“As, Kirpan, Khanda, Kharag, Tupak, Tabar aur Teer. Saif, Sarohi, Saihathi, Yeh Hai Hamareh Peer”. Guru Gobind Singh (As (Curved sword), Kirpan (sabre), Khanda (Double edged straight sword), Kharag (sword), Tupak (gun), Tabar (battle axe) and Teer (arrow), Saif (straight sword), Sarohi (type of dagger), Saihathi (spear), these are our Saints). Many Hindu, Sikh and Muslim sol[1]diers died in Europe far away from their homes and families while holding firm to their faith, and serving people of a different culture with whom they had not much in common; they were brave Indian Soldiers who shed their blood on foreign soils. These brave warriors left behind a string of tales of their good deeds and bravery; they were the lions of the Great War. Over 138,000 Indian troops fought in World War 1 known for its trench warfare and gas attacks. These ‘stalwarts from the east,’ fought in the battles of Ypres, Flanders, Somme, Gallipoli, East Africa, Palestine, Egypt, Suez Canal, Mesopotamia, and numer[1]ous other battlefields in nearly all the[1]atres of the war. More than one quarter would become casualties. Sikh soldiers formed a bulk of the troops in Sikh, Punjabi, Frontier Force and Sappers and Miners Regiments. These hardy peasants sur[1]prised the Europeans with their special appearance, habits and trust in their Guru; they were held in great awe by both friend and foe for their acts and fortitude. They fought disease, filth, gas attacks, and the onslaught of German and Turkish troops and machine guns with only their turbans to protect them from head wounds. They kept their hair unshorn and long beards even in disease infested, muddy trenches as required by their faith. Even when ordered, they refused to remove their turbans, the symbols of their faith and wear the helmet. The first units to the Western Front (France and Belgium) in 1914 from the Indian Corps arrived at a most desper[1]ate moment. In the preceding two months of the war costly battles had been fought back and forth in the hin[1]terlands of France and Belgium. Constant contact had worn the armies down, shrunk their reserves of man[1]power and turned the war into not much more than a bloody grappling match. On 20 Oct 1914, the Indian Cavalry Corps with the 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions began to reach the front. With an immediate need to shore up the thinly held salient, the 3rd Division having arrived first, was broken up. Individual brigades and battalions were sent where they were most needed. The Division would be blooded almost simultaneously in three separate engagements at La Bassée, Messines and Armentières. These troops were used more as ‘Flying Squads’ to plug gaps and handle unforeseen tactical situations; a very dangerous deploy[1]ment for newly inducted units; for that matter, any unit. The Indian Armed Forces stand tall among their global peers because of their rich battle-hardened heritage, high motivation and tough training.
For first time, BSF women camel contingent to participate in Republic Day Parade
For the first time, the Border Security Force will be fielding a women’s contingent riding camels during the forthcoming Republic Day Parade -2023 in New Delhi. They will be attired in specially designed regal uniforms.
The uniforms for the ‘Mahila Praharis’ represent the many treasured craft forms of India, fashioned in different parts of the country and have been assembled by a noted designer.
These also incorporate sartorial and cultural elements of Rajasthan’s history in its designs.
The iconic Jodhpuri bandhgala, a stately, classic and elegant long tunic, forms the basis of the uniform and it has been designed keeping functionality in mind.
According to details released by the BSF, the textured fabric with hand-crafted zardosi work for various trims from Benaras is done in the 400 years-old Danka technique.
The uniform is styled with the striking Pagh – a turban, inspired by the heritage Pagh of the Mewar region of Rajasthan. It is an essential element of the cultural clothing of the people of Rajasthan, and the ones worn and tied in Mewar are signs of one’s prestige and honour.
Women personnel in the BSF are also deployed on active border guarding duties as well as other operational and security duties alongside male personnel.
Former Indian Army chief General MM Naravane (retd) on Thursday made it clear that the Army was fully committed to the concept of ‘Theatre-based commands’ but added it was important to specify its goals under a National Security Strategy (NSS). Unless there was an NSS in place, talk of ‘theatrisation’ was like putting the cart before the horse.
“Once we have an NSS, there needs to be an interface between the government which has made the strategy and the military commanders on the ground,” said the General as he delivered the 4th General KV Krishna Rao Memorial Lecture here at the Manekshaw Centre.
