alternatively, you can access your PPO via My Documents > PPO

• How can I view my projected tax details of the financial year?

You can view your pension details in SPARSH.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Services > Projected Tax Summary

• Where can I find the latest rates of Gallantry applicable?

The details for Gallantry Awards along with the applicable rates till date is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Pension Orders & Information > Common Problems > Gallantry Awards

• Where can I find the current & previous rates of Fixed Medical Allowance applicable?

The details for Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) along with the applicable rates till date is available on SPARSH.

Go To: Pension Orders & Information > Common Problems > Fixed Medical Allowance

PENSIONER DATA VERIFICATION QUERIES

• What is Pensioner Data Verification? Applicable only for Service Pensioners.

Pensioner Data Verification (PDV) aims at enabling the retiree to verify his/her own details before sanction of pension. This activity should be completed within 15 days of notification via SMS/Email sent to your Registered Mobile Number/Email ID

• My annual identification is due. How can I identify myself in SPARSH?

You can identify yourself using Aadhar, or provide life certificates issued by designated authorities to have the entitled pension credited to your bank account.

For identification using Aadhar (Digital Life Certificate): Go To: Services >

Identification > Digital Life Certificate

For identification using Manual Life Certificate: Go To: Services > Identification > Manual Life Certificate

PENSIONER VERIFICATION (Annual Life certificate)

• How can I view my next identification date?

Go To: Services > Identification, and view details of your identification completed, including last identification date & next identification due date

• How can I obtain a blank form of Manual Life Certificate?

You can identify yourself using Aadhar, or provide life certificates issued by designated authorities to have the entitled pension credited to your bank account.

For identification using Manual Life Certificate:

1. Go To: Services > Identification > Perform Identification
   1. Generate your MLC Number & download the blank form for Manual Life Certificate
2. Is there a time limit for uploading of Manual Life Certificate after download on Portal?

No. Manual Life Certificate can be uploaded anytime on SPARSH

• Can a last year downloaded form be used this year for Manual identification?

No. Manual Life Certificate once submitted for identification cannot be reused.

• Whether I would be able to receive all my pensionary arrears on delayed identification?

Yes. Upon delayed identification, all applicable pensionary arrears shall be paid.

• Life Certificates can be issued/signed by one or other of the following authorities.
  • Any person exercising the power of a Magistrate under the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898 (5 of 1898).
  • A Registrar or Sub-Registrar under the Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908).
  • Any pensioned Officer who before retirement exercised the powers of a Magistrate.
  • Any Gazetted Officer of Government.
  • A Munsif.
  • A Post Master.
  • A Departmental Sub Post Master.
  • An Inspector of Post Offices.
  • A Class I Officer of the Reserve Bank of India.
  • An Officer of the State Bank of India.
  • An Officer of a subsidiary Bank of the State Bank of India.
  • Head of a Village Panchayat, Gram Panchayat or Gaon Panchayat.
  • Head of an Executive Committee of a village.
  • An officer of a bank included in the second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) in respect of pensioner drawing his/her pension through that Bank.
  • A Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector-in-Charge of a Police Station.
  • A member of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Vidhan Sabha/Vidhan Parishad or a Corporator of Municipal Corporation or a Councilor of a Municipality. (xvii) In the case of pensioners reemployed a life certificate furnished by the pensioner signed by the Head of the office, where he is re-employed. (xviii) A District Sainik Welfare officer- (DSWO).
• What all biometric devices are compatible with SPARSH?

For recommended list of biometric devices: Click Here

• SPARSH- Life Certificate through different modes Click Here
• How do I report death of a family member in SPARSH?

Go To: Services > Report Event > Death, and provide required details along with copy of Death Certificate

• How do I report about a missing family member in SPARSH?

Go To: Services > Report Event > Missing, and provide required details along with copy of FIR

SERVICE REQUEST

• How do I report about a convicted family member in SPARSH?

Go To: Services > Report Event > Conviction, and provide required details along with copy of Judgment

• What is Initiate Family Pension?

You can request for your share of pension via Initiate Family Pension Go To: Services > Report Event > Initiate Family Pension, and provide required details along with necessary documents as applicable

• How do I update my basic details (Mobile Number, Bank Account Number, PAN etc.) in SPARSH?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can manage & update your profile details like personal details, service details, family details etc. by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Profile > Manage Profile

• How do I add/remove family details (Spouse/Dependents) in SPARSH?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can manage & update your profile details like personal details, service details, family details etc. by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Profile > Manage Profile

• My annual identification is due. How can I identify myself in SPARSH?