“Only after the NSS and the higher defence organisation is in place, we can start thinking about theatre commands. The charter of these and the role they have to play has to come from the top,” the General added.
“With an NSS, we also need a higher defence organisation which has to reflect the national approach and needs to give representation of all ministries,” he said.
Within such a strategy, there may be other diplomatic and political considerations which will limit the freedom of action which is given to the theatre commanders on ground. There may be other factors that the armed forces are not completely in the know off because of which, such a higher defence organisation is required.
The former Army chief said the nature of conventional and unconventional threats has changed and information warfare has sharpened the role of social media.
Listing out the transformation of the Indian Army, the General said, “The ‘Agnipath scheme’ – the new method recruiting troops was an idea for which time had come.”
Modernisation and infusion of technology is the next big thing and that includes niche and disruptive technology including artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G.
The Army as an organisation is ‘rebalancing’ and ‘reorganising’.
Rebalancing was undertaken in context of strategic reorientation.
New Delhi : Former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Thursday said that framing a national security strategy was a prerequisite for taking theaterisation forward to optimally utilise the military’s resources for future wars and operations, and without such a well-defined strategy, pursing the long-awaited reform would be akin to “putting the cart before the horse”.
Reigniting the debate on theaterisation, Naravane, who was delivering a talk on theaterisation at the 4th General KV Krishna Rao Memorial Lecture, said: “Theaterisation is not an end, it is only a means to an end. That end has to be specified first in the form of a national defence strategy. That defence strategy, in turn, has to flow out of a national security strategy. Unless there is a national security strategy in place, to just keep talking about theaterisation is actually putting the cart before the horse.”
Army chief General Manoj Pande, who spoke earlier at the same event, said the army was fully committed to theaterisation.
Naravane’s comments assume significance as he was the army chief till April 30, 2022. A national security strategy essentially outlines the path that a country should take to realise its national objectives and interests. The lack of such a strategy has been a subject of discussion within the strategic community for years.
Naravane spoke of theaterisation in the context of the Japanese campaign against British forces in Malaya, and the fall of Singapore, during World War II — the Japanese victory centered around its joint warfare doctrine.
In his keynote address before Naravane’s talk, General Pande touched upon jointness and integration, saying the army was fully committed to and supportive of any efforts towards evolving theatre commands. “We are convinced that that’s the future…We are also looking at how best we can aggregate the capabilities of the three services…and achieve the integrated theatre command model,” Pande said.
Efforts to push theaterisation are on after the appointment of General Anil Chauhan as chief of defence staff (CDS) in September-end even though the momentum was hit after his predecessor, General Bipin Rawat, died in a helicopter crash last December.
“Once we have a national security strategy in place, we will also need interface between the government who has made this strategy and the commanders on the ground, which is what is the higher defence organisation (HDO),” Naravane said. HDO refers to a platform that would serve as an interface between the government and the military leadership.
“HDO has to reflect the whole-of-government, the-whole-of-nation approach because it is nations that fight wars. It is not HDO only of the defence ministry, it has to have the representatives of all ministries. Once decisions are arrived at, the armed forces are free to do their job, and all the other coordination must be carried out by this organisation,” the former army chief said.
To be sure, Naravane said in October 2020 that the creation of theatre commands to increase synergy among the three services would be a “deliberate and thoughtful” process, its fruition would take a “number of years,” and “mid-course corrections” might be required along the way.
Only when these two pillars are in place — a national defence and security strategy and HDO — can we start thinking about theatre commands, Naravane said on Thursday.
The theaterisation model being pursued under General Rawat sought to set up four integrated commands – two land-centric theatres, an air defence command and a maritime theatre command. The armed forces currently have 17 single-service commands spread across the country.
The army and air force have seven commands each, while the navy has three.
Naravane raised questions about the charter of the proposed theatre commands.
“HDO is required because within the national security strategy that is laid down, there will be other political or diplomatic considerations…which would limit the freedom of action which is given to the theatre commanders. The charter of theatre commands, their role…that has to come from the top. We cannot on our own say we will fight a two-front war. What is the charter, what is the depth… Is the charter only defence of the borders and territorial waters? Or do we have to go deeper into our area of interest? It has to come from the top, and once that is laid down, that will dictate the force structuring of the theatres, their composition and which service will be the lead service,” he said.
One of the issues confronting the theaterisation drive is the Indian Air Force’s resistance to the model that was earlier under consideration. IAF’s concerns raised questions about the viability of the model, and indicated that interservice differences are still to be reconciled.