You can identify yourself using Aadhar, or provide life certificates issued by designated authorities to have the entitled pension credited to your bank account.

For identification using Aadhar (Digital Life Certificate): Go To: Services >

Identification > Digital Life Certificate

For identification using Manual Life Certificate: Go To: Services > Identification > Manual Life Certificate

• How can I declare my investments or proof of savings for tax purposes in SPARSH?

You can declare & manage your investments in SPARSH by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Service Requests > Investment Declarations

• How can I apply for commutation in SPARSH?

You can apply for commutation by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Service Requests > Commutation Requests

• I have registered a Service Request in SPARSH. How can I track it?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Deduction

• How can I report or update re-employment details including discharge from re-employment?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can report your employment/re-employment details by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Profile > Employment/ReEmployment

• How can I report my marriage/re-marriage?

After the identification process is complete and approved, you can report your marriage/remarriage details by logging in to your SPARSH account. Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: My Profile > Report Remarriage

• How can I request to stop my Fixed Medical Allowance for availing ECHS facility?

For Indian resident pensioners: If you don’t wish to continue availing Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA), you need to update the FMA option in your personal profile by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Go to: My Profile > Manage Profile > Personal Details > Fixed Medical Allowance

• How to draw Fixed Medical Allowance if I am not availaing any ECHS facility?

For Indian resident pensioners: If you wish to opt for Fixed Medical

Allowance (FMA), you need to update the FMA option in your personal profile by logging in to your SPARSH account.

Note: Your address should be part of the districts eligible for FMA. Please verify your address before applying for FMA.

Go to: My Profile > Manage Profile > Personal Details > Fixed Medical Allowance

• How can I claim death gratuity of my late husband?

The demise of the deceased member needs to be reported first

Go To: Services > Report Event > Death, and provide required details along with copy of Death Certificate

Once approved by the competent authority, apply claim for Family Pension & Death Gratuity.

Go To: Services > Report Event > Initiate Family Pension, and provide required details along with necessary documents as applicable

• What are straight through profile requests? How can I identify them?

Available to registered users on SPARSH, Straight Through Profile Requests don’t need authorization from the competent concerned authorities. You can refer the legends displayed on your profile page to identify such requests (My Profile > Manage Profile)

Example:

1. Change in personal details like Residential Address, Mobile Number, Email ID, Aadhaar Number, PAN etc.
   1. Change in Bank Details (For Indian Nationals)
2. What are approval based profile requests? How can I identify them?

Available to registered users on SPARSH, Straight Through Profile Requests don’t need authorization from the competent concerned authorities. You can refer the legends displayed on your profile page to identify such requests (My Profile > Manage Profile)

Example:

1. Change in personal details like Name, Date of Birth etc.
   1. Change in Service Details like Non Qualifying Service, Gallantry Awards etc.
   1. Addition/Removal of Spouse/Dependent Details

GRIVIEANCE

• I am receiving lesser payment than the sanctioned amounts in my PPO. How do I report such incorrect payments in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Elements of Pension

• My PPO doesn’t have some elements I’m entitled for, and I am not being paid the same. How do I report such incorrect payments in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Elements Not Sanctioned in Pension

• My tax has been deducted wrongly. How do I report such incorrect deductions in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Deduction

• My amount for recovery is being displayed incorrectly in my PPO. How do I report such incorrect deductions in SPARSH?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Deduction

• I have registered a Grievance in SPARSH. How can I track it?

You can raise & track grievances in SPARSH.

For unregistered users (without login credentials), For registered users (with valid login credentials)

• How can I claim Constant Attendant Allowance?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Elements Not Sanctioned in Pension

• How to intimate about overpayments to the disbursing agency?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Elements of Pension

• What should I do if I am not getting dearness relief?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same by logging into your SPARSH account.

Log in to your SPARSH account, and go to: Grievances > Payment Related > Elements of Pension

• Can I raise a grievance against a service request?

Yes. You can raise a grievance against a completed Service Request by providing details of the service request for reference (Request ID, Request Date etc.)

• Whom and how to approach if I am not getting correct pension?

You can raise a payment related grievance for the same using any of the following modes:

1. Log into your SPARSH account
   1. Call the SPARSH Helpline
   1. Visit the nearest Service Center

On the 5th of April earlier this year, while leading the debate on the Russia-Ukraine crisis in the Lok Sabha, I had prophesied that the aggression unleashed on February 24, 2022, by Moscow on Kyiv may not end well for the former.