“Whatever is decided at the end of the day must be integrated and implemented whole-heartedly. There will always be differences of opinion. The theater strategy must take precedence over single-service philosophy. That is the only way we can do it. If we try to satisfy everyone, we will end up satisfying no one,” Naravane added.
Experts, however, said that while a national security strategy is important, it should not hold up theaterisation.
“Many of us have pointed out the need for a national security strategy that would provide the basis for a national defence strategy. This would help in formulating a long-term capability development plan for the military,” said former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd).
But it may not be entirely right to state that major structural reforms in the military can only come about after the national security strategy is brought out, Hooda said. “The need for jointness and integration is quite obvious.”
A lot of work is going on the behind the scenes to speed up the theatersisation drive, officials aware of the matter said. “Crucial time was lost after General Rawat’s death. We are trying to make up lost ground,” said one of them, asking not to be named.
Lakshadweep bars entry into 17 islands citing threat to national security
The Lakshadweep Administration has prohibited entry into 17 of the total 36 islands citing national security and public safety concerns.
The 17 are uninhabited isles of the Union Territory and permission for the entry from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate is required.
The District Magistrate (DM) of Lakshadweep issued a proclamation under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in this regard. The decision on the proclamation was taken on Wednesday to prevent terrorist or smuggling activities on the uninhabited islands which have temporary structures as houses of labourers who harvest coconuts.
The administration said there could be people among them involving in illegal, anti-social and anti-national activities, hence the decision.
“As there are temporary structures on some uninhabited islands for the purpose of housing labourers to harvest coconuts, it cannot be ruled out that along with these labourers there are persons who engage in illegal, anti-social and anti-national activities such as smuggling, seeking shelter or hideout for hiding weapons or narcotics,” the order read.
Considering the possibility of terror groups or organisations attacking and vandalising important and key institutions of the country and crowded places, the order said precautionary measures were necessary.
“To prevent fear and terror among the people through terrorism, violence and the possibility of anti-national, smuggling, illegal and anti-social activities as well as attacks on important military and para-military, industrial and religious places of the country, endangering public safety, I find it appropriate to prohibit entry without prior written permission in the 17 uninhabited islands of Lakshadweep,” the DM said in the order.
It warned violators of punishment under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC which provides for a jail term between one and six months or a fine.
First make a national security strategy, then theatre commands
People can use of their Aadhaar card confidently to avail of benefits and services, but should maintain the same level of usage hygiene as for any other identity document including a bank account, Permanent Account Number (PAN), or passport, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said on Friday.
Aadhaar — a resident’s digital ID — works as a single source of online and offline identity verification for them across the country.
“While sharing Aadhaar with any trusted entity, the same level of caution may be exercised which one does at the time of sharing a mobile number, bank account number or any other identity document like passport, voter id, PAN, ration card, etc,” the UIDAI said in an advisory.
The UIDAI also provides a facility for generating a Virtual Identifier (VID) in case a resident is not comfortable sharing his/her Aadhaar number. VID can be generated in two ways – visiting the official website or via myaadhaar portal. It can be changed after the end of the calendar day.
To remain extra secure, the facility of Aadhaar locking as well as biometric locking is also available.
“If a resident is not likely to use Aadhaar for a period of time, he or she may lock Aadhaar or biometrics for such a time period. The same can be unlocked conveniently and instantly, as and when required,” the UIDAI said.
The UIDAI, which has a technologically advanced ecosystem, helps a resident to keep a tab on their authentication history for the last six months on its website or m-Aadhaar app. Moreover, it notifies its residents about every authentication over email.
“Linking email ID with Aadhaar will ensure that a resident gets intimation every time his or her Aadhaar number is authenticated,” it said.
According to the UIDAI, a smart move would be to update one’s mobile number with Aadhaar to avail of various services with OTP-based Aadhaar authentication. “UIDAI also urges residents not to leave Aadhaar letter/ PVC Card, or its copy thereof, unattended. Do not share your Aadhaar openly in the public domain, particularly on social media and other public platforms. Aadhaar holders should not disclose Aadhaar OTP to any unauthorised entity and refrain from sharing m-Aahaar PIN with anyone,” it advised.