With referendums now being conducted in Russian occupied areas the self-styled Donetsk (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republics (LPR), which Russia recognised as independent just before the aggression and Russian-installed administrations in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to legitimise an illegal occupation, these seemingly farcical exercises in democratic expression are  comical if they would not have been tragic.

The announcement of partial mobilisation through conscription that has created consternation among young people in Russia after Ukraine took back 9,000 square kilometres of its territory in the south and northeastern blitzkrieg in the Kharkiv region the war could truly be at an inflection point.

Russia on the backfoot?

The recent Ukrainian offensives have taken back Kupyansk, an important rail head, and Izium, a major logistics base for the Russians. The Russians had to pull back thousands of troops from the Kharkiv region. The Russian response to these reverses is predictable: “We are moving troops from these areas to  reinforce our operations in Donbas.”

A similar justification was trotted out for withdrawing forces from Kyiv earlier. Ukraine’s gains have surprised most. Yet, many had predicted this would happen. Even with an overwhelming superiority in weapons and ammunition, Russian troops do not seem to be sufficiently blooded in combat except for their elite troops and militias of the Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.

Imperial hubris

The mandarins in the Kremlin want to model themselves on Peter the Great — known for his expansionist wars in the 18th century. To buttress this self image rhetoric has been deployed that harks back to “reclaiming” lost lands and past glory.

The war in Ukraine is thus seen by Kremlin not as a war, but a mere “military operation” to reclaim what belongs to Russia. In their vision, Ukrainians, Russians and Belarusians are but one people, a Slavic nation stretching back to the time of Kievan Rus. However, Ukraine and even Belarus for that matter have a different perspective about both their history and sovereignty. Unfortunately, the Russian vision of the Slavic lands precludes it from acknowledging Ukrainian sovereignty. Ukraine must be kept under Russian influence, come what may.

These ambitions in Ukraine tie up with the overarching goal of making Russia a pre-eminent Eurasian power. A position that it still believes it currently occupies but feels threatened by Nato’s eastward expansion. In fact, it is no stretch to argue that the casus belli for the current crisis was Russia’s apprehensions  about  Ukraine joining Nato, though that process is itself both convoluted and time consuming and Moscow is well aware that between an expression of intent and actual membership there is a considerable time lag.

Undoubtedly Nato’s three-wave expansion since the collapse of the erstwhile Soviet Union in 1991 has tried to whittle down  Russia’s sphere of influence, especially in its near abroad. It sees Nato as a tool for the United States and its allies to continue dominating Europe. This narrative regarding Nato has been critical in Russia’s war rhetoric and in its claims that it had no choice but to violate Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty in order to prevent Nato from coming to its borders. However Moscow miscalculated on how the West would respond?

For, Russia has achieved the exact opposite of what it set out to do. With war fatigue plaguing the US and much of Europe after the two-decade involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan and the broader Middle East and North Africa, Western foreign policy was seemingly in disarray. But Russian actions in Ukraine precipitated a robust response that has consolidated Nato like never before.

Initially, there was cynicism that the West was planning to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian. However Ukraine’s resilience and capacity to resist, consolidate and assault has surprised even a lot of analysts whose sympathies lay with the Ukrainians in the first place. The US has so far given $12.5 billion in military aid while Poland, UK, Canada, Germany. Australia, and Denmark are among the other large donors.

The M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or Himars sent by the US have been crucial to beating back Russian troops. Similarly, anti-tank weapons, drones, missile systems, and tanks supplied by different Western countries are a testament to how Russia’s offensive has led to the opposite of what Russia set out to achieve.

In the din of strategic affairs and geopolitical considerations, however, one must not forget the larger humanitarian issues in Ukraine. Hundreds of people have been killed and buried in forest graves in Izium, a town now recaptured by Ukrainian forces. There are calls for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Russian troops in that town. These allegations follow earlier horrors in Bucha. The European Union has called for a war crimes tribunal to be set up, à la Yugoslavia. Attacks on critical infrastructure and power plants have rendered Ukrainians vulnerable to a harsh winter. And if Russia ends up controlling Odessa and other Black Sea ports, Ukrainians are only looking at further discomfiture.

India’s role

The world must, therefore, urgently push Russia to negotiate and accept the fact that Ukraine is, after all, a sovereign nation. Ukraine’s recent territorial gains, even if ephemeral, should mellow the Kremlin a little bit. In this context, India has a critical role to play. While, undoubtedly, Russia has been an all-weather friend to us, we have also grown closer to the West over the past two decades with a multitude of military and economic agreements. It, therefore, is incumbent on India as a multi-aligned power not to  tell our Russian friends that  they were  in the wrong when they transgressed into Ukraine. If reports about what Prime Minister Narendra Modi ostensibly told President Vladimir Putin that this is not the era of war are correct then the candour is indeed refreshing.

The recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand was, therefore, another great opportunity for India to help arbitrate in the issue and make clear its position. Indeed, the difference in Mr Putin’s response to German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz and to Prime Minister Modi could not have been starker. Mr Putin ostensibly told Mr Scholtz that the war in Ukraine was not a mistake. By contrast, he told Mr Modi that he wants the war to come to an end. There is, therefore, much that India can do to help persuade Russia to negotiate a settlement and end this pointless loss of human lives.

The scheme was launched in the year 2017 by the Punjab government with the objective of monitoring schemes of few departments at the grass root level in an efficient and effective manner.Since it was a flagship programme of Captain Amarinder Singh government to hire ex-servicemen to monitor government programme, with a false accusation that GOG had unsatisfactory performance of previous years in monitoring the assigned schemes of few departments, the Cabinet also decided to do away with the Guardians of Governance Scheme in the state but Bhagwant Mann ready to pay grants for the dead soldiers to the tune of one crore

Mr Tewari MP Anandpur Sahib Only Minister who came fwd in support of GOG at this hour when APP anti fauji Govt dismissed GOG scheme as the Sectaries did not project GOG achievement of 4 yrs to CM and also did not allow the GOG officer incharge Brig HV Singh to meet CM after his first meeting for small brief and role of GOG and CM Bhagwant Mann has asked him to send him the data but the IAS officers and welfare Minister Fauja Singh declined .

The GOG were trained ie The ex-servicemen hired in the inaugural phase were given a five-day training at the Punjab government-run Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration. Soon after taking office in March 2017, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh set up a new department called Guardians of Governance reporting directly to him. The department comprises entirely of ex-servicemen. “This will be a group of ex-servicemen from panchayats to blocks to districts, right up to the chief minister. They will report about the implementation of welfare schemes through mobile application .in order to eradicate the misuse of funds,” Amarinder Singh described the scheme as “brain, eyes, and ears” of the government.

The GOG a disciplined force who never cared itself working for the Govt and public took risks and openly assisted people during Covid time .It was the IAS ,BDOs,SHOs, MLAs, Arthiyas <mandi board who were stopped from corruptions of any type even village sarpaches for atta Dal and old ager pension scheme ,they could not manipulated with false claims,

Mr Tewari MP Anandpur Sahib Only Minister who came fwd in support of GOG

As the oldest Army unit in Jalandhar turned 100 recently, Tribune correspondent Deepkamal Kaur and lensman Sarabjit Singh trace its glorious years through visuals.

On the 16th of August, one of the oldest units of the Army in Jalandhar turned 100. Jalandhar Terriers, as the 112th Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Dogra is fondly called, was established in Jalandhar on August 16, 1922, during the British era and has just completed a centenary of its raising.

As a commemoration of the event, an intersection in Jalandhar Cantonment falling near the unit and abutting Nalwa Road has been named as Territorial Army Chowk (TA Chowk for short). Various murals, artistic and informative structures about the 100-year-old unit have been installed at this roundabout which has now emerged a selfie points for the people from across Jalandhar.

The inauguration of TA Chowk was done by General Officer Commanding-In-Chief, Southern Command, Lt Gen JS Nain, who is also the Colonel of the Dogra Regiment and Dogra Scouts. The GOC-in-C had tea with the troops. To mark the occasion, a Special Sainik Sammelan and veterans lunch was also organised at Vajra Sainik Institute for which 148 ex-servicemen from various parts of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana participated. They recounted old times and stories as they celebrated the landmark event.

Rich legacy

The unit was raised at Jalandhar Cantt on August 16, 1922, as 11/17 Indian Territorial Force (ITF) under Maj WB Cunnigham MC. The unit was re-raised as 6/17 ITF in 1941 and as 17 ITF in 1946. It was again re-christened on August 22, 1949 as 112 Infantry Battalion (TA) and got affiliated with the Dogra Regiment. The unit has participated in big operations of the Army since Independence. It is credited with defending the Halwara and Adampur airfields from the Pakistani paratroopers during Op Riddle. It has also had three Sena Medal awardees — Capt Bal Krishan, Lance Havildar Dhana Singh and Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh. The battalion has also won the Chief of Army Staff trophy for the Best Territorial Army unit thrice. Over the years, it has galvanised as a seasoned operation-ready outfit and proven itself to be a force multiplier.