Aadhaar holders may contact UIDAI on the toll-free helpline 1947 available 24×7 and/or email at help@uidai.gov.in. in case of suspicion of any unauthorised use of Aadhaar or for any other Aadhaar-related query.
Security of borders can be ensured by bravery, alertness of soldiers, not by fencing: Amit Shah
Pillars and fences along the borders are no match to alertness and bravery of soldiers guarding them which is further augmented by patriotic villagers liv[1]ing in close vicinity to the forward locations, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday. While launching a mo[1]bile application ‘Prahari’ prepared in-house by the BSF and the manual of the border guarding force, Shah also suggested that under the Vibrant Village Programme, the person[1]nel should make efforts for increasing tourism to villages but did not further elaborate on it. Security of the country’s borders cannot be ensured by pillars or fencing, but only by the bravery, patriotism and alertness of the soldiers stand[1]ing on the border, he said. The home minister said the BSF guards the most dif[1]ficult border of the country. After former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee concep[1]tualised ‘One Border One Force’, the responsibility of guarding borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh had come to the BSF. P
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India wants to have and maintain friendly relations with its neighbours, but it will not be done at the cost of national security.
Speaking at the 90th annual pilgrimage of Sivagiri Mutt here, Singh recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s remark that we can change friends but not our neighbours.
“Therefore, we need good and friendly relations with our neighbours. However, we will not compromise on national security to maintain good relations. We do not want good relations with anyone at the cost of our national security,” the Defence Minister said.
Singh also spoke about Kerala-based social reformer Sree Narayana Guru’s teachings, like ‘prosperity through industry’ which is the basis of the Indian’s government’s ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ policy.
As a result of the same, the country is considered as one of the top five economies in the world and our military is seen as a force to be reckoned with, he contended.
“His preaching of prosperity through industry is the basis of the Government of India’s resolution of ‘Self-reliant India’. Today, India is one of the largest economies of the world because of its hard work and enterprise. Today, India has become one of the top five economies of the world.” “The world today recognises India as military power to be reckoned with, due to the government’s pitching for ‘Self-reliant India’ which is based on ‘Prosperity through industry’ preaching of Sree Narayana Guru,” the Defence Minister said.
Singh said that self-reliance has been an intrinsic part of India’s culture and Sree Narayana Guru spread this message in the public through his teachings, and Sivagiri Mutt was also working to take it forward continuously
He further said that while he was working to protect the “body”—boundaries—of India with the help of the armed forces and under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the saints of the math were working to protect the soul of the country.
“I appreciate the work you are doing. We can survive as a nation only when both the body and soul are safe,” Singh said and expressed confidence that this year’s annual pilgrimage would also be a success.
In January 1928, Vallabhasserry Govindan Vaidyar and T K Kittan jointly requested Guru to have a Sivagiri pilgrimage as all the higher classes and others had their own pilgrim centres, but ‘avarnas’ had nowhere to go, according to the math website.
Guru gave his consent to the proposal and fixed a date of first of January of every year for the pilgrimage, prior to which pilgrims have to maintain a 10-day long austere life and wear only yellow clothes, the website said.
The Defence Minister, at the event, also condoled the death of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother—Hiraben.
Singh said that when he learned about the tragic news he was contemplating returning to Delhi, but the Prime Minister told everyone that all should fulfill their official commitments before coming back.
“So on behalf of everyone here, the Sivagiri Mutt and myself, I would like to pay tribute to Ma Hiraben,” he said.
Thereafter, a one-minute silence was observed by everyone present there.
Earlier, in his speech, he said many allege liberty, equality and fraternity are not part of Indian tradition and ideologies and that it reached us through the French Revolution.
“However, that is incorrect. Sources of liberty, equality, fraternity and world peace can be seen in Indian culture. In fact, the concept of human equality can be seen in our ancient texts and the preaching and literary works of saints, philosophers and poets of the ‘Bhakti’ period.
“Rather, they took it a step forward by talking of universal equality, equality between all living things or the whole world being one family,” he claimed.
Singh also said that it was the far-sightedness of Sree Narayana Guru that he ordered Sivagiri Mutt to spread consciousness among the common people on subjects like education, cleanliness, etc.
“With the grace of Guruji and the blessings of revered saints, our government has also focused its special attention on these subjects,” he said.
Sivagiri Mutt is a famous tourist pilgrimage place in Varkala town of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala.
The math is also headquarters of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organisation of Sree Narayan Guru’s disciples and followers.
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