Army on the right track to remove Raj remnants

The celebrations to mark 75 years of Independence are witnessing all-out efforts by the Union government to weed out traces of the country’s colonial past and showcase/rediscover its cultural heritage. Early this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while unveiling a naval ensign which draws inspiration from Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, proclaimed that the nation had ‘taken off a burden of slavery’. Less than a week later, following the inauguration of Kartavya Path, he declared that Kingsway or Rajpath, a ‘symbol of slavery’, had been consigned to history. The symbolism of these steps — initiated by a country which has overtaken its former ruler Britain to become the world’s fifth largest economy — is not lost on anyone. Now, the Army has set the ball rolling for doing away with colonial practices as well as names of units and regiments.

According to the Army, some of the legacy practices which require a review include customs and traditions from the colonial era; military uniforms and accoutrements; regulations, laws, rules and policies of colonial origin; and English names of some units, buildings, roads, parks etc. The initiative has stirred up a hornets’ nest, with a section of retired defence officers fearing an erasure of the Army’s colonial heritage. Undoubtedly, the British shaped the Indian Army on the bedrock of a regimental system and marshalled its forces to fight for the Empire in the First and Second World Wars. However, India’s glorious martial tradition predates the Raj, as shown by legendary warriors of the Sikh and Maratha empires. Due recognition of this legacy is direly needed.

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Well-considered removal of remnants of its colonial past is a logical step for a nation that is carving a niche for itself as a pace-setter in the international arena. The Army, which is in the midst of a modernisation drive, has a central role to play in making a clean break with antiquated customs. Clinging on to moth-eaten practices reeks of a slavish mentality. Shedding the colonial burden, at long last, in the military domain is vital to bolster national pride and honour.

Mohali, September 24

The Punjab Police on Saturday arrested an Army man posted in Arunachal Pradesh in the Chandigarh University video clip case, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.

The accused has been identified as Sanjeev Singh of Jammu who is suspected to be blackmailing the accused girl student. Yadav said based on forensic and digital evidence, the Mohali police was dispatched to Arunachal Pradesh to arrest Sanjeev.

He said that he was arrested from Sela Pass in ArunachalPradesh with the support of the Arunachal Pradesh Police, Assam Police and Army authorities.

The Mohali police have obtained a two-day transit remand of Sanjeev from the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bomdila to produce him before the Magistrate in Mohali, he added.

The accused is allegedly the person who was calling up and sending messages to the accused girl to click more photos and videos. As of now, he is the main accused.

His phones and other devices have been seized and will be sent for forensic analysis. The Army said it helped the police to arrest the accused. The Army practices zero tolerance towards such acts,

After setbacks, Putin repeats threat of nuclear warfare

Seven months after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered Russia’s first mobilisation since World War II. He also resolved to use nuclear weapons in the conflict in order to ‘protect’ his country and people. ‘If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people… This is not a bluff,’ Putin said. The threat to escalate the conflict, with the mobilisation of some 3 lakh additional troops, came after Russia suffered several military setbacks in the recent weeks — the Ukrainians claim to have retaken 3,500 square miles of land, including the cities of Izyum and Kupiansk, important supply hubs for Russian forces.

Reports from European capitals show that Putin’s threat is being treated as a bluff made by a desperate dictator — diplomats from various countries have reiterated the determination to arm and finance Ukraine’s resistance. Unfortunately, western analysts and diplomats are unsympathetic to Russia’s genuine security concerns: NATO has added 14 new members since the German reunification in 1990, even though western leaders had, on several occasions in the early 1990s, verbally assured the Russians about the limits of NATO’s eastward expansion — without giving written guarantees. While Putin can’t be absolved of blame in the devastation of Ukraine, those western hawks who worked for aggressive containment of Russia in the last three decades also bear moral responsibility for this unfolding tragedy.

Parents of Girl students staying in hostels are vacating the hostel and taking away their daughter on the on the pretext they are no more safe in hostel. From reliable sources it has come to knowledge that Vice Chancellor Mr Bawa is pleading parents with folded hands to the parents but the chancellor Satnam Singh Sandu without whose approval nothing moves has gone into hiding mode along with Director Sohi. All the newspapers in English,hindi and Punjabi are carrying the news thus has become National News . Satnam SIngh Sandu who belives in giving comfort Zone to Students in luch break time and after the classes wher students keep sitting in Lawns when the entire college admin and teaching stqafff has lef6t except security which also belongs to the university .VC is being made the esca[pe coat Some clips as under